Hunting in the Golden Days. 85 



hurry and excitement of the moment the jockeys rise 

 in a half dazed manner and grab the first horse 

 that comes to hand. Both horses being dark brown 

 and of the same height, it is not unnatural that in the 

 excitement of the moment Mr. Oldwig should mount 

 Sulphur, while Mr. Winebold mounts his friend's horse. 

 The finish is brilliant ; both men sit down well in their 

 saddles and get every ounce out of their horses in the 

 final struggle ; but condition will tell, and Dragoon 

 surely but slowly draws away from the other horse, 

 and comes in a winner by about seven or eight lengths. 

 A cheer goes up from the spectators who have 

 witnessed this magnificent finish. The riders, who 

 have hardly recovered from their header, for the first 

 time realise the fact that they have in the scurry 

 exchanged horses. When it becomes known that such 

 is the case, uproarious laughter is indulged in, and a 

 wag suggests that as it can be nothing else than a draw, 

 they should ride the race over again, but this suggestion 

 both our friends strenuously oppose. Bets are all off and 

 the steeplechase, which has no doubt afforded many 

 people much amusement, and a pleasant day's outing, 

 terminates without the loss of money on either side. 



Mr. Winebold is then conducted by his friends to 

 many of the carriages, and having drunk them all dry 

 he enters his gig and drives home. 



It is currently reported that Mr. Oldwig was not 

 satisfied with the result and wishes to enter again into 

 contest with Sulphur early in the spring ; but this report 

 I can authentically deny is incorrect, for I have it from 

 an excellent source that he has come to an arrangement 

 with his wife that she will allow him to hunt, he having 

 passed his word to her that never more will he enter into 

 contest with Mr. Winebold between the flags. 



7 



