“Yes,” said James; “he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, and just like him.”

“Pity! pity!” said the old man; “’twas a bad place to leap, if I remember; a thin fence at top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn’t it? No chance for a horse to see where he is going. Now, I am for bold riding as much as any man, but still there are some leaps that only a very knowing old huntsman has any right to take. A man’s life and a horse’s life are worth more than a fox’s tail; at least, I should say they ought to be.”

During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our corn, and James and the old man left the stable together.