122 TALES OF PINK AND SILK. 



formances. I do not profess to be an Arthur Nightingall, and 

 never mind the good-humonred chaff of my friends ; but to 

 be made the butt of this vulgar braggart's jokes was a httle 

 too much to bear. I noticed, too, that our host was getting 

 annoyed at the way he was making everyone his common 

 game, and presently he beckoned me to him, while Hodgson 

 was making a stroke at billiards, and slipped a piece of paper 

 into my hand. On it he had Avritten in pencil, ' Offer to back 

 yourself to beat him over the Cup Course here at the 

 Steeplechases for £50 aside, he to ride one of his own 

 horses, and you one of mine.' Dare I ? Hartopp's eyes 

 said 'Yes,' so after the next piece of witticism I fired my 

 challenge at him. Hodgson stared, and then burst out 

 laughing. ' Why ride one of Hartopp's ? ' he said. ' Eide 

 one of your own high-bred gees, and I'm on ; and I'll bet you 

 £50 to £5 you don't get over the first two fences.' 



" ' No, no,' said our host, ' that's no match at all. We all 

 know that Hamilton hasn't a horse that is fit to meet one of 

 yours. Besides, you were making fun of his riding. It is not 

 a matter of horseflesh at all. I shall be delighted to lend 

 Hamilton The Camel if he will ride him, and will undertake 

 to bring him fit and well to the post on the day of the races." 



" This seemed to meet with general approval, and although 

 Hodgson tried to wriggle out of it, and to have the match 

 arranged on his own terms, it Avas eventually decided that I 

 should nominate Mr. Charles Hartopp's chesnut gelding. The 

 Camel, to run Mr. Frederick Hodgson's bay gelding. Limerick, 

 over the Cup Course at Stonebridge on the second dsij of the 

 annual steeplechases at catch weights, for £50 a side. Now 

 that all was settled, and I cooled down somewhat, I began to 

 mourn for my £50. Given a Cloister to ride, I should of a 

 certainty tumble off, and what did I know of The Camel ? 

 He might be a good hunter, but he looked an ugly beast, and 

 a slovenly jumper, too, when I had seen Hartopp riding him 



