226 Making the American Thoroughbred 



tions back. There was a little stir in diplomatic and official circles, 

 as soon as it was known that a match had been concluded between 

 the great racing secretary and the American minister, but the 

 people did not take much interest in it, or treated it as a joke, until 

 the arrival of the American horses, when it became the excitement 

 of the day, and the sporting event of the nation. The original 

 stakes were cut up. The race was to be a dash of four miles, and 

 the great discrepancy in the weights of the distinguished riders, and 

 the possible inexperience of the American, made it a sure thing, in 

 the estimation of the masses, and indeed of the whole Chili people, 

 that the Napoleonic racing secretary must win. There were many 

 foreign vessels in port, particularly English and American, and they 

 were all ready to back the American horse. As a matter of national 

 feeling the Americans would back their representative, and the 

 English, having unbounded confidence in the superiority of the de- 

 scendant of the English thoroughbred, brought out and invested their 

 guineas most liberally. The other foreign nations took their cue 

 from these two nations, and it was the purse of the foreigners against 

 that of the Chilians. The aggregate amount of stakes was simply 

 enormous. Instead of Mr. Peyton being a novice in racing matters, 

 and not knowing how to ride, as the Chilians supposed, he had a 

 most extensive and successful experience in the saddle. When a 

 school boy, he told me, he had received more whippings for running 

 off from school to ride races, than for all the other causes put together. 

 He was sought for far and near for his skill and judgment as a rider. 

 By this skill he was able to discount a considerable portion of the 

 sixty pounds overweight which he was required to carry. 



"At last the day arrived, and the whole Chili people were early 

 assembled to witness and speculate on the great contest between 

 the Chili and the American horse. The sailors were out in force, 

 and all employments were suspended. Notwithstanding the vast 

 amounts that had already been wagered, there were still a few more 

 dollars left, and the foreign element was able to meet and cover them. 

 The track was cleared and the riders mounted; Mr. Peyton, being 

 on a great, strong son of imp Leviathan, dressed in a closely fitting 

 jockey suit, looked the perfection of developed manhood and grace; 

 the secretary, dressed in the style of the country, was mounted on a 

 grey horse of great local reputation for both speed and bottom. 

 Like the horses of the country, he was under size, and had never 

 been tested with a genuine race horse. They got the word from the 

 judges at the first trial, and away they went. Mr. Peyton took a 



