THE DUKE OF HAMILTON.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1371, 20 October 1883, Page 1

THE DUKE OF HAMILTON.

A story is told of one of the ancient Dukei of Hamilton, who, being a keen sportsman, naturally took a great interest in the breeding and rearing of horses. He, however, had one splendid animal which he could never get properly broken } none of his grooms or jockeys could ride him. Being out one day visiting some of his tenantry, he told them his difficulty. " Man,” says he, •* I think I hae a wee bit callun will ride him for ye. But if ye bring him down some day we’ll hae him tried.” The duke, little thinking the boy would be able to ride him, brought down the horse one day to have him tried. Jock, who had never been told of the arrangement, wm surprised one day when he saw the master and two fine gentlemen leading a horse, com* ing over the field to him as he was herding the cows. ” Jock,” says the farmer, “ would you like a ride to-day." "Ou ay,” “ An’ hoo wull you like a ride on that braw horse, d’ye think?” “Oh, fine; but ye are jist makin a fule o’ me noo, offerin’ me a braw horse like that ta ride on.” “ No, no, Jock, we’ll gie ye a ride on him, gin ye like.” So Jock, being quite agreeable, was lifted on the horse. He first twisted a handful of the mane several times round his hand, and then said : “Gi’emeup the tai!, noo.” So with the other hand he held the tail up over his shoulder, and said : “Tak’ a’ thae rapes off his heid, noo, tor I’m no acquaint wi’ thae kin’ o’ things.” So, having pulled the bridle off his head, the horse started rearing and kicking, and tritd to throw his rider; but finding it was all cf no use, he came to a standstill, when Jock cried, “ Fling yer stick at him, man.” So having driven the horse about the field, till he was thoroughly broken, the Duke gave the astonished boy a soverign, who exclaimed, “Ye can bring as mony mair as ye like the morn, at the money.