64 THE TURF 



at me with a serious but good-natured 

 countenance, and accosted me with, "Well, 

 my lad, what is your business ? I suppose 

 I can guess; you want a place?" "Yes, 

 sir." " Who have you lived with ? " " Mr. 

 Woodcock on the forest. One of your 

 boys, Jack Clarke, brought me with him 

 from Nottingham." " How came you to 

 leave Mr. Woodcock?" "I had a sad fall 

 from an iron-grey filly that almost killed 

 me." "That's bad, indeed; and so you 

 left him?" "He turned me away, sir" 

 "That's honest. I like your speaking the 

 truth. So you are come from him to me?" 

 At this question I cast my eyes down, and 

 hesitated, then fearfully answered, "No, 

 sir." "No ! what, change masters twice in 

 so short a time ? " "I can't help it, sir, if 

 I am turned away." This last answer made 

 him smile. " Where are you now, then ? " 

 "Mr. Johnstone gave me leave to stay with 

 the boys a few days." "That's a good 

 sign. I suppose you mean little Mr. John- 

 stone at the other end of the town?" 

 "Yes, sir." "Well, as you have been so 

 short a time in the stables, I am not sur- 

 prised he should turn you away ; he would 



