Running Recollections and How to Train

CHAPTER XIII. I KUN CROSS AT EDINBURGH. MY match with Cross was looked forward to with great interest by the sports-loving public of Auld Keekie, and as the match was to be decided on Powderhall, we made sure of a large gate. Herein, however, we were disappointed, and I have since learned that the fact of our charging Is. for admission, instead of the usual and popular "tanner," accounted for the paucity of the attendance. The Edin­ burgh public evidently do not believe in paying Is. tosee one foot race, when at almostany time they can see a whole afternoon's foot-i'acingfor sixpence. 1 still kept on training on Powderhall, while Cross, I believe, took his exercise on the Hawkhill track. As the 19thof December drewnearer, the crowd of spectators at our practice spins grew larger. About a fortnight before the 19th,we "dodged" the crowd, arriving at Powderhall about 1.30, when the ground was empty. These mysterious movements were merely for the purpose of running a trial in privacy. There were only about half-a-dozen people present, and all these belonged to our own party. My backers were well pleased with the result, but, unfortunately, the time leaked out, and the odds, which before had been six to four onme, rose to tw T o to one on. A " dovvney " trick to get a better pricewas now attempted. It transpired that I was going to run atrial at a certain time one day. In consequence, there were about 30 or 40 people on the ground £: seeking information." I gave my trial horse,W. Williams, 1 2 yards, and carrying three-quarters-of-a-pound of lead in either hand, was just