140 THE HUNTIXG-FIELD. 



" It is not certainly fair coursing^ but^ as to its 

 fairness towards puss, it is at all events as fair as 

 shooting lier ; and as I never do this_, I do take a 

 little liberty witli lier in tlie way you see^ w^liicli 

 gives me a gallop as well as a liare/^ 



'' I wish I had not ridden this pony/^ said my 

 friend as w^e returned home. 



" Why so?^^ said I. 



" Why/^ said my guest, ''^t puts me out of 

 conceit with my horses ; here is a httle animal 

 that, with near twelve stone on her back, has 

 carried me up to greyhounds, bounded over 

 hurdles and fences, as strong under me as if I 

 was a boy ; and I have given heavy prices to get 

 what can do no more. Will you sell her ?" 



" Your discontent,^^ said I, " is uncalled for, but 

 affords me occasion to make a few remarks that 

 may be useful to you. In the first place, I warned 

 you I had put you on the back of an extraordinary 

 animal, by whom you must not judge of such in 

 general ; though this you may set down as fact, 

 small horses are no doubt stronger, and indeed 

 better, in proportion to their size than large ones. 

 A fair or good horse, of proper size, can of course 

 do a great deal more than the Galloway you are 

 now on; but certainly not so much more as his 

 increased size would w^arrant us to expect. I 

 told you, if you recollect, in allusion to your little 

 steeplechase mare, that for short distances weight 



