190 MEN OF MY TIME 



business was a pleasure. He was never away from it 

 when he could be there. His whole thoughts were 

 absorbed in it, until it became an enjoyment, as real as 

 lasting, of which he partook without stint. He brought 

 it, by indefatigable labour and arduous study, to a pitch 

 of perfection in all its bearings to which it had never 

 attained before. Once at Danebury, in reply to a noble- 

 man who asked him if he hunted, he replied laconically : 



1 Yes, I hunt every day, my lord, with my horses 

 that's my hunting.' 



Nevertheless, in fine weather, when the hounds met 

 at Clatford Oakcuts, a cover close by, he would about 

 two or three times in the season meet them, mounted 

 on a thoroughbred, and wearing a greatcoat. Directly 

 they found, he would ride to the tail of the hounds ; 

 but at the first check, which was often caused by his 

 over-riding, he would take out his watch, and say to 

 those that might be near him : 'It's half -past twelve, 

 gentlemen, and I am off to my dinner,' and would gallop 

 a good part of the way back again, and this comprised 

 the whole of his amusements, outside of his home and 

 stable, for the year. 



CHAPTER XI. 



MB. SWINDELL. 



Origin Takes to the turf ; shrewdness and reticence His first c coup 

 with Mr. Merry's Chanticleer Horses Weatherbound in the Cam- 

 bridgeshire ; extraordinary trial J his confidence and the Admiral's 

 disbelief Sir Joseph Hawley's opinion of Beacon ; beat by Bevis 

 The match with the baronet ; the latter pays forfeit : diamond cut 

 diamond Brocket run for Ruby ; how Ruby was kept Derby 

 favourite Exposure of a dishonest trainer. 



Character Employment of touts ; generosity ; business capacity 



