298 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 



Dr. B , who, now that his horse was distanced, would 



give his left hand to see J. H 's nag done the same 



by, declared openly for the pony; and the judges "being 

 Bufficiently advised," decided that way. This was the 

 most reasonable, as well as the most popular judgment ; 

 for one half of those who betted on " Blan," being, in 

 sporting terms, " fielders," and who, consequently, could 

 not lose, were vociferous for the continuance of the sport. 



This question settled, betters were puzzled how to 

 lay out their money. BlannerhasscU had yet friends 

 who would not hedge. They could not realize the pos- 

 sibility of his being beat by a scrub like " Boots^^'' and 



J. H taking courage from the pony's strange freak 



at the end of the last heat, vaunted his nag's prowess 

 anew, as well to assure his friends, as to brag off the 

 " Boots' " people. 



Strange rumors were circulated respecting the con- 

 dition of each horse. The trainer of " Blan " kept the 

 people, as far as possible, from inspecting the state of 

 his charge, whilst every man, woman and child in the 

 field, that chose to do so, was allowed to look on "^oois," 

 and get upon his back too, as to that matter. 



The old pony looked none the worse for wear, and 

 how to account for his fantastic behavior, was perplex- 

 ing enough. Some said he sulked, others that he had 

 given way internally, — one or two insinuated foul deal- 

 ings. None, however, divined the real cause, except 

 Jesse, who kept it to himself, not even venturing to in- 



