Falls 141 



one says, " Try him again," and another, " You are not going 

 in, are you ? " 



" Not much," replies Novice, in a voice intended to con- 

 vey a sense of composure and determination. 



There is no turning back now. He has burned the 

 bridge behind him. So, with set features, he crams on his 

 cap, takes a good hold of the reins, hardens his heart, and 

 away he goes over. 



" Well done ! " 



" Good boy ! " 



"Try it again ! " 



"Beautifully jumped ! " 



" Perfect form ! " 



Exclamations of approval greet his half-dazed senses as 

 he comes to a halt before the lookers-on. Now the hand 

 on the barometer points at bold-cautious, and his spirits rise 

 once more. He wishes he had ordered a pink instead of a 

 grey melton for his hunting-coat. 



So far his jumping has been confined to timber hurdles 

 between wings built up on a schooling-ground. Another 

 jump or two he negotiates successfully. The colour returns 

 to his face, which is now wreathed in smiles that he can no 

 longer suppress for the tumult of joy going on within him. 

 He proposes to try the bank and ditch, though his groom 

 demurs. 



"Why not?" asks our bold rider. 



"Well, please yourself, sir. Only send him at it so as 

 to clear the ditch." 



It is bad advice too well followed. With too long a 

 start, the mount takes off too soon, Novice thinking he was 



