ARIEL'S CONDITIOX. 203 



given by the owner of Ariel, at the dinner table in the club 

 room, on the 4 th inst., to run Ariel four-mile heats ^ against 

 any nag to he nanied^ for $1,000 on each turn or qua/rter pole, 

 four turns to the mile^ and $10,000 on the main race. This was 

 not taken. On the daj following, he gave a second challenge, 

 to run Ariel four-mile heats, against any horse, mare or gelding 

 that might then le named., that day six weeks, for $20,000, 

 which was accepted by Dr. Wyche, of Korth Carolina, who 

 najned Flirtilla, and oiFered to increase the bet to $50,000, 

 which was not acceded to. A gentleman present, confederate 

 with the owner of Ariel, a few minutes afterward, made two 

 other bets with Dr. Wyche, of $5,000 each ; thus the match, 

 although nominally for $20,000, was, in point of effect, for 

 $30,000. By a subsequent arrangement, the distance was al- 

 tered from four to three-mile heats, ^nd the 31st of that month 

 — October — agreed upon as the day of trial. The gray filly, 

 which had been trained for the race, between her and Lafayette, 

 by Mr. Eichard Jackson, — who, I must in justice say, brought 

 her to the post in tip-top order, — was taken out of his hands, 

 and her future management, or preparation, confided to Mr. 

 Samuel Laird, a trainer of some experience, whose recent 

 success had rendered him popular ; and Flirtilla, who had 

 heretofore been trained by Gen. Wynn's black servant Charles, 

 under the General's superintendence, was now put under the 

 direction of Mr. William R. Johnson. Ariel also changed her 

 rider ; and, in place of Black Hany, who had ridden her ad- 

 mirably against Lafayette, Mr. Laird's nephew, Madison Laird, 

 was chosen as her jockey. Bob Wooden rode Flirtilla. 



After the termination of the regular purse races, on the 6th 

 inst., business called me to the North ; I did not return until the 

 30th, consequently, had viewed neither of the horses during this 

 latter part of their train. Some of my friends who had taken a 

 pretty deep interest, were desirous that I would examine their 

 condition and give my opinion. Li pursuance of which, I re- 

 paired to the stables, on the afternoon immediately preceding 

 the day of the race, and was politely permitted, by the owners 

 of the respective horses, to take a view. I found Ariel by no 

 means in the order to be desired ; her coat was harsh, and her 

 skin clapped down tight, exhibiting infallible signs of her having 



