60 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



ing excited by the company of other horses. The 

 favourite was a magnificent chestnut Arab that had 

 won several races, but he appeared fretful and im- 

 patient, and I remarked that his flanks were white 

 with foam before we started. His rider sat him like 

 a Centaur, and I knew if the race could be gained by 

 horsemanship where to find the winner. The second 

 favourite was a gray belonging to a well-known 

 sportsman in the Civil Service, but his rider looked 

 far too heavy, and I did not fear him. The horse 

 that took my fancy was a flea-bitten gray belonging 

 to a jemedar in the Nizam's service, and had his rider 

 only nursed him properly he would have proved 

 dangerous. An officer of irregular cavalry rode a 

 celebrated hog-hunter, but he carried too much 

 weight. As the horses walked up, the interest 

 evinced was immense, and for a moment scarcely even 

 the slight hum. of the crowd could be heard. At 

 last the word " Go ! " was given, and we were away. 

 The jemedar on the gray made the running, and the 

 pace was severe to commence with, but I kept close to 

 the chestnut, as I felt that he was the most dangerous. 

 Moonlight was doing his work well, and I had only 

 to sit steady and keep his head straight. The first 

 and second fences were cleared by the whole field, 

 but one swerved at the water and two fell in. The 

 jemedar by this time was three or four lengths 

 ahead, and at his girths rode the civilian. I still 

 kept close to the favourite, who was going as if he 



