158 SPORTING REMINISCENCES 



first. I remember once when I rode in early from 

 hunting and the men were out I got him his mash 

 and drink, the cook coming with me. He allowed 

 me to take off his saddle and rug him, and to 

 bring in his tea, then he cleared us out with his 

 teeth bared. 



Afterwards he would whinny for me and try to 

 prevent me leaving his stable, and run to me Uke 

 a dog when he came in from grass. 



There ^vill never be another Blackie, with his 

 accuracy and power and generosity, and, referring 

 to that, a very curious thing happened once. I 

 dreamt that we found in Ballybricken, ran out 

 west and came to a very high dry bank in a corner 

 which we jumped. Blackie was killed, and I 

 was badly hurt. I told this of course to Cuthbert 

 and several other people, for we were to draw 

 Ballybricken next day. 



We ran out the line of my dream, which I had 

 forgotten all about, then we came to the high 

 bank. 



Out went Blackie's forelegs, a horse who 

 never refused in his life. Jump ! not if I killed 

 him. It was high but perfectly easy, and he would 

 not go. I remember Mrs. Wyndham sweeping 

 past me ; a dozen horses. I lost my temper and 

 broke my hunting crop over the old man's neck. 

 No . . . not he. 



As I sat panting I remembered the dream, 

 hounds were swinging for Grange. I turned away. 



