98 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIELD. 



nary habit of "running" every now and then in the 

 midst of a gallop — not trotting or ambling, but simply 

 running with all four legs independent of each other; 

 and with disagreeable frequency he would land over a 

 jump on his knees, somewhat after the fashion of the 

 young people in circuses when they spring over what 

 I believe are known as " banners-." 



Crookton observ'ed this one Thursday, when the old 

 horse was worse than usual, taking a run after eveiy 

 gallop of a dozen strides, and, despite all Tom's care, 

 toppling him over at two successive fences. These 

 were of course gay times for Crookton, who really 

 enjoyed himself; for not only were there plenty of legi- 

 timate pretexts for finding fault, but as a subscriber to 

 the Hunt he felt that he had an undeniable right to 

 express himself freel3\ 



" Look at that wretched screw to-day ! He'll break 

 Tom's neck if the lad doesn't take care, before the day's 

 over. I believe Scruton makes those brutes himself 

 out of broken-down clothes-horses. The lad can ride, 

 too, or could if he had a beast to carry him. I'll tell 

 you what I'll do. For the credit of the Hunt I'll get a 

 horse from my own man, and Tom may ride it till the 

 end of the season," the Captain exclaimed, and speedily 

 put his project into execution. 



Tom was to go to Captain Crookton's private and 

 particular dealer, bearing a letter instructing him to 

 supply the best light-weight hunter he could part with 

 for eighty guineas. That was the Captain's way of 



