48 THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



But now a circumstance occurred which raised 

 a deafening shout from the partizans of the North. 

 Purdy was to ride. How his scruples had been 

 overcome did not appear, but there he stood be- 

 fore us, and was mounting Eclipse. Again, amidst 

 breathless suspense, the word " Go ! " was heard, 

 and again Sir Henry took the inside track, and 

 kept the lead for more than two miles and a half. 

 Eclipse followed close on his heels and, at short 

 intervals, attempted to pass. At every spurt he 

 made to get ahead, Randolph's high-pitched and 

 penetrating voice was heard each time shriller 

 than before: 'You can't do it, Mr. Purdy! You 

 can't do it, Mr. Purdy! You can't do it, Mr. 

 Purdy!' But Mr. Purdy did do it. And as he took 

 the lead what a roar of excitement went up ! Tens 

 of thousands of dollars were in suspense, and, 

 although I had not a cent depending, I lost my 

 breath, and felt as if a sword had passed through 

 me. Purdy kept the lead and came in a length or 

 so ahead. The horses had run eight miles, and 

 the third heat was to decide the day. The con- 

 fidence on the part of the Southern gentlemen 

 was abated. The manager of Sir Henry rode up 



