WHO IS TO RIDE HIM? 313 



time. I have entered two nags for the Silverpool. 

 I must engage some one to ride one ; it matters 

 little who will get the second mount, as he will 

 merely be wanted to make running for the one I 

 declare to win with. 



" Yours, ever, 



" George Bradon." 



" There ! " he exclaimed, " you see I know more 

 than all of you. As for Bradon's riding, that is an 

 utter impossibility, for both horses are in at 

 ten twelve, and it is equally impossible to get 

 any good hand to ride them now, as all are 

 engaged." 



" By George, Fred ! " exclaimed the first that had 

 spoken, " you have done wonders, but still I can 

 make nothing of it. No end of odds have been 

 offered against his nags for win or a place, and all 

 have been eagerly taken up by the fellows of his 

 old regiment. Why, Plunger alone stands to win 

 over ten thousand. However, the horses are really 

 coming into the betting, which they must not do. 

 I must go down to the rooms to-morrow and give 

 them such a tickler that will knock them out at 

 once. It will not suit my book their taking promi- 

 nent places in the market. By heaven ! if either 

 of them was to pull through I should be a ruined 



