a low whisper--'your horse won't
bear a crowd, and the groom kept him stabled to the last moment. You are
in luck besides,' continued he: 'they say he is in a good temper this
morning--and, indeed, he walked up from the mill as gently as a lamb.'

'Mount, gentlemen!' cried Mr. Dillon, as, with watch in hand, he
ascended a little platform in front of the weighing-stand.

I had but time to throw one glance at my horse when the Major gave me
his hand to lift me into the saddle.

'After you, sir,' said Mr. Burke, with a mock politeness, as he drew
back to permit me to pass out first.

I touched my horse gently with the snaffle, but he stood stock-still; I
essayed again, but with no better success. The place was too crowded to
permit of any attempt to bully him, so I once more tried gentle
means. It was of no use--he stood rooted to the ground. Before I could
determine what next to do, Mahon sprang forward and took him by
the head, when the animal walked quietly forward without a show of
restiveness.

'He's a droll devil,' said the groom, 'and in one of his odd humours
this morning, for that's what I never saw him do before.'

I could see as I passed out that this little scene, short as it was, had
not impressed the bystanders with any exalted notion of my horsemanship;
for although there was nothing actually to condemn, my first step did
not seem to augur well. Having led me forth before the stand, the
Major pointed with his finger to the line of country before me, and was
repeating the priest's injunctions, when Mr. Burke rode up to my side,
and, with a smile of very peculiar meaning, said--

'Are you ready _now_, sir?'

I nodded assent. The Major let go the bridle.

'We are all ready, Dillon!' cried Burke, turning in his saddle.

'All ready!' repeated Dillon; 'then away!'

As he spoke, the hell rang, and off we went.

For about thirty yards we cantered side by side--the grey horse keeping
stroke with the other, and not betraying the slightest evidence of bad
temper. Whatever my own surprise, the amazement of Burke was beyond all
bounds. He turned completely round in his saddle to look, and I could
see, in the workings of his features, the distrustful expression of
one who suspected he had been duped. Meanwhile, the cheers of the vast
multitude pealed high on every side; and, as the thought flashed across
me that I might still acquit myself with credit, my courage rose, and I
gripped my saddle with double en