THE DEALER. iii 



seamed coat, cord breeches, and butcher boots formed 

 his invariable attire ; but what chiefly attracted my 

 attention were the horses he rode and the manner in 

 which he rode them. 



Almost always his mount was a young animal that 

 could certainly not have had much experience of the 

 chase, and seemed to be more than likely in the course 

 of a run to disconcert that perfect equanimity which was 

 the Major's most jDrominent characteristic. 



So a casual observer would have supposed. But 

 though often excitable on first coming among the other 

 horses — or rather into their neighbourhood, for the 

 Major generally sat by himself a little apart from 

 groups of chatting and smoking sportsmen, attended 

 only by a servant — by some means the colt was speedily 

 reduced to placidity ; and when it came to running, the 

 manner in which the pair acquitted themselves was 

 delightful and withal marvellous to behold. 



Between horse and rider, as between husband and 

 wife, the secret of travelling successfully over the 

 obstacles which mark alike the hunting field and the 

 matrimonial existence is only known to those who 

 understand each other ; and, indeed, chiefly consists of 

 that understanding. 



By what subtle means the Major impressed upon a 

 four-year-old that he must not plunge and fight with his 

 rider at the covert-side I must regretfully confess my 

 ignorance, but this lesson he was certainly fortunate in 

 conveying. If I ride a young horse he bucks and kicks. 



