SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



quicker than I went In, and I went out backwards, 

 for the old man looked like assisting me, and he had 

 the right sort of feet." 



Mr. "Billy" Phillips, when he saw Swindell, was 

 naturally anxious to hear the result of the visit. 



" Did he settle ? " he asked eagerly. 



"Yes," said Fred, "he settled with me — well, 

 partially. I've got a bit," and suiting the action to 

 the word he slipped his hand into his inside pocket 

 as though depositing notes. 



" I'd better go for mine then," remarked Phillips. 



" There's no time like the present," said Swindell, 

 and off Phillips strutted. 



The formalities of inquiry were about the same, 

 but the old gentleman did not waste much time in 

 parleying, being in an even more irascible mood. 



"Oh," he shouted, "you're another of 'em, are 

 you ? Settle ! Yes ! Take that ! " And crash came 

 the ruler on the head of poor Phillips, who in the 

 twinkling of an eye found himself hatless and bleed- 

 ing in the roadway, the infuriated parent roaring : 

 " If there's any more of you, send 'em along ! This 

 is my settling stick ! " It was a long time before 

 Phillips forgave Swindell, who did not think the 

 joke would be carried to the extent it was. 



There is a firmness which becomes a man, and 



272 



