228 
THE LATE STEEPLE CHASE 
loins in belts. Both wore silk jackets and jockey caps. It was 
after five o’clock before they mounted and prepared for the race. 
In the interim, the whole line they had to take had been marked 
by flags at convenient distances. The dusk of evening, with a 
slight fog, had supplanted the previous brightness of the day, 
and many had actually quitted the ground, giving up all hope of 
their promised amusement. At last the word was given, and 
off went the competitors at a slashing speed. Moonraker took 
the lead—Grimaldi, as had been previously announced by Mr. 
Osbaldeston, waiting close upon him. About a mile and a half 
or two miles from the starting-post, Mr. Seffert, after taking his 
leap, swerved towards a stile, but again cut in, making an angle. 
Mr. Osbaldeston, on the contrary, kept the direct line, and, he 
says, accidentally came in contact with Mr. Seffert as he again 
took up his straight running. We are informed that Mr. Seffert 
complained of this, and exclaimed, that, whatever was the re¬ 
sult of the race, he should mention the fact. He then went on, 
still waited on by Grimaldi, till within half a mile of home, where, 
after crossing a fence, he went towards a gate, expecting to get 
a more direct line for the destined goal; while Mr. Osbaldeston 
quickened his speed, and dashed straight forward. Mr. Seffert 
found he was mistaken, and again got into the field with Mr. 
Osbaldeston, who had, by Mr. Seffert’s error, got nearly a hundred 
yards a-head. Every nerve of Moonraker w r as now urged to its 
utmost to regain the lost ground; but, from thenceforth, his 
chance was lost. Grimaldi had got the lead, and kept it; and, 
in coming through a gap in the corner of the last field, his suc¬ 
cess was put beyond a doubt. Moonraker followed, evidently 
much distressed, but incapable of additional exertion. Mr. Sef¬ 
fert seemed rather to support than to push his steed ; and seeing 
Grimaldi cross the “rubicon,” he pulled up; Grimaldi being pro¬ 
nounced, by acclamation, the winner by several lengths. 
OBJECTION TO THE STAKES BEING GIVEN UP. 
All parties, as by previous agreement, next returned to Mr. 
Elmore’s farm, towards which the horses were led; and here, on 
the umpires being called, Mr. Seffert preferred his complaint, of 
having been ridden against by Mr. Osbaldeston, and appealed 
to Mr. Osbaldeston, whether that had not been the case. Mr. 
Osbaldeston, we understand, admitted the fact; but stated most 
distinctly that he could not avoid it: it was perfectly accidental, 
and solely arising from the angle which Mr. Seffert had made. 
Mr. Elmore said he had no desire to make a wrangle, or to 
object unnecessarily to the stakes being given up ; nevertheless, 
as his rider had made the complaint, he would leave it in his 
