Gentlemen Riders 



quickly had the proposal been put before him, Mr. Meysey- 

 Thompson was unprepared, and not in balance with his horse, 

 who, quite ready for such a frisk, started off with his companion. 

 Mr. McDonough was hard at his horse with hands and heels, 

 and shouted to his rival, " Why do you not begin ? We shall be 

 there directly! You will be too late!" "All right," replied 

 the other, " I am coming now." For having got his horse 

 balanced under him, he was rapidly catching his opponent, 

 although not yet moving in a set-to. With a hasty glance as 

 the horses became level, Mr. McDonough redoubled his efforts, 

 rather to the amusement of the other, who then challenged in 

 earnest and shot forward a full length to the good. After pull- 

 ing the winner up, the victor turned back to his friend, and was 

 amazed to see the change in his demeanour. With a solemn 

 face Mr. McDonough ejaculated in grave tones, *' 1 had no 

 idea you could ride like that ! I should never have had any 

 chance against you, for finishing was always my weak point ! " 

 Then he added, ** There is not a jockey in Ireland to-day who 

 could beat you at that game. Shure I know them all ! " and 

 proceeded to mention the names of one jockey after another, 

 discounting their chance of beating his late rival. Though Mr. 

 Meysey-Thompson soon dismissed the incident from his mind 

 he was not allowed to forget it, for Mr. McDonough recounted 

 the story so often, many inquiries were made if the gallop had 

 really taken place. It appeared the old gentleman was in the 

 habit of amusing himself by thus testing the capabilities of his 

 friends, though, knowing the merits of his horses, he generally 

 took care to be on the one he considered the fastest. His 

 surprise was great, therefore, when the animal he considered 

 the slowest beat his own mount quite easily. Grand horseman 

 as he was, he had never mastered the art of " finishing," and was 

 so energetic he hindered his horse rather than helped him. 



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