ittle ahead, so I could see how his horse moved.

We were going along in this way for the first mile, when he looked
back and said, "Come on, Devol, or you will have to pay for the
wine."

I replied, "All right, I will do it, as I do not want to lose the
bet."

I gave "Duke" the word, and he got right down to business and passed
Dueane so quick that he did not know what to make of the old plug.
After I got about 100 feet ahead of him, I looked back and told
him to come on or he would have to pay for the wine. He tried very
hard to catch me, but it was no use, as "Duke" was not that kind
of a horse.

I was at the lake, out of my wagon, and had the blanket on the
"Duke of Orleans," when Dueane drove up. I could see that he was
not in good humor. He got and hitched his horse, and then we walked
over to the hotel to get the bottle of wine. I began laughing at
him, and wanted to know what he thought of the "Duke" as a $50
plug, when he let drive at me. I ducked my head, and he hit it a
pretty hard lick. I started for him, but some of the officers
jumped in between us and put a stop to the fight, and in a little
while he apologized and we were drinking together. I could have
whipped him, for I was in my prime at that time; but I was glad
they separated us, as I did not want to have any trouble with the
police.

While we were drinking and talking about the race, a great big
colonel of a New York regiment, who was pretty drunk, spoke up and
said, "I can whip any man that will do anything to Dueane."

I knew he had reference to me; but the room was full of shoulder-
strapped fellows, and I did not want any of his chicken pie just
then, so I paid no attention to his remarks. He kept on with his
abuse, and I was just itching to get at him, but knew I would not
stand a fair show unless some of my friends should drop in, which
I expected they would do before long, as it was a little early for
the town boys.

In a short time a friend of mine, by the name of Joe Summers, and
a crowd of New Orleans boys came in. Then I knew I would have a
fair show, so I walked up to the big colonel and said, "You are a
big lubber, and can't fight just a little bit."

Up went his hands, but before he could lead off I gave him one
under the chin, and he measured his length on the floor. My friends
were all around us in an instant, and Joe Summers said that it
should be a fair fight. I was ready to give him my head when he
got up,