72 TALES OF THE TURF AND THE CHASE. 



' Yes, yes, of course I remember, Master Redgy. Fine times 

 they were. Now tell me, what does the Squire really say about 

 the match ?' 



' He has no doubt of Appletart's ability, but — ' 



' He has of yours ?' 



' Not exactly that. He thinks the exploit is rather too much 

 for my years, and' (whispering) ' that the Captain would have no 

 objection to taking a mean advantage of this infant if he saw 

 the opportunity. O, I must tell you — such a lark ! I was out at 

 a dinner-party with mamma and Gretty when the guv. got to the 

 Hall to-night. So what does he do but gets into a tail-coat 

 himself and comes to fetch us home, he said. We were hurried 

 off, I can tell you. And sent to bed at once. Mamma thinks 

 he is going round with the keepers, and that I'm in bed !' 



By this time they had reached the paddock. The Squire's 

 arrival was greeted quite as fervently as, if more quietly than, it 

 had been by the crowd outside. He shook hands with Lord 

 Gules, expressed his delight at knowing that his lordship had 

 consented to act as starter, and then faced the Captain. 



' Now, Captain Dykely, shall we get ready ?' 



' Your jockey, Mr. Whinridge ?' 



' Is my son Reginald. Have you any objection to him?' 



' Every objection, Mr. Whinridge. When I made this — I 

 don't mind admitting it — stupid match, it was ;io^ with the idea 

 that I was going to have for an opponent a mere child.' 



' Child or not, he rides.' 



' I am no more a child than he is, papa !' exclaimed the boy. 

 ' If I can ride, what more does he want ?' 



' Hear, hear !' cried the crowd. 



'7/ you can ride !' said Captain Dykely, with a sneer. 



' Dykely,' interposed Lord Gules, ' I must say that, according 

 to the terms of the match, you are bound to accept Whinridge's 

 jockey, or forfeit.' 



'Very well,' rejoined Dykely sullenly, 'very well. If the 

 baby breaks his neck I am not to blame, mind. Let us get it 

 over.' 



There was a stampede on the part of the auditors at these 

 words in the direction of the two most formidable obstacles in 

 the track, a made fence at the beginning of the straight run-in, 

 and the brook on the far side. The boy, giving up his overcoat 

 and hat to Hartbrook, and putting on a silk cap which he pro- 

 duced from his pocket, presently appeared, like his opponent, 



