;--

When the Baronet made his appearance "on a milk-white steed," before the
mansion of Dashall. In a few moments the friendly trio were assembled in
the breakfast-parlour, and partook of a hasty repast while the coursers
from the Belville-stud, destined to perform a prominent part in the
forthcoming adventures of the day, were getting in readiness. The
preparations were soon completed,--the hunters, two noble animals, were
brought to the door,

Each "with neck like a rainbow, erecting his crest,
Paniper'd, prancing and pleas'd, his head touching his breast."
"Saddle White Surrey for the field to-morrow,"

was the order of Richard," said the Baronet; "but had he been in
possession of such a horse as either of these, 'White Surrey' might have
gone to the devil."

"I'll warrant them both, sound, wind and limb, and gentle to boot,"
said the Squire,--"Come then, if you wish to be well-mounted, and would
really look like a "baron bold," seat yourself fearlessly on either,
and bear yourself through the streets of London with the dignity ~196~~
befitting a true, magnanimous and puissant knight of Munster!"--This
address had the desired effect,--it implied a doubt of the Baronet's
courage, and he seated himself on the "gallant steed" immediately.--Tom
and Bob at same time betook themselves, the former to the other "high
mettled racer," and the latter to the unassuming rejected Rosinante
of Sir Felix. A trifling delay, however, occurred; the stirrups of
the Baronet's charger were too short, and he alighted while the groom
repaired the defect.

Now see him mounted once again
Upon his nimble steed;
Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.

Whether, like the Calenderer's horse under the its guidance of the
celebrated John Gilpin, the disdainful steed now in the management of
Sir Felix, "wondered what thing he'd got upon his back," we are not
competent to decide; but he certainly in his progress "o'er the
stones" manifested frequent impatience of restraint. These symptoms
of contumaciousness were nevertheless borne by the Baronet without
complaint,--

Till finding soon a smoother road
Beneath its well-shod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which galled him in his seat.

And, as if intuitively knowing the incapacity of his rider to restrain
him, and despising curb and rein, the indignant animal set