THE THOROUGHBRED IN AMERICA 47 



like a wet blanket, on more than half the spec- 

 tators. It was suddenly announced that Purdy, 

 the jockey of Eclipse, had had a difficulty with his 

 owner and refused to ride. To substitute an- 

 other in his place seemed almost like giving up 

 the contest; but the man was absolutely stubborn, 

 and the time had come. Another rider was pro- 

 vided, and the signal for the start was given. I 

 stood exactly opposite the judges' seat, where the 

 mastering excitement found its climax. Off went 

 the horses, every eye straining to follow them. 

 Four times they dashed by the judges' stand, and 

 every time Sir Henry was in the lead. The spirits 

 of the Southerners seemed to leap up beyond con- 

 trol, while the depression of the more phlegmatic 

 North set in like a physical chill. Directly be- 

 fore me sat John Randolph, the great orator of 

 Virginia. Apart from his intense sectional pride, 

 he had personal reasons to rejoice at the turn 

 things were taking; for he had bet heavily on the 

 contest, and, it was said, proposed to sail for Eu- 

 rope upon clearing enough to pay his expenses. 

 Half an hour elapsed for the horses to get their 

 wind, and again they were brought to the stand. 



