216 CHASING AND RACING 



granted freely, because the Mess to a man, including 

 the C.O., usually had its bit on Roddy's mount) was 

 peremptorily refused. 



What was to be done ? 



He had been promised a ride on something " extra 

 good " for a big hurdle race at Kempton. This was a 

 chance that could not possibly be missed ; but he sat 

 tight ! 



When, on the morning of the race, the regiment 

 was drawn up, Master Roddy came on parade riding 

 a new charger, which seemed, strangely enough, to 

 be quite unmanageable, even in the expert hands of 

 its rider. 



No sooner did the band strike up the regimental 

 march, than Roddy's mount took charge bolted, and 

 suddenly receded from view in the direction of the 

 station. 



Roddy rode at Kempton that day and won his race 

 all right, to the general rejoicing of all ranks of his 

 corps. The C.O., however, thought it incumbent on 

 him to " tell off" the backslider. 



" Captain Owen," he said, " you may be a very 

 capable amateur jockey, but I should advise you to 

 take some lessons in military riding from your sergeant- 

 major ! " 



Roddy smiled. " Hope you had a good race, 

 sir ! " 



" Oh, pretty well, thank you, Roddy, pretty well." 

 Then in an altered tone, " Here, what the devil do 



