The Godolphin Arabian, i6i 



him so much when he had concluded, to take the 

 mare to Ascot next year, that, although not exactly 

 liking his errand, he proceeded to the Turf Tavern, to 

 sound Bob on the matter. Colonel Crawfurd and 

 Mr. Powlett volunteered to accompany him, and 

 having drawn the bar in vain, they proceeded to his 

 bedroom. Mr. Powlett shook him into consciousness, 

 as he snored over the glories of the day, and at last 

 he extracted a " Whose tlioo f " Bob," said that gen- 

 tleman, "we've come to speak to you about Bees- 

 wing.'' " But what have thou fit do wid meer t'neit. 

 What's come noo for ? Gan thee ways back, and come 

 if morning if tJioo want^ ought',' was all he could 

 extract in addition. " Now, Robert,'* mildly inter- 

 posed Mr. Orde, " we've been at the Rooms, and a 

 great many of the gentlemen wish us to take the 

 mare South for the Ascot Cup." Bob stared wildly 

 at his visitors, and then recovering his presence of 

 mind, let out as follows : — " " Well, then thodll just 

 tak Jier thee sel ; I sant gan wid her. Thoiirtjust a 

 silly oldfule to iJiink of sic a thing ; let the Sooth come 

 fit North if they want to be beat ; not we gan to them!' 

 Remonstrance was hopeless, as Bob's head went reso- 

 lutely on to his pillow once more, and his heart 

 refused to melt. It was no use begging him to refrain 

 from strong language, so the trio retired, leaving Mr. 

 Orde not a little discomfited, and the others in a 

 roar. He had, however, to yield his point ; and al- 

 though the Vase was just missed, the Ascot Cup 

 came to Nunnykirk, as a memorial of that interview. 

 Bob was always a very abstemious Bob Johnson's 

 man, but two glasses got into his head. Singing Powers. 

 It was on one of these occasions that he mounted the 

 table behind the Grand Stand at Newcastle to return 

 thanks, after the mare had beaten Lanercost and The 

 Young'un for the Cup ; but he did not get on very 

 fluently, and Mr. Orde soon pulled him forcibly down 

 by the coat-tails, and went on with the running in his 



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