50 



went up to Escape ; I coaxed him, kissed him, 

 then left him. I then proceeded to Baronet's 

 loose stable, and I also found him stripped and 

 brushing over. I saw him very well, and I thought 

 he was likely to run for the race as he had done in 

 his trial ; and I immediately made up my mind to 

 ride him for the Oatlands ; for I thought I would 

 take his chance of winning, after seeing that 

 Escape had none ; as I presumed His Royal High- 

 ness would allow me to ride which horse I liked, 

 after giving my reasons. 



I returned into the house to Gaskoin, where 

 there were several other grooms taking tea, he. 

 Bill Price, His Royal Highness's second training 

 groom, gave me a letter to deliver to Mr. W. 

 Lake, as I was going to London in the morning, 

 and I charged myself with its delivery. When 

 Gaskoin and I were coming away, B. Price de- 

 sired me to make his duty to Mr. W. Lake, and 

 tell him that Escape was as well to run as a horse 

 could be. I made no answer, and Price repeated 

 it. I was determined not to deliver any such 



message, 



