THE RACE. 67 



fulness it engendered. At length tlie flag dropped and we 

 were off. 



What a roar of human voices was now "borne upon the 

 breeze! "They're off!" pealed from thousands and from tens 

 of thousands of tongues. Flights of horses at reckless speed 

 thundered over the green sward towards certain points of the 

 course commanding a view of the race, and each and all wit- 

 nessing the contest seemed for the moment to be frenzied with 

 excitement. 



As soon as I could get into my stride, I rushed for the dis- 

 tinction of place by going to the front ; but Ned's steady pull 

 brought me about the middle of the ruck as we swept in a close 

 compact body up the ascent, wliich forms the commencement of 

 the Derby course. My stable companion, in accordance with 

 orders, made the running, Clearwell lying second, and, as was 

 afterwards asserted, getting some of his lasting powers spent too 

 soon in consequence of the severity of the joace. As we came 

 to the brow of the hill, several fell back, not being able to live 

 another yard in the front division ; but there was still a foimi- 

 dable cluster tearing before, beliind, and beside me, with the speed 

 of fleet-pinioned birds. Ned still held me hard as we made the 

 first turn, but in doing so he slightly slackened the pull upon 

 my jaws, and permitted me to occupy a more forward position. 

 At Tattenh am- corner, my stable companion's bolt was shot, and, 

 giving way, Clearwell took the lead with two candidates for the 

 ambitious prize lying between him and me. It was now that I 

 improved the pace. Like an arrow I shot past both of them, and 

 then, being pulled as we crossed the road, I hung, running well 

 within myself, iipon the quarters of my antagonist, Clearwell. 



" Clearwell wins ! " now rent the very air ; but as I laid my 

 head parallel with his girths, they were answered by equally 

 vociferous ones, " Sheet Anchor — Sheet Anchor wins ! " 



When just within the distance, my rival di'ew slightly in ad- 

 vance ; but a single shake of my jockey's hand brought us neck 

 and neck, nose and nose. The set-to — the final struggle — now 

 commenced. Ned called upon me to do my best, and, for the 

 fii'st time in my life, I felt the sharp rowels of his spurs in my 



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