THE TROTT1NG-I10RSE OF AMERICA. 321 



seen upon a race-course. Just as Patchen was getting the 

 best of it, a band of men ran out at him, and threw clubs and 

 hats in his face. In consequence, he broke, swerved behind 

 Flora's sulky, and she was first at the score in 5in. l|s. 



Patchen was then withdrawn, and Flora was declared the 

 winner ; but the decision, to my mind, was unsatisfactory. 

 If the horse had not been interfered with, it is probable that 

 he would have won that second heat. It is quite true, that he 

 was not interfered with by Flora or by her driver ; but he was 

 by her outside backers. Therefore, the judges would have 

 been justified, I think, in declaring that there had not been 

 a fair race ; that it was out of their power to have a fair 

 race ; and that, this being so, the whole affair should end 

 there and then in a draw. The best way to discourage 

 rioting and roguery upon our race-courses is to take care 

 that the guilty parties shall never secure their sole object, 

 the plunder. As long as they are permitted to get and hold 

 the money, they will care but little for what people say to 

 them in the newspapers, or otherwise. 



31 



