HORSES AND HOUNDS. 265 



any fire- eating propensity. Having only so niucli ammunition 

 to expend in the day, that is, only one horse with four legs 

 instead of eight, and one pair of bellows to work through with, 

 do not fire away too fast at starting. 



Some men ride best with long stirrups, some with short. 

 The best plan is to ride as most convenient and easy to your- 

 self, without regard to what other people do. Sit firm in your 

 saddle, without placing too much dependence on your stirrups ; 

 hold your rein tight and rather short over the pommel of the 

 saddle ; but fancy you have a silk thread instead of a leather 

 rein in your hand, and as long as you can feel your horse's 

 mouth it is enough. Go quietly at your fence, giving your 

 horse room to collect himself before taking off ; sit rather back, 

 clip him tight with legs and knees, and over you go. Mind 

 your own business, and do not be looking back to see how 

 Jack Easper or Tom Rattler got over or through, that's their 

 affair ; keep your eye upon the hounds ; do not ride in upon 

 their line, as if you are going to ride their tails oft', but keep 

 rather wide of them, giving them room to turn. When their 

 cry ceases, pull up at once, and whichever way they incline, 

 turn your horse in the same direction, and let them pass you. 

 Your own pace must be always regulated by that of the hounds, 

 and do not be in a fright, as some men are, that they will 

 run away from you. That will not often occur, if you are 

 well mounted, and keep your eyes open, as well as your wits 

 about you. 



When the hounds are at fault, keep silence, and do not be 

 boasting with Jack and Tom how splendidly your horse has 

 carried you — reserve all this for your ride home, or until you 

 meet at dinner. Should you meet with stone walls, never ride 

 at the lowest place, as the chances are all in Icivour of your 

 landing in a stone quarry on the other side. Gates require more 

 exertion on the part of your horse than common fences, and a 

 fall over them is often a serious one. At brooks you must go 

 pretty fast, to clear them cleverly. A military seat on horse- 

 back is no doubt the most elegant, but I do not by any means 

 think it the most secure. Those who ride by balance chiefly 

 will find it quite as much as they can do to keep their seat, 

 should their horse suddenly swerve at a rasper, in Avhich case 

 they will most probably find themselves on their backs. 



I remember seeing a military man, who rode by balance 

 alone, have three tremendous falls at one fence. The hounds 

 were not running, and he put his horse at a stiff fence, to show 

 oft' his horsemanship I concluded, as there was no occasion to 

 take the fence at alt Just before taking off, the horse suddenly 



