14 RACECOUKSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



wonder what Greenwood could have done to get 

 Tip the back of so good a httle horse. 



To the fence we came, and I steadied him, 

 in anticipation of his jumping big, according to 

 the warning. Instead, however, he sHd over 

 " so smoothly he scarcely seemed to rise at it," 

 as Greenwood had said the night before, when 

 describing his performance at the gate. 



"It only shows," I thought, "that when 

 properly handled a horse will, as a rule, go 

 properly." For this is the kind of reflection one 

 may have, though it does not sound well to 

 mention it. 



To the ridge and furrow he accommodated 

 himself perfectly, jumped a gap in the calmest 

 and kindest manner, and galloped on over the 

 meadow — hounds were running with the scent 

 breast high — as Greenwood had said, " like a 

 bird." Is he getting away with me ? Can I 

 hold him ? I thought, and laid hold of the 

 reins, but he came back without the slightest 

 fuss, and I began to confess that he merited the 

 character he had received over the Pontet 

 Canet. 



A slight check occurred in the plough beyond, 

 and I had time to look round. Nothing was to 

 be seen of Greenwood, which I could not under- 

 stand, for he ought to have been pounding on 



