356 AN AMERICAN HUNTER 



in the open, walk long distances, ride, shoot, and endure 

 fatigue, hardship, and exposure. But if all these traits 

 must be painfully acquired, then it takes a long time in- 

 deed before the man can be turned into a good soldier. 

 Now, there is little tendency to develop these traits in our 

 highly complex, rather over-civilized, modern industrial 

 life, and therefore the sports which produce them serve 

 a useful purpose. Hence, when able to afford a horse, 

 or to practise on a rifle range, one can feel that the enjoy- 

 ment is warranted by what may be called considerations 

 of national ethics. 



As with everything else, so with riding; some take to 

 it naturally, others never can become even fairly good 

 horsemen. All the children ride, with varying skill. 

 While young, a Shetland pony serves; the present pony, 

 Algonquin, a calico or pinto, being as knowing and 

 friendly as possible. His first small owner simply adored 

 him, treating him as a twin brother, and having implicit 

 faith in his mental powers. On one occasion, when a 

 naval officer of whom the children were fond came to 

 call, in full dress, Algonquin's master, who was much 

 impressed by the sight, led up Algonquin to enjoy it too, 

 and was shocked by the entire indifference with which the 

 greedy pony persisted in eating grass. One favorite polo 

 pony, old Diamond, long after he became a pensioner, 

 served for whichever child had just graduated from the 

 sheltie. Next in order was a little mare named Yagenka, 

 after the heroine of one of Sienkewicz's blood-curdling 

 romances of mediaeval Poland. When every rideable 

 animal is impressed, all the children sometimes go out 



