Eclipse and Henry 157 



them to the end of the third mile, was close up, 

 say nose and tail. They now entered upon the 

 fourth and last mile, which commences with a 

 turn or sweep the moment you leave the starting 

 post. Here the crowd was immense; I was at 

 this moment on horseback, stationed down the 

 stretch or straight run, a short distance below 

 the winning post, in company with a friend and 

 Buckley, the jockey, who kept close to me during 

 the whole race. We pushed out into the centre, 

 or open space of the ground, in order to obtain a 

 more distinct view of the struggle, which we saw 

 making, for the lead. 



" Everything depended upon this effort of 

 Purdy ; well he knew it ; his case was a desperate 

 one, and required a desperate attempt; it was to 

 risk all, for all ; he did not hesitate. When the 

 horses had got about one-third of the way round 

 the sweep they had so far cleared the crowd as to 

 afford us a distinct view of them a little before 

 they reached the centre of the turn. 



" Eclipse had lapped Henry about head and 

 girth and appeared evidently in the act of passing. 

 Here Buckley vociferated, ' See Eclipse ! look at 

 Purdy ! By heaven, on the inside ! ' I was all 

 attention. Purdy was on the left hand, or inside 



