206 CHASING AND RACING 



yer instructions see ? " Bob signified his assent, 

 and when he arrived at the trysting place, pulled up and 

 leaned over to hear what his patron had to impart. 



" Now, guv'nor," began the latter, " I want yer 

 ter take pertic'ler notice of wot I tells yer. A nod's 

 as good as a wink to a blind 'os, ain't it ? Well, I 

 don't want yer to knock the old varmint about in this 

 race, twiggy voo ? 'Es in the Farmers' Cup ter- 

 morrer, an' us can get a good price. Ter tell yer the 

 honest trooth, I 'aven't a bean on 'im for this yere 

 journey. You kin ride 'im ter-morrer, an' stand in 

 fer all yer wants. I needn't say no more, need I ? " 



" Good gracious ! " exclaimed Bob in well feigned 

 amazement. " Do you mean to tell me you have not 

 backed the horse for this race ? Oh, that's a great 

 pity ! If you haven't backed him, / have. Five 

 fifties, old sport ! And what's more, I'm going to 

 win ! " (And win he did, in a common trot.) " Gee 

 up, hoss ! " and away he cantered to the post. 



For a moment the owner was struck dumb and 

 paralytic. Then, having found voice, he gave way to 

 the most obscene and blood-curdling invectives. 



" Come back you x-y-z scoundrel ! a-b-c your 

 soul ! I'll report you to the stewards you d-k-1 1 " 



Wafted back on the gentle breeze came the faint 

 retort, "X-T-Z scoundrel yourself . Report away ! " 



The following yarn may be a chestnut, but it is 

 probably new to some of the readers, if there are any, 

 of these rambling reminiscences. 



