286 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 



race in all respects, conformable to the rules of the 



club. 



The strict constructionists were not satisfied, how- 

 ever, with the announcement of the third entry ; they 

 demanded to see the animal — and I well remember the 

 air of ruffled dignity with which the owner of " Boots " 

 bade me get up behind him, to have the " great un 

 known " led up to the stand for inspection, and sad- 

 dled, or rather unsaddled, for the race. 



The " Boots " party had made the entry with no in- 

 tention of running him. It was on their part a gra- 

 tuitous subscription of the sum required, to prevent the 

 spectators from going home in chagrin and disappoint- 

 ment. But when pushed to this extremity, they not 

 only produced the nominee, but actually resolved upon 

 making a brush for the money — as much in derision of 

 the scruples of the malcontents, as in obedience to a cer- 

 tain spirit of the old Adam in them, which revolted 

 against the uncharitable suggestions of collusion bruited 

 about the course, when it was said, that the third entry 

 would not exhibit himself for the contest. 



Upon the threshold of his ingress into the theatre 

 of fame, poor " Boots " met with an obstacle that well 

 nigh nipped his prospects in the bud. The rules of the 

 club required the pedigree of every horse entered to be 

 stated. Alas, " Boots " had neither scutcheon nor an- 

 cestry. His age was of little consequence. His pres- 

 ent owner had come in possession of him ten years be- 



