THE HUMOURS OF THE RACECOURSE 97 



hurdles, a second prize, as they call it, is given in 

 the shape of a tea-service: not that it is of much 

 use to us, but still, as they say it is worth twenty 

 pounds, we may as well have it, if possible. Now, 

 what I propose is this : it is not the slightest conse- 

 quence which of us wins ; your horse is faster than 

 mine for a mile ; but, as this is over two, if the pace 

 is at all good, his bolt will be shot about a mile from 

 home, and when he dies away you may be certain the 

 others will do so too, for they are as fat as bullocks. 

 Now, you make the running at a strong pace, lead 

 them over the hurdles at the devil of a bat, and 

 cut the field down as quick as you can. I sha'ii't 

 be far off with Topsail, as they call him, and I 

 shall sail by them quietly. If yon can manage to 

 beat me, do, and I will tell you why: I shall get 

 seven pounds allowance for to-morrow, which will 

 make it a certainty for me. Keep your weather- 

 eye open, ride with nerve and cool as a cucumber." 



'As the time was getting on we dressed ourselves 

 in the approved fashion of gentlemen jocks. I was 

 never more amused in my life than looking at the 

 costumes of the French gentlemen-riders ; they were 

 ludicrous. One had on a pair of such cut breeches 

 as it had never been my luck to look upon, and a 

 pair of tops to his boots which would have knocked 

 Bartley into a cocked-hat, for he never afterwards 

 could have thought anything of those celebrated tops 

 of his " wot will cut a shine in or over any country." 



H 



