A SOCIAL PROBLEM. 67 



friendship between Crossley and Flutterton had been 

 repaired, Flutterton, by his mentor's advice, purchased 

 Bullfinch, and on him Crossley won a hurdle race at a 

 suburban meeting with an ease \vhich seemed to show 

 that the horse's ability was altogether out of the com- 

 mon. They tried him, therefore, over the Meadow- 

 mere steeplechase course, which much resembles that 

 at Kenilworth, against old Argus, an experienced 

 animal who went on all occasions with the regu- 

 larity of a chronometer, and could always be impli- 

 citly depended on as a trial horse. I well remember 

 Flutterton's delight at his anticipated triumph as he 

 recounted to us at the Drake one evening the results of 

 the test. 



" I never thought that we could beat such a good old 

 horse as Argus, you know, but if we could get near him 

 it was good enough. Well, they came on to the water, 

 where I was standing; Crossley on Bullfinch. You 

 fellows don't like Crossley, I know, and I think fellows 

 are very unjust to him, for he's a dear, good chap ; how- 

 ever, 5'-ou'll admit that he can ride, I suppose ? Well, 

 on they came, old Argus plodding on at a deuce of a 

 pace though — you know how he goes — and jerking him- 

 self over his jumps in that queer way he has. They 

 got over the water together, Bullfinch pulling like 

 blazes, and jumping like fun. Then I ran across to see 

 them come in, and there was young Maizeley warming 

 up old Argus ; but it was no use, and we can beat his 

 head off. There's nothing nearly so good as Argus at 



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