THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 99 



the best gig-horses that the Oxford stables could produce, 

 Frank Raby and his friend Hargrave thus arranged their 

 plans for the approaching Bibury Meeting. They .sent 

 two of the horses to Witney, and by thus relieving those 

 that brought them from Oxford, they were enabled to go 

 to, and return from, the course, and be in their college at 

 night driving alternate stages, for the furtherance of 

 their mutual improvement in this hazardous occupation, 

 as well as for their mutual pleasure ; and all went well 

 for the first three days. Having a capital leader over the 

 last ground, who wanted nothing but holding, and keep- 

 ing his head straight, these aspiring youths dashed through 

 the crowd, threading the carriages and horses on the road, 

 with such skill and dexterity as to attract much notice 

 and, at length, that of the Prince, who had been watching 

 their manoeuvres on the race-course. 



" Who are they ? " inquired His Royal Highness of Mr. 

 Lake. 



" I do not know their names, sir," replied Mr. Lake, 

 " but I understand they are Christchurch men." 



" Ask their names," resumed the Prince ; " they will do, 

 in time, that is to say if they don't break their necks." 



I well remember the scenes at Burford, and all the 

 neighbouring towns, after the races of the day were over. 

 That at Burford beggars description, for, independently 

 of the bustle occasioned by the accommodations necessary 

 for the Club who were domiciled in the town, the con- 

 course of persons, of all sorts and degrees, and all in want 

 of something, was immense. Our young Oxonians, how- 

 ever, had taken care to provide for themselves in this 

 respect ; and with a few more collegians, and kindred 

 spirits too, had formed a select party of themselves, and, 

 by paying the piper well, had no reason to complain. 

 But now for the finale to this "lark," I might say, but 

 that word was not used in those days, in this sense, at 

 least. On the last day of the meeting, all having hitherto 

 gone smoothly, an awkward mishap occurred, but which 

 will, in a great measure, be accounted for by the scene 

 that took place when the tandem came to the door with 

 Frank Raby on the bench. 



" Come along, Hargrave," said Frank, " I am sure you 

 have had wine enough; and, as foi;^nyself, I can scarcely 

 tell the leader from the wheeler. , .Resides, you know this 

 niare won't stand much longer ere she begins kicking, and 



