46 How I Became a Sportsman. 



excellent legs and feet, and looked all over 

 as he was — a most perfect, temperate boy's 

 hunter. I was very soon on his back and 

 tried his hand at jumping, and was delighted 

 with him, for I found him as clever and as 

 willing as old Rapid. This was the very 

 animal for me, for he was very fast though 

 very quiet, and had a capital mouth, and 

 required nothing more than a snaffle-bridle, 

 which I always rode him in. 



Now, it was a great wonder that my hands 

 had not been completely spoilt by riding 

 such a little tearing devil as the old pony, 

 for though he was quiet enough in an ordinary 

 way, and did not pull so very hard, the moment 

 he saw or heard the hounds he seemed to 

 have no mouth to speak of, for I could make 

 no more impression on it than pulling at a 

 house. I say it is a wonder that my hands 

 had not been irretrievably ruined, but my 

 good old father, who had a capital seat and 

 hands himself, took great pains and care to 

 properly instruct me in both, and I had been 

 so well grounded by him in my lessons on 

 the old horse, that when I found myself 

 mounted on " Black Diamond," as he was 



