When Boston's Best Sons Met 287 



of the betting had been done in town, and there 

 were but few left who dared to brave the Hon 

 in his lair. 



" The conflicting opinions which had been gen- 

 erally expressed in regard to the terms of the 

 match and of its mode of performance caused a 

 great general excitement, each party in turn ex- 

 pressing his views as to the right of the points 

 discussed ; namely, that of allowing horses to 

 start with Lexington to urge him to an increased 

 speed, and the propriety of giving the horse a 

 running start. 



" The judges, however, ended the matter by de- 

 ciding that he could do both. The decision gave 

 very general satisfaction. 



" Gil Patrick, upon Lexington, now prepared for 

 action, and as he started up the stretch on his 

 proud courser to do that which no other horse 

 had ever attempted, the man and horse formed a 

 beautiful and perfect picture. He turned Lexing- 

 ton around just below the draw-gates, and as he 

 reached the judges' stand, when the drum tapped, 

 the horse was at the pace which it was intended 

 he should run. To our mind he was run too fast 

 the first mile, which he accomplished in 147 J 

 — the first half-mile in 53 seconds. Upon reach- 



