rst nine miles over bare ground. The news spread over the city of
St. John with almost incredible rapidity. Excitement filled the mind of
everybody. No telegraphic despatches could furnish details as at the
present. On they trotted side by side over the smooth surface of the St.
John river, which course had been taken after the first nine miles.
Whips were freely used upon the flagging animals. Sometimes Captain
H---- kept ahead, in another minute Larry was quite a distance in
advance. On, on the infuriated animals raced to the heavy lashes of
their merciless drivers. Whip after whip was broken; still on they went
over the glittering surface, the only sound the ceaseless crackling of
whips and the ring of hoofs upon the still frosty atmosphere. About nine
miles from Fredericton, as those heartless sportsmen were madly urging
on their jaded beasts, a well-known lumber merchant of the town was
accosted by the leader demanding a whip, which, one is sorry to
acknowledge, was given. They had used the whole bundle, and mercilessly
begged for more. Still on they came, the exhausted animals panting and
ready to fall. The goal must be reached. Fredericton must be the only
stopping place. One at least was to be disappointed. Four miles have yet
to be passed. Larry Stivers is ahead, with visions of hopeful victory
before him. He is suddenly stopped. One of the brave animals dropped
dead on the spot. Hope instantly vanished. Captain H---- wins the race,
while the former arrives shortly after his contestant with the dead
animal upon the sleigh. Fredericton is reached. A distance of
eighty-five miles is trotted in six hours and thirty minutes, inclusive
of twenty minutes for rest and dinner. This wonderful feat caused
general astonishment. Hundreds drove from Fredericton to meet the
contestants, while crowds gathered to see the effect thus produced upon
the poor exhausted animals. Soldiers were in attendance upon their
arrival, almost dragging them up the bank. Being rubbed and dosed they
were soon restored. The horse that dropped had been substituted for the
famous "Tanner," and not having sufficient training was unequal to the
task. The surviving animal, belonging to Larry Stivers, afterwards
became one of the best and fastest horses in the Province. This incident
is not introduced to interest horsemen, but merely to show how far men's
judgment may be led astray by the force of such ruling passions.

To return to our narrative. Hear