XI. 



AN AFTER-DINNER SPORTSMAN. 



As a very general rule the less a man talks about his 

 own performances in the saddle the better for his own 

 reputation and the comfort of his friends. 



There are, of course, exceptions to every rule ; as, for 

 example, Dick Christian, whose *' lecture," so full of 

 pleasant and unconscious egotism — as from its style it 

 needs must have been — is an abiding joy to all who 

 know the Midlands, either by experience or hearsay. 

 "The Druid" did good service when he interviewed the 

 gallant veteran, and obtained from him those stories 

 which he loved to repeat for the edification of a sympa- 

 thetic listener. The knowledge, too, that all the old 

 man's statements were strictly accurate lent a charm to 

 his narrative which all stories of sport certainly do not 

 possess ; as in the case of Herbert Fluffyer, who has 

 lately settled amongst us, and who goes wonderfully 

 straight and well after dinner, or even at breakfast, 

 especially after a glass of cura9oa and brandy, but who 

 does not appear to equal advantage when hounds are 

 running. 



/'On their own merits modest men are dumb," has 



