211 



However, we must allow you were the first over ; 

 this might not have happened on an old cunning 

 horse, he would very likely have slackened his 

 pace himself, or if you had so driven him that he 

 could not, he Avould very likely have refused, 

 rather than attempt what he would have felt he 

 could not do. Your horse, having had less ex- 

 perience, and possibly never a fall before under 

 similar circumstances, tried that which he could 

 not accomplish ; it will do him good ; he will be a 

 better judge next time. 



" To-morrow,^^ said I, " with your consent, I 

 wish to show you another pack ; it is one that 

 has only a couple of fixtures within reasonable 

 reach of me, and even then I very rarely join 

 them ; I admire neither master, men, hounds, nor 

 field. We will send the horses on to-night, for it 

 is sixteen miles oflp. I should not take you 

 there now, but that the foxes they find there 

 mostly belong to, or at all events take towards, 

 this part of the country, and are killed nearer 

 here than they are found. 



" These hounds hunt a good but somewhat 

 rough country, which quite suits those who hunt 

 with them. The master piques himself on being 

 not only a MDruising rider,^ but a bruiser also, 

 and is not very particular as to language if au}^ 

 thing offends him; he keeps a large stud, has 

 always a couple of second horses out for himself 



F 2 



