6o TALES OF THE TURF AND THE CHASE. 



throwers. But another incident [in his sporting career is, we 

 fancy, less generally known, and is worth giving here in full. 

 Shortly after the carriage feat recorded above, Lord March 

 matched a bay colt of his own against the celebrated Pot-8-os, 

 the property of an Irish nobleman, who was one of the most 

 notorious fire-eaters and successful duellists of his time, and of 

 whom it was told he once flung an impudent waiter through a 

 window, and, when remonstrated with by the landlord, coolly 

 said, ' D — n your eyes, sir, charge the fellow in the bill !' In the 

 course of the race Lord March's jockey contrived to slip his 

 weights off, and they were picked up by a confederate and 

 slipped back before returning to weigh in. The owner of Pot- 

 8-os, however, had keen eyes ; he detected the little game, seized 

 Lord March's jockey by the shoulder, and swore he would horse- 

 whip him within an inch of his life if he did not confess at whose 

 instigation the fraud had been practised. The terrified jockey 

 mumbled out something which seemed to implicate his master, 

 whereupon the owner of Pot-8-os taxed Lord March with the 

 offence. His Lordship made a haughty reply, which irritated 

 the hot-tempered Irishman, and the result was a challenge from 

 the latter. A hostile meeting was duly arranged for the loth of 

 June. Whilst the seconds were loading the pistols, to the 

 amazement of Lord March and his friend, a man approached 

 carrying a black coffin, which he solemnly placed immediately 

 in front of Lord March. The feelings of that nobleman may be 

 better imagined than described when, on looking at the cofifin, 

 he saw this inscription on the plate : ' William Douglas, Earl of 

 March, who departed this life on the loth day of June i/S/.' 

 Lord March turned pale, and asked what this ill-timed jest 

 meant. His opponent cheerfully replied, ' Why, my dear fellow, 

 you are of course aware that I never miss my man ; and as I find 

 myself in excellent trim for sport this morning, I have not a 

 shadow of a doubt upon my mind but this oaken cloak will 

 shortly be better calculated for you than your present dress.' 

 The nonchalance with which this explanation was made was too 

 much for Lord March's nerves ; he refused to fight, and made 

 an ample apology on the spot ; nor could any insult afterwards 

 ever induce him to send or accept a challenge. 



Not long after this incident ' Old Q.' had another adventure 

 somewhat similar, which did not by any means redound to his 

 credit. He was one evening at Renny's gaming-house in St. 

 James's-street, when that odious ruffian ' Savage' Roqhe wa 



