126 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



was paid for by the warm old gentleman inside, all went 

 on well with the drag. The party arrived each night at 

 Stevens's Hotel as the clock struck eleven, so exactly did the 

 Baronet keep his time ; and both men and horses appeared 

 the better for their four days of inhaling clear country air. 



But what impression did the events of the week make 

 upon the youngsters of this party Frank Eaby and Har- 

 grave ? Upon the latter, not much. His heart and soul 

 were wrapped up in fox-hunting, and " closely stopped," 

 as fox - hunters say, against the intrusion of meaner 

 pursuits, amongst which he reckoned racing. Not so, 

 however, with our hero. He appeared to enter into the 

 spirit of each individual race with an interest that 

 attracted notice ; and, on the third day, was seen taking 

 some bets in the ring, although only to a trifling amount ; 

 and most of these, as might be expected, he lost. But his 

 speculations did not end with the turf. The introduction 

 of the thimble-rig tables had just then commenced, and 

 Hargrave and himself were amongst the earliest victims 

 to their unfairness. 



" What ! " said one to the other, " can that simple- 

 looking country bumpkin, in a smock-frock, find out the 

 pea, and neither you nor I be able to do the same ? 

 Why, he has won seven guineas already from the rascals, 

 and how I should like to break them, for they look very 

 much like thieves." 



" There will be no difficulty in it," observed the other ; " I 

 see the pea every time, and I am quite sure I can always 

 tell the thimble it is under. We will risk five guineas 

 apiece, and I'll warrant it we'll soon double our stakes." 



But they were interrupted in their course by a bystander, 

 who overheard them, and who, apparently in compassion 

 to their simplicity, thus ventured to address them : 



" Excuse me, young gentlemen," said he, " but you have 

 formed a wrong judgment as to the proceedings you 

 have just been witness of. That simple-looking country 

 bumpkin, in the smock-frock, is one of the partners in 

 the table, as well as one of the greatest thieves in London. 

 He is acting the part of a decoy, and you will be sure to 

 fall into his net, if you risk your money on the tables." 



The youngsters thanked their unknown friend, and 

 kept their money in their pockets. He also cautioned 

 them against playing at the various Rouge et Noir and 

 E. O. tables on the course, assuring them they were all 



