PREPARING FOR THE FIELD. 87 



said I, '' iov, in truth, tliey are of all sorts, sizes, 

 and dimensions/^ 



" Why/^ replied my friend, " I tliink I have 

 heard you say that one sort of horse is not fitted 

 for all countries, and I have not quite made up 

 my mind where I mean to make head- quarters in 

 this my first campaign/^ 



" You seem to have overlooked, in your wish 

 to have something to suit different countries, that, 

 supposing you had got this, you would in such 

 case have only one really effective horse for the 

 country you may fix on; and as a still greater 

 drawback," said I, " though a particular sort may 

 be, and really are necessary for particular countries, 

 — a bad sort are not fit for any country ; nor can 

 even a good sort if in bad condition go any 

 where. I will now/* continued I, " give you my 

 candid opinion of your stud, and also of your 

 stud-groom ; and will further, in a few days, send 

 you some general hints on the selection of hunters 

 that you will make such use of as you may think 

 proper ; as, however, hunting will very soon com- 

 mence in earnest, you have no time to lose in 

 your purchasing; but," continued I, ^^it would 

 be perfectly useless in me, or a more competent 

 person, to attempt giving you either advice or 

 assistance, either in the purchasing or management 

 of hunters, so long as you retain your present head 

 of stable affairs in your service." 



G 4 



