A Sportsman at Large 171 



Club broke up at the end of the season,* I became the proud 

 possessor of the handsome trophy. 



At the time of my entry to this engrossing sport, my guide, 

 philosopher and friend in the venture was " Willie," of the 

 ancient and sporting family of Hope Johnstone. It was by 

 acting on his advice that I picked up some very useful grey- 

 hounds, most of which won in their turn. One of the best 

 was Have a Care, a bk. and w. b. by Macpherson Rota, 

 and hence own sister (same litter) to a little wonder called 

 Happy Rondelle, who made a great name for herself. 



Have a Care represented me in The Waterloo Cup. She 

 was just outpointed in her first course, but made a brave 

 show in " The Purse." She went on to Southport, where she 

 ran through The Bainesse Stakes in gallant style. 



When her running days were over, I mated her with Green- 

 tick, one of the greatest of the Greyhound Stud-book pillars. 

 She had a beautiful litter, but, strange to say, only one showed 

 anything approaching winning form. But this one exception, 

 a big black puppy, weighing all seventy pounds, was a veritable 

 smasher ! His first trial with Handley Cross a very fast 

 dog indeed was, I thought, too good to be true. The 

 youngster led him two-and-a-half lengths and made rings 

 round him, running his hare truly and punishingly in a long 

 course. 



I sent Handley Cross on " a voyage of discovery " in an 

 eight-dog stake, just to see if he was in form. In the first 

 round he slammed a fast old dog, who was a great winner, and 

 then I drew him. 



Now comes the tragedy ! I was determined to see what 

 sort of a greyhound I had in Heavy Cavalry, for that was the 

 name of my big and beautiful puppy. Alas ! I made the 

 fatal mistake of slipping him with Handley Cross in an open 

 country. This time the young 'un led a good three lengths, 

 and again refused to give his opponent a look in, finishing 

 with a brilliant kill. Before we could pick him up, he sighted 

 a fresh hare, and was soon tacked on to her ; she made for 

 a stiff " stake and bound " fence and slipped through a 

 run therein. Heavy Cavalry, instead of flying the obstruction, 



* It was afterwards resuscitated and held annual meetings at Southminster. 



