bly wide brook
running between stunted pollards; for this once passed, there was only a
low fence, and a straight run in to the winning post.

The betting on all sides was now fast and furious, Pratt biting his lips
with vexation as, in spite of the distance his favourite was behind,
Trevor kept making fresh engagements.

"He'll lose as much in ten minutes as would have kept me for a year,"
Pratt grumbled to himself; and then he was all eyes for the race, as, on
reaching the brook, the leading horse stopped short and shot his rider
right into the middle.

The next horse leaped short, and came into the brook with his hoofs
pawing the crumbling bank, the rider having to crawl over his head, and
help him ignominiously from his position. But long ere this, a great
bay had cleared the brook easily, closely followed by White Lassie,
whose rider now seemed to press her forward till she was not more than a
length in the rear, the two horses racing hard for the last leap.

At a distance it looked but a low hedge, but there was a deep dyke on
the riders' side which would require no little skill to clear; and now,
of course, the slightest slip would be fatal to either.

"Don't look so bad now, does it, Franky?" said Trevor.

"No," said the other between his teeth. "Look, how close they are. I
couldn't have--bravo!"

For the mare had run up alongside of her great competitor, and together
they literally skimmed over the obstacle in front, and landing on the
stretch of smooth green sward, raced for home.

"King Dick!"

"White Lassie!"

"King Dick!"

"White Lassie!"

"White Lassie!"

"White Lassie!" rose in a perfect roar, as first one and then the other
head appeared in front, till, within a hundred yards of the stand, the
white mare's head--neck--shoulders--half-length--whole length appeared
in front of her competitor, and, amidst the frantic cheers of the crowd,
she leaped in, a clear winner.

"There," said Trevor, turning with a smile to Pratt, "what do--"

He stopped short, and seemed to have tried to emulate the last hound of
the mare; for at that moment, all excitement as she watched the race,
Trevor saw one of the occupants of the barouche give a sudden start, and
nearly fall over the side.

The cause was simple, and was seen by Pratt at the same moment.

Barney, of the omnibus, for the delectation of his friends, had, the
moment the race was ended, raised his stick, reached over the heads of
the crow