HARK FORRARD! 211 



' But if Decimal only runs up to his trials he 

 cannot lose,' said his confrere. 



' Ah ! ' said Tryall, ' if the horse had only run 

 up to his trials, do you think that you two 

 would ever have owned a hair in his tail ? Why, 

 he could always give Fortitude 7 lbs. at home, 

 and in public the other horse could lose him.' 



' But he has completely altered now ; didn't 

 we try him with seven others in the gallop, and 

 colours up and everything to make a race of it, 

 and didn't he carry 10 lbs. more than any of 

 the lads knew anything about ? ' 



' Yes, I know all that, but then he was at 

 home, and he knew it ; at all events, I mean to 

 get out all I can — in fact, I shall back Fortitude 

 for every bit that I can get on, and I strongly 

 recommend you to do the same.' 



The result of this conversation was that by 

 the time the numbers went up for the first race 

 Fortitude had come with a rattle to 6 to 4, and 

 as the afternoon wore on he became a better 

 and better favourite, until at the fall of the flag 

 5 to 4 on was the best procurable price. As 

 to the race itself, it needs little or no descrip- 



