CAPTAIN WARNER 129 



was never able to give him a breather. Whatever 

 the cause, " Revolving Light " died before he could 

 be got back to the stable. 



I also that same day killed a horse, which was 

 a serious thing for me. It was a blood mare I had 

 bought the previous Saturday at Leicester, and I 

 was riding her for the first time. By a stroke of 

 good luck I had managed to get an excellent start, 

 and the mare carried me brilliantly to Billesdon — 

 a bold and free jumper. Having only given a 

 " pony " for her, I was naturally delighted with the 

 purchase, as well as jubilant over seeing such a 

 rattling gallop. 



Although I do not remember that she ever 

 touched a fence, she must have just grazed a sharp 

 stake and the mischief was done — I had her shot 

 there and then. 



For some unexplained reason a large proportion 

 of the men who were usually in the front rank never 

 saw the fast part of the run, and I don't think they 

 ever realized how good it had been. The time of 

 the whole thing was an hour and twenty-five 

 minutes, with a nine-mile point ; but the fast part 

 lasted about thirty minutes. 



In referring to the midnight chase I mentioned the 

 names of Mr. " Willy " Chaplin and Mr. " Charlie " 

 McNeill as being two of the performers. Both were 

 first-rate men to hounds, and the former, when on a 

 good horse, can still hold his own. The latter left 

 the Quorn to take hounds, and I hear was a very 

 capable huntsman. 



