While some of the party were sent on to station themselves at different places round the Fifteen Acres, to mark out the course, my fat friend was assisted into his saddle, and gave a short preliminary gallop of a hundred yards or so, that set us all a-laughing.

The odds were now fifty to one in my favour, and I gave them wherever I could find takers.

'With you, sir, if you please, in pounds, and the gentleman in the red whiskers, too, if he likes--very well, in half sovereigns, if you prefer it.' So I went on, betting on every side, till the bell rung to mount.

As I knew I had plenty of time to spare, I took little notice, and merely giving a look to my girths, I continued leisurely booking my bets.

At last the time came, and at the word 'Away!' off went the fat gentleman on the dun, at a spluttering gallop, that flung the mud on every side of us, and once more threw us all a-laughing.