WHO IS TO RIDE HIM ? 329 



" Come on, then," returned Bradon ; " I'm thirsty 

 too ; but just let me look to the horse and Tim 

 first." 



But Tim had clothed the horses up, as he said 

 the boxes were only a few paces off, and they would 

 be better dressed there. As he turned to follow 

 Lord Plunger, he was seized by a host of his old 

 companions-in-arms, hoisted up, and carried to the 

 drag on their shoulders. 



" Bradon," said Lord Plunger, after he had 

 drained off a silver goblet of the sparkling wine, 

 " we have pulled out of this well, right well ; for 

 myself, I have now done with betting and the Turf. 

 I have been hit, and hard hit, but this coup more 

 than squares me. I'll tempt the fickle goddess 

 no more." 



" My decision you knew long ago," returned his 

 friend. " This is my last appearance in public. I 

 shall only hunt, and I think with such a horse as 

 Guardsman I may be a first-flight man." 



His lordship and Bradon were ever afterwards 

 only lookers-on at the few race-meetings they 

 attended, and here we must take leave of them. 



In a snug little cottage close by Bradon Hall 

 lives Tim Mason, now rather an infirm old man ; 

 still he looks after the stud as usual. 



In his pretty little parlour, on a side table, 



