iVhen Boston's Best Sons Met 279 



home at a high rate of speed, making the best 

 heat by far that he had ever made in his Hfe, 

 although as the red flag descended he barely 

 escaped being caught behind it. 



" Lexington soon after the heat appeared much 

 distressed, but he recovered during the recess. 

 Reube, also, after the heat showed evident symp- 

 toms that he had been running a harder race 

 than he liked. Lecompte, who, to all appear- 

 ances, had run much more at his ease and with 

 less effort than his competitors, not having been 

 spurred during the heat, was but little distressed, 

 considering the great time and the heat of the 

 day. 



" The betting was changed about immediately, 

 not less from the result of the previous heat than 

 from the great apparent exertion that Lexington 

 had made while running, and the aspect and con- 

 dition of the horses after the heat. Reube's 

 chance was considered hopeless with two such 

 competitors against him. Most of the bets now 

 made were for the purpose of hedging, and 

 Lecompte was the favorite at one hundred to 

 forty against the field. 



" Each horse came up for the second heat with 

 crest erect, and with a defiant demeanor cast 



