236 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



will give you double if you win." The final 

 arrangement was that Webb and I were to 

 divide the stake (;^4525) between us if Paradox 

 was first past the post. 



I never had the smallest reason for thinking, 

 much less believing, that our jockey contem- 

 plated " selling the pass." The rumour did him 

 a foul injustice, and nothing would have been 

 more gratifying to me than to have seen long 

 faces pulled by those who had financially inter- 

 ested themselves in the race in accordance with 

 the idea that Paradox was a negligible quantity, 

 not because he lacked the necessary ability, but 

 because everything was not ** on the square." 

 Fortunately, perhaps, for Webb and the rest of 

 us, the race gave the lie to those who had busied 

 themselves in circulating the false accusation. 



The Derby has rarely produced a more 

 thrilling finish. After decisively disposing of 

 Xaintrailles a furlong or so from the goal, 

 Paradox appeared to have the race well won. 

 And he most assuredly would have won but for 

 his rooted dislike to leading the field. Archer 

 was inside the distance before he took Melton 

 to within striking distance of Paradox. Then 

 he waited patiently until about fifty yards from 

 home. From that point to the winning-post a 

 tremendous struggle was seen. The onlookers 

 lashed themselves into a state of intense excite- 

 ment. Melton got his head in front only to be 



