hostility was soon manifested towards the poor fellow, which, in the end, was displayed in a most unmanly and cowardly manner.

The rivals started at a moderate pace, keeping side by side, and step for step, for the first sixty or eighty yards, when the Antelope began to make play, with a view to get away from his antagonist, and take the lead.

It was very clearly to be seen that Scanlan had increased his pace, and was making great efforts to distance his competitor; but although Jopling still kept exactly even with him, not suffering him to gain an inch of ground in advance, it was not so easy to detect an acceleration of speed in him. It seemed, indeed, as if he maintained his position more by an increased length of stride than by a more rapid movement; and it was only by watching the motions of his rival in the race, and observing that he kept pace for pace with him, that you became aware that Jopling had indeed gone beyond the easy, slouching step with which he started.

It was now evident that the Antelope had found an awkward customer, and would have to exert himself to the very utmost to maintain the high reputation he had so long borne. Several times he made a desperate effort to shake off his

troublesome companion, and at these moments the pace became absolutely astonishing. But all would not do; Jopling stuck by him like his shadow; and in this manner, like the twins of Siam, they rounded the first post together.

The men now kept on pretty steadily together until about half way home from the post, when Scanlan made another attempt to get away from his rival, and exerted every nerve and muscle for the purpose. It was all in vain that he put forth his strength, Jopling still kept side by side with him, and on his relaxing his efforts, exhausted by their violence, shot a-head of him like an arrow from a bow, and was almost instantly twelve or fifteen paces in advance.

It was now that the ill-will against the stranger, hitherto confined to words and looks, began to be displayed in deeds of the most disgraceful and dastardly nature. It seemed to be resolved upon by many of the spectators, who were doubtless deeply interested in the issue of the race, that Jopling should not win it; and that, if it were impossible for their champion to win the day, an interruption should be given to the contest, which should render it impossible for the umpires to decide to whom the palm of victory should be given.

Hitherto the ground had been kept open for the competiters, and they had had only each other's speed and judgment to contend against. Now the mob closed in upon the leading man, and thus tried to check his career. Several men and boys rushed before him, crossing and recrossing his path, and jostling him as they passed; and one ruffian spat in his face, whilst another tried to trip him with his stick, and, failing in this, struck him smartly over the shins with it.

He

The conduct of Jopling at this critical period was worthy of all admiration and applause. He seemed to be as impassible as impassable. neither looked to the right or left, uttered not a word of remonstrance or anger, did not so much as put his hand to his face when spit upon, but pushed steadily on for the goal of his ambition, and with such force and vigour, that, on a stout man pressing too closely on him, he caught him Iwith his shoulder with such violence as to send him staggering eight or ten paces, when, coming in contact with another, they both fell, and rolled on the sward together.

Encouraged by the conduct of his friends, and taking advantage of the embarrassment of his opponent, Scanlan made a last grand effort to recover

the day, and strained every nerve to overtake his rival, but all to no purpose.

As might be expected, Jopling obtained the reward his patient endurance, forbearance, and persevering energy so well merited. He strode past the winning-post a victor, and was hailed by the hearty acclamations and congratulations of his few acquaintance and backers, who had profited largely by his success. In the triumph of that moment what recked he of the sneers, and taunts, and buffetings he had had to submit to during his short but arduous struggle in the race? They were forgotten, or remembered only to give additional zest to the happiness he now experienced. If his heart yet throbbed tumultuously,—if every limb trembled from the excessive efforts he had been obliged to make,—if he felt ready to sink from fatigue, what did it matter now? He had reached his journey's end, and rest, tranquillity, and enjoyment were now secured to him.

I was on horseback; and on seeing the attack made on Jopling, when near the end of his race, I pushed towards him with a sort of instinctive feeling to attempt his succour, but the crowd was too dense to admit of my getting close to him without trampling the people under my horse's hoofs. On seeing the termination of his gallant struggle,

I could resist my feelings no longer. I threw myself from my steed, pushed through the crowd, and shook him heartily by the hand.

Despite his evident fatigue, in the proud smile that now lit up his countenance, and in the erect figure, I could hardly recognise the awkward, heavy-looking man who had started for the prize but a few minutes before. It might be that the victory he had won had really metamorphosed him, or, as I all along suspected, he had made the most of natural imperfections with a view to mislead people, and so induce them to back his adversary the more freely, a proceeding hardly to be justified even by the lax ethics of the sporting world.

I know nothing of Jopling; I never saw or heard anything of him before or after his successful race. He may have been an honest, respectable man, or very much the reverse; but as I rode quietly home, I could not but reflect on his noble conduct that day, and think how he might well serve for a type and model to all Christian men in running the race that is severally set before them; and yet he did it "to obtain a corruptible crown" only.

From his first appearance on the arena he had met nothing but coolness, contempt, and ill-feel