276 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



I should overshoot the mark, I must trespass a little 

 on the principal. And that won't matter much, for I 

 daresay I shall never marry. Besides, I have given 

 orders for the sale of that little estate in Hertfordshire, 

 which is only fit for a cockney ; and I daresay that, from 

 its pretty situation, and by the help of one of Robins's best 

 puffs, it will fetch 10,000. That would give me another 

 1000 a year, as I shall sink the principal in an annuity 

 for my life. I don't mean to run in debt ; and Inkleton 

 says, if I do as he does keep an account of my expenses, 

 and pay ready money for most of the articles consumed, 

 I shall never hurt myself. And you know I have no taste 

 for gambling." 



Lord Edmonston. " Not for a little racing, Frank ? " 



Frank Raby. " Why, I intend having a shy at that, as 

 we used to say at Eton ; but, having been once caught, I 

 shall be cautious." 



Hargrave. " Better stick to hounds and the coach-box. 



There are such a number of d d rogues on the Turf, that 



I think you will do no good on that ground. Remember 

 what Fairfax told you at Christchurch. There are not 

 many better judges, I believe, than his father is, but he 

 is minus 100,000 by the Turf, which is awful to think 

 of, especially when one considers into what worthless 

 hands a great portion of it is gone." 



Frank Raby. "The legs!" 



Hargrave. " Yes ; what chance would you or any other 

 gentleman have in betting with men who pay annually 

 large sums to trainers for information as to trials, &c. ? 

 A dead loss, depend on it, Frank." 



Jack Webber. " I think so, too. Stick to the box and 

 the pig-skin, Frank, and don't put it in the power of 

 those fellows to ruin you first, and laugh at you afterwards, 

 as they have done by poor Raymond. I understand he 

 has lost his last shilling, and is at this time in prison." 



Frank Raby. " For a heavy sum ? " 



Jack Webber. " I know not for what amount, but " 



Sir John. " Well, let us drop this subject, and have a 

 little coaching talk. Give us your opinion, Jack, of what 

 a coach-horse should be. You have not only a good eye 

 to shape and make, but your two years' constant work 

 must have given you an advantage over us amateurs 

 even over one of such long standing as mine, for I have 

 been at it, now, better than eight years." 



