i62 PINK AND SCARLET 



row to the left, while the pack are still running 

 straight on. Let us not shout out loudly, " There 

 he is," or something of the sort, but rather let us 

 ride quickly up to the Master or Huntsman and say, 

 without pointing, " I viewed him just now down that 

 hedgerow to the left." Then fall back again quietly, 

 and let those whose business it is to do so take the 

 necessary action, and also the credit for it. 



This is training for that " playing for the side " — 

 that loyalty to your Commanding Officer — which is 

 the most valuable attribute of a reliable Officer. 

 For it is better indeed to be served by a man with 

 mediocre ability, who is thoroughly loyal, than by 

 one with the most brilliant talents, who plays for 

 himself and does not " back up." 



We are moralizing somewhat, and while on that 

 tack we may mention that hunting can also teach 

 unselfishness, perhaps indeed may even inculcate 

 the habit which will hereafter be the cause of our 

 winning that Decoration most coveted by the 

 soldier, the Victoria Cross. The habit referred to 

 is that of hastening to the help of a man in difficulties. 

 This feeling will at once prompt us to diverge, even 

 at the risk of losing our place, from our line, to catch 

 and to hold, while he gets on, the horse of a man 

 who is down. This sounds very simple, but it is 

 not too often done, and yet how grateful is the 

 recipient of the caught horse who has been trying to 

 run through a sloppy pasture, or a soft plough, in 

 top-boots ! 



We once caught and took back a horse to a sport- 



