RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



though on the watch. There lurks a fund of 

 latent energy under the placidity of our friend's 

 demeanour, and, as four couple of hounds come 

 streaming out of cover, he shoots up the bank 

 rather too near them, to pick his place without 

 hesitation in an ugly bullfinch at the top. Two 

 of his own kind are making for the same spot at 

 the same moment, and our young friend shows 

 at such a crisis that he knows how to ride. 

 Taking " The King of the Golden Mines " hard 

 by the head, he changes his aim on the instant, 

 and rams the good horse at four feet of strong 

 timber, leaning towards him, with an energy not 

 to be denied. Over they go triumphantly, the 

 King, half affronted, catching hold with some 

 resentment, as he settles vigorously to his stride. 

 What matter ? most of the pack are already half- 

 way across the next field, for Leicestershire 

 hounds have an extraordinary knack of flying 

 forward to overtake their comrades. His father 

 would be delighted with the performance, and 

 would call it "scoring to cry," but young Rapid 

 does not trouble himself about such matters. 

 He is only glad to find they are out of his way, 

 and thinks no more about it, except to rejoice 

 that he can put the steam on, without the usual 

 remonstrance from huntsman and master. 



The King can gallop like a race-horse, and is 

 soon at the next leap — a wide ditch, a high 



228 



