THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 271 



Frank Ruby. "And what did he do with the carpet- 

 manufacturer ] " 



Jack Webber. " Frightened him out of his wits the first 

 time he put him to his drag." 



Frank Raby. "But did he not know he was a bad 

 starter ? " 



Jack Webber. " Oh no ; he only saw him at the down 

 change, where he always went oil quietly." 



Hargrave. "And how happened it that he would not 

 start well at the up change ? " 



Jack Webber. " We had a cruel scoundrel of a horse- 

 keeper there, who used to beat him with a broomstick, 

 because he was rather ticklish to dress. Horses have 

 better memories than we give them credit for." 



Hargrave. " But why did he frighten the carpet-manu- 

 facturer, whose servants, perhaps, never beat him ? " 



Jack Webber. " Why, they put him down to the bottom 

 of the bit, whereas I always drove him to the cheek. And 

 how has he been starting with you, Frank ? " 



Frank Raby. " Rather queerly, the first time, because he 

 did not like his side ; but since I have changed it, nothing 

 can be better. No one who knew anything about putting 

 horses into harness would have put such a mouth as his 

 anywhere but to the cheek. I would not take 100 guineas 

 for him." 



Sir John. " I remember just such an instance as that 

 you have been relating of this horse, in a grey mare that 

 went at wheel in the Worcester mail. At Bengeworth, 

 she was very difficult to put to the coach at all ; but at 

 Worcester she would almost put herself to, and stand for 

 half an hour. She had some reason, no doubt, for her 

 dislike to Bengeworth." 



Frank Raby. " How did they manage her at the down 

 change ? " 



Sir John. " When the other three horses were put to, 

 the coachman and guard up, and the passengers all seated, 

 she was brought quickly out of the yard, with scarcely 

 time to look about her ; the leading-rein being passed 

 through her turrets, and chucked to the coachman's hand, 

 her traces were put over the roller-bolts, by two nimble 

 horse-keepers, and away she started, with a rush." 



Jack Webber. "What! not poled up?" 



Sir John. " Very seldom ; the man who brought her up 

 to her place would generally succeed in putting the pole- 



