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full speed, and on the horses lie had selected for the performance, to 

 the number of which there was no limit. As the day approached, 

 betting became brisk, and on the night before 100 to 40 was freely laid 

 against time, while a bet of 1000 to 100 was taken by Gully, who 

 backed the Squire heavily, against his accomplishing the distance in 

 nine hours. Of this Toe Squire took a large part. 



As early as six o'clock on Saturday morning all was prepared at the 

 Duke's Stand, near the Devil's Ditch ; stoves were lit, and every accom- 

 modation afforded for the assemblage of the parties interested. Four 

 miles had previously been measured on the round course, commencing 

 and ending opposite the stand parallel to the Cambridge Gap, and on 

 this spot a turf stage was erected for the purpose of ]Mr. Osbaldeston 

 mounting and dismounting ; of this he made no use, from the difficulty 

 of getting the horses to stand in position, but got the "leg-up " instead. 

 An area was enclosed with ropes and stakes to keep the start and finish 

 clear of people, and this was found most useful. 



Mr. Osbaldeston arrived on the scene in a post-chaise at 7 a.m., attired 

 in his racing colours of purple silk jacket, black velvet cap, doeskin 

 breeches and top boots. His weight, with saddle and bridle, was 

 estimated at list. 3lb. The saddles on which he rode were covered 

 with sheep skins v«ith the wool on, and it was arranged that each horse 

 at one start should perform four miles. Mr. John Edward Bowater 

 acted umpire for Colonel Charrite, and Mr. T. Thellusson for Mr. 

 Osbaldeston. They were prepared with stop-watches which at the 

 start were set going and placed together in a box. 



The morning was extremely unfavourable, commencing with a 

 drizzling rain which increased to a downpour accompanied by a high 

 and piercingly cold wind. This did not damp the spirits of the rider 

 who was in the greatest glee and fullest confidence of success, offering 

 any odds he won or an even thousand guineas that he did the journey 

 in nine hours, but betting was at a standstill. 



At precisely 7.12 a.m. he was started, riding a mare called Emma. 



Here follows in BeJVs Life a record of the time taken by each of the 

 fifty mounts to cover their four miles, but I shall merely relate the 

 leading particulars. 



The first twenty-four miles, including stoppages for mounting 

 and dismounting, were done in two minutes under the hour. His 

 tenth mount, Clasher, broke down and came in at a trot, but the 

 40 miles were covered in Ihr. 40imin., and the 48 miles in 2hr. Imin. 5sec. 

 On his fifteenth mount (Emma for the second time) Mr. Osbaldeston 

 went to the wrong side of a post, but immediately turned and went 

 back to the point of error. This round completed 60 miles, which were 

 covered in 2hr. 33min. Long since wet to the skin, Mr. O. now took a 

 little weak brandy and water, up to which he had taken nothing except 

 a small piece of gum arable which he held in his mouth. Seventy miles 

 were done one minute under the three hours, and the 72 miles in four 

 minutes beyond the three hours. At the end of 80 miles the rain 



