78 THE LIFE OF A RACEHORSE. 



but once after the great, the ruinous loss which he sustained 

 through the vile machinations of his servants, and that was 

 immediately after the race, as I stood for a few seconds opposite 

 the weighing-house. I have not forgotten, and can never forget, 

 the expression of care upon my master's features ; and yet as 

 he came close to my head, and pressed a hand upon my necl^ a 

 smile of gentleness flickered upon his lip — a smile which told 

 far more eloquently of deep-seated misery than any tears could 

 have expressed. He turned to leave the spot with slow measured 

 step — still with a smile upon his lip — and we never met again. 



As the newspaper report announced: — "There was aii im- 

 mense attendance of the sporting world to witness the disposal 

 of Sir Digby's well-known and valuable stud ; the respective lots 

 fetched unusually large prices." It seems almost unnecessary 

 to say that I was one of " the lots," and as it came to my turn to be 

 led from the box, which announced the position I occupied in the 

 catalogue, the interest of the sale reached its culminating point. 



The familiar word at Tattersall's — "sold" — fell upon my 

 ear as a stable companion changed ownership, when I was con- 

 ducted into the yard to meet with, as the newspaper report in- 

 formed its readers, "that smart competition which, notwith- 

 standing the recent disappointment the public had received, 

 my well-earned laurels were sure to bring." 



" Number fefty-four," cried a voice as I walked towards a 

 corner of the yard in which was placed a kind of rostrum occu- 

 pied by one whose looks proclaimed him healthy and happy, 

 and well to do. " Number fefty-four," repeated the temporary 

 tenant of the rostrum with increased force, as I arrived im- 

 mediately under his elevated post — " Sheet Anchor, by Make 

 Safe, out of Dangerous, by Fleece' em, dam Treachery, by Nob- 

 bier, winner of the Criterion at Newmarket Houghton Meeting, 

 the Derby, Drawing Boom Stakes at Goodwood, Ebor St. Leger, 

 and ran a good second for the St. Leger at Doncaster. What 

 will any gentleman please to give for Sheet Anchor 1 " 



There was a pause, and men looked at each other as if 

 trying to learn what words as yet had not disclosed. 



"May he be run down?" asked a sallow-cheeked, youthful 



