ch. She
can go if she likes, and she can, I suppose, if she likes, stand
still; but upon my soul, I never saw her to do so in the field."

"I'll say thirty shillings, Tony," said Bob.

"Five and thirty," said young Brown.

"Two pounds," said Bob.

"I'll not go beyond that," said Brown.

"Two pounds--who'll give more than two pounds for Playful? Gentlemen,
the horses are all favourites, and the pool will consequently be a
large one. Who'll give more than two pounds? Bob, you've got the
mare; hand me two pound, and hand yourself two more."

Then Brickbat and Miss Fidget were sold, both at good prices; for
the horse had won the last race at Tuam, and that put him up in the
market, in spite of Bob's vile comparison between him and his owner's
bullocks; and the mare was a favourite among the Roscommon gentry,
who knew little Larry could ride when he meant it.

Kickie-wickie was the next put up, but in spite of all that had been
said about her by her gallant owner, she was in very little request,
and was purchased cheap.

Thunderer fetched a good price; Galway horses always do; and it was
easy to see that Nicholas Blake was in earnest, and Nick was a man
that wouldn't come from Loughrea to Carrick-on-Shannon, and lose a
day with the Galway dogs for nothing; George Brown made the purchase,
for if anything could beat Conqueror it was Thunderer.

Then came Conqueror, and bidding began in earnest. George offered two
pound to frighten the field; but both Larry Kelly and McKeon wanted
to hedge, and they raised the price against each other by half
crowns, till at last little Larry Kelly got the winner, that was to
be, for three pound ten, much to Gayner's satisfaction, who felt no
such confidence in George Brown's invincibility, and was very glad to
see the pool increased by those who did.

When Crom-a-boo was put up--his owner rashly offered five
shillings--for which sum he was allowed to retain him. He could not,
however, comprehend that, because he had bid five, he was to pay
ten--however, he had to do it, and began to find that the pleasures
of the turf were not entirely unalloyed.

The Strokestown garron did not create much emulation, but Peter
Dillon, knowing that though Pat had only one eye, that one was a good
one, and that he wouldn't lose the race for want of hard work and
patience, and having little Larry's three pound ten in his pocket to
back him, at length doubled Keegan's offer of half-a-crown which he