CHASING AND RACING 147 



" Now don't be sarcastic ! If you will lay me 

 100-8 my chance, you can book it." 



** What's yours, Capting ? '' interpolates the 

 worthy Ben. 



" His name is Latimer, and he is a five-year-old 

 chestnut gelding by Touchet — Our Mary. He was 

 given to me by Lord Chesham, and he is named after 

 that sporting and genial nobleman's estate at Chenies, 

 Bucks. A farmer friend has been riding him to my 

 hounds all the season, and declares that he cannot 

 gallop faster than you can kick your hat. I tried him 

 with two of my smart galloways, and he was up sides 

 with them. So now you know as much about him as 

 I do myself. All the Corinthians from the * shires ' 

 are on the job, so there is sure to be lots of fun." 



" Is that the only mount you have, Capting ? " 

 asks Ben. 



" No ; I shall put old Weasel in an overnight seller, 

 for the last day, and if all goes well I shall have 

 a jog around on him. What about that 100-8 

 Latimer ? " 



'' Nuthin' doin'." 



Then Alf Savill butts in. 



** Look here. I'll tell you what I'll do with you, 

 Captain. I'll lay you 20-1 against your winning 

 i;oth races, just for a bit o' sport." 



*' Not fair odds, Savill. Why Latimer will be 

 among the * 20-1 others ' in the Boden." 



" Well, you can take it or leave it, sir. Anyway, 



