146 HARK FORRARD ! 



six lengths in front of Tittlebat and Yittoria. It 

 was quite time to take a pull too, as tlie first 

 mile and a lialf of the journey had been run at a 

 capital pace. Tittlebat and Vittoria, by the time 

 the top of the hill was reached, had got on terms 

 with Independent, and they all cleared the fence 

 abreast. Reginald by this time felt quite sure 

 that he could go as fast as or a bit faster than 

 either of them, and taking a pull he let them 

 lead him three lengths for the rest of the journey 

 until two fields from home, when he gradually 

 began to get on terms. They all three rose at' 

 the last fence together, and of the three Vittoria 

 was a shade the quickest away. Then ensued 

 a terrific race. Reginald was on the right-hand 

 side of the course, having come up outside the 

 other two at the last fence ; on they came neck 

 and neck, the jockeys of Tittlebat and Vittoria 

 both at work with their whips, Reginald riding 

 his horse all he knew with his hands. Three 

 strides from the winning-post he picked up his 

 whip and hit him once. Independent answered 

 as game as a pebble, and got his head in front. 



