Once or twice Sir John asked the Major to give it up, but the Major swore that the mare was a good mare and only wanted riding.

She kicked and squealed and backed and went round the park with him at a full gallop.

In the park there was a rail with a ha-ha ditch, and the Major rode her at it in a gallop.
She went through the timber, fell in the ditch, and then was brought up again without giving the man a fall.

He at once put her back at the same fence, and she took it, almost in her stride, without touching it.

"Have her like a spaniel before the day's over," said the Major, who thoroughly enjoyed these little encounters.
Among the laurels at the bottom of the park a fox was found, and then there was a great deal of riding about the grounds.