WHO WON THE KENILWORTH CUP. 203 



any capital^' Beauclerc went on, and Dick wondered 

 whether he meant it for a joke. " Besides, there are a 

 good many hundreds depending on this race ; however, 

 I don't fear anything. Heidenberg's horse is about the 

 best ; but we beat him at Warwick, and meet now on 

 ten pounds better terms. I want some money, and 

 should much prefer getting my own back from him to 

 finding any elsewhere. Is this the ground r " he asked 

 Straightley, seeing that the horses had stopped, and 

 that their attendants were removing the hoods and 

 sheets, and tightening the girths. 



" Yes, my lord ; you go right round the flag by the 

 cottage yonder, then turn rather sharp off to the left 

 towards where you see another flag on the hill there ; 

 round that and the next and then you'll come down to 

 the brook, and home over the hurdles. That's a little 

 over three miles." 



Beauclerc was soon in the saddle, and, so far as per- 

 fection of seat may be taken as a criterion of jockey- 

 ship, there was certainly no fault to find with him as he 

 went lightly over the first hurdle and back again. Dick 

 mounted Achates, and ]\Iat Straightley, who was more 

 than rather critical, could find no fault with the way his 

 legs hung over the saddle. If there was a pin to choose 

 between the two men perhajDs the choice would have 

 fallen on Lord Beauclerc ; but I don't think there was. 



The horse and mare were in a line before Mat : " Are 

 you ready, gentlemen V he asked. "Then go !" and in 

 three seconds the two were over the fence and well into 



