238 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 



Ms side. They are going fast; but a few rods behind them 

 a pair of small chestnuts, with flowing manes and nervous 

 step, are rapidly approaching. This sleigh has also two 

 inmates, muffled so closely, that you can only see the blue, 

 good-humored eyes of the driver, contrasted with the 

 small, black and glistening orbs of his companion, that 

 are fairly dancing with excitement at the prospect of a 

 brush. As soon as the leader is aware of their proximity, 

 the tapering whip is allowed to fall lightly on the quarters 

 of his gallant steeds, and they respond by an increased 

 flight of speed. It is in vain : the chesnuts' heads are oppo- 

 site the cutter as they rush under Clark-street Bridge as 

 they emerge from the shadow, they are lapped, and in the 

 next one hundred yards are gliding rapidly away, the 

 grand bays pawing frantically in the air. Yonder come 

 two of the fastest, rigged to skeleton sleighs. Many has 

 been the boast of what each could do with the other when 

 they came together ; yet neither seems anxious to bring 

 it to a practical test. They are jogging along quietly, when 

 one driver chirrups at his horse, and he darts away at a 

 forty clip ; but he soon pulls him up, and the other goes 

 through the same maneuver. Once more they are in 

 juxtaposition, and away they go. How rapidly they over- 

 haul those that seemed to be going so fast ! Still they are 

 head and head. The words of encouragement of their 

 respective drivers give place to quick, sharp yells, and 

 the whips are also brought in requisition. How eagerly 

 they strain for mastery! One has got the length of his 

 neck in advance, and seems still to be gaining by a quarter 

 of an inch at a stride, when up he goes ; his competitor 

 has a clear length the lead before the other recovers ; but 

 when he does regain his trot, he is going faster than ever. 

 The people on the bridges are shouting with excitement; 

 and from the decks of the vessels, that are now motionless, 

 wedged in the frigid barrier, come corresponding shouts, 



