58 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



After hurriedly reviewing the facts of the case, Jack came 

 to the conclusion that he had better try to gloss over the 

 horse's behaviour on this occasion, as an isolated instance 

 though instinct told him that Marmion by Capulet, was in all 

 human probability, one of the ' incorrigibles ' of the world. 



"I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you, Trou-Trous. I 

 believe he's a dooced good horse — must be, in fact, to go as 

 he did with you, to-day. He can gallop and jump and stay — 

 can really go on, you know, and " 



"Oh really," squeaked Binkie as before, "but I can't stop 

 him when he goes on, you know " 



"Oh, rubbish ! horse is fresh to you — new rider, and all 

 that sort of thing ; you let me ride him, or better still, let 

 Tommy ride him, next Saturday, and then see how he goes. 

 At all events, if the worst comes to the worst, you can always 

 send him up to the hammer. Horse like that is sure to make 

 a lot of money at Tatt's or Aldridge's. Don't you trouble 

 yourself, it's all right. Besides you are going home covered 

 with glory " 



"And mud ! " squeaked Travers, ruefully. 



" Oh, blow the mud ! what's that matter '? it's all in the 

 day's work." 



"Oh, really! but I feel so stiff, and so sore — and — and — 

 well, the saddle feels so hard, you know, and I don't seem to 

 think I shall ever be able to sit down again," and poor 

 Travers looked as if he were seriously inclined to weep. 



"Well, have your dinner off the mantelpiece, then ! That'll 

 be all right. And now let's jog along; I'm getting cold." 



" Yes ; but I can't jog along ! It's really too " 



"Very well then, I will. You come on as slow as you 



