104 LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



always put back your hand when the caval- 

 €ade pauses, to warn those behind not to 

 come too close to the heels of your unquiet 

 «teed. By so doing you may save an accident, 

 and may, moreover, guard yourself from more 

 than one anathema. I once saw the horse 

 of a fiery old General kicked by the mount of 

 n young nobleman, who thought it not worth 

 his while to offer an apology. '^ See here, 

 young man," said the irate officer, riding up 

 to the offender's side, " whenever you come 

 out to hunt on brutes like that you should 

 paste a danger-card upon your back, and not 

 run the risk of breaking valuable bones. I 

 have said my say," he added, *^ and. now you 

 may go to the devil ! " 



A few hints next as to jumping. 



If, in the course of a run, you meet with 

 stone walls, do not ride too fast at them. 

 Always steady your horse at such obstacles, 

 and follow my oft-repeated advice of leaving 

 him abundant head-room. If you have to 

 cross a river or very wide ditch, come fast at 

 it, in order that the impetus may swing you 

 safely over ; few horses can cross a wide jump 



