SIXTY YEAKS ON THE TURF 



the great colt, destined of imperishable fame, cleverly 

 pulled through by half a length from Homebrewed. 

 On the following Sunday evening I called at the 

 " Salisbury Arms," where Davies was generally to 

 be found. 



" Well, Bill," I said, " how are you ? " 



" Come inside, lad. What will you have ? " 



" We may as well have a settling," I answered. 



"A settling? Why, I haven't had a bet with 

 you ! " 



I produced the Stockwell tickets, each represent- 

 ing 1000 to 40. 



" Oh," he laughed, "I see now. You're Wilberforce, 

 are you ? " And with that he paid me 3120 pounds. 



" Then you have those bets," he went on, " about 

 Stockwell and Alcoran for the Derby." 



" Yes." 



" I'll hedge them for you if you like." 



" Well, hedge Alcoran for 5000." 



" And Stockwell ? " 



" No, thanks. I shall stand him. He's a real 

 good horse. Alcoran should never have beaten him." 



Unluckily, Stockwell was afflicted with a bad gum- 

 boil, which had to be lanced ; and, of course, the 

 circumstance of him being amiss caused his retreat 

 in the market. None the less, in spite of whatever 

 he lacked in condition, he would, with plain sailing, 



29 



