94 TALES OF PINK AND SILK. 



'•' So you shall, my lad. And now good luck to you." 

 " Now, Bates," said the trainer, as he led the way towards 

 the starting post for a short distance, " you know your orders. 

 Don't overdo the pace, but keep with your horses, and come 

 with one run at the finish." 



" What about him ? " with a jerk of his thumb towards 

 Blue Rock." 



" He rides as he likes, and both horses run on their 

 merits." 



"Umph! The old brute can beat me if he likes. All 

 right." 



Blue Rock fidgeted about a bit at the post, and looked 

 like showing temper. Once he put his back up, but Daubeney 

 sat quite still. 



" Steady, old man," he said and the back w^ent down 

 again. 



" They're off ! " No, Blue Rock is showing temper. 

 " Now ! A good start, very." 



Blue Rock is going well, sweeping along with an easy 

 stride, and lying about the middle of a field of twenty-one 

 horses, King Hal being some five lengths in front of him. At 

 the starting post for the Rowley Mile some are already out 

 of it, and now they have entered the straight for home. At 

 the Ditch Mile stand Peterkin is leading, but King Hal has 

 him safe, and next to him come Chips, Blue Rock, and Old 

 Madrid. Nearer and nearer come the field, and every jockey 

 is riding his hardest ; whip and spur are applied everywhere 

 except in the case of Blue Rock, and Daubeney is riding him 

 with his hands for very life. He is conscious that the horse 

 is doing his best, but still he does not gain on the two leaders. 

 Is he going to be beaten after all, and on his merits, too ? 

 Stay — he is gaining on Peterkin ! " Good old horse ! " cries 

 his jockey. 



Yes, and though Blue Rock's pace does not increase, his 



