354 HEROES AND HEROLXES OE 



The withdrawal, too, of Droo^heda at the eleventh 

 hour, owing to a sprained hock, though it probably 

 did not affect the result, naturally detracted in some 

 measure from the interest of the race. 



Easily though the victory was gained at last, the 

 good thing might easily have been undone at one 

 period of the race. Manifesto blundering so badly at 

 one of his fences that it was only a marvel that he 

 recovered himself ; Williamson, in describino- the 

 scene afterwards, declaring that on looking round 

 one of the horse's hind leo;s was standino- straio-ht 

 up in the air. 



Never was a steeplechase jockey better rewarded 

 for his success than was George Williamson on the 

 present occasion, and that it was well deserved was 

 equally true. 



His original compact with Mr. Bulteel was as 

 follows : — /lOO as retainer, with /, i,ooo if he won. 

 Shortly before the race the latter sum was increased 

 to ^i,8oo. whilst Mr. Bulteel's partner stepped in 

 with a promise of another ^i,ooo on his own 

 account. 



As a result of the race, the owner and his 

 immediate friends won a large amount of money, 

 one of Mr. Bulteels mdividuai bets alone being 

 /,"io,ooo to ^800. 



