Assist. R. M. This lot don't look much like going over 'urdles—'cept in front o' the 'orse, but I'll tell the Captain.
[The hurdles are brought in and propped up. Enter a well-turned-out Stranger, on a grey cob.
Mr. Sniggers (to him). You ain't lost nothing by coming late, I can tell yer. We've bin having a gay old time in 'ere—made us ride without sterrups, he did!
Captain Headstall. Haw, really? Didn't get grassed, did you?
Mr. S. Well, me and my 'orse separated by mutual consent. I ain't what you call a fancy 'orseman. We've got to go at that 'urdle in a minute. How do you like the ideer, eh? It's no good funking it—it's got to be done!
R. M. Now, Captin—not you, Captin Cropper—Captin 'Edstall I mean, will you show them the way over, please?
[Captain H. rides at it; the cob jumps too short, and knocks the hurdle down—to his rider's intense disgust.
Mr. S. I say, Guvnor, that was a near thing. I wonder you weren't off.
Capt. H. I—ah—don't often come off.
Mr. S. You won't say that when you've been 'ere a few times. You see, they've put you on a quiet animal this journey. I shall try to get him myself next time. He be'aves like a gentleman, he does.