Ax Over-reach 335 



asked, as at length he drew off his colours. ' You haven't 

 taken that yet ? ' 



' No, sir,' Jerry answered with a sigh ; ' the old 

 woman is always talking of it ; but we don't get no 

 nearer. Ah, sir, if I could once get a start, me as knows 

 what birds is ! To see them and have 'em chirruping 

 and chirping, and the singing ones going of it ! To sit 

 in the warm — it's been my dream of happiness ; but I 

 have no luck ! ' 



' You back winners sometimes, don't you, Jerry ? ' 



' Yes, sir, for half-a-crown or five shillings, and make 

 a bit and lose it. I can't win at the game, su- ; I hears 

 too much for one thing, and studies the form too much 

 for another — the two don't agree. Thank you kindly, 

 sir, and I hope you'll keep on now that you've begun.' 



Harry was too anxious to get out and talk about the 

 race to linger in the room now that he was dressed, and 

 if some of his friends were inclined to chaff him about 

 his finish — the only spur mark on old Beanfeast had 

 been on his shoulder — it is a very soothing reply to an 

 argument that, whatever happened in the race, your 

 number went up when it was over. • 



CHAPTER II 



' He looks well, doesn't he ? ' Harry Montague, dressed 

 ready to ride, suggested to Skene and Addington some 

 ten days later. They had met in the paddock at the 

 Gatton meeting, and watched old Beanfeast being led 

 round and round. In truth the old horse had looked 

 much about the same for the last three years — rather 

 round in the joints, a bit curious about the hocks, and 



