264 MR. SWINDELL. 



came to the point and asked if the horse was ' well ' ? 

 ' Never better,' was the welcome reply. After par- 

 taking of some refreshment, doubly acceptable after a 

 long journey, no time was lost in carrying out its 

 object, to see this particular horse. He looked in 

 blooming condition, to all seeming as fit as anyone 

 could wish to see him ; but they were told, as he had 

 done his work before the receipt of the telegram, he 

 could not go out again. He stood, as is customary 

 in many stables, in a set of woollen bandages. "When 

 they requested that these might be removed, they 

 were assured by the trainer it was quite unnecessary 

 and contrary to his practice ; and for fear of upsetting 

 the horse, he begged they would not think of his doing 

 anything so unwise. Mr. Swindell, however, said 

 the owner would not rest content unless he saw, at 

 least, the bandages taken off his fore-legs, and he 

 peremptorily requested this to be done at once — 

 when the mystery was solved. The trainer had then 

 to relate that the horse had met with a severe acci- 

 dent whilst at exercise, and nearly severed the main 

 tendons by coming in contact with some sharp cutting 

 instrument, which of course rendered him useless for 

 the season, if he would be ever fit to race again. He, 

 however, by way of explanation, said he thought but 

 little of it, and hoped it would soon be well : but in 

 reply to further inquiries, he could give no satis- 

 factory reason why the horse had gone back in the 

 market after all the money they had backed him for. 



