"RODDY OWEN" 91 



pose of his head suggested haughtiness. When 

 a racing-cap covered his forehead it gave him a 

 good humoured, foxy appearance. A determined 

 chin and resolute jowl strengthened his singularly 

 attractive face. His mouth was a characteristic 

 feature, because it was firm, yet easily moved to 

 laughter. 



In the saddling-paddock a crowd usually 

 gathered round him and displayed the liveliest 

 interest in watching him mount. This he did 

 with a self-satisfied air, settling himself comfort- 

 ably in his saddle, the admired of all. His seat 

 and strong hands proved that he had constant 

 practice. Turning his horse's head towards the 

 fence nearest to the stand, he boldly took the 

 jump at a terrific pace and careered down the 

 course in the preliminary canter. 



He was remarkably showy in colours, and wore 

 ties like an old-fashioned cravat that immediately 

 caught the eye. A book-maker once graphically 

 described him as "a swell short of money, as 

 good as a pro., and one who could handle his 

 fists." 



" Roddy " rode with very long stirrups, sitting 

 bolt upright in his saddle, like a cavalry soldier 

 charging in battle. A big steeplechase course 

 suited him slightly better than a hurdle-race, but 

 he was equally at home over either, yet, accord- 

 ing to an eminent flat-race trainer, scarcely a 

 first-rate horseman in a hunter's flat-race. 



Inclined as he was to fall into the wind-mill 

 style of finishing, yet it was a magnificent sight 

 to watch him, as his mounts flew their jumps, 



