CHASING AND RACING 5 



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 1 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 



