Remenham. 53 



ruined house which stood just opposite to the mile-post, 

 put him into the cook-room, barricaded the doors and 

 the windows, and left him in peace until Captain Dudley 

 had weighed out, and the field were coming slowly 

 across to start. The saddle was then slipped on Remen- 

 ham, and before he had time to think, he was down to 

 the post and the flag lowered. Though anything but a 

 cur, he was one of those horses which run better in front 

 than behind, so Captain Dudley slipped off at a good 

 pace, knowing that his only chance was to take a lead 

 and keep it, if possible. Meanwhile, the cracks were all 

 comfortably looking after one another, and paying but 

 little attention to the despised outsider, who, their riders 

 thought, was sure to " come back " to them. But when 

 two-thirds of the journey had been completed, and they 

 saw that Remenham was as far ahead as ever, they 

 began to think that he might require a little catching 

 after all. Then ensued an exciting and almost laugh- 

 able scene. "Ben" Roberts on Colloby was the first to 

 sound the alarm, and was followed by the riders of the 

 great Tomboy and the Calcutta mare. But all to no 

 avail ; for, after a tremendous *' set to " between the four, 

 Captain Dudley just managed to squeeze in Remenham 

 a winner by a short head. There was a good deal of 



