^8 A HUNTING STABLE. 



and let you h<aye a look at them for half an hour ? I 

 can give one of you a seat, and mount the other on a 

 nice cantering hack that shall give you a chance to 

 see their action — what do you say to that move?" 



" That it's a good one, I" — said Beaufort, looking 

 at his Breguet. " It's only five o'clock now, and you 

 don't dine till eight, Ches, do you?" 



" What we call eight, and that is a good deal nearer 

 nine. We 've lots of time to see the Yankees go. 

 Which will you do, Beaufort, take the seat with Colo- 

 nel Fairfax, or back the cantering hack?" 



^' Oh ! behind the trotters for me, by all manner of 

 means," said the duke. 



" For my part then, I '11 ride," said Cheshire; " if 

 it be a little more work one will have a little better 

 chance to see them." 



"I would have my curricle got out," said Matus- 

 chevitz, laughing, " but I think the saddle is a better 

 place for galloping in than a curricle, even with a pair 

 of thorough-breds before it; and my high-stepping 

 grays have no more chance of touching Fairfax's trot- 

 ters, or letting you get a glimpse, except of the dust they 

 leave behind them, unless at a gallop, than you or I 

 of seeing the ladies across the vale on foot. Fairfax 

 can mount you well enough, or I for that matter." 



" A — a if it 's not too much trouble, I shall be 

 charmed. Have you more horses than you know what 

 to do with, colonel ? We have pretty hard work for 

 them here, I can tell you." 



" Oh ! never fear me, I've got nine or ten beside 

 the trotters. A short gallop will do them good. • Put 

 a saddle on Selim, Roberts, and have the sorrels har- 

 nessed to the light trotting-wagon. I don't believe, 

 duke, you ever entrusted yourself to so slight and 

 crazy a looking egg-shell, but it is as strong as it is 

 light and easy-running, and over j^our smooth turn- 

 pikes it will almost fly." 



