Post Boy vs. John Bascombe 171 



jacket and spurs the glorious trophy to remain a per- 

 petual prize for all similar trials of speed and bottom." 



Neither Bascombe nor Post Boy had seemed distressed 

 by the first heat and both came up fresh for the second. 



After some trouble in starting they got away neck 

 and neck, Post Boy on the outside, and went to the end 

 of the first mile in two minutes, without apparent effort. 



"On passing the stand, Post Boy received a hint to increase his 

 stride, and Willis, wide awake, but cool, let go his horse a little by 

 the head. The pace mended at once, Bascombe still leading by a 

 throat latch, and Willis keeping him there. This mile and the third 

 were both run in i : 56, the horses locked all the way, and so close 

 together that the knees of their jockeys were knocking against each 

 other both, too, going the pace, as the time shows, at a flight of 

 speed. 



"So beautiful and spirited a contest was never witnessed in 

 America. 



"On sweeping round the first curve of the last mile the gallant 

 little fellow on Post Boy set-to in sporting style. He had long been 

 finessing to get a pull at his horse, to bottle him up for a desperate 

 brush. But Willis gave him no respite he knew both horses like 

 a book and his judgment of pace told him, that to make the race a 

 safety Post Boy must be allowed no let up to recover his wind. 

 Bascombe was creeping ahead gradually as they got on to the back 

 side, when but one chance remaining for Post Boy, little Gil seized 

 upon it, determined to do or die. Catching his horse by the head, 

 the rowels were laid in up to the shank, claret was tapped, and his 

 whip-hand at work. Under persuasions like these Post Boy drew 

 out a head and neck in front, but Bascombe maintained his stride 

 steadily as they went along the great sweep on the back side, the 

 pace getting more and more severe as they neared the hill. Leaning 

 forward as they came to the dangerous corner, Willis grazed his 

 glossy side with the spur, and the noble animal under him justified 

 his training by instantly recovering his position, and they came down 

 to the last turn at a slashing rate, running a dead-lock the whole 

 way. The pace now grew still more severe, and the shout that 

 went up from thousands as they dashed round upon the straight 

 run home, told of hopes and fears, how delightful to a sportsman! 

 Here Post Boy made his final struggle heels and hands were 



