The Life of Fred Archer 185 
the astonishing victory of the mare, and after the death of 
Archer it was stated on the best authority that Archer did all he 
knew to get out of the Dutch Oven mount, and that when the 
mare was sent to Doncaster it was not with the intention of 
running her for the St. Leger, for which Archer did not beUeve 
she had a chance. 
He had been offered £1,000 to ride Geheimniss, and was 
desirous of having the mount. Lord Falmouth ran Dutch 
Oven solely out of consideration for his trainer, who had 
backed her for £100 and naturally wanted a run for his money, 
no matter how hopeless the chance might seem. 
Archer, as has been said, had fallen in love with Miss 
Helen Rose Dawson, daughter of Mr. John Dawson, and niece 
of his old master, whose partner he had become. Ever since 
he had first been apprenticed Archer had lived with Mr. 
Mathew Dawson at Heath House, still content with two 
rooms overlooking the stableyard, the furniture of which 
was subsequently in the house of Mr. Dawson's old house- 
keeper. 
While Fred was courting Miss Dawson he used to walk up 
to Warren House and go back to Heath House very late in 
the evening. One night he was followed from Mr. John Dawson's 
gate by an enormous dog which growled ominously. Fred 
was afraid to quicken his steps, and equally afraid of being 
attacked by the huge creature, so he tried cajolery and re- 
marked frequently to his pursuer, " Good dog ! Poor fellow ! " 
and suchlike soothing remarks, to which the animal responded 
with, " Br-r-r — , br-r-r-r — ." This went on as he walked the 
whole distance, and Archer was very glad to shut Mr. Mathew 
Dawson's gate on his dogged adversary. 
Archer's brother-in-law, Mr. John Dawson, read through 
the proofs of this book. He wrote : " I have not made many 
alterations in your copy. To me it is amazing how you have 
collected all the information about poor Fred Archer and 
delineated his character. If I may say so, I think you have 
