96 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



' We found our horses went pretty well on the 

 sands, although they were heavy in places. We 

 entered the nags that day, but, as we knew nothing 

 of the cattle against us, could do little in the betting 

 way. The day arrived for the races; and I shall 

 never forge b my horror at reading the " correct 

 card." They had not got our names rightly, which 

 stood thus : 



"Course des Haies (lOOOf.), &c. My Lord 

 Hairy 's Saltfisher (Anglaise) ; Mons. de Benham's 

 Topsail (Anglaise)." 



' Harry Millard had been turned into " My Lord 

 Hairy ; " and the title of nobility, " De Benham," 

 given to George Debenham. We were both in a 

 great rage at our names being used in this way ; but 

 as we were assured it was all a mistake, we were 

 fain to let the matter drop. 



"I say, Harry," observed my friend to me, ''I 

 see by the correct card that there are four others 

 against us, and all going. Now, I have looked at 

 the nags — not bad ones, but they want condition. 

 If we cannot lick this lot I am a Dutchman. Tour 

 horse, my bo}^ is fast, but, like the rest, not in fettle, 

 thoucrh he is better than the others. Mine is as 

 hard as nails, fit to go for his life, and this ground 

 suits him. The hurdle-race will only be a canter 

 for them both, and, bar accidents, they will come 

 out as fit as fiddles for to-morrow's steeplechase. I 

 see also that, in addition to the forty pounds for the 



