Page 274 (2/2)

into a roar; the swaying line of horseroups, and reat Steeplechase has begun

Half a length behind Carnaby's gray gallops "The Terror," fire in

his eye, rage in his heart, for there are horses ahead of him, and

that must not be Therefore he strains upon the bit, and would fain

lengthen his stride, but the hand upon his bridle is strong and

co

On sweeps the race, across the level and up the slope; twice Sir

Mortilances over his shoulder, and twice he increases his pace,

yet, as they top the rise, "The Terror" still gallops half a length

behind

Far in advance races Tressider, the thinnish, youngish gentleman in

sandy whiskers, hotly pressed by the Marquis, and with eight or nine

others hard in their rear; behind these again, rides the Viscount,

while to the right of Barnabas races Slingsby on his long-legged

sorrel, with the rest thundering on behind And now before theleah, and the water broad Nearer it looms, and

nearer--half a mile away! a quarter! less! Tressider's horse rises

to it, and is well over, with the Marquis hard on his heels But now

shouts are heard, and vicious cries, as several horses, refusing,

swerve violently; there is a crash! a muffled cry--some one is down

Then, as Barnabas watches, anxious-eyed, mindful of the Viscount's

injured arallantly