194 ^SK ETC LIES IX THE IIUXTIXG FIELD. 



But alas ! though clear of the trees practicall}^, I was, 

 metaphorically, very far from being out of the wood. 

 AVhen just endeavouring to make up my mind to come 

 out again some day I heard a noise, and, looking 

 behind me, saw the whole fearful concourse rapidly 

 approaching the hedge which led into the ploughed field 

 next to me on the right. Helter-skelter, on they came. 

 Hounds popping through, and scrambling over. Then 

 a man in pink topping the fence, and on again over the 

 plough ; then one in black over wdth a rush ; two, three, 

 four more in different places. Another by himself who 

 came up rapidly, and, parting company with his horse, 

 shot over like a rocket ! 



All this I noted in a second. There was no time to 

 watch, for The Sultan had seen the opportunity of making 

 up for his lost day, and started off with the rush of an 

 express train. We flew over the field ; neared the fence. 

 I was shot into the air like a shuttlecock from a battle- 

 dore — a moment of dread — then, a fearful shock which 

 landed me lopsidedly somewhere on the animal's neck. 

 He gives a spring which shakes me into the saddle 

 again, and is tearing over the grass field beyond. I am 

 conscious that I am in the same field as the Major, and 

 some three or four other men. We fly on at frightful 

 speed ; there is a line of willows in front of us which we 

 are rapidly Hearing. It means water, I know. We get 

 — or rather it comes nearer — nearer — nearer — ah-h-h ! 

 An agony of semi-unconsciousness — a splash, a fearful 

 splash — a struggle .... 



