THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 211 



principal. If you can so far oblige me, do it quickly, as 

 I want to purchase some hunters against next season. At 

 all events, say nothing about this application to any one 

 of all persons in the world, not to Robson. I can have 

 the bond prepared here, which will be better than em- 

 ploying a country attorney, In haste, yours, &c., 



"FRANCIS RABT. 

 " To Mr. GRIMES." 



An answer to this effect was returned by the first post : 



" ASHTON MILLS, June 1th, 1804. 



" HON. SIR, I am sorry to hear you want such a large 

 sum as 2000. Sure you been't agoing to lay it out 

 all in horses, for you have the finest in the country now, 

 by odds. Howsomever, you shall have the money by 

 this day month, on the conditions you propose ; and on 

 receiving the papers, it shall be paid through my sales- 

 man in London, so that nobody will know nothing about 

 it. I am glad to oblige you, sir, and don't doubt but 

 you'll be kind to the lads when I am gone. No more at 

 present from, lion, sir, Your dutiful servant, 



"JOHN GRIMES. 



" P.S. As I loves you, Mr. Francis, as the apple of 

 my eye, don't be offended at my saying I hopes yon 

 won't get into no mischief among the gambling gentle- 

 men in London. They tells me they are too sharp for 

 us country people." 



How is it, it may be asked, that we have heard nothing 

 of Sir John Inkleton, the friend and patron of our hero, 

 in the late memorable transactions ? How is it, indeed, 

 that he was not allowed to be privy to them ? The 

 answer is it was too near home for the grand secret of 

 the racing fillies, as also the transactions with Mr. Sharpe, 

 to be divulged in that quarter. Sir John, in spite of 

 now and then a hint from Lady Charlotte, that he had 

 "spoiled Francis for a younger brother," was a great 

 favourite at the Abbey, and, although considerably his 

 junior, much in the confidence of Mr. Raby. Nor is 

 this the extent of the reason why he was kept in the 

 dark. Our hero knew that this outbreak of his, so far 

 from being approved of, would have been discouraged 



