74 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



That will give the proper length for the lead-line, 

 which, if a chain, can be shortened by passing the 

 spring-hook down to the proper link in the chain ; 

 if of leather, by knotting up the leather below the 

 log ; if of rope, the knot should be what is called a 

 ' blood knot,' the end of the rope being doubled 

 through the loop of the knot, so as to allow of its 

 being quickly and easily untied if required. 



Where it is of leather and chain (which, next to 

 chain, is perhaps the best description of lead-line) 

 it can be shortened by the buckle and strap at the 

 head end. The prices of lead-lines are as follows : 

 Leather and chain, about 4s. 6d. ; logs (lignum 

 vita), Is. 



I may as well inform the reader that in giving 

 the prices of any articles I do not give the very 

 highest, but I have endeavoured to give what he 

 can rely on obtaining a really good, well-finished 

 article for at a really high-class London saddler's. 

 He can of course please himself as to where he 

 deals, and could, I know, obtain them very much 

 cheaper than at the cost I have reckoned them 

 to be ; but I always prefer to get a second- 

 quality article from a really good maker rather 

 than one which an inferior maker would recommend 

 as his best quality, for the simple reason that the 

 prices are probably much the same ; and although 



