The Harkaway Hunt Steeplechases. i6i 



my dear?" The whilom pride of the music-halls is now 

 'thoroughly in her element ; for the moment, indeed, she 

 almost fancies herself back again at the hall, over on theSur- 

 rey side, exchanging pleasantries with the gallery. Need- 

 less to say, the disreputable Spriggins is no match for her 

 when it comes to '' chaff," and retires, utterly defeated, after 

 a very short bout of it, and on goes the drag rejoicing. 



Of course all the houses in the neighbourhood are 

 filled with visitors. Every inn, too, in the town of 

 Bullerton is crammed to the muzzle. The secretary and 

 .clerk of the course, Mr. Samuel Shrub, of the Daisyfield 

 Arms, arrayed in the glossiest of new hats, smartest of 

 neckcloths, and brownest of top-boots, is in his glory. 

 The innkeepers, one and all, are doing a rare trade ; in 

 fact, the whole town is in a state of excitement. The 

 Daisyfield Arms is, naturally, the centre of attraction, for 

 it is the headquarters of the hunt committee. 



Horsey-looking men, clad in down-the-road-looking 

 coats and knowing-looking hats, hang about the front 

 door, and talk to one another with such a mysterious air 

 as to give one the idea that they are concocting some 

 deep-laid scheme of the utmost importance to the nation. 

 Vagabonds of all sorts, from goodness knows where, 

 pervade the streets. No steeplechase meeting can 

 seemingly take place without their assistance. The 

 mighty Ginger is there, too, having arrived overnight 

 band and all, and has spent, so he says, a very pleasant 

 evening — profitable as well, no doubt — enlivening the 

 company at the Daisyfield Arms with his ditties. He is 

 telling everyone to be sure and back Lord Daisyfield's 

 horse Cock a Bondy for the Hunt Cup, who is to be 

 ridden by our friend, Charles Wildcats. 



M 



