VALOUR 



is called, without honourable mention of the habit 

 and the side-saddle, would in these days betray- 

 both want of observation and politeness ; but 

 ladies, though they seem to court danger no less 

 freely than admiration, possess, I think, as a 

 general rule, more pluck than nerve. I can recall 

 an instance very lately, however, in which I saw 

 displayed by one of the gentlest of her sex, an 

 amount of courage, coolness, and self-possession 

 that would have done credit to a hero. This 

 lady, who had not quite succeeded in clearing a 

 high post-and-rail with a boggy ditch on the 

 landing side, was down and under her horse. 

 The animal's whole weight rested on her legs, so 

 as to keep her in such a position, that her head 

 lay between its fore and hind feet, where the 

 least attempt at a struggle, hemmed in by those 

 four shining shoes, must have dashed her brains 

 out. She seemed in no way concerned for her 

 beauty, or her life, but gave judicious directions 

 to those who rescued her as calmly and courteously 

 as if she had been pouring out their tea. 



The horse, though in that there is nothing 

 unusual, behaved like an angel, and the fair rider 

 was extricated without very serious injury ; but I 

 thought to myself, as I remounted and rode on, 

 that if a legion of Amazons could be rendered 

 amenable to discipline they would conquer the 

 world. 



115 



