THE BALLYHILLY STEEPLECHASE 157 



of attraction. An unusual interest was evinced in the 

 match as Denis, in his capacity of huntsman to the 

 Ballyhilly Beagles, was well known in the district, and 

 much curiosity was abroad to know how he would shape 

 in the new role of steeplechase rider. The respective 

 merits of Donovan and Kitty, both of which had in their 

 day big local reputations as hunters and chasers, also 

 formed the subject of much rustic criticism, which was 

 at length cut short by the appearance of the riders at 

 the starting-point, a tall Lombardy poplar, over which 

 proudly waved a large square of Turkey -red calico 

 which afforded an admirable grand-stand for many of the 

 race-goers. Denis, in his " swell get-up," was the first to 

 canter past the Squire and the small party of ladies and 

 gentlemen whom he had invited to see the fun. " The 

 ' best blood of the O'Gradys ' has got a handful in the 

 old mare this morning, for she seems as fresh as a two- 

 year- old," laughingly remarked Despard to his cousin, 

 as the old chestnut went by, pulUng almost double. 

 Young Daly, smart in butcher's boots, cords, green frock, 

 and velvet cap, and sitting his big-boned, black Irish 

 hunter like a centaur, quickly followed. A few minutes 

 afterwards, amidst loud hurrahs, tossing up of hats, 

 caps, handkerchiefs, and porter-bottles, the riders were 

 started, and away they went towards the first fence. . . . 

 But the story of the race were best told as the challenger 

 himself recited it that evening in the taproom of the 

 village hostelry to McLoughUn the cobbler, who had 

 been unavoidably absent from the match : 



