CHASING AND RACING 131 



order to mount ; all the time suffering the prick of 

 ** the needle." Once in the saddle my qualms abated 

 and I felt quite comfortable. Now I had not had an 

 opportunity of riding my nag at exercise, for at that 

 time I was Master of the Old Berkeley Foxhounds, and 

 as I hunted my pack myself five days a fortnight, and 

 had other activities in between, I had no time for 

 voyages of discovery to Lewes. So here was I, taking 

 a leap in the dark — riding my second race in " the 

 legitimate game '^ on a horse I had never previously 

 bestridden. 



The only thing to do was to seek my trainer's 

 advice and stand by it. 



** This is a nice little horse, sir,'* said the worthy 

 James. " His temper and manners are perfect, and 

 he will give you a comfortable ride. He may make a 

 pretence of pulling at first. If so, don*t saw at him, 

 but allow him to settle down and then take a pull. Lay 

 well up, but don't come along with him until you are 

 half-way up the straight. I think you will win.*' 



Going to the post. Weasel displayed the manners 

 of a child's park hack, and stood quietly at the post. 

 Jimmy Duke was riding one of his own, called 

 Hyacinth, and she was favourite. ** Abingdon's " 

 mount being also strongly supported. 



** Save a pony ? " I asked the young baronet (Duke). 



" Go to h ! *' was his curt and uncompromising 



reply. 



I did as I was told — as regards the riding of the 



