244 RACECOURSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



nice easy goer, and her trainer thinks he has a 

 good chance. Odds of 5 to 2, and even 3 to ] , 

 on the favourite are demanded, and the thought 

 of the awful consequences that would ensue 

 should Leap Year win instead of the " Wheel" 

 strike terror to the hearts of daring ones who 

 have plunged. 



'' They are fielding pretty hard, and I've laid 

 the odds like fun," a nervous young gentleman 

 with rather white lips remarks, as he dis- 

 tinguishes the roar of the betting-ring, and a 

 strong eulogy on Philippine 's good looks does 

 not tend to increase his equanimity. 



The red-hatted gentry on the hill grow frantic 

 about this period, and offer any sort of odds 

 against anything in their anxiety to do business ; 

 but suddenly discussion is interrupted by a roar 

 that they are off. At a slow pace they traverse 

 the far side of the course, pink and black hoops, 

 Coromandel II., leading. 



As they approach Tattenham Corner, the 

 pace improves. Bound the sharp turning they 

 rush, Archer on Wheel of Fortune next the 

 rails. 



"It's all over! — no, it is not, though! 

 Archer's riding ! " one of the favourite's backers 

 exclaims in dismay. 



But though the race does not look like 



