CHAPTER I.
An Introduction to Billy Platt.
It was the eve of the Wincastle races which were first started in that period so fruitful of duchesses—the reign of old Rowley. Historians differ as to whether the Merry Monarch did or did not, on a certain occasion, actually patronise this meeting in person, accompanied by a notorious play actress; but that does not matter.
Historians, as well as doctors, agree to differ. The quaint country town of Wincastle was full to the over-flowing, and the oldest inhabitant pledged his word at the bar of the Black Bull that he had never set eyes on such a big crowd.
It was a motley assemblage, at any rate, peculiar about the shape of its coat, and the cut of its trousers; not too particular as to the delicacy of its language, but much exercised in its mind where it was going to sleep.
The old-fashioned inns and lodging-houses had, early in the day, let their last bed, and were now asking and getting exorbitant prices for the sofas, tables, and chairs. Later on there will be eager bidders for the right to spend the night on the bare floor. Thoroughbred horses, worth small fortunes, accustomed to all the refinement and luxury of a Newmarket stable, had to be contented with the miserable shelter of a cow-byre or a cart-shed.
It was no doubt Mr. Strathill, the energetic clerk of the course, who had been instrumental in drawing the additional bipeds and quadrupeds to Wincastle this autumn. According to his specious advertisements his annual gathering was the very paradise of all race-goers, and he dwelt impressively on a new contest, of singular interest, to be decided on the first day, called the Silver Gauntlet.
This extra attraction was first mooted by the Duchess of Wincastle—a fascinating widow of twenty-five—and the trophy was subscribed to by her Grace and all the unmarried belles of the neighbourhood.
The Gauntlet was an imitation of a lady's glove in silver, and was a masterpiece of Hunt and Roskell. The fingers were so arranged that this beautiful and expensive work of art (it cost £200) when filled with flowers could appropriately be used to decorate a table.
The new race was to be run over three miles of a fair hunting country, gentlemen riders.