314 WHO IS TO RIDE HIM? 



man, and others are in for double as much as I 

 am." 



" My dear fellow," put in a quiet, sly-looking 

 little man, who had not yet spoken, " you should 

 not do such rash things. Flukes do happen — not 

 that it is likely in this case. I always wait till the 

 last moment, and then come with a rush when I 

 know things are pretty safe." 



" Come with a rush," replied a tall, delicate- 

 looking stripling ; " a pretty rush you made of it 

 last year. You prevented my getting on, and not 

 only put me in the hole, but every one else who 

 attended to you." 



" I could not help it, my dear boy," returned the 

 other, with a crafty smile. " There is no occasion 

 for you to ruin yourself too quickly, which you will 

 do if you go on in such a reckless manner." 



" Eeckless manner !" passionately exclaimed the 

 young fellow ; " why, you have had more of my 

 money than any one else. Where others have had 

 pounds you have had thousands, and now you talk 

 to me of ' recklessness.' That is rather hard lines." 



" I meant no harm," replied the other. " I only 

 think it is dangerous to lay against Bradon's horses 

 at present." 



" No doubt you do," said the youth, a little paci- 

 fied ; " but I do not mean to take your advice in 



