Immediately on our interchange of signals I got my nominee in motion.  This is one of Speedwell’s best points:  he responds instantly to the least sign, to the slightest touch of the spur, so to speak.  Another is staying power.  Before we had gone fifty yards I had got him into an ungainly amble, which he can keep up indefinitely.  Though never rapid, it devours the ground.

Piggott was not so lucky.  At the last minute he substituted for the more reliable Flyaway his Tiny Tim, a dapper little solicitor, not more than sixty, who to the timorousness of the hare unites some of her speed.  In fact, in his excess of terror he sometimes runs himself to a standstill before the completion of the course.  He suffers, moreover, from short sight and in consequence is a notoriously bad starter.  On the morning in question he failed for several minutes to observe Piggott’s pantomime, and Speedwell had almost traversed half the distance while Tiny Tim still lingered in the vicinity of the starting post.  Only by the most exaggerated gestures did Piggott get him off.  Once going, however, he took the bit in his teeth and went like the wind.  Soon I caught the pit-pat of his footfall approaching.  I pulled Speedwell together for a supreme effort.  But there were still two hundred yards to cover as his rival drew abreast.  A terrific race ensued.  Scared at the spectacle of the other’s alarm, each redoubled his exertions.  Neck and neck they ran.  Could Tiny Tim last?  Had he shot his bolt?  Could Speedwell wear him down?

Unfortunately the question was never settled.  As they raced they overtook a group of business men, youngsters of forty or so, untried colts that had never yet been run by Piggott or me.  These suddenly took fright and bolted.  Inextricably mingled with our pair the whole lot stampeded like a herd of mustangs.  The station approach scintillated with the flashing of spats as the Field breasted the rise.  It was a grand sight, though so many fouls occurred that it was obvious the race was off.  But things became serious when the entire crowd attempted to pass simultaneously through the booking-hall doors.  Speedwell sprained a pastern and Tiny Tim sustained a severe kick on the fetlock.  Both will require a fortnight’s rest before they can be raced again.

This will be a warning to us and to others too, I hope.  Still, it will not deter us from racing in the future.  Nor should it deter others, for the sport is a glorious one and I hope it may become universal in the outer suburbs.  Piggott and I will be only too glad to give advice or any other assistance that lies in our power to those who contemplate starting local clubs in and around London.

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[Illustration:  Old Dame (to visitor who has been condoling with her on a recent misfortune).  “OCH, I’M GEY ILL.  I’VE BEEN CRYIN’ SIN’ FOWER THIS MORNIN’, AN’ I’M JUST GAUN TAE START AGEN AS SOON’S I’VE SIPPIT THIS BICKER O’ PARRITCH.”]