272 THE HOUSE. 



mile was 2.08. The crowd clieered them as they ran lapped 

 past the stand, at which Grey Eagle pricked up his ears 

 and set to work in earnest, shaking oif Wagner at the next 

 turn. The race had now commenced ; Stephen braced his horse 

 as well as he was able, and kept him up to his rate down the 

 entire length of the back stretch. At the Oakland House Cato 

 again called on Wagner, and steel and catgut came into play. 

 The gallant gray led clear to the turn, and half way up the 

 stretch, Stephen beginning to use his whip-hand, and to give 

 the nonpareil under him an occasional eye-opener with the spur. 

 This mile was run in 1.52. They passed the stand neck and 

 neck, Emily being already nearly out of her distance. From 

 the stand to the first turn the ground is descending, and here 

 almost invariably Grey Eagle gained upon Wagner, who kept 

 up one steady stride from end to end, without flinching or fal- 

 tering, and able always to do a little Tnoi^e when persuaded by 

 the cold steel with which Cato plied him ever and anon through- 

 out the heat. We said they passed the stand on the second mile 

 neck and neck ; when they reached the turn Grey Eagle had 

 got in front, but no sooner had they come into straight work on 

 the back side, than Wagner made a most determined challenge 

 and locked him ; the contest was splendid, and was maintained 

 with unflinching game and spirit; at the end of 700 yards, 

 however, Grey Eagle had the best of it, for in spite of Cato's 

 most desperate efibrts Wagner could only reach Stephen's knee ; 

 Grey Eagle seemed able, after a brush of one hundred yards, to 

 come again with renewed vigor, if well braced, for a dozen 

 strides. Down the descent on the last half mile Grey Eagle 

 maintained his advantage, but on ascending towards the stand 

 Wagner's strength told, and they came through under whip and 

 spur, Wagner having his head and neck in front, running this 

 mile in 1.55. Stephen was here instructed to take a strong pull 

 on his horse, and to " heejp him moving^' while " ram the spurs 

 into him;' were the orders to Cato. The result was, that Wag- 

 ner came in front, and the pace down the entire back stretch 

 was tremendous, both being kept up to their rate by the most 

 terrible punishment. Unfoi-tunately, Stephen was directed to 

 " talce the track'' about opposite the Oakland House, instead of 

 putting the issue on a brush up the last 200 yards of the heat. 



