An August Morning 



In a hot August, and August is generally a 

 hot month, there is a delicious freshness in the 

 air at an early hour in the morning, which is 

 quite sufficient compensation for the trouble of 

 early rising. 



The man who knows his business will ride 

 a horse with some experience — a steady old 

 hunter — on these early mornings, for he will 

 know that young hounds are apt to rush wildly 

 about in search of their huntsman if they should 

 chance to miss him and may easily come within 

 reach of his horse's heels. A horse that is at 

 all inclined to kick should never be taken out 

 during the early part of the cub-hunting season, 

 unless his rider is content to view the proceed- 

 ings from a distance. Besides, a steady horse 

 should always be ridden on these occasions, for 

 the sportsman is very likely to be pressed into 

 the service and an unruly or fidgety horse dis- 

 tracts the attention. 



How pleasant it is to ride an old favourite 

 on these August mornings. As one jogs quietly 

 along in the starlight, the old horse plays with 

 his bridle gaily ; and I know of no more cheery 



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