THE DEAD HEAT 109 



years old, for OXE thousand guineas a side," appeared 

 in the County Chronicle. 



The excitement was intense. Such a stiff bit of 

 country had not been seen or ridden over for years. 

 The betting would have ])een decidedly in favour of 

 the Captain, but his mare's well-known dislike to 

 water prevented anything like odds being laid — 

 so they were both about equal favourites. 



" By George, old fellow ! " said one of Fortescue's 

 chums to him one morning, some six days pre- 

 vious to the race, " I really think your chance is 

 becoming more rosy every hour. The more 

 O'Eooney's mare sees the water the less she 

 likes it. A sergeant in my company, a Gal- 

 way man, has a country cousin in the barracks who 

 knows all about it. Just go to Sergeant Blake," 

 he said, turning to a bugler passing by, " and tell 

 him to come here, and bring his cousin with him. 

 Mr Fortescue wishes to see him." 



The man soon appeared. " Salute your supareor," 

 said the Sergeant, as he squared his heels. " Touch 

 your caubeen." 



" Arrah, now, Patrick, wasn't I after doing it ? " 



'' Well, do it at oust, ye murdering ruflQan, and 

 tell all ye know." 



" Yes, sir, yer honour," commenced the man, 

 " Faix, the Captain 'av' been trying the mare day 



