I was familiar neither with the horse, the saddle, the hounds, nor fox-hunting, and was extremely nervous.

I would have backed out if I could, but I couldn't, so I mounted the horse and we all started on the chase.
We galloped easily along for perhaps a mile and I was beginning to think fox-hunting a very tame sport indeed when suddenly the hounds started off on a trail, all barking at once.

The master of the hounds and several of the other riders struck off across country on the trail, taking fences and stone walls at full gallop.
I noticed that my uncle and several elderly gentlemen stuck to the road and kept at a more moderate gait.

The eyes of the spectators were all on me.

I don't know what they expected me to do, but at any rate they were disappointed.