Hammersley's Pluck 



to the hedge I gritted my teeth while my eyes 

 burned in their sockets. They were over, and the 

 field was left far behind. Then my lord started 

 in to ride, and such a finish was never seen. The 

 favorite was forcing 'im hard and both were at 

 whip and spur. Neck and neck they came down 

 the stretch. I couldn't see which was leading; 

 'twas 'orrible not to know. 



"Then I see Black Douglas make one last effort 

 a 'undred yards from the wire, and with the crowd 

 screaming and surging over the course, 'e wins by 

 a length. 



"I can see 'im now, 'is lordship drooping on 

 Black Douglas' neck as 'e rides 'im back and 

 weighs in. Then the Guards, Tommies and all, 

 rushes over and carries 'im hoff on their shoulders, 

 'e sitting there smiling a little, white as a sheet, 

 'olding the big silver cup with both 'ands. Then 

 me and Master Harry, 'im with the tears running 

 down his cheeks, leads Black Douglas back to the 

 paddock. 



"We win near £8,000 that day, and the 'orse 

 'imself would ha' sold for £5,000 after the race. 

 But it all wasn't worth it, sir, no not to none of us, 

 for it killed 'is lordship as you know. My lord 

 lasted two days and then 'is heart, which the fever 

 and racing 'ad damaged, give in and 'e died. 

 They give 'im a funeral fit for a field marshal, for 

 55 



