THE NOBLE ART OF BACKING WINNERS 1 89 



dependent on their pals for a time. 

 It Is this possibility that leads the 

 backer on ; it is his bright beacon on the 

 golden shore ; but reefers and quicksands 

 intervene sometimes. 



Funny lot the racing army are ! There's 

 the lumberer— a young fellow dressed 

 quietly and as a gentleman, barring some 

 trifling detail always apparent. He 

 selects his greenhorn, and, biding his 

 time, asks for a light, or. Your pencil a 

 moment. Thanks. Good race ; and did 

 you back It ? No ; did he ? Yes ; at 

 least, his friend did, who is Inside, and 

 knows Watts, or Cannon, or Loates, and 

 does part of their commissions. Indeed ? 

 and what might they be going to back 

 for the next race ? Ah, he can't tell yet ; 

 his friend, even, won't know till the 

 jockeys have arranged it at the last 

 moment, and perhaps then may not be 



