SUNSHINE SHOWING TEMPER. 65 



hind leg in a manner which betokened mischief to all or any 

 within reach. 



"Come, I say," observed Puffy Doddles, in a tone of re- 

 proach, and looking at his horse in the face with impromptu 

 severity, " what are you about, I should like to know 1 " 



George Spindles glanced at the horse from ear to heel, and 

 stood for a moment with the rubber unemployed. 



Sunshine made a playful snap at Robert Top's best lad's 

 left shoulder, as much as to say, " Take care, or I'll eat you, 

 bones and buttons !" 



" So there ! Gently, my la-ad ! " exclaimed George Spindles, 

 again applying the rubber to Sunshine's sleek sides. Scarcely, 

 however, had he touched him, when the horse flung out both 

 heels, and, with his head between his knees, continued a suc- 

 cession of kicks which, in rapidity of movement, combined 

 with strength, were never excelled, and rarely equalled. 



George Spindles did not turn pale, but his complexion bore 

 on the instant the tint of a green bronze. 



" What's the matter ? " gasped Mr. James Sloper, arriving 

 with the spare and bohy figure ready for "the mount." 



" He's showing temper," whispered George Spindles, " and 

 hang me if I know what to think ! " 



" Stand aside !" passionately ejaculated Mr. James Sloper, 

 snatching the saddle from the jockey's arms, and approaching 

 Sunshine with the design of placing it upon his back. Yain, 

 however, was the attempt ; for no sooner did he raise the 

 saddle than Sunshine plunged away kicking, and dragging 

 Puffy Doddles with him, in a manner likely to produce disloca- 

 tion in more joints than one. 



It was an awful moment for Messrs. Sloper, Spindles, 

 and Johnny, to say nothing of the feelings of " the j>arty " 

 standing around. 



" Oh ! " groaned one of " the party," " we shan't get even a 

 start for any money." 



i{ We're dropped into a pretty hole ! " whined a second. 



E 



