72 LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



away at a fair in the neighbouring town and 

 had the key stowed away in his pocket. To 

 jump the wall again was impracticable. No 

 horse that ever was foaled could do it in cool 

 blood ; nor was I wilHng to risk the experiment, 

 erven if my steed made no objection. 



At length we decided upon the only plan. 

 I dismounted, and, taking the rein over my 

 arm, led my mighty hunter across the yard, 

 induced him to stoop his head to enter by a 

 back door through a passage in the farm- 

 house, and from thence through the kitchen 

 and front door, out on to the road. I have a 

 cheerful recollection of an old woman, who was 

 knitting in the chimney-corner, going off into 

 screams and hysterics as I and my big steed 

 walked in upon her solitude, a loose shoe and 

 a very audible blowing making the entrance of 

 my equine companion even more prononce than 

 it would otherwise have been. The poor old 

 creature flung down her needles, together with 

 the cat which had been quietly reposing in 

 her lap, and kicking up her feet yelled and 

 bellowed at the top of a very discordant voice. 

 It took the combined efforts of all four 



