FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 45 



"These be the chances of war, my lack-beard. If my 

 good soldiers need cattle, or food of other kind, and you 

 will not give it to them, egad ! they must steal it ! Best 

 curb your uncouth tongue and be gone !" 



"Then, by my lack of beard !" quoth Skinner Smith, 

 nettled — ^he was an impudent young scamp, and feared no 

 one — " 'What is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the 

 gander !' If these be the 'chances of war,' look well to 

 that fine horse of yours ! I warn you fairly, others can 

 be cattle stealers, too ! I warn you fairly — and now 

 wish you a very good day." 



It chanced that under cover of darkness one night, 

 shortly afterward. Colonel De Lancey rode to see his 

 mother at some distance and left True Briton hitched 

 at the door-step. 



Young Smith, waiting his "chance of war," sprang 

 from behind a tree as the door of the house closed, un- 

 hitched the horse, leaped into the saddle and plunging 

 spurs into True Briton's sides — who, wide of eye and red- 

 nostrilled, sprang forward — did not draw rein until he was 

 well within the American lines. 



The amazed and disgusted Colonel raised an alarm ana 

 roused his orderlies, but too late. He never saw his 

 favorite again until one fine day he found himself in- 

 carcerated in the jail at Hartford with manv another 

 "Red-Coat." 



Beautiful Bay. then in the possession of Mr. Selah 

 Norton, was standing in front of Bull's Tavern, across 

 Meeting House Green. 



"Blood will tell, in men as well as horses," finished 

 Beautiful Bay. "When Colonel De Lancey recognized 

 me he threw me a laughing greeting and a wave of the 

 hand. I could almost hear what his parted lips were 

 saying: 'The chance of war, my friend!' " 



