SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



said to Jackson, as if he had suddenly made up his 

 mind, *' I'll back Valiant." 



"I'll lay you two monkeys." 



Then Stephenson offered 600 to 300, and Bayliss, 

 wishing for a deal, sprung 410 to 200, making in all 

 2010 to 1000. The horse won anyhow, and after 

 seeing Fordham weigh in I went to his Grace. 

 The bookmakers promptly deciphered the situation, 

 remarking, " Oh, he does your business now ! What 

 next?" 



"Well, your Grace," I said, "what have you 

 done?" 



He told me, and I thanked him, adding, " And 

 what did you put on for yourself? " 



" Oh, I put nothing on. Not a penny," 



" Well," I said, " excuse me, your Grace, but you 



are a d d old Avasherwoman. I told you it was 



a good thing." 



" So you did. And I really think I have been slow." 

 The incident lived long in the ducal memory. 

 Indeed, a short time before his death the Duke 

 called to me in the Birdcage at Ne^vmarket. He 

 was seated with Mr. Langley ("Pavo" of the 

 Morning Post) under the shed. 



" Hodgman," he said, " what was the name of that 

 horse I put you a thousand pounds on at Shrewsbury? 

 It began with a V." 



314 



