THE HUMOURS OF THE RACECOURSE 105 



Marquis of W was exceedingly wroth. ' Good 



God, Mr. B ,' he exclaimed, 'pray spare my 



hounds, and ride a little wide of the pack ! ' Old 



B at the kill happened to be up first. ' Bravo, 



B and Saltfish ! ' some one exclaimed on coming 



up. ' Damn Saltfish ! ' exclaimed B pettishly, 



* I've changed his name.' ' Changed his name ! ' 

 they replied ; ' why, what the deuce do you call him 



now?' 'What do I call him?' retorted B , 



looking hard at the Marquis, who was a few paces 

 ofi" — ' what do I call him ? Why, Worcester Sauce, 

 to be sure ! ' His love for a joke he could not let 

 pass by. I bought Saltfish for Millard some two 

 years ago, and a better or more honest animal never 

 had a saddle put on him." 



* At twelve o'clock we had a voiture at the door. 

 The first steeplechase was for horses of the depart- 

 ment. There were nine horses for this race, and 

 four of them were ridden by Bretons. One of these 

 curious-looking fellows was mounted on a nice spicy 

 little nag ; no saddle, only a bit of rug and an old 

 roller on him. And the rider's costume ! A pair of 

 the canvas trousers such as are worn by the country- 

 men, and enormous wooden sahots, with a nail sent 

 into each heel to serve as a spur. The large hat had 

 been taken oflP, and replaced with a handkerchief 

 passed over his head and tied under his chin. The 

 sporting public was much in favour of this horse 

 and rider, and I was told confidentially he must win. 



