o
be entered for the steeple-chase. He, however, explained to proprietor
Jensen that his servant, Robert Garth, would ride, but that his orders
would be to ride carefully, avoid the other horses, and not press
Buffalo. Now a fresh difficulty arose. The cavalry horses were entered
by the subalterns of the regiment, who would ride the horses
themselves, and the Englishman was going to send his servant to ride
against them. There was the insular pride and bad taste of the English
exemplified, and, in the end, John Hardy had to ride his own horse,
very much against his will.

The auspicious day dawned, and crowds attended, bearing positive
testimony to the popularity of Herr Jensen's idea.

The Pastor declined to go; he said he thought it was no place for him.
"It is a day of amusement where a black coat and the notion of a
sermon appears out of place."

The Jensens insisted on taking Froken Helga and her two brothers, who,
since they had heard that Hardy was to ride, were intensely excited.

"I have prayed that you will win, Herr Hardy," said Axel, who was
always a quiet lad in manner, and had become more so since his
acquaintance with Hardy.

"I am going to take care of my good horse, Axel," said Hardy. "I do
not intend to risk his being injured by throwing him down or letting
the other horses get too near, and, besides, I should not like to
win."

"And why not?" said Helga. "I cannot understand a man riding in a race
and not doing his best to win it."

"Your sympathies are with the cavalry officers, and I should please
you best by not winning," said Hardy.

"There is your professed superiority again," retorted Helga; "you say
you are going to let the others win, suggesting that you could win the
race if you chose to do so. I do not believe you can, and think you
are afraid to ride hard. You speak of taking care of your horse, which
means yourself."

John Hardy looked her full in the face, with a stern expression he
sometimes had. What she had said would have galled any man, and Hardy
felt it keenly.

The races began, and were well ridden, and ridden to win. There was no
betting that John Hardy heard of. He and his servant Garth were asked,
on the horses being trotted out, as to the probable winners, which
they were able to indicate from their knowledge of what is and is not
racing condition in a horse, and they were generally correct.

The trotting match was a failure; there were several entries, but only