66 EARLY RACING DAYS. 



six post-horses attached to such an uncommon and 

 strange-looking machine. At some of the towns 

 through which it passed three pairs of horses could 

 not be obtained ; at others it was thought advisable 

 to have but two pairs. The distance from Good- 

 wood to Doncaster (about 250 miles) was divided 

 into three sections of about eighty miles jper diem. 

 At the end of the second day, which was a Satur- 

 day, Elis and The Drummer were taken out of the 

 van, and galloped on the following morning on Lich- 

 field race-course ; and on Monday morning they 

 proceeded on their way to Doncaster, where they 

 arrived in the evening (two days before the St 

 Leger), to the undisguised amazement of thousands 

 of beholders. 



As it required some time to complete the neces- 

 sary preparations for unvanning the two horses, a 

 multitude assembled at the Turf Tavern to witness 

 the disembarkation of the mysterious favourite, 

 Elis, who a few days previously was supposed to 

 be still at Goodwood, and not likely to put in an 

 appearance at Doncaster. When Elis was landed 

 upon terra Jirrtia he shook himself vigorously, and 

 walked unconcernedly into his stable. At the 

 betting-rooms in the evening all sorts of conjectures 

 were rife, and the odds fluctuated a good deal. 

 In the morning Elis was taken out upon the race- 

 course accompanied by The Drummer, and the two 

 went a good gallop. The rapid strides and healthy 

 appearance of the Goodwood favourite so satisfied 



