292 EACECOUBSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



the stables, is on the alert and checks him 

 promptly. 



" Now, my dear. Keep yom* head up a bit 

 when yon jump. Let him go — not too fast. 

 Bravo ! " he cries, as the little horse swings 

 over the jump, the rider scarcely swerving in the 

 saddle; and " bravo '^ from this critic means a 

 very great deal. " That'll do, my dear," he says 

 kindly; and there is a proud twinkle in the 

 father's eye as he watches the brave girl ride off 

 to the stables — as well there may be. " I've 

 had most of the noted lady riders in my hippo- 

 drome, sir ; but there are few of them good for 

 much. They go bumping about on the horse, 

 keeping tight hold of his head, or else letting 

 him slummock all over the place . " (" Slummock- 

 ing," it will be observed, is an offence in Mr. 

 i Tanring's eyes.) '' No ; it isn't easy to jump 

 such a gate in the circle, I can tell you. Where 

 would the best steeplechase rider be, if he wasn't 

 trained to it ? Why, over the side of the ring, 

 horse and all. You've got to be7id him at it," 

 he explains, holding an imaginary pair of reins 

 in his hands, and illustrating the process. '' It's 

 easier for a man, besides, with two spurs, a pair 

 of knees and a couple of hands on him. But 

 that girl can ride." 



" We Englishmen flatter ourselves that we 



