SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



saying he had no notion of such a race closing ; so I 

 thought I might take it." 



" All right," said his father. " That wiU do." 



Mr. Angell was over at the George Hotel ; so I 

 sent for him to come and see Mr. Frail and myself. 



" Here, George," I said, " there's a nice mess. 

 Mr. Priestley has entered Tom Sayers. What's to 

 be done ? " 



" I don't know," returned George. " But he's a 

 wretched bad horse. Let him alone." 



I said " No. There might be an upset. George, 

 tve will go for him." 



" Good gracious ! " he exclaimed. " He's such a 

 bad 'un, we can't ! " 



" But we must. Yours they would be laying 3 

 or 4 to 1 on ; same with mine ; same with either 

 Barber's or Bryan's. Perhaps this unnecessary entry 

 will be for the best after all. I'll see we have good 

 men up, and we're doing this for them. None will 

 know till they get to the post, where Captain 

 Townley is to tell them." 



On the morning of the race — that is, next day — I 

 suggested to Fordham (without adding a word) that 

 he ought to see Mi\ Priestley about the mount on 

 Tom Sayers, as I thought he might win. In all 

 innocence Fordham found out the owner, who was 

 only too glad to have him, and give away the 5 Ibo 



15S 



