THE IJFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



On the morning of the race, an alteration had taken place in 

 the betting, in consequence of something having transpired, and 

 the odds stood thus : 12 to 1 against Rouge, and 10 to 1 against 

 Euphrosyne, or 6 to 1 against Mr. Darkin's lot. Thus had 

 Rouge gone down four points, whilst Euphrosyne got up fifteen 

 in the betting. 



But one thing surprised Frank Raby and his friends more 

 than the alteration in the betting ; and this was the fact of the 

 worst jockey being put upon Rouge, and the best on the other 

 filly, which was thus accounted for by Mr. Trueman : — 



' We must not throw away a chance, sir,' said he to our hero, 

 ' with Euphrosyne, although hers is a poor one ; she is a difficult 

 mare to ride, whereas Rouge wants no riding at all, beyond 

 keeping her straight and holding her well together. She's as 

 honest as, I fear, the other is a rogue.' 



All this, however, was very satisfactorily explained about an 

 hour before the race, and in the following manner : — 



Our hero was accosted on the course by a person of rather 

 mean appearance, but having a good deal the look and 

 character of what is called a ' leg,' in the real acceptation 

 of that term. 



' Pray, sir,' said he, ' are you not Mr. Raby ? ' 



' I am,' he replied. 



' And the owner of two fillies in this race ? ' 



Our hero paused, but his silence was thus interrupted by the 

 'leg':- 



' I know all about them, sir,' resumed he ; ' they are both 

 your fillies, and you have been robbed ! I saw them tried, and 

 I have no doubt but that Euphrosyne is five pounds a better 

 mare than Rouge. As for myself, I stand to win upon her, and 

 have laid long odds against the other, which, in my opinion, is 

 as big a jade as ever started in a race.' 



' And pray who are you ? ' asked our hero. 



' No matter who I am, sir,' was the reply ; ' you'll find I have 

 told you the truth.' 



' Here is a pretty business,' said Raby, as he galloped up to 

 Goodall, whom he chanced to espy on the course ; ' for God's 

 sake, where is Dauntley ? ' 



' What do you want with him in such a hurry ? ' asked 

 Goodall. 



' To hedge our money before the ring breaks up,' was the 



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