CHAP. X.] SADDLE ARRANGEMENTS. 303 



cover to keep the rain out is most easily put on ; in 

 a moment the gun is out of the gun-bag and in the 

 hand, ahnost as quickly a whip could be raised, and 

 it can be left on the animal's back when the rider 

 dismounts. I do not think the general effect is at all 

 imsightly. 



I should not mind riding any reasonable horse 

 across country with a gun carried in this way ; indeed 

 it is an invaluable plan to a traveller, for any sized 

 weapon may be put in it ; either a little pea-rifle that 

 could be shot off with one hand, as a pistol, or a long 

 heavy two-ounce weapon. A common long shooting 

 gun is perhaps the easiest to carry, though all are 

 easy enough. The other convenient saddle arrange- 

 ments for a travelling hack, are a bag to hold odds 

 and ends on the left side of the pommel, or where 

 advisable, a holster for a " revolver ; " behind the left 

 leg a sabretash, for writing materials may be hung ; on 

 the crupper of the saddle there is no harm in having 

 small saddle-bags, and above them a waterproof cape, 

 with leggings, if the season be very rainy, wrapped up 

 in it. With these things, gun, saddle, and all, a man 

 would ride two and a haK stone heavier than he walks, 

 which is nothing for a steady travelling expedition; 

 but if he wants to gallop off, shooting, he must of 

 course limit himself to a saddle and gun-bag. No 

 two people travel in the same dress ; my own fancy 

 lies in leather trousers, jack-boots, a thick woollen 

 jersey, a cotton shirt over it, and a cap. A belt 

 supplies pocket room. 



In foot expeditions, the jack-boots must be replaced 



