SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



had a contrary effect on the fortunes of Mr. John 

 Shelley, at that time a prominent layer, and owner 

 of Lifeboat and Gunboat, two rattling good horses. 

 From "information received" he went a raker against 

 Hetman Platoff 's son, and, filling his own book to 

 the hilt, desired to continue the opposition. With 

 this purpose he put in Mr. Jimmy Barber to lay the 

 horse to lose ten, twelve, or twenty thousand pounds. 

 Barber went to Colonel Higgins (Major Brabazon), 

 who, for Barber, for Shelley, laid 11,000 to 1000 

 against Muscovite. But the Colonel was careful. 



" This," he said, " is a bet with you. Barber. I 

 know nothing of Shelley, and if the horse wins I 

 shall look to you for the money. You perfectly 

 understand." 



*' Certainly." 



Later, Colonel Higgins, learning on unimpeachable 

 authority that so far from Muscovite being all wrong 

 he was very much right, went to Barber, with, " I 

 understand you have laid that money against 

 Muscovite for a friend of yours of the name of 

 Shelley." 



"Yes." 



"Well, tell him he had better get out. He's in 

 the wrong boat." 



Barber saw Shelley, and told him. But Shelley 

 refused to be convinced. 



69 F 



