CHAPTER X 



WAGNER rs. GRAY EAGLE 



These two races between Wagner and Gray 

 Eagle are regarded as among the most splendid 

 events ever run in the South, and full description 

 of them from the pen of the brilliant William T. 

 Porter is given here. The account of these 

 races, and particularly of the second one, is 

 generally accepted as the most perfect specimen 

 of race reporting done in this or in foreign 

 lands. Mr. Porter's description reads almost like 

 romance, but those who saw the contests with a 

 critical eye agreed that the account was correct 

 to the smallest incident. There is joy in read- 

 ing it. 



" The occasion of this brilliant assemblage 

 was the stake for all ages, four-mile heats, which 

 closed on the ist of January, 1839, with ten sub- 

 scribers, at $2000 each, half forfeit. There were 

 ten nominations to this stake, but only four 

 came to the post on Monday, the 30th of 



