HARRY DALE. 51 



before my clotlies were adjusted, preparatory to my tetuni to 

 the stable, thirty thousand j)oiinds was laid against me by one 

 who, a few sliort years before, would not have been trusted, in 

 his honest calling, for half as many pence. 



In direct opposition to the cool and dignified bearing of 

 head lads, and experienced boys when "the stable " pulls an 

 event off in accordance with its anticipation, and united and 

 several interests, Harry Dale was brimful of enthusiasm, and 

 with the eyes of ISTewmarket upon him, appeared to be either 

 forgetful or indifferent to that Argus-eyed community. 



" Stop my windpipe ! " exclaimed he, as, accompanied by 

 Sjoanky, he conducted me a,cross the heath on my return to my 

 quarters. '' Stop my windpipe ! " repeated Harry, with the 

 self-satisfied air of having mainly contributed to the siiccessful 

 termination of the result, "if I didn't itJTOW we should win it." 



Spanky, who was looking betv-^een his pair of patent 

 blinkers with the professional air of a " head lad " belonging to 

 a "great stable" upon throwing in for a "good stake," con- 

 sidered this voluntary speech, in connection with the manner of 

 delivering it, as a positive breach of etiquette, and one that 

 demanded wholesome correction on the spot. 



" Now, I tell ye what it is, my fine faller," said he ; " this 

 won't do at any price. It's all very v/ell for a parcel, o' sweeps 

 who go to races for a spree, to holla and be full of bounce on their 

 luck; but out-an'-out swells, and all belonging to such a 

 stable as ourn, walk on quite the t'other side the street. We 

 win like gentlemen, all on the quiet; and when the boot's 

 on the t'other leg or the pot boils over, why, in such case, 

 we pull up our shirt-collars, and shell out the rowdy as if we 

 could afford to spare it, without putting ourselves on short 

 allowance of brand y-and- water and cheroots." 



"Hah!" ejaculated Harry, "then none of ye can feel as I do. 

 Bless'd if my in'ards," continued he, giving himself a significant 

 tap about the middle of the miniatui,^ copy of Hobert Top's 

 white linen jacket, " aint more than J can keep on the quiet ! 

 "Why, my three-pun- ten's become a' real dollop o' tin !" 



"What did you back him at f inquired Snanky. 



D 2 



