A Good Thne at Rugby, 239 



well up to the bit — I most thoroughly enjoyed this 

 capital hunting run, which only required to have been 

 a little faster to have been as good as any I have seen 

 this season. 



On the following Wednesday the Pytchley met at 

 West Haddon, about nine miles from Rugby. When 

 I crossed over to Mr. Darby^s to mount my horse, I 

 found a five-year-old brown mare, showing great 

 breeding and strength, and well up to my weight, 

 which exceeds 17st. 



" But how about her manners at five year old ? ^^ I 

 said to the groom. 



" Perfect in every way,^^ was the reply. 



" Quiet to ride ? ^^ I asked somewhat doubtfully, as 

 it is an early age to arrive at perfection. 



" As quiet as a lamb, and a child might ride her,^^ 

 was the answer, '^ and a capital hack to boot ; and 

 when you return,^^ said the groom, ''^you will say you 

 never had a better mount in your life.''' 



It was so. The day was wet and foggy, a Scotch 

 mist falling throughout the day, which insinuated itself 

 wherever it got an opening ; and being ^' one button 

 short " myself, I offered every facility for a soaking, 

 which I had in due course. 



Notwithstanding the state of the weather there was, 

 as is usual with the Pytchley, a very large and well- 

 mounted ^^ field,'' many very hard men being out. 

 Amongst a host of others Lord Henley and his son 

 the Hon. Frederick Henley, Mr. and Mrs. Craven, of 

 Whilton Lodge, Mr. and the Misses Langham, Major 

 and Mrs. Tempest. Colonel and Mrs. Gosling, Count 

 and Countess Stockau, of Catthorpe, Captain Walker, 

 Colonel Close, Captain Wheeler from Weedon, Miss 



