So7ne Steeplechase Horses 97 



low, powerful bay horse was being led about. On looking 

 at him I said to Captain Milligan, " Why, that is ' Leading 

 Suit,' " and received the answer, " How did you know ? for 

 I don't believe a soul here knows the horse is in Aldershot." 

 I did not think it necessary to enlighten him, carelessly 

 remarking, " I thought it must be him, it is so very like 

 him," and then received a fresh caution to be careful not 

 to divulge the name. 



On mounting, another horse was sent to go with me, 

 but when we got near the first fence " Leading Suit " 

 suddenly tried hard to bolt, and though I prevented him 

 from doing that, he stuck his toes in the ground and 

 refused to jump. Turning him round, I tried again to get 

 him over but he would not have it, and then proceeded to kick 

 and rear. I soon saw that either he was to be the master 

 or I, so riding up to the little group who were watching, I 

 said to Captain Milligan, " Do you mind his having 

 punishment ? " and he having replied, " No, do what you 

 like," I turned away from the fences and proceeded to use 

 the whip vigorously. At first the horse plunged and kicked 

 in every direction, but I still kept applying the whip, and 

 after eight or ten strokes he gave up fighting and tried to 

 bolt. I knew he was conquered then, but, to make 

 assurance doubly sure, hit him three or four times more 

 as he was galloping, and then gradually getting his head 

 in a line for the iirst fence, allowed him to race at it ; when 

 within a short distance of the jump I hit him again as a 

 reminder, but he never offered to swerve, and taking it in 

 his stride he rattled along straight for the next one. As 

 I passed the little band I heard one of them say to the 

 others, " He'll do," but the meaning of the observation was 

 lost upon me, and it was years before I knew the 

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