332 ASHGELL; OR, THE LIFE 



" Tykes " was looked upon as a matter of great moment 

 and interest. Before racing began the loungers in the 

 market-place were treated to a spicy bit of humour 

 which was sprung upon them by the clerk of the course. 

 The local bellman, after his campanological prelimi- 

 naries on an instrument as old as the days of Noah, 

 made the following public announcement to the 



"yokels": 



"Gentlemen! this is to give notice that F. 

 Archer, the celebrated horseman, has arrived in 

 this town, and that he will ride the winner of 

 the Foal Stakes. Gentlemen! come and see the 

 wonder of the world. ' God Save the Queen.' >: 



The bellman who made this announcement sug- 

 gested by his appearance the resurrection of that myth 

 yclept " the oldest inhabitant." However, some of his 

 hearers questioned his opinion as to Archer being " the 

 wonder of the world." There was no doubt about the 

 " worthy " being a true prophet, for Archer did steer the 

 winner that afternoon, having travelled from Epsom 

 overnight to ride Laverock, against whom " Johnnie "" 

 and Wild Mint could make no great show. 



" Billy " Platt, the head lad at Ashgill, had his first 

 classic win this year in the Two Thousand Guineas on 

 Mr. Foy's Scot Free, whose owner was considered to be 

 throwing a chance away by engaging a jockey who, 

 according to some of the South-country critics, was no- 

 more than a " Butcher Boy " on a horse. Mr. Foy 

 replied, " If there's any fine riding to be done, it will 

 not be at the finish: it will be a long way from home. 

 If Platt is a ' Butcher Boy ' I have told him to ride a, 

 'Butcher Boy's' race. I have told him to look on 

 every post as if it were the one he had to finish at. 

 Archer and Cannon will have to bring out all their 



