-18- 



I saw was still there years after I had left the house. 

 She soon settled down, and I rode her over a few fences 

 and took her back. I bid the man ten pounds, which he 

 refused with scorn, so I told him to take her away. 

 Now, she had either made up her mind to stay with me, 

 or there was something about the house-agent she did 

 not like. Whenever he went towards her she screamed 

 and he jumped; if he did not jump quickly enough, she 

 swung round and lashed out at him. It was a very funny 

 scene, and I really think the cob had a sense of humour 

 and enjoyed it. 



I have had many a horse trade since that morning, 

 but never have I had a seller so completely at a dis- 

 advantage; in fact, I always felt I owed the cob some- 

 thing for the assistance she gave me in the deal. 

 As he could not take her away, he took my tenner and 

 the cob was mine. 



It required a little self-confidence to buy her, 

 but it nearly always requires that to pick up a cheap 

 one of any sort. She was not a difficult mare to sit, 

 and never' really tried hard to get you off, seldom 

 bucked and had no nasty tricks, such as trying to scrape 

 her rider off against a wall. But she just kicked, and 

 kicked from habit; it was tiring, I allow, but nothing 

 else. She even gave that up to some extent. 



I remember well the first day I rode her out hunting, 

 It was with staghounds, and while we were waiting for 

 the pack to be laid on, and she was just kicking a little 

 to pass the time away, H. Ripley rode up and looked at 

 her hard. He was at that time very well known between 

 the flags, and one of the hardest men to hounds I have 

 ever seen. After a long look he remarked to me: "So 

 you have got that little mare. I owned her once. 

 Take my advice and kill her before she kills you." I 

 was really glad that hounds came up just then and pre- 

 vented further conversation. She went well that day 

 and every other. I have owned many a high-class 

 brilliant hunter since, but not a great many better 

 ones, and certainly never a sounder one. She was very 

 good-looking, with a perfect forehand, and had quite a 

 nice turn of speed. 



