43 



last, while Bertrand had contested every inch ; the trial was severe, and 

 one calculated to put game to the test. The time for rubbing down hav- 

 ing expired, and the call made for the horses, Bertrand and Aratus 

 only appeared, Kate being drawn. It was now evident to all, that this 

 would be a " go along" heat ;" " blood and bottom" was to decide it. At 

 the word, the boys were up, Bertrand had the pole ; the signal being 

 given, Aratus made a run for the lead, and succeeded in taking the track i 

 he lead off fearlessly, with a fine rating stride, under a steady pull, with 

 bold Bertrand in his track ; thus they went at a telling pace ; the first 

 round, when past the first sweep of the second mile, Bertrand went up 

 and challenged ; they were now locked, and a severe run ensued for the 

 turn. Aratus, having " taken well q^," made it handsomely, hugged 

 close round, and went along full of running ; Bertrand was compelled to 

 "• pull to him^'' and drop behind — away went Aratus, " and away went 

 he," with Bertrand " at his heels." 



The Carolinians were all anxiety and apprehension, a desponding si- 

 lence prevailed ; yet their champion, if vanquished, had maintained the 

 unequal contest nobly, and the '• honest glow of manly pride" consoled 

 every backer. Aratus pursued his rapid and deadly career, giving no 

 quarter. They now came up the stretch, passed the stand, both " going 

 the pace," and entered upon the third mile, Aratus still leading ; round 

 the turn he went, leaning well to the pole, with the speed of a quarter- 

 horse. Here, as a last effort, Bertrand again went at him, and " made 

 his besu play ;" to it they went — a desperate struggle ensued for the pole 

 at the last turn ; not a whisper was to be heard ; many a pulse beat high, 

 and many a heart quailed ; " such a pace" must tell ; Bertrand has out- 

 lasted Aratus, and now leads him. 



Aratus, however, was too game to give it up ; he kept his pull, and 

 lay close to him round the bend. They were now at the commencement 

 of the straight run in — Aratus had yet something left in him ; he went 

 up and gallantly renewed the contest ; here a last and severe rally took 

 place — ^the excitement approached to madness — a thousand tongues were 

 heard — Aratus is up ! he is going past ! — no, Bertrand leads ; they are 

 a dead lock. In this way, they came home so fast, that the riders " did 

 not know how they came."* Bertrand winning by half a neck. Time — 

 5 m., 52 sec. 



To the above Report, the Secretary of the South Carolina Jockey 

 Club adds, that Bertrand in three years — from three to five years old — 



*In the great match race between Hambletonian and Diamond, at Newmarket, 

 Oakley, wlio rode Hambletonian, describing the pace from the turn of the lands, 

 said, " they came so fast, that I did not know how they came." 



