OWNERS AND OWNING 63 



lower priced of the pair, a beautiful chestnut colt 

 that everyone agreed seemed to be an exceptional 

 bargain. This colt had been praised warmly in 

 the papers, and to all appearance was as good as 

 he looked. He was greatly admired by all who 

 saw ,him in the stable and at exercise alike, the 

 only fault the most captious could ever find with 

 him being that he was perhaps a little on the leg. 

 No horse could have moved better, with an effort- 

 less, stealing action that suggested staying as well 

 as speed, and so lightly that it seemed as if he 

 could gallop over eggs without breaking them. 

 He soon, moreover, gave evidence of ability to 

 go, for when in course of time he and the rest 

 were jumped off in batches, to teach them the 

 elements of their business, in a few strides he was 

 always well in front. Again and again as I 

 watched him I congratulated myself that he was 

 liberally entered. All of the nine might not win 

 races, I recognised ; one indeed, a good-looking 

 brown colt, was always lame after even gentle 

 exercise ; and the highest priced of all, a big 

 chestnut filly, grew up oddly behind and I was 

 told would take a very long time to come to hand 

 under the most favourable circumstances. But 

 my chestnut colt was my peculiar pride ; it was 

 a delight to hear the eulogies of friends who came 



