io6 The Cottrse, the Camp, the Chase 



crowd forming a lane, I got in front of " Top Sawyer," 

 and set the pony going at the fence, amidst the cheers of 

 the spectators. There is but little, we are told, between 

 the sublime and the ridiculous, and the cheering speedily 

 ended in laughter, as the pony stuck his toes in the 

 ground and absolutely refused to move. However help 

 was at hand, for the owner rushing up, gave the pony 

 such a cut over his quarters that it speedily changed its 

 mind, and crawled up the bank, like a mouse running up 

 a wall, closely followed by " Top Sawyer." There were 

 but two more fences to jump before landing on to the 

 flat for the run in. The pony gallantly jumped them, 

 with "Top Sawyer" following meekly behind, and then 

 the latter made the best of his way to the winning-post, 

 and secured the money given to the second horse. Of all 

 the curious courses, however, in that country, none can 

 equal Totnes. Modbury required a little nerve to ride 

 over, as, in the course of the race, a good-sized ordinary 

 gate had to be jumped, and then afber slithering down a 

 very steep descent into a trout stream, and floundering 

 across the rocks, it was necessary to hold tight on to 

 the mane, and stand in the stirrups, to get up the opposite 

 side. Totnes, however, is quite unique. Imagine gallop- 

 ing up to a high railway embankment, then turning at 

 right angles to the right for a few yards, and then sharp 

 to the left, underneath the railway bridge, which crosses 

 the river. As soon as you have emerged from the bridge, 

 you must drop down into the river and wade across, up 

 to your saddle-flaps, and then come back under the railway 

 bridge, turn to the left, and proceed over several fair 

 banks to a flag in the distance. After turning this, the 

 next thina; is to take a line back for the river, at a 



