have your turn some day. Take some of this, man, and never say
die."

And Tom, reckless in his misery, took the proffered bottle, and drank
deeply.

It was late in the afternoon before Belsham thought of turning his
horse's head homeward, and by that time Charlie, on the floor of the
waggonette, was slowly beginning to recover consciousness.

CHAPTER NINE.

HOW MY MASTER AND I HAD QUITE AS MUCH EXCITEMENT IN ONE AFTERNOON AS WAS
GOOD FOR US.

Just as they were turning to go, a sudden shout and rush of people
arrested them. The crowd on the course had been immense, and of the
roughest and lowest description: sharpers, thieves, and roughs were
there by the hundred, attracted from the neighbouring villages by the
opportunity of plunder and riot which Gurley races always afforded. As
soon as the serious business of the racing was over, this low mob
naturally sought excitement of their own making, and increasing in
disorder and intemperance as the day wore on, had become beyond control
just about the time when Mr Belsham, junior, took it into his muddled
head to make a start in the direction of home. The shout which kept him
where he was, was occasioned by that spectacle dear to the eyes of all
blackguards, a fight. Round the two blood and dust-stained combatants,
the mob surged and yelled. Every moment it grew denser and wilder; and
every moment it swayed nearer and nearer to the spot where the
Randlebury boys stood in their waggonette; and before they could move or
get clear, they found themselves in the very centre of the mob. Shouts,
shrieks, and wild laughter rose on every side of them; some of the crowd
scrambled up onto their wheels to get a glimpse of the pugilists; some
abused and swore at them for getting in the way; some tried to invade
their waggonette, and struck at them when they resisted.

In the midst of all, Belsham's horse took fright. There was a wild
plunge, a shriek from the crowd in front, and next moment the five boys
were thrown down among the crowd, while the horse, with the shattered
and overturned vehicle behind him, forced for himself a ghastly lane
through the mob.

Of Gus and his three friends, Charlie, whom the shock roused to sudden
consciousness, could see nothing. He tried to rise, but the crowd
pressed too wildly to give him the chance. For some moments he lay
among a host of crowding, struggling feet, expecting every moment to be
stunned, if not killed. But by a won