[Titanic] I can't help myself

Britain has a mild and humid climate and lush vegetation, which is simply a paradise for foxes.These cunning and nimble little animals dig holes everywhere, harm livestock and destroy crops, causing great losses, and have become a major public hazard in agriculture.Therefore, for the British, not only is fox hunting not a cruel act, but it is a noble thing to drive away vermin and contribute to the tenants, and it is the responsibility and obligation of the owner of the land.

It can be said that fox hunting is the most important and most anticipated activity in this gathering.Although I personally have no interest in it.While these foxes have taken a lot of toll, it's just in their nature.The beginning of November means that these poor little animals will be chased by groups of hunting dogs because of the so-called mistakes made by the creator, they will run away in panic, and finally they will be torn to pieces by the hunting dogs exhausted, or shot by humans.

During this time, guests brought their horses and hounds over one after another.The servants are busy arranging the riding clothes for the guests, and the grooms try their best to keep the horses in the best condition.As the first of November approached, all the male guests showed a tendency to be provocative and showy, but it was perfectly concealed by good breeding and polite manners.

On this day, after breakfast, everyone changed into riding clothes. Only some ladies who had no interest in riding horses would stay in the castle and wait until lunch time before driving to the hunting grounds. Enjoy an outdoor picnic in the pavilion of the Hanoverian Dynasty in the [-]th century, and the hares and birds hunted by the hunters will be made into the main meal of this picnic.

I was bored riding on Ellie and looked around.Ellie is a bay mare English Thoroughbred, a gift from my Aunt Edith on my first visit to Chatsworth when she was only a meter high.It is very docile, patient, and has a very stable personality. Over the years, it has never lost control, and it listens to me very much.He was the only horse I could ride with confidence, and the other was in Acton, a gray Holstein, also bred from a colt.

Rose didn't want to participate in the hunt, but under her mother's strong pressure, she had to change into a red riding outfit and join in.Wearing this kind of close-fitting clothes, she is obviously not as slender and slender as other girls, but it better highlights her bumps. I saw several gentlemen pretending to glance at her chest inadvertently.

Since she came to the hunting ground, she has been complaining about the cruelty and bloodiness of hunting, mocking the hunters for letting the hounds do all the work while enjoying the rewards, and mocking the nobles for showing their status and nobility by killing innocent animals.

I'm absolutely in favor of hunting being brutal, and I don't like the activity either.But it would be great if Rose could say a few words less. Her whining and complaining gave me a headache.

While Rose was making a speech about how innocent rabbits and foxes are, another knight came up and began to echo her statement.After all, Rose is a young woman, she pities these little animals, she will only make men think that she is kind and soft-hearted, which is an advantage for a lady.

Seeing that the two were chatting happily, I drove my horse to the side of the dogs.Chatsworth originally had dozens of hounds, and with the addition of those brought by the guests, it is estimated that there were nearly a hundred of them.They shook their erect tails excitedly and barked together. Although they came from different groups, these apparently well-trained and tame hounds did not have any obvious conflicts.

Seeing me approaching, the group of dogs belonging to Chatsworth happily circled around my horse, and many of them knew me.I took a small bag of beef jerky from the saddle, pulled out the jerky, and leaned over the horse to feed them.The internal hierarchy of the hounds is strict, and only a few with higher status came over to take the beef jerky from me. The other dogs could only swallow their saliva and wag their tails, watching pitifully aside, not daring to come up to grab it.

After feeding more than a dozen dogs in a row, my waist was sore, so I put away the bag, "Good dog." I patted their heads, "Okay, good boy, go over there." The hounds used their noses affectionately Rubbing against my hand, I stuck out my tongue and licked the glove until it was full of stinky saliva. George, who was accompanying me, saw it and thoughtfully gave me clean gloves.

I clamped the horse's belly, Ellie began to move forward slowly, George followed behind me not too far away, and the hounds obediently stayed where they were and did not catch up.

Everyone was making final adjustments. I stopped under a tree, stared at the distant woods for a while, and then looked for Karl in the crowd. Soon I saw a group of gentlemen and ladies. Karl we stand together.He obviously saw me too, waved to me, and drove his horse over.

