io CHASING AND RACING 



three of the crowd, the rest suddenly remembered that 

 they had an important engagement elsewhere, and 

 so took to their heels, raising a miniature sand storm, 

 which completely concealed their retreating forms. 

 These cowardly rascals have been the curse of the 

 turf from time immemorial, and so far from their 

 activities having been diminished as time goes on, 

 they grow bolder, and even more brutal than of yore. 

 The railway authorities and the police seem to be 

 quite unable to cope with the crooks ; though all are 

 identified. 



I suppose there is some truth in the adage which 

 ascribes honour to thieves. Among these ruffians 

 there is one law which is pretty strictly observed. 

 No owner, trainer or jockey is to be robbed : for it 

 is recognized that through these, racing exists. If 

 there were no race-courses one of the most prolific 

 fields of enterprise would be closed to the activities 

 of the "Boys." 



On one occasion, at a little meeting at Buntingford, 

 the promoters had neglected to call in the aid of the 

 police, thinking that their venue would not be deemed 

 worthy of attention by these same " Boys." It was 

 patronized by all the " toffs " of the county, who flocked 

 to the course from far and near, in four-in-hands, 

 tandems, and other sporting conveyances ; bringing 

 with them their womenkind, bedizened with a blaze 

 of jewellery. The family plate was conspicuous, and 

 when the luncheon interval arrived, at a given signal, 



