Xorfc Ikcnncfcx? 237 



to the gate, turned right across Clinker. I struck the 

 spurs in, knocked Douglas over the gate, and sent 

 Radical heels over head, and lying on this side of it. 

 Douglas did not lose his horse ; his snaffle rein was 

 fastened to his wrist, and he was soon back again and 

 mounted but it finished the match effectually. I 

 turned round, jumped the corner of the fence, and 

 gained such a lead that he never got near me again. 

 I suppose in these shop-keeping days killing a man in 

 that way would be 'wilful murder.' Not so in 1826 ; 

 the verdict would have been 'justifiable homicide.' " 



Lord Kennedy dropped ^"9,000 over that match, and 

 the week after lost the cocking match as well ; for 

 Doctor Wing, of Melton, who was almost as famous 

 a cocker as old Dr. Bellyse, of Audlem, placed all his 

 splendid birds at the Captain's disposal ; and as the main 

 was fought in Leicestershire, Ross had the incalculable 

 advantage of having his birds on the scene of action, 

 whilst Lord Kennedy's had to stand the wear and tear 

 of a journey from Scotland. Poor Lord Kennedy's 

 mortification was complete, and his attempted revenge 

 upon Captain Ross cost him close upon 15,000. 



One of the rashest bets Lord Kennedy ever made 

 was after a defeat by Captain Ross in a pigeon match. 

 In a moment of petulance he said he would bet anyone 

 100 to 1 that he never shot another pigeon as long 

 as he lived. Mr. E. H. Budd promptly took the bet, and 

 booked it in the presence of the " Squire " and some 

 other friends. Some time afterwards his lordship was 

 complaining of the prevailing slowness and dulness 

 in the sporting world, and expressing a wish that some- 



