BILLY'S AMBITION 163 



obstacle. Billy had ridden twice on the first day 

 and had got the course. On the second day he 

 had a mount in a three-mile selling steeplechase on 

 the second favourite, and had been forcing the run- 

 ning, his horse jumping rather wildly. In the 

 second round he was leading by six lengths, when 

 the favourite came up alongside and challenged him. 

 His horse rushed the open ditch fence and over- 

 jumped it. The narrator said, '^ I declare to guidness 

 the mere stuid back toonty feet an' flang hersel' 

 at the fence." She crashed into it, and turning 

 over, hurled Billy with great force beyond it and 

 fell on him, rolling over him. 



The doctors were in attendance at once, and he was 

 carried to a comfortable farmhouse close to the course. 



On my arrival things looked pretty black. Joanna, 

 with a scared face, was flitting about noiselessly, 

 carrying out the surgeon's instructions as promptly 

 as if she had anticipated them, and said authorita- 

 tively, ** Before the nurse comes in you may come 

 on your stocking-soles and look at him for a minute 

 if you like." 



The sight of poor Bill, breathing heavily, and with 

 half-closed eyes that saw nothing, was most up- 

 setting, and his restlessness was distressing. 



Before Joanna went to take her turn at the night's 

 watch, we passed a doleful hour together. 



'' Oh, the pity of it ! the pity of it ! " she moaned ; 

 " this can never be his doom, to be maimed for the 

 rest of his life ! " Then with a groan and half to her- 

 self: "Poor, poor Flo; who is to tell her, and how? 

 You know she's off yachting with the Douglases, and 

 may see it in the newspapers." 



