Sh' Charles Slingsby 267 



him he snatched at the mane, and he had evidently- 

 remembered that " Saltfish's " mane was always on the 

 near side, instead of as usually worn, for I noticed his 

 hand went right to the top of the horse's crest, but he 

 failed to get hold. In slipping down the neck the hand 

 caught the rein, which caused " Saltfish " to throw up his 

 head and lose his balance, when they both disappeared 

 under the water, Sir Charles never to be seen again alive. 

 The horse, however, reappeared again a little further on, 

 and, reaching the opposite bank, managed to get out safely. 

 Of the eleven horses that embarked, I think I am right in 

 saying that only that horse and mine escaped being 

 drowned. 



Whilst swimming across I suddenly saw a hunting cap 

 emerge a short distance below me, followed by a head and 

 shoulders, and I recognised Mr. Ptobinson. To my 

 astonishment he continued to rise still further out of 

 the water, and I began to swim on my side to be able to 

 see what was the reason. After his whole body had 

 emerged I saw a horse's head appear, and then it became 

 evident that he was still sitting on his horse just as in the 

 boat. This was most remarkable, for the place where they 

 came to the surface was a very long way below where the 

 capsize took place. He appeared perfectly calm and cool, 

 shook himself, and looked first at one bank and then at the 

 other. Unfortunately his horse was heading straight down 

 the stream for the weir, which was not very far below, 

 and whether he touched the bridle or not, or whether the 

 horse was so beaten by his long submersion that he could 

 not swim, I do not know. Almost immediately, however, 

 the horse sank. Mr. Eobinson was left a moment or two 

 on the surface before he too disappeared, and the horse 



