THE FIRST SWEAT. 39 



" Come on ! " cried Spanky. 



Away, ay, like a fresh-caught bird from hand, -went onr 

 schoohnaster, with the four others lying close to his heels ; but 

 from want of experience, perhaps, on my own part, or that of 

 my rider's, I lost considerable ground at the start, and learned 

 from this early lesson the great value of taking time by the 

 forelock. With an effort, however, I laid myself down in 

 quick, lengthy strides, and, going to work with a hearty will to 

 catch the leading five, soon formed one of the cluster, as we 

 swept along, pulling with might and main. Getting my head 

 to the Cardinal's quarter, I tried to improve my position ; but 

 the old horse drew in front, as if to show me that to go before 

 him was not yet within the compass of my power. 



Our trainer's hat was now perceived, in the distance, to be 

 held high above his head. 



" Old-ard," shouted Spanky, " or I'll be bless'd if we shan't 

 be all among the crockery." 



Harry Dale threw the entire weight of his diminutive frame 

 into my jaws, and tugged at them with the whole of his united 

 strength and skill ; but my blood felt on fire, and, defying his 

 check, I shot by York's Cardinal, and was not stopped until 

 long past the spot where John Sellusall had stationed himself 

 to witness the termination of the gallop. 



" Why didn't you hold him, boy ? " said he, with an angry 

 frown, as I was turned and brought back to the place where 

 the rest were pulled up. 



" Couldn't, sir," replied Harry, as distinctly as his loss of 

 breath in the three miles' gallop would allow. 



Our trainer muttered something between his teeth, which it 

 was quite as well, perhaps, not to understand, and issued a sharp 

 order for Harry to " get off." With distended nostrils and 

 heaving flanks, I was now permitted to stand still for a few 

 minutes, John Sellusall examining my eyes attentively, and 

 making a general inspection of my state and condition after my 

 rattling gallop. 



Being conducted, with my companions, to the Bubbing- 

 house, additional clothing was thrown over me to promote per- 



