AFTER THE BATTLE 169 



sure to be some one who can tell us the names of 

 the parishes we have run through. It is quite worth 

 the young soldier's while to take a little trouble over 

 this, if only because of the interest which those at 

 home may take in hearing about the run ; but much 

 more is it so because of the practice it gives in map 

 reading, and in acquiring an eye for country, and a 

 bump for locality. 



If we have a second horse out, and he casts up 

 about this time, we are indeed well placed (for good 

 scenting days, like decisive victories, are not too 

 common), and we may confirm our success by 

 continuing the pursuit of the Image, as we may 

 confirm it in the Real by continuing the pursuit of 

 the enemy if we have in hand, as we ought to have, 

 a formed portion of our third line, of our Cavalry, or, 

 better still, of both. The pursuits may then con- 

 tinue, as they should continue, until light fails us, or 

 the hounds go home. 



To the man who is keen it is a wrench to have 

 to go home before the hounds, especially on good 

 scenting days, and he wants a second horse, just as 

 the most brilliant achievement by a disordered mass 

 of soldiery (and successful attacking columns, if 

 only through their own ela7i, are bound to become 

 disordered) requires the speedy support of formed 

 troops. 



In the present instance, however, we are a one- 

 horse man, and having seen our fox broken up, and 

 decided in which direction we are going, it behoves 

 us to be off before our horse has time to ofet stiff. 



