CHASING AND RACING 241 



was making a devastating raid on the pedestal which 

 displayed cakes, petits fours^ and other confections. 

 He was just within the range of my foot, so I adminis- 

 tered a gentle correction. The kick was by no means 

 a hefty one, but the revengeful Peter set up a loud 

 lamentation, which immediately arrested the attention 

 of his Royal Master, who exclaimed — 



" Why, what*s the matter with Peter ? Has any 

 one hurt you, Peter ? " 



I took the bull by the horns ! "He was raiding 

 the cakes, sir ! " I said, *' so I pushed him with my 

 foot. He is not hurt, only startled." 



** Now that was very naughty of Peter ; but 

 you must not kick him,** replied the V.G.P. rather 

 severely. 



When the company broke up my hostess addressed 

 me, " You've done it now, Harding (she was one of 

 the few who refused to address me by my pseudonym — 

 * Cockie '). You'll be outside in a pot hat now ! " 

 But she was wrong. I was still in quite good odour 

 with royalty. 



Sometime later — at the Newmarket First Spring 

 Meeting of 1898, I think— H.R.H. the Prince of 

 Wales, as he then was, joined our group on the lawn, 

 with the pleasing information that he had " a real 

 good thing " for us, emanating from Dick Marsh's 

 stable, and owned by Mr. J. W. Larnach — one Jeddah 

 to wit. " He is sure to win this Triennial to-day," 

 declared H.R.H., " and then he will be favourite for 



R 



