crowd at last became so dense that horsemen were fain to desert
the high road, and take short cuts wherever an open gate or an easily
crossed fence opened the way. Following a group of well-mounted
gentlemen, I cleared a low wall into a spacious grass field, over which
we cantered, and beyond this, by leaping an easy ditch, into another of
the same kind, till at length we saw the vast crowds that blackened a
hill in front, and, beneath them, could distinguish the fluttering
flags that marked the course, and the large floating standard of the
winning-post.

What a grand sight was that! For what is so imposing a spectacle as vast
myriads of people stirred by one interest, and animated by one absorbing
passion? Every one has nowadays seen something of the kind, therefore
I shall not linger to tell of the impression it made upon my youthful
senses. The first race had already come off; but the second, and the
great event of the day, was yet to take place.

It was a steeplechase by "gentlemen riders" over a very severe line of
country; several fences of most break-neck character having been added
to the natural difficulties of the ground.

Mounted on my splendid barb, I rode boldly forward till I reached the
field through which the first ditch ran,--a deep and wide trench, backed
by a low rail,--a very formidable leap, and requiring both stride and
strength to clear it.

"Some of 'em will tail off, when they sees that!" said an English groom,
with a knowing wink; and the words were only out when, at a "slapping
canter," the riders were seen coming down the gently sloping hill. Three
rode nearly abreast; then came a single horseman; and, after him, an
indiscriminate mass, whose bright and party-colored jackets glowed like
a rainbow.

I watched them with a breathless interest; as they came nearer they
widened the space between them, and each cast a rapid but stealthy
glance at his neighbor. One--he rode a powerful black horse--took the
lead, and, dashing at the leap, his horse rose too soon, and fell,
chested against the opposite bank, the rider under him; the next swerved
suddenly round and balked; the third did the same; so that the leading
horseman was now he who rode alone at first. Quickening his speed as he
came on, he seemed actually to fly; and when he did take the fence, it
was like the bound of a cannon-shot,--up, and over at once! Of the
rest, some two or three followed well; others pulled short up; while the