300 THE HORSE. 



Now came otf the great race of the day — the struggle be- 

 tween Boston and Mariner. The former was backed in the 

 morning at 100 to 30, and before the start at 100 to 20, which 

 were not taken with alacrity. Boston had the pole, but retained 

 it for a few yards only, Mariner going to the front, on the first 

 turn, and leading by several lengths. The pace for the first 

 mile was so slow as 2.13, Mariner cutting out the work ; he in- 

 creased his rate in the second mile, which was run in about 

 2.05, opening the gap on the backside between Boston and him- 

 self, while Boston lessened it a little in the straight, running in 

 front. In the third mile, the pace was still further improved, 

 both horses tasting the persuaders freely ; the fourth mile was 

 yet more desperately contested, though without much change 

 in the position of the horses. Boston, who was ridden by Gil. 

 without spurs, was most severely scored in coming home ; but 

 as it was all in vain, he pulled up inside the distance stand. 

 Mariner came in amidst the most tremendous shouts in 8.13. 



The friends of Old Whitenose were undismayed by the loss 

 of the heat, and he still retained the call in the betting at about 

 100 to 80. As in the former heat Joe Laird went away with 

 the lead, and driving his horse at a much better pace than 

 before. At the south turn, in the commencement of the second 

 mile, the old horse showed a taste of his old style of going, chal- 

 lenged for the lead and gained it in a twinkling. ISTo respite 

 however was given by Joe to Mariner, who ran well up through- 

 out that and tlie following mile, though the running was strongly 

 forced by Gil. Patrick. In the first quarter of the fourth mile, 

 in very nearly the j)lace where Fashion made her run, Joe went 

 up with a rush, took the track with apparent ease, continued to 

 urge his horse with whip and spur, and widening the gap 

 with every stride. Before they came into straight running 

 home, he was leading by six or eight lengths, and the race was 

 apparently safe. But here Gil. Patrick brought uj) his nag in 

 a style quite incomparable ; such a rush we do not remember 

 ever to have seen made ; the old horse appeared to sympathize 

 with his eager rider, and showed all of that speed which has 

 won for him his great renown. Joe did not appear to be aware 

 of his close proximity till he came within the gates, when he 

 too found his whip and plied it lustily. The thing was out, how- 



