62 iRiMno IRecoUections an^ Unit Stones 



trying his utmost to get rid of me. He got his 

 head down the hill, and went into the furze bushes, 

 and nearly into the cornfield at the bottom. I tried 

 all I could to get the assistant starter, who rejoiced 

 in the name of " Squirt" Norton (he had lived with 

 Mr. Bloss as helper in the winter), to come and lead 

 him back ; but he knew ' Broomielaw's ' little playful 

 ways, such as biting off a man's thumb, so declined 

 having anything to do with him. The horse was 

 very self-willed, and there we were for over half an 

 hour. Eventually I had my fight out with him, as, 

 after going down on his knees, worrying the ground, 

 and doing everything he could, I had fairly beaten 

 him, when he " donkeyed," or I might say turned 

 stubborn, and I could not move him. There were 

 twenty-one runners, and the other score had been 

 at the post all the time waiting for me. At last 

 McGeorge, the starter, called out : 



" I can't wait any longer for you, Custance." 



I begged of him to give me one more chance, and 

 to send his man to me, which he did. I said to 

 him : 



" Now hit him as hard as you possibly can below 

 the hocks, and then crack your whip." 



He did so, and off went ' Broomielaw,' happily in 

 the right direction. McGeorge dropped his flag to 



