1878—79.] A BAGGEAVE FINALE. 295 



full use of the three stone advantage he can claim over most 

 of us. 



It is the '' hig " pack before us to-day — little of their extra 

 music as the}' la}- themselves down to the keen scent. The 

 leading horsemen are going their best ; but there is no race 

 for places ; for after the first four fences there is a locked gate 

 (an onh' exit), then a second delay at a most unexpected wire- 

 Again the van is huddled for a moment where a chain encircles 

 a gatepost. For ererij fence is not plain sailing ; and the last 

 stride only tells if a gate has deceived. Some one must jump 

 off, of course. ^Vho is it to be ? At such times, I notice, w^e 

 are most of us more eager to proffer suggestion than to take , 

 the matter into our own hands. " Some one hold my horse ?" 

 is more often uttered v/ith only a half-hearted desu'e that the 

 request should be complied with. Rather it is often thrown 

 out in hopes of shaming some other one to undertake the 

 office apparently volunteered. For, in spite of " Wait for him ! 

 Let him mount ! &.C., &c." the hapless labourer reaps less ad- 

 vantage from his praisewortliy task than any of his friends. 

 The throng possibly makes a strong restraining effort to give 

 him time to regain the saddle ; but is only too often broken 

 through from behind, and the good Christian is carried along 

 stirrupless, blown, and scantily thanked. In the present in- 

 stance the volunteer is ready, willing, but unskilled. Dis- 

 mounting in a jiffey, he has the chain off, and the gate 

 unlatched immediately. Firr is sent forward c.v officio. The 

 others pull up to await their friend in need. But he has not 

 yet graduated thoroughly in the school of foxhunting ; and the 

 occasion is one of bewildering hurry. After two ineffectual 

 dives at his stirrup, he calls all his youth and activity to his 

 help, Hings himself, waistcoat pockets downwards (to put it 

 nicely) on to his saddle, and does his utmost to struggle into 

 the perpendicular. His steed of course sets off again with the 

 others ; and the sequel scarcely needs recital. A dark clad 

 form rebounds on the turf halfway up the field. Still less is it 

 necessary to add that he who would help others is not left 

 altogetlier friendless in his misfortune. 



