228 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



urged on b}' voice, hand, and heel, Marmion dashes partly 

 over and partly through the obstacle, gammg a clear half- 

 length by the expedient. 



" The chestnut wins, the chestnut for a pony ! " " Marmion 

 walks in ! ! " roars the excited crowd, as the two gallant 

 horses again close in a desperate struggle for victory. For 

 a brief moment the issue is in doubt. But that last 

 risky move of Eonald's has settled the question ; the half- 

 length lost by Sheldrake can never be quite regained, and 

 Marmion passes the post amid the deafening shouts of the 

 crowd, a winner by a neck, the dealer's horse just failing in 

 his effort to 'get up.' The scene of enthusiasm is inde- 

 scribable, for added to the hearty acclamations of all Eonald's 

 friends — and they are legion — are the delighted shouts of the 

 bookmakers at the defeat of the ' readied ' candidate ; and 

 amidst a sea of radiant faces, Eonald rides his gallant chest- 

 nut quietly back through the excited throng, and into the 

 saddling paddock. 



