92 The Cotcrse, the Camp, the Chase 



going to ride, found that it was this very horse. I told 

 him we had a good thing if " Meteor " was of no account, 

 and, being assured that we need not be in the least afraid 

 of him, we accordingly backed " Affable." Going down to 

 the post I cantered down with " Meteor," and felt anything 

 but reassured when I noticed his easy swing and wiry 

 appearance ; but Hope- Johnstone again repeated that no 

 danger need be anticipated from him, and added that he 

 had backed my mount himself. When the flag fell 

 " Affable " jumped off with the lead, and the last thing 

 I saw, as we left the post, was " Meteor " rearing straight 

 up on end. " That is all right," I said to myself, and soon 

 began to look on the race as won, for the mare was swing- 

 ing along easily with the lead, and I saw that we had the 

 pace of everything there. Just when we were about 

 approaching the distance post I suddenly became aware 

 of something coming up very quick, and I at once began 

 to urge the mare to her utmost speed. It was not of the 

 slightest use, for, galloping past me with ease, the despised 

 " Meteor " sailed in an easy winner. The crowd became 

 very demonstrative against me, for they are prone to 

 consider they have been robbed when their " fancy " has 

 been beaten, and I was quite chagrined enough without 

 having to bear the brunt of angry looks and remarks. 

 However, I knew well enough that we had been beaten 

 easily on our merits by what must be a good horse, and, 

 therefore, sought to buy him. His owner was willing to 

 sell, and the price was arranged, when, just then, 

 Mr. Clare Vyner offered to send a four-year-old filly, 

 " Ella," to me to train, that had cost 1100 guineas as a 

 yearling, and, as I had no room for another, the purchase 

 of " Meteor " was not concluded. How he afterwards was 



