CHAPTER XVI. 



" Plenipo," "Colonist," and "King George." 



" Plenipo ! " What recollections arise when thy name 

 is mentioned. Memories of sensational triumphs, with all 

 the glamour attaching to great victories, and the excite- 

 ment attending them. Truly he was a gallant horse, 

 despising weight and distance alike, if only he was fit to 

 run, and " above " himself. When he was in that con- 

 dition, it was perhaps a trifle difficult to keep on his back 

 when going down to the starting-post. As soon as ever 

 he was " off," however, he placed himself entirely in the 

 hands of his jockey, adapting his running to the slightest 

 indication given to him, and when asked to go on and 

 win his race, he strove to the very utmost of his power to 

 be first at the winning post. He knew where it was, too, 

 as well as I did ! As " ' Plenipo's ' jockey," I was known 

 at all the racing towns in Southern Spain, and the little 

 boys used to shout it after me in the streets, when every- 

 one made way for me as if I was a " bull-fighter." The 

 Spaniards are a very sporting nation, and their courteous, 

 dignified ways are charming. They loved the English at 

 that time. What a pity that a temporary cloud should 

 have arisen to alter their sentiments towards us, on account 

 of the American war ! It may be that we are grasping at 

 the shadow and losing the substance, for it is not very 

 long since that business over Venezuela began to assume a 

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