nd
your groom is among the crowd below. I only asked the question, as it
affects my betting-book; there are doubtless here many gentlemen among
your friends who would wish to back you.'

This was said with an air of sneering mockery so palpable as to call
forth an approving titter from the throng of satellites at his back.

Without deigning any reply to his observation, I whispered a few words
to the Major, who at once, taking a horse from a farmer, threw himself
into the saddle and cantered off to the mill.

'In fifteen minutes the time will be up,' said Mr. Burke, producing his
watch. 'Isn't that so, Dillon? You are the judge here.'

'Perfectly correct,' replied the little man, with a hasty confused
manner that showed me in what awe he stood of his redoubted relative.

'Then in that time I shall call on you to give the word to start; for
I believe the conditions require me to ride over the course, with or
without a competitor.'

So saying, Mr Burke proceeded leisurely to unbutton his greatcoat,
which, with the assistance of his friends, he drew off. Two sedulous
familiars were meanwhile unbuttoning his gaiters, and in a few seconds
he stood forth what even my most prejudiced judgment could not deny--the
very beau-ideal of a gentleman-rider. His jacket, of black and yellow,
bore the stains of more than one race; but his whole carriage, not less
than his costume, looked like one who felt every inch the jockey. His
mare was led within the ropes to be saddled--a proceeding conducted
under his own eye, and every step of which he watched with critical
nicety. This done, he sat down upon a bench, and, with watch in hand,
seemed to count the minutes as they flew past.

'Here we are! here we are! all right, Hinton!' shouted the Major, as
he galloped up the hill. 'Jump into the scale, my lad; your saddle is
beside you. Don't lose a moment.'

'Yes, off with your coat,' said another, 'and jump in!'

Divesting myself of my outer garments with a speed not second to that
of Mr. Burke, I took my saddle under my arm, and seated myself in the
scale. The groom fortunately had left nothing undone, and my saddle
being leaded to the required weight, the operation took not a minute.

'Saddle now as quickly as you can,' whispered Dillon; 'for Burke, being
overweight, won't get into the scale.'

While he was yet speaking, the gallant grey was led in, covered with
clothing from head to tail.

'All was quite right,' said Mahon, in