196 THE BROCKLESBY HOUNDS. 



the " Druid," the points being North Thoresby Mill and 

 Aylesby Church. Mr. Brooks rode a mare by Pilgrim 

 out of a granddaughter of Eclipse, belonging to Mr. Frank 

 Isles. The sire of this mare (the dam of Mr. Brooks's 

 mount) was bought from the royal stud by Lord Yar- 

 borough. 



This is the " Druid's " account of the historic race — 



" Field Nicholson had just returned from his first season at Melton (where he 

 afterwards shone so brightly as a steeplechase rider, on Magic, Plunder, etc.), 

 flushed with triumph at having won a small match there on a fourteen-hand 

 pony, and bringing with him a mare which he fancied fit to beat all the 

 Brocklesby Hunt. Tom Brooks, of Croxby, had been a rival of his in riding, 

 from their very boyhood; they had sat on the same school bench, thinking 

 doubtless more of foxes than fractions, and then taken their fences, stroke for 

 stroke, for some years before Field gi'aduated in Leicestershire, whither Tom 

 followed him for a season. Field's boasting was not to be borne, and accordingly 

 Tom told him that his animal, who was a magnificent jumper, but slow, was ' a 

 nice bagman's mare,' and followed up this home-thrust by offering to run him 

 ten miles within a month for fifty guineas a side, for the honour of the old 

 country, each to carry fourteen stone. From Thoresby Mill to Aylesby steeple, 

 with some seventy or eighty fences in it, was the line chosen. Every man, 

 woman, or child that could walk, ride, or drive, lined the ten miles, and it 

 seemed as if all the horsemen of Lincolnshire were drawn up in array at Barton 

 street. The pair went the first half-mile together, and then parted. At Ashby 

 and Brigsley Brooks was in difficulties, as his mare three times refused a water- 

 course with post and rails. All seemed lost, but at the nick of time Nicholson 

 appeared over a fence. 



•' ' Why, Field, you're just the man I want ! ' roared Tom ; ' give me a lead 

 over.' 



" ' I'll show you the way to jump, my boy,' was the jaunty reply ; and Tom's 

 mare followed him like a bird. They met no more in the race, as Field went 

 below Barnoldby and got too far out of his line ; while Tom kept the high 

 gi-ound on the other side of the village, and reached the steeple, out of which 

 those two ancient elderberry bushes still persevere in growing, like a couple of 

 ears, in the very teeth of archdeacons and churchwardens, as clever a winner as 

 his fondest backers could wish." 



The "Druid" has a bit more to say about Mr. Tom 

 Brooks in " Saddle and Sirloin " — 



" Lincolnshire lost a fine old sportsman in Mr. Thomas Brooks, or ' Tom Brooks,' 

 of Croxby, as he was familiarly called. For many years past Tom had officiated 

 as judge at the Royal and other gi-eat shows. He liked being among the hunter 

 or the blood-horse classes ; and his stalwart figure, with his rather high, broad' 

 shoulders, thinnish legs, and somewhat small, weather-beaten head, made him a 

 man of mark in the centre of the ring. He knew his work thoroughly, and 

 would not brook ' veterinary dictation ; ' and his rejoinder when one of them 

 raised his hat and remarked, ' It seems that I may retire — I am not wanted. 



