THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 113 



to believe you have some scores left unpaid in that town, 

 in spite of the handsome allowance you received from me. 

 However, as you spent your money in good society, and 

 left a fair name behind you in the College, I shall freely 

 forgive you, if my suspicions prove to be just. To- 

 morrow morning, then, we will breakfast at Cambridge, 

 on our return to town ; and if, in two hours after our 

 arrival there, you will give me a list of the entire of your 

 debts, they shall all be embodied in one cheque, at sight.' 

 My friend was placed in rather a trying position. The 

 entire of his debts and his father laid strong emphasis 

 on the epithet amounted to above 800, a sum greatly 

 exceeding, as he thought, his liberal father's expectations ! 

 Then what was to be done ? To have given in a muti- 

 lated list would have been deceiving himself, by deceiving 

 his father ; so he took courage, and boldly gave in the 

 aggregate amount. His generous parent took his cheque- 

 book from his pocket, and having drawn on his banker 

 for the required amount, never afterwards mentioned the 

 subject in the presence of his son ! " 



Sir John. " And what effect had all this on your 

 friend 1 ?" 



Webber. " The best possible effect ; he has been a 

 prudent man ever since. But, speaking of old college 

 friends, let me ask you, Raby, how vou like my friend 

 Hargrave 1 " 



Frank. " Very much, indeed ; he is my most particular 

 ally. He is supposed to be the best horseman and sports- 

 man, combined, in the University ; and, in every respect, 

 a good fellow." 



Webber. "And don't you like Topthorn and Rupert?" 



Frank. " The best horses in Oxford." 



Sir John. " Barring Achilles and the General, Frank ; 

 but I suppose your modesty induces you to place those of 

 your friend first 1 " 



Frank. " They are generally first in the field, Sir 

 John." 



Sir John. " That may be ; Hargrave is an older hand 

 than you are over a country ; but, with equal men upon 

 them, I should be inclined to back Achilles against 

 Topthorn in a severe run." 



Frank. " He has not got the speed of him, Sir John ; 

 neither do I think Achilles can cover so large a fence." 



Sir John. " "Well, Frank, I commend your candour 

 8 



