ri6 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIELD, 



which led over the thinnish fence aforesaid. " He does, 

 though ! Splendidly done ! " he continued, as the mare 

 bounded over without suspicion of a touch. 



" Yes," I replied ; " it must be a man's own fault if 

 he fails to keep his place on that mare, I should think. 

 Have you many up now ? " I asked, as we went smoothly 

 over the grass. 



"Pretty full, just at present, sir, and I should be very 

 happy if you would come and look at them some day," 

 he replied. 



" You are very good, I'm sure, and I should be 

 delighted," I said, much pleased with my com- 

 panion's affability, and likewise at the prospect of 

 an afternoon's visit to such a stable as the INIajor's 

 must be. 



" I sha'n't hunt on Friday, if you care to ride over, 

 sir ? " he rejoined, handing me a card ; and before I 

 could answer his invitation we approached another sec- 

 tion of the rails over which his mare had distinguished 

 herself. My perfect beast stopped dead at them, while 

 the Major, coming up on his young one a length behind, 

 shot over with considerable ease, just faintly tapping 

 the top with a fore-foot, but not enough to disconcert 

 horse or rider in the least. 



A second attempt carried me over, or rather through, 

 for a broken rail was the consequence of an effort with 

 too much steam on, and at the next check, to which a 

 particularly dodgy fox speedily brought us, \ found 

 myself near a friend. 



