THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



' Well, sir,' resumed the trainer, ' the mischief is done now, 

 and it cannot be undone. I told you, your horse was ivell, 

 and that he would run a good horse ; but mind this in future 

 — do not only not forget the pull at the proper time and place, 

 but likewise that some horses pull hardest when they are most 

 beaten. Your horse, however, was not beaten ; all he wanted was 

 a moment's ease, when he would have come again, and headed 

 his horses in style.' 



It is in the nature of emulation to know no bounds. Our 

 hero was by no means satisfied with his own performance ; 

 and excited a little by the remarks of some of the party with 

 whom he dined after the race, that his horse could have won 

 the Welter if he had had a better jockey on his back, resolved 

 on attempting to redeem his credit. Sending for his trainer, 

 then, he thus addressed him : — 



' I should like to run the race over again which I lost 

 to-day ; I think I can beat both those horses by a different 

 system of riding. I wish you would see the trainer of each as 

 soon as possible, and propose a match — same weight and 

 distance — for 500 guineas a side. Try the Prince's man first, 

 and, if he decline, make the same proposal to the trainer of the 

 second horse.' 



' I must obey your orders, of course, sir,' replied the trainer, 

 ' but allow me first to ask you how you mean to ride your horse, 

 should your offer be accepted ? ' 



' I mean to make running from end to end, and not to wait, 

 as I did before,' answered our young sportsman ; ' I am con- 

 vinced that my horse was the stoutest in the race yesterday, 

 and that, if I had made strong running with him from the 

 post, I should have cut down my competitors.' 



' Well, sir,' replied the trainer, ' I will go and see what 

 I can do to forward your wishes, but I think it my duty to 

 tell you that, for a young jockey, you are about to under- 

 take ' 



' We will talk about your duty, etc., at another time,' said 

 Raby ; ' go directly and see the trainers, as they soon will be 

 in bed. Send for me out of the club-room, and tell me what 

 they sa3^' 



In less than half an hour, the following result was convej'ed 

 to him : — 



' I have seen both trainers, Mr. Raby,' said Mr. Lilly, for 



326 



