Hammer sieves Pluck 



man in the kingdom could ha' rode Black Douglas 

 four mile 'cross country, the brute 'e was, the 

 beauty ! 



*'The odds were ten to one the day of the race, 

 Black Douglas being a dark 'un and none taking 

 the trouble to look up 'is pedigree. I was stand- 

 ing in 'is stall giving 'im a last rub-down with a 

 handful of straw, and keeping my eye on 'im to 

 see 'e didn't kick my brains out, when in walks 'is 

 lordship, dressed to ride, leanin' on Master Harry. 



" 'Well, Judson,' e' says, 'all ready?' 



" 'All ready, your lordship,' says I. 'And are 

 you going to ride?' I asks, seeing 'im there so 

 faint and pale. 'Who else?' says 'e, sharp like; 

 but that was always 'is way — few words. 



"W^hen the bugle sounded I give 'is lordship a 

 leg up and leads 'em out on the course. Black 

 Douglas was fighting ugly, for the crowds and the 

 band set 'im crazy. 



"The grand stands and paddock were jammed, 

 and as we went by,the Guards give us three cheers. 

 I tell you that made me feel proud. There were 

 fifteen other starters, all good 'uns, too, but none 

 of 'em looked like Black Douglas as I'd raised 

 from a foal, and none of the gentlemen sat a 

 horse like my lord. 



"The music and the cheers from the Guards 

 still rang in my ears, when down went the flag 

 53 



