CHASING AND RACING 141 



semi-professional amateurs. I had reckoned this gee 

 to be about the same animal as my old joker at level 

 weights. Nevertheless Weasel was installed favourite 

 at 1 1-8 against, with Burton 2-1, and others backed 

 from 5-1 to " any price." 



I was watching mine being saddled, when enter 

 the two young fellow-me-lads of the train journey. 

 They began looking over the sober Weasel and then 

 turned their attention to myself. At first they failed 

 to identify me in my colours ; but presently ** No. i '* 

 nudged his pal in the ribs and tried to drag him away. 

 The opportunity was too good to be missed. I 

 waltzed up to ** No. 2 " and slapped him heartily on 

 the back. *' Hallo, Sonnie," I exclaimed. ** Why, I 

 haven^t seen you for an age. How goes it ? Going 

 to support me and this old skin ? " 



" No. 2 '* grew scarlet and looked like suffering 

 incipient paralysis. He was struck dumb. 



I continued : " You had better have a bit on. If 

 he can spare 7 lbs. to the rest of the field in this going 

 he ought to win ; that is to say, provided I do not fall 

 off ! Bye-bye, and wish me luck.'* The last as I 

 was swinging into the saddle, leaving the lads rooted 

 to the spot in a thoroughly disgruntled state of mind. 



The start was at the end of the straight, then past 

 the stands, once round, and in. The going on the 

 stand side was not so bad, but as soon as we were in 

 the back stretch we were floundering in a perfect 

 quagmire. I had as usual taken the lead and then had 



