BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON. 73 



fully equipped for action. In default of silk he wore a thin jer- 

 sey, but otherwise it would have been impossible to find fault 

 with his appearance. His father gave him a leg up, and then 

 walked by his side to the starting-post, where Lord Gules was 

 already waiting with the flag. 



' Redgy, my dear,' said the old fellow, in a voice that was 

 strangely husky, ' you heard what that brute said about your 

 breaking your neck ?' 



' Yes, pa.' 



' Well, Redgy, it made me feel that I possibly was wrong in 

 subjecting you to such a risk. I should never forgive myself if 

 anything happened to you, and I am sure your mother would 

 never forgive me. Now, Redge, although you have but the years 

 of a child, you are not without a man's sense — don't mind me at 

 all. If you have any doubt, jump off, and I'll throw up the 

 match.' 



' Papa, you must let me ride ! After wdiat that fellow said it 

 would be too bad to be prevented from showing him up. Never 

 fear. I'll stick on !' 



' Redge, your hand.' 



The boy placed his hand in that of his father, who grasped 

 the warm little palm with fervour, and gently drawing down the 

 lad's head, kissed him. The man and boy understood each 

 other. It was seldom Gustavus Whinridge was betrayed into 

 such an exhibition of what he would have termed feminine 

 weakness ; but the boy knew what this demonstration meant far 

 better than if it had been expressed in the tenderest words. 



Completely out of the view and hearing of the people, who 

 by this time thronged the stand, the Squire imparted his final 

 orders. 



' Keep with him, but not too close, for the first mile, and then 

 come away as hard as you can pelt. It is a splendid moon — 

 almost as light as day — and you ought to do the journey without 

 the least mistake. Now, Redge, my own dear boy, show them 

 what sort of metal you are made of 



Without another w^ord he left his son and Captain Dykely to 

 amble their way to the starting-post, and mounting a hack 

 which Crowe had in readiness, cantered across to a bit of rising 

 ground near the brook, where he could obtain an excellent view 

 of at least three parts of ' the country.' About the same time 

 Widgeon, Captain Dykely's man, ' a durable hand at a bet, and 

 one of the win-tie-or-wrangle fraternity' (this was Hartbrook's 



