PRECAUTIONS ABOUT SURPLICE. 271 



consulted my kind and trusted master, the Duke 

 of Richmond. His Grace observed to me, " You 

 cannot always be watching the horse and his boy, 

 as he stands in the top stable along with seven 

 other horses." I suggested to his Grace that the 

 safest plan would be to move Surplice and Load- 

 stone from the Goodwood racing-stable into that 

 at the Kennels, where two good loose-boxes stood 

 side by side, and a stall by the side of each loose- 

 box, in which my father's and my hacks were 

 accommodated. This stable was close to our 

 house, and into it Surplice and Loadstone were 

 moved, much to Mr Cynric Lloyd's relief I 

 assured him that unless I myself were laid by the 

 heels. Surplice should not be got at, for I would 

 never let him go out of my sight except when he 

 was under lock and key, with the key in my 

 pocket. I added that every feed of corn, and 

 every bucket of water, should be given to him by 

 my own hands. 



