2 I o In Scarlet and Silk 



the equine world butchered along, and their 

 tempers ruined by this class of jockey, always 

 " draws " me considerably ! Of course, owners 

 cannot help themselves in the matter on 

 account of the weights, but, oh, the pity of it ! 

 If by chance the mannikin does win, it 

 mostly means that his horse has at least 

 7 lbs. in hand. 



Apropos of instructions, a most respected 

 trainer for whom I have now and then ridden 

 was an extremely nervous, fidgety man, and 

 rather given to tutoring his riders. Once he 

 had got hold of a very rough specimen of the 

 groom-jockey to ride for him in a steeple- 

 chase, and whilst we were walking down to 

 the post, a bitter March wind chilling one to 

 the marrow at the time, I overheard the 

 following colloquy : — 



Trainer. — " Now lay off, mind, till you get 

 to the foot of the hill, and " 



Jockey. — " Yes, I know ; all right." 



Trainer. — " And you're not to come with 

 him till " 



Jockey. — " All right, all right ! " (blow- 



