Page:Once a Week Volume 7.djvu/521

 . 1, 1862.] the boy who looked after the horse Munster was told that neither he nor his horse would be wanted to go South, and that he was to get all his things together and be ready to start with his horse by noon on the day after to-morrow; the object in thus delaying for a time the departure of the horse, after giving the lad his order, will be presently seen. Written instructions were given him as to where he was to sleep each night, as well as directions, to the managing man at home, how the horse was to be treated on his arrival. All these minutiæ were designed to leave no doubt amongst the other lads that the horse really was not intended for the Derby, and this was almost necessary, as the announcement that his horse, who was strong in the betting, and much talked about, was not even going to start for that race, excited no little surprise in the lad’s mind, and he naturally talked with his fellow-lads, although especially cautioned not to do so; but to make quite sure that this information reached the quarter for which it was intended, these directions were so given that “our special correspondent” above referred to should overhear them, as if by accident, as well as the strict injunction of silence accompanied by threats of punishment and promises of reward, according as silence should be broken or maintained.

It will be observed that the races were then going on at Newmarket, consequently Mr. R was staying in the town attending to his profession, and that the lad had easy access to his patron, so that no time was lost in conveying such an important piece of information to him. At first R could hardly believe that the boy was correct, as he knew, or thought he knew, that Munster was well thought of in the stable; but when he had told him that he was sure it was all right, as he had listened through a chink in the wooden partition which divided the two loose boxes in which stood his horse and Munster, and “had heard Maister Philip tell t’lad ivery spot on t’road where t’oss was to stop each night, and he was to start at noon day after to-morn, while all t’chaps were gone to t’races, and to gang oot o’ t’toon t’back way.” R no longer doubted, and though not the nimblest mover in the world, he was not long in hobbling down to the betting-rooms. Both before and after dinner he was always the first to enter, and the last to leave these, as were also his agents; but Phil Spott also had his agents in attendance, carefully selected for this special occasion, who had their instructions to be constantly in waiting upon R and his commissioners, and whenever they offered to bet against Munster, to take their bets.

On this occasion it may readily be conceived it was not long before large offers were made by R’s party to bet against this horse, and these offers were quietly accepted. R was standing aloof and silently watching operations with apparent indifference, and taking, of course, no part therein, but inwardly chuckling at the success with which his plan was working. At last, on the day on which the horse was to start on his northward journey, by which time the agency aforesaid, had (to use Turf phraseology) “pretty well peppered” (that is betted against) him, Old R, while seated on a quiet old animal, as burly as himself, and in attendance as usual at the betting-post, was accosted by a meek-looking smart young officer who rode into the crowd, and, as if by accident, placed himself next him, and as there happened to be at the time a lull in the betting, he began to discourse with him about the Derby, and especially about the northern horses, expressing to him his liking for Munster, whom he said he had seen that morning at exercise.

“Did you see my horse, Gosport, captain?” said R, his mouth watering at the prospect of catching another flat-fish.

“Yaas, I did, and I did not much like him; in fact, I thought him a bwute,” said the Captain.

“Coom now, Captin, I’ll lay thee a coople o’ thoosand Gosport beats Moonster for t’ Derby,” rejoined R.

“Done!” said our warrior of the meek look and mincing talk, and their respective pencils recorded the wager in their respective books.

Now, if Asmodeus had been at Newmarket that evening about ten o’clock, and had, just to oblige us, lifted up the roof of a certain house, he would have shown to our astonished eyes, the said meek young captain, seated alone with Phil Spott smoking a cigar and transferring to Phil’s volume the half of that little wager which he had originally entered in his own, and for which he had been apparently victimised that same afternoon. Only a few words passed between them on the business upon which they had met, and when they parted for the night, Phil said: “Good-night, Captain, many thanks. You did it uncommonly well; how kindly the old un swallowed the spice-nut, to be sure; and it is only one of many others he has swallowed within these two days. I am afraid in about another four-and-twenty hours they will begin to disagree with him unless his stomach is a very strong one.”

The following morning being the day after that on which Munster had taken his departure for the north, staying at Huntingdon the first night, and while he was slowly pursuing his second days’ journey, we will suppose Asmodeus to be again so obliging as to lift for us the roofs of two more houses at Newmarket, and in the one we see R opening a letter he has just received, which he peruses with a smile of satisfaction. It is from one of his agents, informing him that Mr. and he had laid to the undermentioned gentleman the following bets, amounting to a good round sum, against Munster for the Derby, that they would wish to book a small portion of these bets to themselves, and the remainder they would book to his account.

On the other roof being uplifted, we behold our great diplomatist, Phil Spott, perusing a letter, while a knowing smile of triumph plays over his countenance—it is from one of his agents; and, taking advantage of our position, we look over his shoulder, and we read as follows:—

“,—I have backed Munster for you with A., for so much, at such a price, and with B., for so much, at such a price. C. requests me to say he has backed the above horse for you, with A., for so much, and at such a price, and with B., for so much, and at such a price. C. and I would wish to stand with you the odds to £150, at the average, which amount you can book to