Ill 



Third heat. — The word is given, and in an instant the three have 

 dashed off again within a few feet of each otlier. Minor is in the lead, 

 but the others are close upon him in pursuit. No change of position 

 took place until the end of the first round, when Rosa Lee came up with 

 Millwood to Minor's side, and they passed the stand in a rank of three. 

 During the second mile Minor drew out again a little in advan(;e, but the 

 field is not to be shaken off; the nearest head now touches his loins, and 

 the whole are urged to still greater speed; Rosa Lee and Millwood are 

 drawing up closer and closer; they are gaining little by little; inch by 

 inch they creep up ; on reaching the last half mile they are all together 

 in a cluster; no jostling and running against eaidi other, so as to retard 

 each other's flight, but each keeping his own line, and moving with an 

 even, steady stride. Now come the moments of anxious excitement; 

 among the spectators the interest thickens; Minor finding himself so 

 nearly overtaken, exerts himself to his utmost ability to maintain his ad- 

 vantage : 



" Vires acquirit eundo ; " 



his former rate of speed, gi-eat as it was, seems almost in a moment to 

 be doubled ; catgut and steel are busily at work; on, on they fly; hope 

 lends wings to each ; they rush through the blach masses that gather 

 around them in the middle of the course, in the last quarter stretch, 

 hiding them from sight, then emerging with rapid pace again into full 

 view, the throng through which they had passed closing upon them and 

 effacing every trace of their passage, as the waves do that of a ship ; a 

 drowsy murmur is now heard, like a soft, steady breeze, threading its way 

 through the tops of lofty pine trees; a buzzing sound, distinct and tune- 

 ful, like the distant fall of water, or like the humming of the Hybla 

 bees, poised in air, making gentle music with their busy wings; as yet 

 there is no irrecoverable advantage on the side of either; they are ap- 

 proaching the distance post, all striving to their uttermost ; but vain the 

 effort now, of Millwood or of Rosa Lee, Minor has sprung nobly forward, 

 with a quickened flight, like a falcon darting on his prey, and passed 

 the chair a gallant winner by several lengths; the colors of Singleton, 

 like a banner of victory, fluttering in the breeze. 



On returning to scale, cheers upon cheers made the welkin ring, in 

 honor of the winner, by the quickly gathering crowd. 



Thus did this remarkable little horse win for his popular owner a se- 

 cond gallant contest during the week; he is certainly a wonderful little 

 horse, with form and action denoting strength and grace; light and elas- 

 tic in his tread, like Iphlclus, who was said to have been so light of foot 



