104 THE LIFE OF A RACEHOr^SE. 



'im fling four foot 'iglier than liis 'ed, and if anybody wants to 

 know the quickest way of bein' doubled into the shape of a 

 cocked 'at, why, let 'em look here," and as he spoke he pointed 

 to a part of the boarding of my box, which looked as if a can- 

 non-shot had ripped its way through. 



Jack S^viggle, however, neglected to add that the indirect 

 cause of the hole in the wall Avas the sharp points of a pitchfork 

 with which he thought proper to prick my sides, and goad me 

 almost to madness. 



"As to pulling," resumed Jack, examining his employer's 

 face, to learn the impression which the recajDitulation of my 

 faults and vices was producing, "as to pulling," repeated he, 

 "one might as well pull at a tree, and a good deal better when 

 he's in the humour to race ; but if not, you might set to and 

 spur and cut his live heart out afore he'd move an inch. Never 

 seed such a beggar in all my life." 



Jemmy Clever, by way of a prefatory remark, delivered 

 himself of a hope that his eyes might forthwith be debarred 

 from the purpose of guarding their master against a post for the 

 future, "if he knew what was to be done !" 



" Sell 'm ! " shortly responded Jack Swiggle. 



" Sell'm ! " echoed "the proprietor of a third," drawing do^vn 

 the corners of his mouth, which gave a thorough dismal expres- 

 sion to his ill-favoured visage, and, shaking his head, as he 

 spoke, he added the earnest wish that he might instantly be 

 kicked to a place never mentioned to ears poHte, "if he knew 

 a sanguinary fool who'd buy me." 



" He aint cost yer much," remarked my attendant. 



" Aint cost me much !" repeated Jemmy, with a sneer. 

 *' What's the odds if he aint cost me a brass button ? He aint won 

 me much, has he ? /don't keep or run bosses to look at, do I ?" 



" Better get out of 'm, at any price," suggested Jack Swiggle, 

 entertaining a heartfelt dread of me both in and out of the stable. 



" Oh, yes 1" exclaimed "the proprietor of a third." " Youve 

 got an eye to your bones : / aint." 



" But you have to yer rowdy though," rejoined Jack with a 

 familiarity of deliverance which ill-accorded with the usual re- 



