THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Wales, was a constant attendant of Bibury race-couivse, being 

 domiciled for the week at the Earl of Sherborne's, whose 

 mansion and park are about four miles distant from the 

 course- — a beautiful grass drive leading from one to the other. 

 As his Royal Highness had a horse in the stakes, he was 

 anxious to see his competitors, and at length cast his eye 

 upon Nam.ele.ss, which was the name of our hero's nag. 

 ' What horse is that ? ' demanded the Prince. 

 ' Nameless, by King Fergus, out of Mary, by Herod,' was 

 the answer. 



' He is a tine horse,' continued the Prince : ' ^^'ho rides 

 him ? ' 



' His owner, Mr. Raby, our new member, sir,' said Colonel 

 Leigh. 



' Oh,' said the Prince, smilingly ; ' we have not much to 

 fear from /t m)i ; , he is a fine young man, and, I hear, very good 

 across a country, for his years, but, if it comes to a race, he 

 will have a poor chance against Lord Solville, and half a dozen 

 of the old hands that are here to-day.' 



We will, ho we vet", repeat the communication between our 

 hero and his trainer, an hour before the race, and then give 

 the result. 



' Now, sir, if you please,' said his trainer, ' the bell has 

 rung for saddling, and you will soon be at work. Excuse my 

 saying a word or two to you before starting, as it will be too 

 late afterwards. Your horse is well, and that is a great point, 

 and I think he will run a good horse. But pray don't be in 

 too big a hurry to get home, which is the great fault of all 

 young race-riders. Your horse will be in a hurr}', for he is a 

 free goer in his work ; but you have strength enough to keep 

 him back. But mind this, above all things — don't lie out of 

 your ground, but get away with the front horses, and keep 

 with them as long as you can, and head tliem at last, if you 

 are able. I do not think you can win ; nevertheless, do not 

 throw away a chance. Take three good pulls at your horse, 

 the last within a distance of home, and if this plan will not 

 enable you to win, it will be your horse's fault, and not j^our 

 own. Now, let me give you a leg ; and when I have mounted 

 my hack, you shall give your horse a gallop with me, to let 

 him feel his leg^s. It need not be a longf one, for thirteen stone 

 is a cruel weight on a race-horse.' 



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