CASES AND RACES 109 



won it was bate, an' the third horse took the race 

 be raison of the fine Har he had above on him." 



This course might really have been laid out for 

 a bending race. It rounded about unguarded 

 posts, and the turn for home was almost at right 

 angles with the winning-post. So much so, that 

 with a hard-mouthed horse and the crowd clear- 

 ing off in leisurely fashion, one might miss the 

 ropes and find oneself outside among the people. 



To avoid this it had become the settled fashion 

 at this meeting for the jockeys to swing out wide 

 and so come opposite the straight before they got 

 whips up to make their final effort. 



There were only two horses in the race ; the 

 rider of the winner gave me a full account of it 

 afterwards. His was an old horse, stiff, past flat 

 racing, but very handy. The favourite, a flashy 

 chestnut mare, would find it difficult to lose even 

 if she wanted to, people said. 



But our friend on the old horse meant to have 

 a try. He was a favourite with the crowd, who 

 had long shots on him and shouted his name and 

 his horse's as he went out. 



The rider of the chestnut eyed it all with disgust, 

 making sundry remarks as to circus riding, and 

 taking posts on one leg. 



They started, the old horse moving like a badly 

 oiled mechanical toy, the mare dashing away as if 

 death was at her heels. The ruck bustled and 

 bumped and swore. 



