e ascendant, good-humoured, a thought
aggressive. Phalanxes of the Boys linked arm to arm were sweeping up
and down the course, singing with genial turbulence

_Hands off and no hanky-panky._

To an impartial onlooker the attitude of the two great peoples toward
each other was an interesting study. Both were wary, ironical,
provocative, and perfect tempered. They were as brothers, rivals in the
arena, who having known each other from nursery days, cherish no
romantic and sentimental regard for each other, are aware of each
other's tricks, and watchful for them while still maintaining a certain
measure of mutual respect and even affection.

When the American crowd surged up and down the course roaring
magnificently,

_The star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave,_

the counter-marching Englishmen met them with the challenging,

_The land of Hope and Glory
The Mother of the Free._

With any other peoples rioting and bloodshed would have ensued. Here,
apart from an occasional cut-and-dry battle between two enthusiastic
individuals in the fringes of the crowd, there was never any need for
police interference.

* * * * *

There were two flat races before the National. The horses were gathering
for the first when Albert in his shirt sleeves bustled across the
Paddock.

A whistle stopped him and he turned.

"'Ullo, Mr. Brand!"

"Where are you off to?"

"I'm goin' to dress now."

"You're early."

"First race is starting."

"How's the horse?"

"Keeps a-lingerin' along."

"Who's with him?"

"Mr. Silver."

The fat man chimed in:

"Where's the lady, then?"

Albert looked blank.

"I ain't seen her," he said. "Believe she's walking round the course."

Joses laughed.

"I should have thought you'd have been the one to walk round the
course," he said.

"I been," replied the lad keenly.

"And what d'you think of it?" asked Monkey.

The youth rubbed his stomach with the most delicate consideration.

"Pore Albert," he said. "That's what I think. They're a yard through
some of 'em. You clears 'em clean or--it's amen, so be it, good-bye to
the totties, and no flowers by request."

He bustled on his way.

Monkey nudged his mate.

"Keeps it up," he muttered.

"Proper," the other answered.

* * * * *

The second race was run and w