THE GREAT RUN Our hero having inveigled the brown under lee of an out-house as the field moved along, was fortunate enough to achieve the saddle without disclosing the secrets of the stable; and as he rejoined the throng in all the pride of shape, action, and condition, even the top-sawyers.

Fossick, Fyle, Bliss, and others, admitted that Hercules was not a bad-like horse; while the humbler-minded ones eyed Sponge with a mixture of awe and envy, thinking what a fine trade literature must be to stand such a horse.
'Is your friend What's-his-name, a workman ?' asked Lord Scamperdale, nodding towards Sponge as he trotted Hercules gently past on the turf by the side of the road along which they were riding.
'Oh no,' replied Jawleyford tartly.

'Oh no--gentleman, man of property--' 'I did not mean was he a mechanic,' explained his lordship drily, 'but a workman; a good 'un across country, in fact.' His lordship working his arms as if he was going to set-to himself.
'Oh, a first-rate man!--first-rate man!' replied Jawleyford; 'beat them all at Laverick Wells.' 'I thought so,' observed his lordship; adding to himself, 'then Jack shall take the conceit out of him.' 'Jack!' halloaed he over his shoulder to his friend, who was jogging a little behind; 'Jack!' repeated he, 'that Mr.Something--' '_Sponge_!' observed Jawleyford, with an emphasis.
'That Mr.Sponge,' continued his lordship, 'is a stranger in the country: have the kindness to take _care_ of him.

You know what I mean ?' 'Just so,' replied Jack; 'I'll take care of him.' 'Most polite of your lordship, I'm sure,' said Jawleyford, with a low bow, and laying his hand on his breast.

'I can assure you I shall never forget the marked attention I have received from your lordship this day.' 'Thank you for nothing,' grunted his lordship to himself.
Bump, bump; trot, trot; jabber, jabber, on they went as before.
They had now got to the cover, Tickler Gorse, and ere the last horsemen had reached the last angle of the long hill, Frostyface was rolling about on foot in the luxuriant evergreen; now wholly visible, now all but overhead, like a man buffeting among the waves of the sea.