FOX-HUNTING, ii 



horse and rider in the wide ditch and fence above 

 alluded to, 



Our friend, however, has an electric or telephonic 

 system of intercourse with his horse (no whip or spur, 

 mind you) which secures him from such disasters, and 

 he sails onwards smoothly — his gallant horse taking 

 the fences in his stride — and now, the crowd being 

 long ago disposed of, and his course truly laid for two 

 or three fields ahead, he has leisure to inspect his 

 company. Right and left of him (no true sportsman 

 ever looks back) are some half-a-dozen good men and 

 true going their own line ; those on the right perhaps 

 two hundred yards wide of him, as none but a tailor 

 will ride the line of the hounds, and they on their side 

 allow the same lateral space or interval that he does 

 on his. Those on his left are nearer to him, and so 

 far have done their devoir gallantly in the front with 

 himself; but this cannot last. His is the post of 

 advantage as well as of honour, and a slight turn to 

 the right occurring simultaneously with the apparition 

 of a strong " bullfinch," or grown-up unpleached thorn 



