SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



great distance from the " Swan." So as soon as 

 Doubt had won Palmer hurried from the course to 

 the hotel. As the bet — 3500 to 500 — was in 

 Swindell's name, his death before settling day would 

 have made void the wager. Palmer's interest was 

 now to save the life he had already jeopardised. In 

 the twinkling of an eye he had Fred out of bed, 

 before a big fire ; started vigorously rubbing the 

 calves of his legs ; and administered some exceed- 

 ingly hot soup ; measures which brought the needed 

 relief While the trial of Palmer for the poisoning 

 of Cook was proceeding, Attorney -General Cockburn 

 (afterwards Lord Chief Justice of England) called on 

 Swindell, when I happened to be chatting with him. 

 The conversation, over a bottle or so of claret, turned 

 to the trial, and naturally to the Wolverhampton 

 incident. 



" Fred," said Cockburn (the pair were great 

 friends), " I cannot understand how you escaped the 

 scoundrel. But I'm sure to hang him — sure ! " 



" Oh, be easy with him ! " returned Swindell. 



" Easy ! Yes ! You mark my words, I'm sure to 

 hang him." 



And hanged he was. I may mention that it was 

 through the insistence of Mr. Ishmael Fisher, the 

 proprietor of the first Victoria Club, and of 

 Mr. George Herring, happily still alive, that Palmer 



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