SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



myself drove home, leaving Fordham and Mr. 

 Mannlngton to follow on their horses. They some- 

 how missed each other, and Fordham fell in with 

 Alfred Sait, the famous steeplechase rider. As they 

 trotted along, across Banstead Common, a Mr. 

 Oldaker, Clerk of the Course of Harpenden, joined 

 them. He was a well-known acquaintance of Sait, 

 but did not recognise Fordham in his " mufti." 

 On reining up, he said: 



" Well, Sait, I've often heard it said that Fordham 

 pulled horses, but I wouldn't believe it. Now I am 

 satisfied. / saiv him with my own eyes deliberately 

 pull Lord Clifden this afternoon. I did." 



Sait tried to stop him, but Oldaker persisted, 

 blackguarding (as he supposed) the absent Fordham 

 like a pickpocket. 



"To do such a thing, and the horse favourite ! 

 It's shocking. I can't make out what the Stewards 

 were about ! " 



This was more than flesh and blood could stand, 

 and Fordham made an ugly rush, sideways, at 

 Oldaker, forcing him into the abounding prickly 

 furze. Not in the least understanding matters 

 Oldaker cried : 



" Cheese it ! Here, sir, you cheese it ! " 



" I'll cheese you ! " Fordham savagely retorted. 



*' I'll cheese you ! " And, raising his whip, he rained 



170 



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