162 EXPERIENCES OF SPORT 



hard as nails, and fit to go for his life, and the 

 ground will suit him. This hurdle race will only 

 be a canter for them both, and, ( bar accidents/ 

 they will come out as fit as fiddles for to-morrow's 

 steeple-chase. I see, also, that in addition to 

 the forty pounds for the hurdles, a second prize, 

 as they call it, is given, in the shape of a tea 

 service ; not that it is of much use to us, but 

 still, as they say it is worth twenty pounds, we 

 may as well have it, if possible. Now what I 

 propose to do is this. It is not the slightest 

 consequence which of us wins. Your horse is 

 faster than mine for a mile, but as this is over 

 two, if the pace is at all good his bolt will be 

 shot about a mile from home, and when he dies 

 away, you may be certain the others will do so 

 too, for they are as fat as bullocks. Now, 

 you make the running at a strong pace, lead 

 them over the hurdles at a devil of a bat, and 

 cut the field down as quick as you can. I shan't 

 be far off with c Top Sails,' as they call him, and 

 I shall sail by them quietly. If you can manage 

 to beat me, do, and I will tell you why. I 

 shall get seven pounds aHowance for to-morrow, 

 which will make it a certainty for me. 



