32 The American Thoroughbred 



hung together with unabating energy, and at a rat- 

 tling pace. One moved with a strong and steady 

 stride, whilst the other two, light and agile as 

 fawns, bounded along without an apparent effort. 

 It was impossible to predict what the result would 

 be. As they passed under the string and com- 

 menced the last mile, their riders leaned a little 

 forward, and gathered up their reins with a closer 

 and stronger grasp — not to check the speed of 

 their coursers, but evidently to obtain additional 

 power to brace and steady the good animals they 

 strode, knowing the great struggle was soon to 

 come, and that they would have to hurry them 

 on still faster and faster if possible, by the aid of 

 whip and spur ! All three jockeys seemed now, by 

 simultaneous impulse, to buiy their spurs at the 

 same moment in their horses' flanks. Thus 

 goaded, the excited animals darted forward with 

 a more furious speed — a magnificent struggle 

 commenced — they flew along the back stretch, 

 like swallows on the wing, past the gates ; then, 

 in as little time as it takes us to indite it, rushed 

 round into the straight home run, like arrows, shot 

 " ' From some hunter's strong, unerring bow,' 



flying so straight, and true to the mark, and with 

 such velocity, as to be almost in their rapid flight, 



