GETTING TO WORK 57 



Good stockmen and breeders, most of them had the 

 trained eye of the natural judge of form, and could tell 

 at a glance a true-shaped horse. They generally pos- 

 sessed a good one or two of their own breeding, and, 

 while careful to ease them when occasion demanded, 

 got the most possible out of them when required. 



I used to admire the way they slipped off their 

 horse, then threw the reins over his head, and ran 

 at top speed down the steepest hillside, the sensible 

 beast neither hanging back nor rushing on, but ad- 

 justing his pace to that of his master, and following 

 like a trained dog, the pair arriving at the bottom 

 and being away again together before a less active 

 and less practised man had made up his mind whether 

 to get down and lead or not. 



It was a pretty sight to see them lift their terrier 

 on to the saddle in front of them, as they often did, 

 by getting him on to the top side of the slope, taking 

 a foot out of their stirrup, and stretching it out 

 towards him. The eager little beggar would half 

 jump, half scramble till he was grabbed hold of and 

 planted down on the thigh of his master, who would 

 then canter off in no way inconvenienced by his 

 awkward burden. 



The way they get over their own country, without 

 getting ifiy is remarkable, for much of it is almost 

 unrideable, except to the man and horse who know 

 how to do it. It is their pride to boast they have 

 hunted a whole season, or several seasons, as may 

 be the case, and without ever having been ^' laired." 

 Many a good chase have I enjoyed assisted by the 

 observations and example of one or other of these 

 hard hill lads. 



