Some Racing Expediences 229 



fastening a whip-thong to one end, bringing it up between 

 the thighs, and securing it to the surcingle over the croup, 

 while the other end of the handkerchief was made safe by- 

 passing a band from the surcingle over the loins, round 

 the belly, and tying the handkerchief tightly to it. 



" The question then arose. What should be done next ? 

 It appeared almost hopeless to expect to save the animal, 

 so it was thought best to try and get ' La Marchesa ' back 

 to Dublin with as little delay as possible, and without 

 going to that expense and trouble which would have been 

 thought necessary had the injury been less severe — the 

 mare being a very valuable one as a racehorse. 



" There were two fences to cross before gaining the 

 road, and no gates. So further mishap was ' chanced,' the 

 mare was jumped over the banks, and landed in the road 

 without further injury, and without the bandage having 

 moved in the least. 



" There were still five miles to travel before reaching 

 Dublin, and, to add to the misfortune, a severe frost was 

 setting in, and fast glazing the roads with ice. A horseman 

 happening to pass the party, he was informed of the 

 accident, and asked to acquaint Mr. Murphy, V.S., of 

 Parkgate Street, with it, and to request him to have 

 everything in readiness to throw the mare on her arrival. 

 Progress was necessarily slow, and Mr. Murphy's establish- 

 ment was not reached till 8.30 p.m., when the hobbles 

 were at once put on, and a large quantity of straw having 

 been built up against the animal, she was quietly slid on 

 to her side and secured ; but previous to being thrown 

 the bandage was undone, and the intestines then just 

 reached to her fetlocks. 



" Captain Meysey-Thompson held them during the 



