194 How I BeCxVme a Sportsman. 



some extra good horse, he was a big-hearted 

 one. Now, I believe this is hterally true, for I 

 have noticed over and over again, that many 

 a real good one, that had the pluck and 

 power to go at best pace through dirt and 

 clay, was found to have, when opened, a much 

 larger heart than ordinary ; it was so in the 

 case of the roan mare I have mentioned, and 

 many others I could particularize. 



Now, the conclusion I wish to draw from 

 all I have said is this — that a man of small 

 or moderate means can get more sport and 

 be better carried by what is called a good 

 screw than in any other way. Talking of 

 screws reminds me of a good story told 

 of a certain well-known captain, commonly 



called Bob M . The captain at one time 



was not quite so well off as he is now (and 

 I am heartily glad that he is, as a better 

 sportsman, a more congenial companion, or a 

 better fellow never lived), and used to ride 

 good-looking, well-shaped horses, but they 

 were of the " have been " stamp. His stud 

 groom was a queer fish, a thorough York- 

 shireman, and was apt to speak in plain 

 language, and to put it down in black and 



