8o The Great Dowxshire Handicap 



' So you shall, next week. Put him on old Cannon 

 Ball, Dick, in the handicap — he'll win, too, if he sits still.' 



' Yes, the old horse knows his business, and doesn't 

 want much ridin"-. You shall have the mount,' Dick 



said. 



' What's that — a watch '? ' Cecil asked, seeing the 

 boy's fingers playing with a little gold chain. 



' Yes, sir ; Mr. Chattress gave it to me,' the boy 

 said, producing his new treasure, a gold timepiece. 



* That's all right ; but he knows what o'clock it is 

 without it, all the same. Well, I'll give Mr. Chattress a 

 hundred pounds to put in the bank for you,' Cecil said, 

 ' and you shan't want a chance of getting on if I can 

 help you.' 



After which, with a flushed face, little Hughes left 

 the room as happy as a king. 



He had his ride, sat still, and old Cannon Ball 

 carried him triumphantly home, thereby compensating 

 for the slight disappointment he had felt in not being 

 allowed to ride with whip or spurs. Cecil is happily 

 married; Barrick has not been heard of, but Hough and 

 Scully are to be seen hanging about racecourses outside 

 the rings, whenever they are out of gaol, where they 

 pass a good deal of their time. 



