40 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



This led to my explaining such effects of the 

 want of condition as I presumed he was unac- 

 quainted with ; and finding my suspicions correct 

 as to his nags being in dealer's condition^ I gave 

 him (on his asking it) my advice^ which was in 

 words to this effect : — 



" You have two remarkably fine horses^ one 

 of them a very clever one, as I have seen ; but 

 neither can be fit to go with bounds under six 

 weeks. Not to lose your huntings buy a couple 

 of fifty-pound seasoned hack hunters; sell them 

 when your own are ready. But do not risk 

 four hundred from inflamed lungs^ or broken 

 necks or backs^ from exhaustion, which you will 

 risk, in all probability realise, if you ride your 

 horses in their present state." 



" I wish you would write a book for novices 

 like me/-' most modestly said neighbour. 



" I'll think of it/' said I, at that time thinking 

 I never should ; but having, since that time, been, 

 like his chestnut (but in another way), a good deal 

 blown, but not, like him, regularly planted, I 

 thought of neighbour's hint and took it. 