Karl was wearing a black hunting suit, the close-fitting tailoring perfectly showed his figure like a Roman sculpture.He also brought his own horses, formerly kept at his estate in Birmingham.It was a pure black Arabian horse named Hernan, whose smooth fur reflected dazzling light in the bright sunlight.

"If I remember correctly, you seem to have said that you don't like riding horses." He drove the horse to my side and stopped. "Then do you still want to participate in hunting activities?"

I shrugged helplessly, and stretched out my hand to stroke the mane on the horse's neck, which was combed into small knots: "I'm afraid this is necessary, otherwise I will be ridiculed by others."

Actually, I'm a little afraid of riding a horse.I remember when I was two or three years old, a manservant who was said to be very good at riding a horse was hunting with his father. When he crossed a not-so-wide mountain stream, he fell off his horse and broke his neck at that time. gas.I still remember this incident vividly. Every time I ride a horse, I feel nervous and nervous, and I am always worried that I will fall off.

"Why don't you like horseback riding?" Carl asked, "When I was your age, I was crazy about horseback riding. Whenever I had time, I would go to the racecourse to compete with others. Last time I raced over obstacles and rushed into the woods to see who could go through it the fastest. I got muddy every time and fell off my horse once and nearly broke my neck.”

"Oh, God," I muttered, "that's why I don't like riding horses."

"So you're afraid of breaking your neck?" Carl laughed.

I told him about Acton's valet who broke his neck, and said, "I know you want to laugh at me for being a timid little girl, I've heard that. But say what you want." Well, since I can’t love this sport as much as I love my life, why risk my life? There’s no shame in loving yourself.”

Carl immediately coughed twice: "Sorry. You are right, everyone should cherish their own life. But I didn't mean to laugh at you, Henry."

While Carl and I were chatting, William also came over.

"I hope I didn't disturb you." He raised his hat and said with a smile.His horse snorted, took two steps forward and rubbed his head against Ellie's face affectionately. He didn't know if it was intentional, but the horse took two steps to the side, and Karl's Hernan had to back away.

"Jimmy and Ellie have always had a very good relationship. They grew up together and have always been inseparable, just like a couple." William explained, taking the opportunity to stop the horse beside me and stand side by side with me.

I don't know if it was my illusion, but I heard some provocative meaning from William's words.

"I see, it's obvious." Carl smiled faintly, and stopped on the other side of me, "But it's a pity that your Jimmy has been gelded, otherwise, maybe you could have a foal with Ellie. "

William's smile froze instantly, looking past me at Carl.

I lowered my head and coughed, and said, "William, where is Bishop Williams? When will you start praying?"

William withdrew his gaze, "It will take a while, but it should not exceed 15 minutes at most. How do you feel now, are you scared?" Before I could speak, he said to himself, "Wait a minute. Just follow me, don't worry about anything else, I will help you."

"Thank you." I whispered.

William said again: "George, follow your master closely later and protect him well."

"Please, William," I whispered unbearably, "Even if my riding skills are poor, I'm still a man, please show me some face!"

Carl gave a short laugh.A muscle in William's cheek twitched, but he said nothing more.

At this time, the bishop walked to the front of the crowd, indicating that the prayer was about to begin. Everyone got off their horses and bowed their heads, listening to the bishop praying to God. First, he thanked the heavenly father for his kindness, and everyone was able to usher in this year’s hunting festival safely. Under the guidance of God, these pests will be expelled, and I will beg the Lord to bless all the hunters and hounds, give everyone courage and strength, and so on.

At the end of the long prayer, I said "Amen" with the crowd, and then the servants brought glasses full of port wine, and each hunter had a drink.These wines are brewed by Chatsworth himself. They are old and not low in alcohol. After drinking a glass, I suddenly felt a surge of heat, which made my head dizzy.

The hunters got on their horses, a jockey blew the horn that symbolized the start of the hunt, and the dogs immediately barked excitedly.While blowing the horn, the man drove the horse and led the pack of dogs to run ahead, rushing forward.Catching the scent of the fox in the air, the dogs ran away, their tails raised high, and their paws fell heavily on the ground, making heavy noises.

William controlled the rein and took a few steps forward, and turned around again. Seeing me following, he speeded up, "Follow me closely, Henry!" he shouted.

I curled my lips and pinched the horse's belly. Ellie let go of her pace and rushed out.