208 EACECOURSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



Flutterton asked Sir Henry, as they read the 

 3, 7, 15, with the riders' names heneath, on the 

 telegraph board. " Herries is going to ride, it 

 seems ? " 



" I don't know ; I quite thought so, too," 

 Atherton answered. 



" I'll take 6 to 4 ! 5 to 4 bar one ! 10 to 

 1 bar two ! " came from the ring. " Here, 6 to 

 4 bar one ! 15 to 1 bar two ! I'll take 7 to 4 ! " 

 was soon the cry. Eed Konald was a hot 

 favourite, and his appearance justified it. The 

 mare, too, looked well, as Tom Ball stripped her, 

 and with gentle hands and soothing words fitted 

 the saddle on her back. A trifle big there was 

 no doubt. Another gallop would certainly have 

 improved her; but her powerful quarters, clean 

 flat legs, and a general racing appearance about 

 her, in conjunction with her lean, game-looking 

 head, made her a dangerous animal to oppose. 



"■ I thought Captain Wynnerly was going to 

 ride her, Tom ? Have they made a mistake on 

 the board ? " Atherton asked, as Tom put the 

 finishing touches to her toilet. 



" He and Mr. Herries have changed their 

 minds about it. I don't quite know why, but 

 it's as they like, and I'm afraid neither of them 

 can win. Mr. Herries will ride her very well, 

 though he's a bit behind Captain Wynnerly. 



