49 



thought it likely to make some hundreds difference 

 in his laying out my fifty guineas. 



Mr. Lake asked how they were to know about 

 the horses being tried. I said the horses stood at 

 a public stable, with other horses and boys ; 

 the smith was there to plate them, &c. it was 

 therefore to be expected that the people would 

 know that the horses had been tried. I told 

 Mr. Lake their knowing it was of little conse- 

 quence, the chief object being not to let them 

 know what they could do. At this time the bets 

 ran thirty to one against Escape. 



On the next day the horses set out for Ascot, 

 and on Sunday afternoon Gaskoin, His Royal 

 Highness's groom at Carlton- House, went with 

 me to see them. Alighting from our horses, Gas- 

 koin went into the house, and I into Escape's loose 

 stable. I found him stripped, and the lad was 

 brushing him over. I instantly saw E!scape was 

 not well to run ; and I was very certain that his 

 chance for the Oatlands Stakes was all done away, 

 and entirely so from mismanagement. I then 

 Q went 



