The Whaddon Chase. 361 



after all a limited multitude. But^ apart from numbers 

 there is more room at a fence — because most of its 

 fences are alike from end to end. If you can have a 

 fence at all — before it is gapped as above ; you can 

 have it anywhere, and may ride at it in good heart as 

 it confronts you. Neither horse nor rider must rake- 

 and-tear. Quick between your fences, and a "steady^' 

 at them is the rule in the Vale — and is not the same 

 rule absolute anyivhere — if you would not make a fool 

 of yourself at the end of one field. Get the way on 

 hefore you settle for the jump is no Maxim : it is the 

 means by which the best of our elders (Lord Wilton 

 and Mr. George Grey of Northumberland) set their 

 juniors year after year; leading the latter either to 

 hustle at the critical moment of the jump, or else to 

 believe that big fences were to be had without pace. 

 In the Vale it is not only to cover height and width 

 that a steadier must be taken. Often and often a first 

 spring is only preliminary to a second bound for a 

 second fly. You are on to the bank over stout wattle, 

 with just room enough to take ground for a launch 

 over the second and the ditch beyond. That ditch is 

 probably blind and dark ; and the double hedgerow is 

 all one growth, up to Christmas. Bat you are not all, 

 and always, going best pace at such obstacles : and 

 you are not, every day, riding an animal new and 

 untangled to the work. 



The brooks of the Vale form another distinguishing 

 feature, and supply the prettiest water- jumping in 

 England — almost every stream being a fair clean 

 jump, with sound banks and the water almost level. 

 The Addington Brook is the only doubtful one : 



