1 88 The Course, the Camp, the Chase 



shall win, for ' Barbian ' cannot stay. But if I ride him 

 another way I think ' Barbian ' will win. Of course I shall 

 not stop him, and shall win if I can, but he will run at 

 least 7 lb. worse than if I ride him the other way." " Oh, 

 do win if you can," he repeated. " Never mind this race," 

 I said, " it is not worth winning, and we are pretty sure to 

 pick up a better stake at Jerez if we are beaten here." At 

 last he consented that I should ride as I liked. As soon 

 as we started, as I expected, Everett drew back to my 

 quarters and remained there, so steadying " Solitario " and 

 keeping him only to a three-parts speed gallop we went on 

 to the distance. Here Everett drew up to me, and it being 

 no part of my plan to make the most of my horse, I 

 allowed Everett to draw level before I began to ride 

 " Solitario." We had a capital finish, " Solitario " showing 

 even more speed than I expected, and we were only beaten 

 by a head. On returning together to weigh in, Everett 

 slapped his thigh and exclaimed joyfully, " Beaten you 

 again, Mr. Thompson, beaten you again !" " Yes, Everett," 

 I answered, " it is your turn this time, but it will be mine 

 next !" 



The handicapper was delighted with the result of his 

 work, and said to me, " I shall make the handicap for the 

 King's Prize at Jerez from your two horses. I shall give 

 you two even weights, and I should not wonder if you run 

 a dead heat. That will be allowing 1 lb. for the short 

 head." " That will be about right," I said, delighted that 

 he had not penetrated our little scheme. " I should not 

 wonder if we do run a dead heat." Nothing, however, 

 would have more surprised me than if we had done so ! 



Without the smallest idea of winning the race, I rode 

 " Solitario " down to the starting-post at Jerez, and though 



