CHASING AND RACING 257 



the heads of packed humanity. When " off " was 

 signalled on the brazen bugle I shouted to my cousin : 



" D it, Ted, I'm fixed here ; what's happening ? 



What shall I back ? " His reply came clear and 

 concise, " Back Euclid; he got off well and is nicely 

 placed on the rails ! " 



" Take you twenty-two ponies Euclid," I yelled 

 to Fry, who was within earshot. 



" Lay you twenties, Capting," came the leviathan's 

 reply. 



" Not good enough ! " 



Then from Ted 



* Take twenties, Cockie, take any -price. Euclid is 

 going better'n anything. He'll win ! " 



' Take you twenties to a pony, Fry ! " 



* Too late, too late, Capting ! they're near home 

 now. Lay you eights ! " 



The yelling and shouting began, and presently 

 the field flashed by. I could see nothing but the caps 

 of the riders. Then there was a sudden hush as the 

 numbers were hoisted. 



* What's won ? " I asked a guy who was squeezed 

 against me. 



" Look at the number board, guv'nor ! " was the 

 non-committal reply. 



I could see the erection all right, and hoisted in the 

 winning slot a big and conspicuous " 9." 



" What's 9 ? " I asked. 



" Look at your card I " 



s 



