VALOUR 



How characteristic was his request to a farmer 

 near Glengorse, that he would construct such a 

 fence as should effectually prevent the field from 

 getting away in too close proximity to his hounds. 

 "I can make you up a stopper," said the good- 

 natured yeoman, "and welcome; but what be 

 you to do yourself, Squire, for I know you like 

 well to be with 'em when they run ? " 



"Never mind me," was the answer; **you do 

 what I ask you. I never saw a fence in this 

 country I couldn't get over with a fall!'' and, 

 sure enough, the first day the hounds found a fox 

 in that well-known covert, Tom Smith was seen 

 striding along in the wake of his darlings, having 

 tumbled neck-and-crop over the obstacle he had 

 demanded, in perfect good-humour and content. 



If valour, then, is a combination of pluck and 

 nerve, he may be called the most valorous 

 sportsman that ever got upon a horse, while 

 affording another example of the partiality with 

 which fortune favours the bold, for although he 

 has had between eighty and ninety falls in a 

 season, he was never really hurt, I believe, but 

 once in his life. 



"That is a brave man!" I have heard Lord 

 Gardner say in good-humoured derision, pointing 

 to some adventurous sportsman, whose daring so 

 far exceeded his dexterity as to bring horse and 

 rider into trouble ; but his lordship's own nerve 



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