308 WHO IS TO RIDE HIM ? 



like to be told where Tim Mason would be, the old 

 woman, and all the kids. No seven-pound saddle 

 for me. I ain't a-going to have my boy a-smash- 

 ing of hisself, and all because he will put flesh on. 

 He's the only one left of the old stock ; it's time he 

 married, and I hope he will. I'm almost afraid to 

 tell the old woman. Twelve stun five ! " he ejacu- 

 lated, as he wended his way thoughtfully across 

 the yard ; " it seems almost impossible." 



" Tim," said his master the next morning, " this 

 idle life won't do for me. I'm going over to France 

 for three or four months. Would you like a trip ? " 



" Me, sir ? " said the old man. " Why in course 

 I should like to see them mounseer fellows eat 

 frogs, and taste their brandy, too." 



" Well, Tim, so you shall," replied George ; " and 

 look here, we will take Guardsman and the gray 

 with us. I will run them both at some of the 

 meetings. Young Harry shall go with us ; he is a 

 good rider, a light weight, and can keep his mouth 

 shut." 



" Yes, sir," said Tim. " He and I can do the 

 horses as they ought to be done, and a little work 

 now will do them good." 



" Well," continued his master, " I'm off to London 

 this afternoon to make some arrangements. Travel 

 the horses down to Southampton, and meet me at 



