" he said. "You let 'em rattle 'emselves to bits,
while you lays easy behind. There'll be plenty o' room in front in a
moment or two."

An old hand in a white top-hat just in front turned round.

"That lad o' yours rides cunning, Mr. Woodburn," he said.

"He's a fair card, he is," replied the old man enigmatically.

"Was it deliberate?" asked an ingenious youth.

"Who shall say, my son?" replied the old trainer. "Only the grass-'opper
what walketh the tiles by night--same as the Psalmist says."

The scramble and scrimmage at the first few fences resulted in plenty of
grief. Jockeys were rising from the ground and running off the course,
and loose horses were pursuing their perilous way alone.

Behind the first flight, in the centre of the course, showed conspicuous
the Star-spangled Jacket of the favourite.

Chukkers, too, was taking his time, running no risks, his eyes
everywhere, calculating his chances, fending off dangers as they loomed
up on him one after the other. He was drawing in to the rails on his
left flank for security from cannoning horses.

The first few fences behind him, the danger of a knock-out would be
greatly lessened. Till then it was most grave. Chukkers was aware of it;
so were the tens of thousands watching; so were his stable-mates.

As Chukkers crossed to the rails Jackaroo, who lay in front on the
inside, drew away to let the favourite up under his lee.
Flibberty-gibbet, on the other hand, the second Dewhurst horse, had been
bumped at the first fence, and pecked heavily on landing. Little Boy
Braithwaite in the canary jacket had been unshipped, and was scrambling
about on his horse's neck. He lay now a distance behind. Chukkers was
signalling furiously with his elbow for the boy to come up on his right;
and he had cause.

For Kingfisher, the West-country horse, riderless and with trailing
reins, was careering alongside him like a rudderless ship in full sail.

For two fences the loose horse and the favourite rose side by side; and
the watchers held their breath.

Then the bay began to close in.

Chukkers turned and screamed over his shoulder. Rushton on Jackaroo
still two lengths in front looked round and saw he could do nothing.

Little Boy Braithwaite, who had at last recovered his seat, came up like
thunder on the quarters of the mare. The lad drove the filly at the
loose horse and rammed him in the flank.

A groan went up from the assembled thousands.

"Good boy!" roar