AT OSTEND 



standing, too, with the jockeys ; they know so well 

 that he will stand no " hank " that they do not attempt 

 to put it across him. He enjoys the confidence of all 

 the heads of the turf, and owners and trainers too. 



The advantage of bookmakers in Belgium is appreci- 

 ated, and without them the turf in that country would 

 not flourish to the extent it does to-day. The various 

 pitches are allocated according to which man — or firm 

 — pays the highest fee, and to the others as they de- 

 scend in amount. There is no difficulty in the way of 

 credit if a man be known, and nothing against ready- 

 money wagering. Occasionally there are onslaughts 

 on the ring there, but for the most part the layers 

 do well. The little " raids " usually occur at Ostend, 

 but seldom on the courses around Brussels. I daresay 

 many who read this are aware of a merry little bit of 

 business which took place about five years ago. A cer- 

 tain little American with his wife arrived at Ostend, and 

 in the course of the first evening ran across an English- 

 man, who was what might be called a fly mug. The 

 latter thought he had something good on in the way of 

 doing commissions for the innocent touring American, 

 and propounded a scheme. A plan of campaign was 

 entered into for the Sunday and Monday. The English 

 " commissioner " — self -constituted — was emphatic 

 about the good information he obtained, and in his 

 enthusiasm at having found a rich client was most 

 emphatic as to those with whom the little American — 

 a pigeon straight out of the nest ! — should speak on the 

 racecourse ; he was advised to remain exclusive, to 

 which he readily agreed, with his tongue in his cheek, 

 and winking at pals — the boys — who were in the 

 offing. What a find — for both of them : a triumph 

 for English enterprise in digging up a visiting racing 

 plutocrat, and a score for an adventurous American 



300 



