THE HUNTER. 49

four ; but.at this age a horse has not attained
his full strength and courage, and will not only
fail on a tough trial, but will be subject to
sprains and accidents.”

“Ts it true, Uncle Thomas, that some horses
enter so much into the spirit of the chase, that
they have been known to follow the hounds
without a rider P”’

“ Quite, John; I remember a very striking
instance of it, which took place a few years ago.
A gentleman happening to be on a visit to a
friend in Wiltshire, was mounted on one of his
horses, a well-bred and fiery mare. At the
close of a very fine day’s sport, the huntsmen
had beat a small furze brake, and for the pur-
pose of better threading it, the gentleman dis-
mounted, and gave the bridle of the mare to the
next horseman. Puss was soon started; the
‘halloo’ was given; the person who held the.
mare, in the eagerness of sport, forgot his charge,
loosed his hold, and, regardless of any other
than his own steed, left the mare to shift for

E