There were five runners in the Steeplechase, and although The Rascal
had Picton up, the favorite was Anstey, who had Hordern in the saddle.
The Tor, Moorland, and Stream, were the other runners, but wagering
was confined to the favorite and The Rascal.
Picton walked up to his mount; The Rascal switched round, despite
Brent's efforts, and refused to be mounted. His rider watched him with
an amused smile; Dick and his sister looked anxious, while a crowd
gathered round at a respectful distance.
Picton bided his time, then, when The Rascal had his attention
attracted by Brent, slipped up to him, took the reins and swung
into the saddle, and before the astonished horse recovered from his
surprise he had him well under control. The spectators cheered; it was
a clever piece of work, deserving of recognition. Once mounted, The
Rascal seemed tractable enough; but Picton knew the horse was not in
the best temper, and required humoring.
"You've not got a very nice mount," said Hordern as they rode
together.
"I'm told he's queer-tempered," said Picton; and as he looked at
Anstey he thought: "Your mount will take a bit of beating."
They were soon on their journey. At first The Rascal made a deliberate
attempt to bolt; he discovered he had a rider who refused to put up
with his inclinations in this direction. Finding bolting stopped, he
tried to swerve at the first fence; this object was also frustrated
and he received a few stinging cuts from the whip, wielded by a strong
arm. These vagaries allowed Anstey and the others to forge ahead, and
The Rascal was in the rear.
Dick looked glum, but Brent said: "There's plenty of time. He's a rare
turn of speed--and a grand rider up."
At the end of the first mile The Rascal was still last. He began to
improve his position; quickly passed Stream, and Moorland, then the
Tor; but Anstey was a dozen lengths ahead, fencing well. Two more
obstacles then the run home. Picton rode The Rascal hard to find if he
would respond to his call. Whatever else he was, the horse was game,
he did not flinch, and Picton was surprised how easily he went ahead.
Anstey blundered at the next fence, Hordern making a fine recovery;
this cost the favorite several lengths. At the last fence The Rascal
was only three or four lengths behind. Anstey cleared it well, The
Rascal struck it, stumbled, threw Picton on his neck, struggled up
again; and Picton was back in the saddle and riding hard before the
crowd realized what had happened. Then a great cheer broke out, for a
splendid bit of jockeyship.
"Not one man in a hundred could have done that," said Brent
enthusiastically.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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