158 HOUND AND HORN 



fun all the time lest she should see ' dear Freddy 

 fall.' And what do you think she added ? " con- 

 tinued Billy. ^^ She said she couldn't bear the ex- 

 citement of seeing ^ Freddy ride a close finish.' I 

 bet he'll finish long before the turning flag." 



It so turned out that the gallant Fred finished 

 in the second field, for, losing a stirrup at the first 

 fence, he pulled up and trotted on to the knoll 

 amongst the onlookers. 



'^ No fear, I'll look out for the white blaze and 

 the bang tail popping over the last fence into the 

 winning field at the top of the crowd," said Flo 

 encouragingly. 



/' There won't be much of a crowd by that time, 

 I suspect ; the open ditch at the bottom will take 

 toll of a few; but I'll do my best for the Hunt 

 and for the stable." 



" I'm sure you will. The best of luck to you." 



I had been more or less neglected by the Oracle, 

 who, having instructed me in a laconic fashion, '' I 

 wad advize ye ti mak the rinnin' an' never heed 

 whether ye feenish or no'," left me to scramble up 

 unaided, as if my winning, or even getting the course, 

 were matters of extreme improbability, and went over 

 to Maister Willyum. To him the Oracle's parting 

 injunction had been, ** Keep him gawin' on, an' for 

 ony favour dinna loss sicht o' the leeders, an' 

 aboot a mile frae hame set him awa for a' ye're 

 worth." 



As we moved away to the starting field a covered 

 fly drove up at a fast trot, a limp figure tumbled 

 out of it and dived into the weighing tent, where 

 a steaming chestnut horse was standing, and two 



