52 The American Thoroughbred 



formidable instrument, however, that was chosen 

 to do so much execution and afford such sport, 

 proved blunt and unworthy, not even grazing 

 the side of the monster of the deep. Harpoon, 

 though not being able to make any headway 

 against Shark, nevertheless proved a good horse 

 and won many fine races. 



With the same object that Harpoon was matched 

 against Shark, a horse was also selected to defeat 

 and put down Commerce. He was named Pri' 

 vateer. This clipper (for he was a horse of great 

 foot) did not prove fast enough, however, to over- 

 haul his anticipated prize, and, like Harpoon, had 

 to retire " inglorious from the field." 



General M'Pherson bought from Colonel Al- 

 ston his Brilliant Mare, and his brood mare Hope, 

 with her filly by Marplot, besides importing, from 

 England, Star by Highflyer out of a mare by Snap, 

 — a very promising stallion from the appearance 

 of his colts, when he left England ; also Fire Brand, 

 a ch. c. by Buzzard out of Fanny, own sister to 

 King Fergus ; a br. f. got by Sir Peter out of Vival- 

 di's dam by Mercury, — this filly was trained and 

 ran under the name of Cinderella; a roan colt, 

 own brother to the brown filly mentioned above ; 

 a large b. f. by Sir Peter, dam by Woodpecker; a 



