158 CHASING AND RACING 



iron's hot. Why not withdraw your old fella* and 

 support ours ? " 



" Not I. This may be the last race I shall ever 

 ride on old Weasel. If he wins I shall let him go." 



" Are you going to back him ? " 



" Yes, for a trifle." 



* Well, tell you what. Let us save a pony, or fifty 

 if you like, that ought to meet the case." 



I agreed. 



" I think you will be beat this time, Captain." 

 This from Heasman. 



" Perhaps." 



I must say I had a wholesome dread of Teddy 

 Wilson's prowess, knowing how very close the respec- 

 tive merits of Weasel and Hugger Mugger had panned 

 out in more than one home trial ; but undismayed, 

 I weighed out and lobbed down to the post. There 

 were nine runners, but only the two from Lewes were 

 backed with anything like spirit. Between Weasel 

 and Hugger Mugger the betting was very close, the 

 latter being a fractional favourite at 1 1-8 against. 



In the early .stages of the race nothing of interest 

 occurred. I pursued my usual tactics. I had Weasel 

 well placed, but made no attempt to take him to the 

 front until well in the line for home. I was watching 

 Wilson like a hawk, and he was returning the com- 

 pliment ; so as soon as I began my run he was at my 

 girths. I am sure we both expected to come right 

 away together, but such was not to be the case. Two 



