"FALCON'S" PERFORMANCES. 39 



The second lie won in 14:33, and the third his antagonist 

 gave out, dead beat on the thirteenth mile, but the slowest 

 he could be made to go the last mile was 3 :20, making 

 the heat in 15 :11. At the conclusion of the race it was a 

 difficult job for two men to hold him till he was unhar- 

 nessed from the sulky, not the least distress or even leg 

 weariness being perceivable. The next day I started 

 home with him ; he bowled along the smooth road in 

 such high spirits, that it appeared as if he was elated at 

 the victory he had won, and was determined that no one 

 should think he had anything but an easy task, by hiding 

 the soreness he certainly must feel. 



Never having seen him exhibit any signs of fatigue, I 

 thought I would give him a trial, and for this purpose 

 kept him to work a couple of weeks longer. I then drove 

 him fifteen miles in 44:05, and on pulling him up, not a 

 leg trembled, or even a long inspiration betokened the 

 least distress. I then concluded to trot him twenty miles 

 in an hour, which I am positive would be an easy task for 

 him to perform, but have now changed my mind, and 

 hope to .see him doing his mile " low down in the twen- 

 ties," which I fondly think him capable of, from the 

 bursts of speed he has often surprised me with. I shall 

 ask as the greatest favor you can do me, that in lieu of 

 telling me how to drive, you will chaperon him yourself ; 

 I know he will please you when once acquainted. As you 

 remarked about the.magnetic fluid traveling from driver 

 to horse, this fellow shows it more than any I ever dealt 

 with. If I got into the wagon ill-natured, he was sure to 

 be cross too. At other times, on a fine morning like this, 

 on arriving at the top of a hill, he would stop without 

 any admonition from me ; I know he enjoys beautiful 

 scenery as well as I do. I have known him stop on a 

 bluff overlooking the Mississippi his eye would follow 



