CHAPTER III 



Sir Frederick Johnstone's first association with the stable — The game 

 and unchangeable Xi — The two-year-olds, Rosicrucian, Blue Gown, 

 and Green Sleeve — A big wager — A trial, and a race — Huxtable's 

 unspeakable surprise — The prologue (at a former Ascot) of the 

 Blue Gown drama at Doncaster — The weighing-out trick : ' touch- 

 and go' — Doyle's delight and the Admiral's indignation — Removal 

 to Park House, and sickness in the stable — Illness of Rosicrucian 

 and Green Sleeve — Blue Gown's persistent health — ' The Old Toll- 

 house ; or, the Defeat of the Touts ' — John Porter's communicative 

 companion, 'who knew Hawley and Wells and Porter' — The 

 parcel from W. H. Smith & Son's — Disclosure and denouement. 



Another remarkable horse, although of a very 

 different stamp, which came to school at Cannon 

 Heath about this period was Xi. He was purchased 

 conjointly by Sir Joseph Hawley and Sir Frederick 

 Johnstone of old John Osborne. Porter, apart 

 from other considerations, recalls the circumstance 

 with extreme pleasure, inasmuch as it first associated 

 him as trainer with Sir Frederick, the valued patron 

 whose horses are now under his care. Xi was a 

 colt by General Williams out of Lambda. He was 

 purchased in 1866. Sir Joseph Hawley was very 

 fond of the horse. In writing to Porter at the 

 time the latter was approaching convalescence the 

 Baronet says, ' I have bought a beautiful two-year- 

 old, Xi. He is one of the best-looking horses 

 I ever saw. Dover will look after him until you 



