CHASING AND RACING 209 



philosopher, and friend to the youngster. The sporting 

 baronet did his best to shield his protege from the 

 clutches of the harpies, but Benzon was of a headstrong 

 and wilful disposition. He executed his own com- 

 missions and made direct attacks on the ring in 

 propria persona. 



It was not long before I became acquainted with 

 this tall, slim, and dark young fellow, whom I found 

 to be cheery, warm-hearted, and sympathetic ; more- 

 over, we shared the mutual love of animals and little 

 children. 



In his latter days of adversity, when living in 

 Jersey, this excellent trait stood him in good stead, for 

 he was never so happy as when wandering on the sea- 

 girt confines of that island with a troop of ragged 

 children and mongrel dogs at his heels. Before this 

 he had resorted to the most desperate plunges, generally 

 in some selling or other unimportant event, whereby 

 he was, of course, asking for trouble and he got it ! 

 I fancy he was freely fleeced at cards ; but one of his 

 favourite methods of burning cash, and daylight, was 

 to challenge at pyramids those who were obviously a 

 class above him, as regards that excellent fighting 

 game ; with the result that, in some cases, he had the 

 pleasure of winning two or three games running, only 

 to lose all the financial gains he had so acquired, owing 

 to the fact that his opponent had made certain of winning 

 the next two y when the " Plunger" had quadrupled the 

 stakes on himself ! 



