LADAS 109 



getting up but the damage was only slight. It was 

 thought best to ease him and take no risks, as there is 

 plenty of time before the big races ; but when I arrived 

 on the scene he was all right again, and I learned he 

 would be out with the rest of the string in the morning. 

 Backers of Ladas may, however, think themselves 

 fortunate that he is in such experienced hands, for it is 

 just these little troubles that so often develop into some- 

 thing bad if they are not at once detected and attended 

 to. As it is, Ladas is perfectly sound and well, but had 

 he not been stopped in his work when he was, or had 

 he commenced work sooner than he has, very possibly 

 the trouble would have become serious. 



I have before now told you of Mathew Dawson's 

 house at Exning, with all the reminiscences of the great 

 winners which he has trained throughout his long career. 

 It will suffice then to say that he was as bright and 

 cheery as ever, and I confidently expect that we shall 

 see him at Epsom on Derby Day. 



And now Mathew Dawson's horses were seen coming 

 along the far side of the road, Roland Graeme being at 

 the head of the string, followed by Ravelston and Ladas. 

 The son of Hampton and Illuminata had a boy at his 

 head as well as one on his back, and it may be remembered 

 a similar precaution used to be adopted with Orme. As 

 he passed me I could see that he has done exceedingly 

 well since last seen in public, and his wiry, blood-like 

 frame is covered with quite sufficient muscle for a horse 

 of his type. He wore boots on his forelegs, but I could 

 see that the much-criticised joints were in no way likely 

 to cause trouble ; indeed Mathew Dawson never had 

 the slightest fear of that, and says he would not wish 



