BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE CIECUS. 291 



'^That's it! Don't let his head go too 

 loose, or else he'U slummock all over the place. 

 That's it ! Now then, where's the big gate ? 

 Take it in, Johnny ; lend a hand to hold it up." 



The brave girl glances at the sturdy piece of 

 carpentry. There is no mistake about it. The 

 gate is of at least the usual height, firmly made 

 of good stout timber, the sort of thing that, if it 

 has to be jumped, stops a very considerable 

 majority of a hunting-field. 



*' All right, my dear! If he can jump one 

 he can jump the other. Hold him well together ; 

 don't let him slummock," cries her father, as she 

 canters round the ring preparatory to trying it. 

 "Now then! Up!" 



Over goes the gallant little horse, with more 

 than a bit of a buck ; but his rider's seat is sure 

 and her hands cunning, though the big jolt 

 sends her hat off, and it hangs round her neck 

 as she comes to the gate again, and clears it a 

 second time. 



*' Now then, round the hurdles," her father 

 gays ; and I note that four good big gorse-covered 

 hurdles have been arranged round the hall, after 

 the fashion adopted at the Horse Show. 



The little chestnut does not care about 

 jumping any more, but his mistress has a will of 

 her own, and, as he tries to bolt out towards 



