HARK FORRARD! 51 



himself, and popped over cleverly. Ray turned 

 him round and trotted him back at it ; he 

 jumped it equally well. 



' May I have a ride ? ' said Reginald. 



' Certainly,' said Howson. 



Springing down the sunk fence, Reginald 

 was soon on the horse's back, and after a five 

 minutes' ride, and * throwing a couple of laps,' 

 as Paddy says, he came to the conclusion that 

 if it were possible the horse should be his pro- 

 perty before he left the house. Dismounting, 

 he gave him to ^the groom, and was soon in 

 deep consultation with Ray Danby. 



' I see you mean to have him,' said the 

 latter ; ' he is a nice horse, isn't he ? Worth a 

 bit of money at home. How he would carry a 

 woman, wouldn't he ? Such a perfect mouth.' 



* I certainly do mean to have him, and I 

 will ask you to do the deal for me if you don't 

 mind.' 



By this time it was quite dark, and the 

 supper-bell ringing, they were soon seated round 

 the hospitable board. Hospitality in Virginia 



E 2 



