Page:Annals of horsemanship (1792).djvu/108

 then slackened their pace, and came gently together to the flat, when they ran at the top of their speed above half a mile, in which they prevail'd by turns; whilst new wagers echoed from the Betting Gap and cords every moment. And now Shakespear having indulg'd a little pull, in order to have something in hand at coming in, was thrown two lengths behind, and the other two continued close together, stuck and cut every yard, when he made a loose, as his last effort, and catch'd them within twenty yards of the ending post, dead run, and their riders almost exhausted; when Partner broke down, and Looby yielded the victory, scarcely by half the head, and with it his life, for he died immediately after the heat.

"The weather is extremely fine, abundance of good company, and the battle was so equal, that the vanquish'd disdain'd to mourn, and the victor refus'd to triumph.