THE FIRST RUN. 35 



been tried by a long unemployed interval, Spanky again entered 

 tlie box, and after making an inspection of my appointments, 

 and discovering that the instructions given had been executed 

 with praiseworthy exactness, he gave the brief order to " lead 

 out." I was now taken into the spacious yard adjoining, where 

 several horses, clothed like myself, and the boys up, were being 

 ■walked about previous to " falling in " to the respective places 

 fixed for them in the string. This order is regulated, generally, 

 by the deference paid to age, and not to merit, either supposed 

 or 251'oved. The "office" being given to Spanky, the flyer, 

 time-keeper, and schoolmaster of the stable, York's Cardinal, 

 headed the line ; the others, amounting to twenty-four, taking 

 their assigned situations in rotation, and Spanky, mounted upon 

 a filly, who was to undergo the process of a last sweat previous 

 to being highly tried with the Cardinal, bringing up the rear. 

 Hiding a well-bred and handsome gray pony, our trainer ac- 

 companied us to the exercise-ground, and, although his proper 

 place was by the side of the front division, he frequently reined 

 in his hack, and waited for my coming up ; for I should have 

 stated that my position was last but three. In this order we 

 proceeded to the Heath. 



We had not to go far before Ave were upon the vast expanse 

 of undulated treeless land, v/ith little more bound or mark than 

 the sea itself. The lark rose at our feet as we trod the elastic 

 turf, and high into the clear and cloudless air he soared with 

 quivering pinion, singing joyously in the sunshine, while the 

 dew on the gi-ass glistened like an endless succession of fairy 

 lamps. A light fresh breeze fanned our faces as we began part 

 of our allotted task of walking for a given time ; and such 

 were the inspiriting effects of the bright and beautiful morning, 

 together with the excitement of the company I found myself 

 in, that I felt an almost uncontrollable impulse to break away 

 with Harry, and take a spin across the tempting flat which laid 

 before me, in opposition to any check that he might try to put • 

 upon the pleasure of doing as I liked with myself 



" Can you hold him 1 " asked John Sellusall, as I gave Harry 

 quite enough to do to retain his seat in the pigskin. 



c2 



