RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



even more required for ground. After much rain, 

 do not enter a turnip-field if you can help it, the 

 large, frequent roots loosen the soil, and your 

 horse will go in up to his hocks ; young wheat 

 also it is well to avoid, if only for reasons purely 

 selfish ; but on the fallows, when you find a wet 

 furrow, lying the right way, put on steam, splash 

 boldly ahead, and never leave it so long as it 

 serves you in your line. The same may be said 

 of a footpath, even though its guidance should 

 entail the jumping of half a dozen stiles. Sound 

 foothold reduces the size of any leap, and while 

 you are travelling easily above the ground, the 

 rest of the chase, fox and hounds too, as well as 

 horses, though in a less degree, are labouring 

 through the mire. 



When your course is intersected by narrow 

 water-cuts, for purposes of irrigation, by covered 

 drains, or deep, grass-grown cart-ruts, it will be 

 well to traverse them obliquely, so that, if they 

 catch the stride of his gallop, your horse may 

 only get one foot in at a time. He will then 

 right himself with a flounder, whereas, if held 

 by both legs, either before or behind, the result 

 is a rattling fall, very dangerous to his back 

 in the one case, and to your own neck in the 

 other. 



Valour of course insists that a hunter should 

 do what he is bid, but there are some situations 



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