The Leviathans vs. The Luzboroughs 189 



by a reputable correspondent in the midst of the scenes 

 and inhaling their atmosphere. This correspondent's wife 

 made a special exception of this great event and let him 

 leave home, but only on condition that he would bring 

 her "a handsome bonnet 'she needed one* and the 

 baby a hat." Confident of his superior judgment of a 

 horse, and overjoyed at her generosity, he promised to 

 bring his wife two handsome bonnets and the baby a dozen 

 hats. 



"Upon arriving in town," says this unchained husband, 

 writing in The Spirit of June 2, "I found it perfectly full; 

 at one of the hotels I heard the proprietor telling the bar- 

 keeper that in case he had to receive more company, 

 there was still room for six on the floor. But still they 

 came like flocks of wild pigeons visiting the settlements; 

 some of them doubtless resembling the pigeons in other 

 particulars; and where pigeons abound hawks will hover, 

 so of the latter there was at least quantum suff" 



From tavern to tavern flew many and conflicting rumors, 

 and many secrets: the "Leviathan party" were trying 

 to buy Picton at $16,000 and bet all they could, play or 

 pay, against him; Picton had let down and his sinew was 

 like a hoop; Col. Wynn had been asked about it and 

 had answered that Picton was as fine as silk; Leila was 

 better than Picton at any distance, anyhow, and she 

 would be selected for the race; and, lastly, there would 

 be no race at all. 



The truth was that Picton's right fore leg was found 

 to be sprung which caused an enlargement in the tendon. 

 All efforts to remove the inflammation and ally the fever 

 in time for the race proved futile and Pankey announced, 

 on the day before that set for the race, that Leila would 

 represent the blood of her sire. Then the betting com- 

 menced at 2 and 3 to i on the Leviathan, which was freely 



