Page:Banking Under Difficulties- Or Life On The Goldfields Of Victoria, New South Wales And New Zealand (1888).pdf/72

Rh on the “beer.” My brother, J. A. Preshaw, who was in his glory, rode in the first race, and although he did not come in first, was declared the winner, inasmuch as the “jock” who rode the winning horse jostled him.

The “boys” were there in full force, and as the day advanced the rowdier they became. In one of the races they had a favourite horse; the favourite in the race was ridden by Charles Cowper, jun., son of the Premier of New South Wales. At the last round Mr. Cowper was some distance ahead, and, barring an accident, was sure of the race, when “Mick” B. (a sort of king among the “boys”), who happened to be on horeback, rode right across the winning horse, at this time only a few yards from the winning post, and, coming into collision, over they went. Fortunately, neither of the riders was hurt; the horses, too, escaped without injury. It was a miracle someone was not killed. The boys, however, won their point, their horse coming in first, was declared the winner. Whether the decision of the stewards in this case was a fair one I cannot say, not being a “racing man.” However, under the circumstances, I think they acted wisely in deciding as they did, for had it been otherwise, there would have been some damage done.

In another race the boys entered a horse which had no chance whatever. In this case they tried to intimidate the owner of the favourite in the race, and finding they could not persuade him to withdraw, threatened to break his horse’s knees, which threat they would have carried into effect had it not been for Mick B., who settled the matter somehow. Until Mick B. put in an appearance the “boys” were jumping about; some of them armed with heavy rails, which they got by pulling down a post-and-rail fence. The favourite was allowed to run, and won the race. I rode home with Tom Horton, agent for the Oriental Bank. As we were leaving the course we saw a crowd, and some poor unfortunate struggling in the midst—some one we knew. The “boys” were at him. Horton jumped off his horse, forced his way into the crowd, collared the man and dragged him away from them. Horton was a great favourite with the “boys,” who, to tell the truth, were frightened of him; he was a tall, wiry, muscular Christian, and could take his own part. I saw him on three occasions use his fives, and each time he came off victorious. As an instance of his manliness, one day four or five of the “boys” set on one Englishman, gave him not only a beating. but a kicking. Horton witnessed the whole affair, and determined to take the first opportunity of paying them off, which he did in this wise:—One of their number was passing the bank, when Horton went to him and said, “Look here, on Sunday last I saw a mob of you fellows on one man; now I want to take it out of you, or you shall out of me, so hold up your hands.” The fellow denied that he was in the crowd; however, Horton knew