28 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



the Isles. I am not saying this allegation was 

 founded on fact, but from what I have written it 

 will be gathered there was circumstantial evidence 

 to support the attitude Mr. Pad wick assumed. 

 It would appear, indeed, that his suspicions were 

 aroused some little time before the Two Thousand 

 day, because he is stated to have sent to Findon 

 a Mr. Gannon, celebrated as a pigeon shot, to 

 keep an eye on St. Hubert and his doings. It 

 is further declared that Day became aware of the 

 " spy's " arrival in the village and regarded the 

 stranger as "an outrage on his dignity." I have 

 a recollection of Mr. Gannon being spoken of as 

 a brilliant shot, but do not remember seeing him 

 or hearing of his arrival at Findon. 



The end of the business was that John Day 

 and Mr. Padwick separated. So did William 

 Day and Mr. Merry. Mr. Padwick appointed 

 William Goater his private trainer. John Day 

 went to Woodyeates, where he spent his few 

 remaining years. After his quarrel with Mr, 

 Padwick he is reported to have said to one of his 

 friends, ** You will be glad to hear that I have 

 taken care of myself. If I had not, I should like 

 to know who would have done so." He died in 

 i860 of softening of the brain. 



John Day was, to the last, held in the greatest 

 respect. As a trainer he erred, if at all, on the 

 side of severity ; but if any comment on this 

 point was made in his hearing he always excused 



