THE farmer's story. 39 



^fter a bit, ' and mine ain't a bad bit of stuff either,' a- 

 pattingthe old horse's lanky ribs. 



'^ I didn't say miicli, so on he went again — 



*^*It seems almost a pity to run such a lot of these 

 infernal two-mile heats for twenty or thirty pounds at 

 most, and with a couple of nags, too, that might do a deal 

 better.' 



" ' Ah !' says I, ^ and what then ?' 



<« * Why, just this/ says the little chap, a-coming close 

 lip to me, ' Why should we ride one another's horses' 

 lieads off, when we might come to an understanding, eh ? 

 Have just a bit of finish to please the clods — and 

 what matter who wins, eh? Besides, only keep 

 your mare fresh, and she's worth more over and over 

 again to — ' 



*^ Just then the committee-man, who was to start us, 

 rode up, and so being interrupted, the little man says to 

 him — 



*^ * Come, sir, I don't think we need trouble you ; I 

 .reckon we can get off ourselves this time ! ' 



^' ^ Oh, do you V says the other, a-boiling up, ' you'll 

 go when I say Qo ! and not before. Be good enough to 

 recollect as I'm the authorized starter, sir !' 



" * Well, I hope you won't forget it, sir,' says he, 

 laughing and winking at me, * and now say Go ! if you 

 please, for we are ready.' 



" ^ Go !' roars out the other, as if he was saying Fire ! 

 to a regiment of soldiers, and Cheap Jack went off in a 



slow stiff canter, and I went after him. 



* * * * 



'^But I'm tiring you, sir," said my communicative 

 friend, as a pull-up at one of the earliest stations rather 

 •checked the thread of his story, and sent the old lady's 



