THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



decoy, and you will Ijc sui-c to i'all into his net, it" you risk your 

 money on the tables.' 



The youngsters thanked their unknown friend, and kept 

 their money in their pockets. He iilso cautioned them a<;-;iinst 

 playino- at the various llouo^e et Noir and E. 0. tables on the 

 course, assurino- them they were all unfair, and that they would 

 not have a chance to win at them. It was discovered, after- 

 wards, that it was one of the police-officers of Bow-street who 

 had acted this friendly part, havino- seen the youno- gentlemen 

 come on to the course with Sir John Inkleton, to whom he 

 owed a debt of gratitude, for a kind act done by him, in getting 

 him put on the establishment, through the intercession of one 

 of ids relations. 



During the four days of the meeting, Frank Raby and his 

 host never chanced to meet. When the one came home at 

 night, the other had not returned from his club — for he was a 

 member of both Brooks's and White's — and when the nephew 

 started for Ascot in the morning, the uncle was asleep in his 

 bed. The first time, however, that they met, which was on the 

 fifth morning, at the breakfast-table, the following conversation 

 occurred : — 



' Well, Frank,' said Mr. Raby, ' I hope you have enjoyed 

 yourself at Ascot.' 



' Very much indeed,' was the repl3^ ' Sir John did the thing 

 capitally.' 



' Sir John did the thing ! ' repeated the uncle. ' What do 

 you mean by that? I thought your object was to see the 

 entire proceedings of an Ascot race meeting, which, I have 

 reason to believe, is the pleasantest and most aristocratic in the 

 world. But you seem to bestow all the credit on Inkleton, who 

 certainly is a very ' 



' I only meant to say,' interrupted Frank, ' tliat Sir John 

 did the thing in the most coachmanlike style, and his turnout 

 was uncommonly admired on the road. The fine coachman- 

 ship, also, which he exhibited, in twisting his horses right and 

 left, and threading the carriages as he did, at the rate of eight 

 or ten miles in the hour, and never touching one of them ! 

 And then the coachmanlike manner in which everything was 

 done; the changing of the horses, and the scientific way in 

 which they were put to the coach.' 



' Scientific ! ' smiled the uncle ; ' ridiculous, to be sure ; but 



129 I 



