The Harkaway Hunt Steeplechases. 165 



I know his sisters, I tell you ; see 'em every Sunday in 

 church. His sisters wear silk stockings, therefore they 

 must be ladies, and if they're ladies, why it stands to 

 reason Jack must be a gentleman." 



A roar of laughter followed Mr. Wagg's decision, at 

 the end of which old Shrub retired in high dudgeon, 

 amidst the chaff of the company. 



That little argument settled, the horses emerge on to 

 the course, headed by the redoubtable Jack Tomkins ; Tip- 

 perary Joe looking and going so well in his canter that he 

 is made a hotter favourite than ever. 



''Theyreoffr ^^ A capital start ! " ''Oh, isn't it pretty?" 

 say the ladies. ^' There's one down ! Oh, dear, I hope 

 he's not hurt ! " '' Tipperary Joe wins ! " is the cry, as 

 the horses are seen coming to the last fence but one. 

 " He's pulling hard ! Why, he can't hold him ! But, 

 what's this ? He's pulling him ! " '' No, he ain't ! " ''I 

 tell you he is ! " And, sure enough, amid the execrations 

 of the crowd, that scamp of a Jack Tomkins (pulling 

 hard at his horse) allows Shrub's mare to come along- 

 side, and to beat him by a length. Never was such a 

 deliberate case of roping. A perfect rush is made by the 

 infuriated populace to get at the rider of the favourite. 

 Jack Tomkins is off his horse, and in a twinkling makes a 

 rush for the weighing-room, amidst a shower of sticks and 

 stones. He is pale in the face by this time, and just gets 

 in in time, whilst the door is promptly shut in the faces of 

 the enraged mob. What a row to be sure ! '' Where is 

 he? Come out, you warmin!^^ shouts one, ''and 

 we'll murder you, blowed if we won't ! " " Break the 

 door down, mates, and let's limb him," holloas 

 another. Bang ! bang ! bang ! crash ! and in goes the 



