HEROES OF THE LEASH 219 



and Fitz-Fife in 1892. They ran a dead-heat in the first 

 course ; and in the decider almost to the last it looked as 

 if the younger dog would win ; but the elder pulled himself 

 together at the finish and won brilliantly, amid a scene of 

 tremendous excitement. How Fullerton mysteriously dis- 

 appeared, how Colonel North offered a reward of ^1000 

 for his recovery, and how finally the priceless greyhound 

 was found wandering about the country half-starved, are 

 romantic incidents in Fullerton's career which must still 

 be comparatively fresh in public memory. 



Patrons of the Leash have claimed for their favourite 

 sport the distinction of being the fairest in the world, and 

 there would seem to be no reason why coursing matches 

 should not be absolutely free from foul play. But they 

 have not always been above suspicion. Stewards have 

 been known to shift the beating on to ploughed land when 

 a dangerous stranger had to be knocked out of time. 

 Partisans have artfully managed to "steady" the hare by 

 getting between her and a plantation, so as to make the 

 course a long one. Ground where it was almost impossible 

 to kill a hare has been selected before now to run a bye 

 on ; and once the beaters were actually sent back a mile in 

 order that "a very dangerous stranger" might run over 

 flints. Like other sports, coursing, therefore, cannot show 

 a clean sheet, though most of the roguery perpetrated has 

 been done more for fame than with any view to make 

 money. It was to keep the trophy in the shire or county 

 where it was run for that local patriotism condescended to 

 methods unsportsmanlike and dishonest. 



An old devotee of the Leash used to tell with much 

 gusto how he had managed years before to trick the judge. 

 His dog had run into the final for a big stake, and was 

 then matched against a dog of great local renown, which 

 he felt, but for some merciful interposition of Providence, 

 would be sure to win. Not liking the thought of being 

 vanquished, he said to his trainer : — 



" Now Joe, I have been this year at great expense, yet 

 we have won nothing all the season, and jou and I part 

 unless our dog wins this match. I don't want you to 

 injure the other dog, but we must win. Can't you manage 



