124 THE DEAD HEAT 



play second fiddle. Cheer up ! " and he whispered 

 something that made the fair girl smile through her 

 tears. 



" Now, Fortescue," said George Bradon, taking 

 his friend aside, " let me give you a little advice : 

 this is your maiden effort : whatever you do be cool ; 

 don't flurry or worry yourself ; you have a knowing 

 fellow to ride against, who is well up to these 

 things. Now the wall is the principal thing, and 

 my opinion is, he will try and baulk your horse 

 there ; therefore, my boy, don't let him give you a 

 lead over it, hut lead him. That you have the speed 

 of the mare there is not a doubt. Eemember, too, 

 you must not go at the wall too fast : keep him well 

 together, with his hind legs well under him, and 

 pop him over. Now, with regard to the brook, on 

 no account give him a lead there ; if necessary, walk 

 your horse to it rather than go first. Keep your 

 head, old fellow, and where you dare, make the pace 

 a cracker, if you can do it without pumping your 

 horse ; the mare is overtrained, and will not last 

 if she is bustled. I don't know that I can say any 

 more : now, go and sit by your lady fair till it is 

 time to weigh." 



The officers had sent their two cricket tents down, 

 the scoring one for the scales, and the other for 

 luncheon. The latter one was filled with gentle- 



