The next moment the starter yelled "Go!" and away, like a whirlwind, we sped across the first field, towards a huge, thick blackthorn fence, the one I had thought to see such fun with. Fun! I never felt less funny in my life, as we approached it at the rate of two thousand miles an hour! The mare jumped high, but I jumped much higher, and seemed for a brief moment to be soaring through the blue empyrean. Somehow, the mare managed to evade me on the return journey earthwards, and, instead of alighting on the saddle, I found myself "sitting on the floor." A howl--it might have been of sympathy, but it didn't sound quite like that--arose from the crowd, and then I thought that I would go home on foot, instead of returning to explain matters to Sir Hercules. As a matter of fact, I don't much care for associating with old Blizzard, at all events, not just now. * * * * * [Illustration: AMENITIES OF SPORT _Huntsman_ (_to Whip, sent forward for a view_). "Haven't ye seen him, Tom?" _Whip._ "No, sir." _Huntsman._ "If he'd been in a pint pot, ye jolly soon would!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HIS LITTLE DODGE _First Hunting Man_ (_having observed the ticket with "K" on it in his friend's hat_). "I didn't know that old gee of yours was a kicker. He looks quiet enough." _Second Hunting Man._ "Well, he isn't really. I only wear the "K" to make people give me more room!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRUE COURAGE _Whip._ "Hi, sir! Keep back! The fox may break covert there!" _Foreigner._ "Bah! I fear him not--your fox."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FORCE OF HABIT _Spanner_ (_a great cyclist, whose horse has been startled by man on covert hack_). "Hi! confound you! Why the deuce don't you sound your bell!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE CART WITHOUT THE HORSE" Scene--_Cub-hunting._ Time--_About one o'clock._ _Lady._ "Well, Count, what have you lost? Your lunch?" _The Count_ (_who breakfasted some time before six o'clock, a.m._). "No, no! Donner und wetter! I have him, but I have lost my teeth!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HORRIBLE PREDICAMENT _Gent_ (_on mettlesome hireling_). "'Elp! 'Elp! Somebody stop 'im! 'E's going to jump, and I can't!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MOST EMBARRASSING _Lady (hiding behind bush, to Mr. Spoodle, who has captured her horse)_. "Oh, thank you so much! But I hope to goodness you have found my skirt as well!" [_Nice position for Mr. Spoodle, who is very bashful, and has seen nothing of the garment_. ] * * * * * [Illustration: "DO NOT SPEAK TO THE MAN AT THE WHEEL" _'Arry_ (_puffing a "twopenny smoke," to huntsman, making unsuccessful cast_). "Very bad scent." _Huntsman._ "Shockin'! Smells like burnin' seaweed!"] * * * * *