Spain 177 



In the steeplechase referred to above, I had been able 

 to keep clear of the confusion that reigned supreme at the 

 first two jumps, but in approaching the third, an Irish 

 bank, with apparently a clear course before us, " Jack o' 

 Lantern," who was well in front on the right hand, 

 suddenly swerved across and almost stopped. He took the 

 fence very slowly indeed. I was jammed in on both sides 

 and could not possibly pull outside him, and " Jerezano " 

 had to dig his toes in the ground to prevent knocking the 

 other horse head over heels. The bank was very narrow 

 on the top, and though the horse made a gallant effort it 

 was too much for him, and down we came. Having kept 

 hold of the reins I was on him again almost directly, when 

 the huntsman of the Calpe Hounds, Charles Payne, who 

 was standing on the far side, held on to the bridle, begging 

 me to wait and catch my breath. It was all done in the 

 most good-natured way possible, but there the training of 

 the hunting field appeared, for he never thought of the 

 distance his delaying me was causing me to lose. At last 

 he was induced to let go, but by that time the leaders 

 were a long way ahead, and it appeared a very hopeless 

 task to overhaul them. " Jerezano " stuck gamely to his 

 work, and gradually overhauling the field one by one, he 

 was almost at the quarters of the leader when the last 

 fence had to be jumped. The bad luck, however, still 

 continued. Half-way between the last fence and the 

 winning-post I made my effort, and if we had had a 

 straight run in, we should have won. There was an angle, 

 however, to be turned, and " Jack o' Lantern " — the very 

 horse that had caused the fall — was on the inside. 

 "Jerezano " had almost drawn level with him, when in turn- 

 ing the flag " Jack o' Lantern " ran wide, boring us out, right 



