As both your horses know their work, they obey your motions, however slight; and you will soon be able to pass muster on their backs.

But it would take months of patient teaching for you so to acquire the art of horsemanship as to be able to train an animal, yourself." After the lesson was over, Francois and Philip would tilt at rings and go through other exercises in the courtyard.

Breakfast over, they went hawking or hunting.

Of the former sport Philip was entirely ignorant, and was surprised to learn how highly a knowledge of it was prized in France, and how necessary it was considered as part of the education of a gentleman.

Upon the other hand, his shooting with the bow and arrow astonished Francois; for the bow had never been a French weapon, and the crossbow was fast giving way to the arquebus; but few gentlemen troubled themselves to learn the use of either one or the other.