'' Plenipo',' " Colonist,'' and " King Geoi'ge'' 199 



On my return I took him in hand and soon had him all 

 right, but one of his fore-legs filled badly from the effects 

 of the fights that he had indulged in, and consequently we 

 dare not give him the work we should otherwise have 

 done. Luxford was aware that the horse was short of 

 work, so when we started for the Omnium he very properly 

 forced the pace on that good horse " Molinero," in order to 

 pump " Colonist." Just before we reached the road, 

 " Colonist," who was feeling the pace, changed his legs 

 three times very quickly and dropped back from his bit. 

 Knowing that he was tiring, I sat as still as I possibly 

 could and let him do what he pleased, and in the next few 

 strides he had dropped some twenty yards behind 

 " Molinero." We were just beginning the ascent, and had 

 Luxford forced the pace then we should have been out of 

 the race, but looking back over his shoulder he saw 

 " Colonist " some lengths behind, and thinking the horse 

 was beaten, he steadied " Molinero." We thus went 

 quietly up the hill, and in descending again I felt 

 " Colonist " begin to stride out more freely and take hold 

 of his bit. I was certain then that Luxford had lost his 

 race, and when he found I was gaining on him he realised 

 it himself too. Do what he would he could not get away 

 from me, and nursing " Colonist " for one run, fifty yards 

 from home, he answered gamely enough, and we won by 

 half a length. 



Some owners are never satisfied, however, and Mr. 

 " Marland," for whom I was riding, found fault afterwards 

 for my having allowed " Colonist " to drop away from 

 " Molinero," saying that he did not approve of such pro- 

 ceedings, and that in his opinion I had jeopardised the 

 race by so doing ! In vain did I tell him I should never 



