THE GRAND NATIONAL. 105 



Hodgman was watching the play, Ben's ill-luck still 

 stuck to him. 



Things going from bad to worse, Ben at last in- 

 timated to the general company that if matters 

 continued in that way he would have to sell Emigrant. 

 Whereupon Hodgman promptly enquired the price 

 and volunteered to buy him at his own figure. 



Land wanted ^600, to which Hodgman dis- 

 agreed. Finally he became possessor of the horse 

 at ^590, with the proviso that if the horse won at 

 Shrewsbury another ^100 would be added, a very 

 profitable investment, as it turned out. 



It was only shortly after the transfer of the horse 

 that Hodo-man meetino- one of his brother book- 

 makers named Green, was persuaded into allowing 

 the latter to have a share in Emigrant. 



A large sum of money was taken out of the ring, 

 Green havino- backed Emio-fant to win a fortune, 

 whilst Mr. Hodgman threw in for ^5,000. 



It is interesting to note that Charlie Boyce rode 

 the winner with the upper part of one of his arms 

 bound up to his side, and previous to the race there 

 was considerable doubt as to whether he was fit or 

 not to ride. 



