300 ON] STEEPLE-CHASING. 



and so home over made-up fences. I saw 

 five finish in good shape over this course, 

 and the sight was well worth seeing." 



Well do I remember a former friend of 

 my own (he met, alas ! with the end 

 naturally to' he expected of him, being 

 killed by a fall with a horse in 

 Australia) undertaking to ride an ineffable 

 brute called The Shah over this remark- 

 able course. He had no expectation of 

 winning, but had backed himself to get 

 round, and finish within fifteen minutes 

 of the last horse but his own delightful 

 mount. A truly sporting wager this, and 

 one which excited rather more interest than 

 the actual race. After The Shah had done 

 his best to crush his rider's legs on either 

 side the railway arch, tried to lie down in 

 the river, and practised all the devilments 

 in his repertoire, which were numerous, I 

 believe my friend lost his bet by a minute; 

 which was nearly as good as a win, con- 



