78 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



his riding-dress — black and pink sleeves — to adjust 

 his saddle, surcingle, martingale, &c. The little boy 

 assisted him to mount, and he recrossed the field in 

 the direction of the course. When he was passing 

 through the rubbing-house gate one gentleman said 

 to another, " What horse is that ? " " Mr. Petre's 

 Theodore," was the reply. " What will you lay 

 against him?" "A hundred guineas to one." 

 " Done." " Done ;" and the bet was booked. " Will 

 you double it ? " asked the taker. " No, no," replied 

 the other; "I think that is plenty for once." Jack- 

 son heard this, and did not look very pleasant ; in 

 fact he was mortified and ill-tempered. But previous 

 to this conversation he had let Theodore feel that he 

 had his spurs on. Theodore, indeed, was all alive : 

 he had done little in the way of exercise since his 

 recent defeat, but was remarkably fresh, stared 

 around him, and appeared ready and anxious for the 

 struggle. Whilst parading in front of the grand 

 stand, the objects of universal notice were the first 

 favourites : Mr. Poulett's Swap, Mr. Watt's Mundane 

 filly and Marion, Mr. Gascoigne's colt, and Violet, 

 &c., whilst Theodore was little noticed by any one. 

 The horses approached the post in a compact body ; 

 and Jackson, who was always noted for getting a 

 good place at starting, managed to advance in front. 

 The word " Go ! " was given, and away they rushed 

 on the wings of the wind. Theodore almost imme- 

 diately took the lead. The pace was then very fast. 



