and tell his rale pace on a
two-mile course, to a couple of seconds.--Take the sheets off, Larry,
and let his lordship run his hand over him. He's as bright as a star,
isn't he?"

"I think you're getting him too fine. I'm sure Scott'll say so."

"Don't mind him, my lord. He's not like one of those English cats, with
jist a dash of speed about 'em, and nothing more--brutes that they put
in training half a dozen times in as many months. Thim animals pick up
a lot of loose, flabby flesh in no time, and loses it in less; and, in
course, av' they gets a sweat too much, there's nothin left in 'em; not
a hapoth. Brien's a different guess sort of animal from that."

"Were you going to have him out, Grady?"

"Why, we was not--that is, only just for walking exercise, with his
sheets on: but a canter down the half mile slope, and up again by the
bushes won't go agin him."

"Well, saddle him then, and let Pat get up."

"Yes, my lord"; and Brien was saddled by the two men together, with
much care and ceremony; and Pat was put up--"and now, Pat," continued
Grady, "keep him well in hand down the slope--don't let him out at all
at all, till you come to the turn: when you're fairly round the corner,
just shake your reins the laste in life, and when you're halfway up the
rise, when the lad begins to snort a bit, let him just see the end of
the switch--just raise it till it catches his eye; and av' he don't
show that he's disposed for running, I'm mistaken. We'll step across to
the bushes, my lord, and see him come round."

Lord Ballindine and the managing man walked across to the bushes
accordingly, and Pat did exactly as he was desired. It was a pretty
thing to see the beautiful young animal, with his sleek brown coat
shining like a lady's curls, arching his neck, and throwing down his
head, in his impatience to start. He was the very picture of health and
symmetry; when he flung up his head you'd think the blood was running
from his nose, his nostrils were so ruddy bright. He cantered off in
great impatience, and fretted and fumed because the little fellow on
his back would be the master, and not let him have his play--down the
slope, and round the corner by the trees. It was beautiful to watch
him, his motions were so easy, so graceful. At the turn he answered to
the boy's encouragement, and mended his pace, till again he felt the
bridle, and then, as the jock barely moved his right arm, he bounded up
the rising ground, past