HUNTINa. 129 



me ten to one that he would master the 

 animal in question within five minutes. *^ I 

 do not bet,'* I said, " but I will venture to 

 assert that you will not be able to ride hiui 

 out of the yard within as many hours." He 

 took me up at once, and, as a good many 

 sporting men were dining with us, who 

 evidently enjoyed the prospect of a little 

 excitement, I quietly called a servant, and 

 sent orders to the groom to saddle Bigwig 

 without delay. It was a lovely evening in 

 summer, and we all adjourned to the yard to 

 view the performance. 



The moment my beautiful pet saw me he 

 whinnied joyously and strove to approach me, 

 but I dared not go near him, in case it should 

 be thought that by any sort of '^ Free- 

 masonry " I induced him to carry out my 

 words. The sight was most amusing; the 

 gentlemen all standing about, smoking and 

 laughing ; the horse suspicious, and not at 

 ease, quietly held by the groom, whose face 

 was in a grin of expectation, for none knew 

 better than he what was likely to ensue. The 

 major prepared to mount, and Bigwig stood 



9 



