HUNTINGCROP HALL 277 



one, I think." One of them didn't seem rioht, but 

 it was impossible to say which in the agony of the 

 moment. 



He surveyed me critically from tlie front, and 

 then took up one stirrup to a degree that brought 

 my knee into close proximity with my waistcoat : 

 The Sultan meanwhile exhibiting an uncertainty 

 of temperament which caused me very considerable 

 anxiety. Luckily I had presence of mind to say 

 that he had shortened the leather too much, and 

 there was not much difference between the two, 

 when, with Laura and some seven companions, I 

 started down the avenue in front of the house. 



The fundamental principles of horsemanship are 

 three : keep your heels down ; stick in your knees ; 

 and try to look as if you liked it. So I am in- 

 formed, and I am at a loss to say which of the 

 three is the most difficult of execution. The fact 

 that The Sultan started jerkily, some little time 

 before I was ready to begin, thereby considerably 

 deranging such plans as I was forming for guid- 

 ance, is to be deplored ; for my hat was not on very 

 firmly, and it was extremely awkward to find a 

 hand to restore it to its place when it displayed a 

 tendency to come over my eyes. Conversation, 

 under these circumstances, is peculiarly difficult ; 

 and I fear that Laura found my remarks some- 



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