264 THE TECTTING-UORSE OF AMERICA 



Wlien I got into the wagon to drive Flora aga nst High- 

 land Maid, I was confident that I had the bottom and reso- 

 lute game of one of the best little mares in the world to 

 rely upon, and consequently I determined to force the pace. 

 We went away together with a grand rush, and, on the turn, 

 Highland Maid broke. Spicer got Highland Maid to her 

 trot again, and I kept the pace strong. It was a good heat. 

 The Maid was unable to collar Flora, who won it by two 

 lengths in 2m. 28s. That was much the best time that had 

 then been made. The fastest time to wagon previously was 

 2m. Sis. This heat in 2m. 28s. was three seconds better. 

 It is true that Flora afterwards wiped that out, and went 

 three seconds better still ; and also true that George Wilkes 

 has since equalled her wagon-time, — 2m. 25s. I will even 

 state my confident belief that Dexter can beat that quite 

 handily ; but, nevertheless, we must remember that this race 

 with Highland Maid was thirteen years ago, and, at the time, 

 it was esteemed a wonderful performance. 



In the second heat. Flora did not do so well. She broke 

 and lost a deal of ground at the outset. Highland Maid 

 won the heat very handily in 2m. 32s. The third heat was 

 a very severe one. Soon after we got the word. Flora 

 changed her leg, and tried to get up ; but I was on the watch, 

 and nailed her in time. We went head and head to the 

 quarter. At the half-mile, there was not much difference. 

 On tlie lower turn, I got half a length the best of it ; but 

 somehow or another, and I could not tell just how, Flora 

 broke there and then, and Highland Maid showed me the 

 back of her wagon. But, when Flora got down again, she 

 made a very hot rush, and up the stretch she gained on 

 Highland Maid. Seeing that she was honest, and would 

 stand it, I gave her a good cut with the whip as we neared 

 the score. She darted on to Highland Maid; and they 

 struggled home together, making it a dead heat in 2m. 32s. 



The fourth heat was unfavorable to us. Flora broke twice. 

 The Other mare trotted steadily, and won easily in 2m. 33a. 



