THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CUP
Tearaway was in the Doncaster Cup on the concluding day of the
meeting, but Fred Erickson was not well enough to ride, although on
the course.
Picton said nothing to his brother about Dr. Elroy. Hector had rather
a serious wordy encounter with Fletcher Denyer, who called him nasty
names, and plainly said he had willfully deceived him about Tearaway.
Hector spoke his mind freely, saying he had no wish to see him again.
"If you think you've seen the last of me, you're mistaken," said
Fletcher. "I owe you a bad turn and I'll repay it, I always do."
Hector laughed as he walked away. He told Lenise Elroy of the
encounter.
"You must choose between us," he said. "I have no desire to meet him
at your flat."
"You can easily guess which I shall choose," she said.
He questioned her and she replied, "You."
"The climax is drawing near," he thought.
"You'll run Tearaway in the Cup I expect?" asked Sir Robert. His
favorite Tristram was in, and he had no desire to see the celebrated
Cup horse beaten by the flying filly, as he feared would be the case.
"I think so," said Picton. "You will start Tristram?"
"Yes. I must not own up I am afraid of your mare; but, by jove, I am,
my boy," said Sir Robert.
"It will be a great race between them," said Picton.
"A real sporting event," said Sir Robert. "It will cause more
excitement than the St. Leger."
When it became known on Thursday night that Tristram and Tearaway
would oppose each other in the Doncaster Cup, and that Ripon, Bronze,
Fair Dame, and Sir Charles, would run, excitement worked up to fever
heat. Nothing else was talked about in the town at night, and in all
the papers on Friday morning mention was made of the great struggle
that might be expected. The _Special Commissioner_ wrote that it was
an open fact that Tristram and Tearaway had been tried on Haverton
Moor before the St. Leger and the filly had won at a very slight
difference in the weights, and he concluded as follows: "This being
the case, the Leger winner should be victorious, as Sir Robert Raines'
great horse will have to give a lump of weight away, so I shall go for
Tearaway to win."
This appeared to be the general opinion; only many shrewd men thought
Tristram would prove more than a match for Tearaway over the Cup
distance. Another argument was that the severe race in the St. Leger
must have taken it out of the filly, while Tristram was fresh, and
very fit; in fact, Sir Robert's horse was stated to be better than
he had ever been. Bronze, too, was given a chance, as he was a proved
stayer; while Ripon was not considered out of it.
Much to Rupert Hansom's disgust, Banks declined to ride Ripon and
accepted the mount on Tearaway. At first this seemed somewhat unfair,
but Hansom had severely taken the jockey to task over his riding in
the St. Leger, and Banks resented it, knowing he had done his best.
"Tearaway is the best filly we've seen for years," he said, "and Ripon
had no chance with her; you'll see how it is if she runs in the Cup."
"Perhaps you'd like to ride her?" sneered Rupert.
"I should. I will if I get the chance."
His chance came sooner than he expected. Seeing Picton Woodridge on
Thursday, before the last race, the jockey said, "Will Fred be well
enough to ride your mare in the Cup, sir?"
"No, he's not at all well, Dick. He's consumptive, I'm sorry to say."
"Have you a jockey?"
"Not at present."
"Will you give me the mount?"
"Are you not engaged to ride Ripon?" asked Picton, surprised.
"No, there is no engagement, and I have fallen out with Mr. Hansom
about the riding of his horse in the St. Leger," said Banks.
"You are free to ride my mare?" asked Picton.
"Yes."
"Then you shall have the mount. I would sooner see you on her than any
one, except Fred," said Picton.
"Thank you, sir," said Banks, jubilant, and went off to tell Rupert
Hansom, who said it was an infernal shame, and raved about it to his
friends, calling Banks all sorts of names.
"I don't see what you have to complain of," said Mrs. Elroy. "You said
he rode a bad race in the St. Leger, jeeringly asked him if he'd like
the mount on Tearaway in the Cup, when he replied he would. It appears
he took you at your word and accepted the mount when it was offered
him; I think he's on the winner."
"Do you indeed?" he said crossly. "I hope if you back her you'll lose
your money."
"How very disagreeable you are," she said. "Men with diminutive minds
always appear to lose control over their tempers, and forget their
manners."
Rupert Hansom found another jockey in Crosby, a very fair rider.
There were seven runners for the Cup, fields had been stronger than
usual at the meeting.
