CHASING AND RACING 



s 



Came a time when " The Mums " was recruiting 

 her health by the sad sea shore (she was a semi- 

 paralytic, poor soul, and needed these annual relaxa- 

 tions). 



So Messrs. C. and P. were kept in the stables, 

 eating their heads off and waxing more gross and 

 plethoric daily. 



The fact struck Ted as unreasonable, and he sug- 

 gested that they should be called upon to convey our 

 vile bodies on their broad backs. I had my qualms, 

 not I regret to say, of conscience, but of nerves ! 

 Having conquered my misgivings, on the noblesse 

 oblige principle, we deliberately bribed the coachman, 

 commandeered the noble animals, and set forth. 

 Goodness only knows if either gee had been pre- 

 viously " backed," but they behaved in angelic , style. 

 So much so, indeed, that my soul having grown 

 stronger, I actually suggested a race on the turnpike 

 road ! Always ready for any sport, Ted agreed, and 

 we lined up with a good straight mile of macadam in 

 front of us. When the mutually agreed signal was 

 given and the flag fell, Castor and Pollux " began 

 slowly " as the sporting papers have it ; but a liberal 

 administration of the blackthorn awakened them to 

 their responsibilities, and they put in good work. 

 Being evenly matched, despite the handicap of Ted's 

 superior weight, the struggle was intense and the 

 two owing to their constant parallel association, with 

 the pole of the barouche between them kept 



