THE WATERLOO CUP 23 



Troughend (whom he could assuredly have beaten) in his 

 puppy season. On this occasion great interest was centred in 

 the event ; the eyes of all coursers, and a vast concourse of 

 those who, as a rule, pay little attention to the affairs of the 

 leash, were' bent on the contest, and all items of news con- 

 nected with it were greedily scanned. 



At one time a feeling of uneasiness and . dissatisfaction 

 prevailed, because at the first draw Colonel North had 

 announced his intention of drawing any or all of his dogs 

 that might meet Fullerton, in the latter's favour. On the first 

 blush Colonel North was to be commended for a very natural 

 desire to smooth the path for his matchless favourite ; but 

 when the pros and cons were fairly weighed, it was obvious 

 that the proceeding was not a sportsmanlike one. In the first 

 'place, it would be grossly unfair on the nominators who were 

 represented by his other dogs ; and, secondly, were the great 

 brindle to pull through under such circumstances, a substan- 

 tial handle would be afforded his detractors for dragging in a 

 host of ' ifs ' and ' perhapses.' 



Fortunately, it soon dawned on Fullerton's owner that he had 

 made a mistake, and having arrived at such a conclusion, he lost 

 no time in altering his tactics, and the result must have left him 

 heartily thankful that he did so, though, as it happened, the old 

 dog did not meet any of his kennel companions. 



For the third time in the history of the contest a postpone- 

 ment on account of frost was found necessary ; but the follow- 

 ing Tuesday (February 23) a beginning was made. In both 

 draws Colonel North may be said to have been favoured by 

 fortune. In his first course, Fullerton made short work of 

 Likeness, for he raced away quite six lengths and ran clean into 

 his hare ; and Maggie Miller in the first ties fared no better 

 when opposed to him ; for she failed to score a point, as the 

 brindle led four lengths, and though momentarily thrown out 

 at a dyke, managed to keep possession until the end. 



The following day he came out like a giant refreshed, and 

 then came across a foeman worthy of his steel in Rhymes — 