Rita looked supremely happy. She knew what was coming; Picton had more
than hinted at it. Before she left Haverton he would ask her to be his
wife; she knew what her answer would be. She loved him, had done so
from the first time they met, and she was quite sure he loved her.
Dick Langford also guessed what was about to happen; it pleased him to
contemplate Picton as a brother-in-law.
"I'll give him The Rascal as a wedding present," he said to himself,
laughing.
Before they went to the races on Friday he said to Rita: "Picton's
having a great week--the Leger, the Cup to-day, a wife before the
week's out."
She laughed as she replied: "That's a treble--better than his double
on The Rascal."
"You're worth the winning, Rita," he said kindly. "Wonder what I shall
do without you."
"Find a wife," she said.
"Expect it will be compulsory; it is not good for a man to live
alone," he answered.
A tremendous crowd witnessed the Doncaster Cup. It was as memorable a
race as the St. Leger; many thought it more so.
Sir Robert secured the services of May, a reliable jockey, at times
brilliant.
"I hope I shall beat you," he said to Picton.
"I hope Tearaway will win," was the laughing reply.
"It will be a great race," said Dick; "but my bit goes on the mare."
"And mine," said Rita.
"And mine," said Hector.
"All against me," laughed Sir Robert. "My hundred or two goes on
Tristram."
"Robert, I don't think you ought to bet. Remember the trial," said his
wife.
"You against me!" he exclaimed. "I am in a terrible plight indeed."
The horses were out, seven in number, a real good lot.
Sir Robert's face glowed with pride as he heard the roar of cheers
which greeted the red jacket and black cap, and his good horse
Tristram. Another roar was given for Tearaway; the others were all
cheered lustily. They were soon on their journey, Sir Charles making
the running, followed by Fair Dame, Bronze, and Harriet, with Ripon,
and Tearaway next, and Tristram last. Sir Robert's horse never went to
the front in the earlier stages of a race.
Rupert Hansom gave Crosby instructions to keep in touch with Tristram
and Tearaway.
"You've nothing else to fear," he said; "and remember there's a
hundred for you if you win."
Sir Charles soon dropped out of it and Harriet took his place. At the
back of the close the lot closed up, half a dozen lengths separated
first and last.
In the straight they swept; then a change took place. Ripon made the
first move forward, followed by Tearaway and Tristram.
Up the straight they came at a terrific pace, for Tearaway had gone
to the front, and Banks was making every use of her great speed and
staying powers.
Cheer after cheer pealed over the course when the saffron jacket was
seen in the lead; the filly was favorite, a six to four chance.
Banks kept pushing her along; he did not know how to handle her as
well as Fred Erickson, but did his best.
May was riding Tristram strictly to orders.
"Bring him with a rush in the last quarter of a mile," said Sir
Robert.
Ripon was going well, but could not keep the pace with Tearaway.
At last May brought Tristram out and the great horse came along with
giant strides, his natural style of going. On he came swooping down,
passing first one then another, drawing level with Ripon, leaving him,
and going in pursuit of Tearaway.
The excitement was intense; all eyes were fixed on the splendid pair,
the mare and the horse, owned by two good sportsmen, hailing from
Yorkshire, both well known in the county. Captain Ben Bruce was with
Brack, who had been persuaded to stop until the meeting was over; he
was very fond of the old boatman, and knew he deserved well of them
all. Brack was to have a look round Haverton before he returned home.
He had backed Tearaway again, and was shouting her name frantically,
much to the Captain's amusement. She looked like a winner, she was
going so well, but there was no mistaking the way in which Tristram
galloped.
"He's catching her!" said Sir Robert excitedly.
Picton smiled confidently; he did not think he would do it.
A great shout went up when Tristram got to Tearaway's girth; May rode
a brilliant finish.
Banks handled the filly well, but had not the same powers as Fred
Erickson at his best; they were wanted now just to help her home.
Neck and neck they raced, head and head, not an inch between them,
outstretched nostrils; it was a tremendous race, one of the best ever
seen for the Cup.
Sir Robert and Picton looked on, thrilling with excitement. It was a
desperate finish. Both were game, the filly and the horse, and fought
to the bitter end. As they passed the judge's box no one could tell
which had won.
"Dead heat," said the judge.
Sir Robert and Picton shook hands heartily.
"By jove, what a race!" the baronet said.
"I'm glad it was a dead heat," said Picton. "We've both won."