"II 



ex 



with the usual gusto — taking a toss here and 

 a toss there as if I were born to be thrown about 

 with impunity, as so much decayed vegetable 

 matter — and I next rode " Ilex " in a big steeple- 

 chase at Leopardstown. He could get no nearer 

 than third, the winner being " Kilworth," who 

 was steered by the late Captain Owen, a fine, 

 determined horseman. 



But, evidently, Fate had decreed that " Ilex " 

 and I were not to be kept long asunder. The 

 next I heard of him was that he was going 

 up to be sold at Tattersall's. I went there to 

 see him before the sale, and, being satisfied 

 with that inspection, I advised the late Mr 

 George Masterman to buy him with a view 

 to " National " honours. He failed, however, to 

 reach the reserve ; so, still acting on my inspira- 

 tion, Mr Masterman purchased him privately 

 for a comparatively modest sum. The history 

 of that deal might read like a page of romance 

 if it were set out in extenso ; but as I am no 

 romancer, the wisest plan is to adhere to the 

 chronicle of sober facts. They are not always 

 so interesting as the others, yet they seem to 

 wear better, especially in print. 



Having changed hands as related, " Ilex " was 

 sent to my father at Epsom to be trained. It 



77 



