1877—78.] THE WHISSENDINE. 211 



Covert, and now was to begin the pith of the run and of 

 the da}'. 



For five minutes the field meandered or stood in pairs and 

 groups without the covert, or in the narrow riding leading 

 through it. Now and again the voice of the pack told that 

 their game was before them ; but, baffled hitherto in theii' 

 hopes, men were far from sanguine, and scarcely watchful. 



Away once more over the Whissendine ! This time we 

 leave on the right of the covert, two fields of plough hindering 

 progress as we strain out to the holloa ; and the pack are over 

 the brook as we turn from the crowded gateway, and leap into 

 the meadow that bounds the water. Yes, you thought little of 

 the water as you left it behind an hour ago ; and so you sit 

 down in all confidence to drive at it the horse that made so 

 light of it before. But it is -wider and less encouraging here ; 

 and, worse discouragement than all, Mr. Algernon Tumor's 

 horse slides right in, struggles, plunges, but at length emerges 

 on the other side. If evil example has power with us sinners, 

 how much more has it ever with our equine friends ? Every 

 horse is under a spell at once ; none dare fling themselves as a 

 true water-jumper should ; but one and all fall short, either to 

 scramble out with a second spring, or to roll backwards to 

 theii* muddy destin3\ "Keep straight, sir! " when you have 

 picked your place under the good rule of "having it where you 

 can't see the opposite bank." (If the precept is new to you, 

 make a note of it, and bless The Field, whose recipes are so 

 freely at your service.) But, though your spm^s are your own 

 and your longest, j'our steed 3'our friend's and liis best (or, 

 maybe, your own and the greatest beast that you ever made- 

 believe to be fit for good company), you share no better fate 

 than your neighbours ; and if you only shuffle out on to dry 

 gromid as quick as Mr. Frewen or Captain Smith, j'ou are 

 lucky. The bed of the brook is fairly firm, the banks are low, 

 and the water not deep ; but there is much wallowing and 

 struggling, several men are in or down, and a lady is under her 

 horse. You saw not the latter, so there is no reproach on yom' 



p 2 



