8 HOUND AND HORN 



^' Well, there's ' Pepperbox/ whom you know — the 

 ^Powney,' as Batters calls her, though she is 15. if." 



" Fifteen wan on her bare feet an' stannin' 

 streetched," corrected that worthy. 



^^ She's fresh as ever, and will come up from the 

 grass firm and fat, and frisking like a filly." 



*' Yes," replied Bill, '' she gives a very good imita- 

 tion of Australian buck-jumping when the saddle is 

 first laid on her, and a lot of fun to the man who 

 crosses it. I remember our friend here had a con- 

 venient turn of lumbago last year, and gave me the 

 privilege of 'first ride,'" he went on, seeing Batters 

 leave the stable for a moment ; *' but I did not see 

 much stiffness about him as he ran to catch her 

 after she had disposed of me." 



''The other is this one, one of that rare sort, 

 anybody's horse, a very pleasant ride, an absolutely 

 safe conveyance, a perfect fencer, and never sick 

 or sorry ; but, as Batters says, ' sair afQickit wi' 

 want o' speed.' " 



"This old arm-chair rather spoils the look of 

 these three blood-like chasers," said Billy to Batters, 

 who had come back. 



" Mebbe she diz that, Captain Willyum, but she's 

 yin o' the kind ye whiles read aboot but dinna aften 

 see, an' she can mak' fules o' some o' the faster kind ; 

 an' what's mair," with a very steady and direct 

 glance at his master, " she's a yuisfu' kind for a 

 snawy day." 



Thereupon I made a mental note that whether I 

 wished it or not, " Old Safety" would have to remain 

 in the Hunt stable. 



" Ye'll never think o' pairtin' wi' the auld horse, sir," 



