98 HARK FORRARDI 



* Is most of the corn in ? ' 



' Very near all, sir. In fact, we can begin 

 cubbing as soon as you like.' 



' Horses all right ? ' 



^AU except old Lockington, sir; he may 

 carry Jack through the season, but you must 

 not think of riding him. I have had him in the 

 river every day for the last six weeks.' 



' Ah, I fear I settled him that day when we 

 had the clinking gallop from Ramsden Park. 

 The ground was like iron.' 



'The firing shows very little, sir, now, though 

 you remember how deep Mr. Ault scored him 

 with the irons.' 



By this time the horses were all unboxed, 

 and in a few minutes were saddled, and all was 

 ready for the start. Reginald rode Indepen- 

 dent and led the four-year-old. Acton rode 

 Vermont and led Warrenton, and Purlby and 

 the helper followed with the others. It was a 

 lovely moonlight night, and they both agreed 

 that it was much pleasanter to nde the fifteen 

 miles than to sleep at Brewtown and train home 



