THE HORSE. 61 



were well laid into D., and the struggle was desperate ; Dutchman hung upon Rattler'* 

 quarter, and gradually gained to the half-mile post, when they were locked as perfectly 

 as if in double harness. The contest was almost too much for Rattler, who skipped 

 several times, and was only prevented from breaking by Bill's holding him up. They 

 came up the quarter stretch at an immense pace, but opposite the four mile distance 

 stand, Rattler unfortunately broke up, when nearly a lengin ahead, and Dutchman 

 won the heat by six or eight lengths. When Rattler skipped, Wheelan should have 

 taken him in hand, but he was so much ahead, ard so near home, (within 180 T7 ards,) 

 that under the intense excitement of the moment, he neglected doing so ; had he done 

 so, however, at the rate Dutchman was going he would probably have won by a few 

 feet, for Rattler could not have made up any lee-way, caused by pulling him up ; 

 nothing but his breaking lost him the heat. The instant Rattler broke, Hiram pulled 

 up Dutchman, and he would have walked out had not the people in the stand called 

 out to him to "come on." The last mile was performed in 2:40, and the heat in 7:50; 

 had Dutchman kept up his stroke, the time of the heat would have been 7:48. 



Third heat. Dutchman went off with a fine stride (2 to 1 offered on him) and led 

 about half-way down the backside, when Rattler caught him; at the half mile post 

 they were locked, and thus they carr>< r to the stand (in 2:42); they made the turn in 

 tre same position, and nothing but repeated injunctions from the Judges to keep silent, 

 prevented cheers from the stands that would have made the welkin ring; it was a 

 beautiful sight ; both were going, D. under the spur, at a flight of speed, neck and 

 neck ; half-way down the backside, Rattler got almost clear, but Dutchman soon after 

 lapped, and when they came to the stand (2:38*) was half a length aheau. When 

 they got into straight work on the backside, Rattler again collared him, and they went 

 locked to near the half mile post, when Dutchman once more got in front, Wheelan 

 having taken Rattler in hand for a brush up the straight side. This he made soon 

 after ; they were lapped as they swung round the turn, and the struggle that ensued 

 revived recollections of Bascombe and Post-Boy. Profound silence was preserved on 

 the stand, that neither horse might be excited or frightened into a break, and the 

 interest of the scene was so great, that each of the spectators seemed to hold his breath 

 as the horses neared the stand; it was a brush to the end, Dutchman coming out a 

 throatlatch in front, caused by Hiram's giving up his pull, and giving him a push a la 

 Chifney, which made him clearly the winner by a foot. The excited feelings of the 

 crowd in the stand could no longer be repressed, but burst out in a tumultuous sheer 

 that might have been heard three miles off. The last mile was done in 2:41^, and 

 the heat in 8:02. The Judges, after some discussion, pronounced it a dead heat. 



Great odds were now offered on Dutchman, though he exhibited more "signals of 

 distress" than Rattler; his trainer, however, informed us that he "hung out" these 

 after taking his ordinary exercise ; " it was a way he had," rather than any severe 

 exertion which produced them. Both sweated freely, and came to the post a fourth 

 time " about as good as new." The performance of the match commenced at 4 

 o'clock ; it was six, and almost dark, when they started on the 



Fourth heat. Dutchman led off from the score to half-way down the backside, by 

 three lengths; Rattler, however, lapped him at the half mile post, but Dutchman 

 soon after drew out in front again ; Hiram kept him at his work from this point to the 

 finish, and Rattler never got up to him afterwards, that we could see, for it was now 

 so dark, neither horse nor rider could be distinguished ; Rattler subsequently fell off in 

 his stride, and was finally beaten handily by six lengths, after as game and honest a 

 race as we ever saw, and by far the best, in point of time, on record. 



As a matter of reference, we give the time of each mile of this great performance: 

 SATURDAY, Oct. 6, 1838. Beacon Course, N. J. Match, $1000 a side, under the 

 Saddle ; weight 145 Ibs. on each. Three mile heats. 



Mr. E. M.'sbi.g. Dutchman Hiram Woodruff". 2101 



Messrs. V. & M.'s b. g. Rattler Wm. Wheelan. .. 1 202 



1st mile 2:42 ..1st mile 2:37. .1st mile 2:42 ..1st mile... .2:53 



2d mile 2:38 ..2d mile 2:33.. 2d mile 2:38i..2d mile... .2:43 



3d mile 2:341. .3d mile 2:40. .3d mile 2:4l|. .3d mile .... 2:48$ 



First heat. . .7:54. . Second heat . .7:50 . Third hemt . .8:02 . .Fourth heat 9:24 J 



