The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-16 00:00:00

WALKING AGAINST TIME.

An occurrence took place on Friday last which
has excited considerable interest among the military
and sporting circles. Lieutenant Thomas, of the
2d battalion of the 32d Foot, stationed at Ful wood
garrison, who has on previous occasions executed
some feats of endurance in pedestrianism, lately
alleged, in presence of some of his brother officers
during mess, that he could walk, fully accoutred as
P. private soldier, and armed with rifle and bayonet,
60 miles within 20 hours. Bets were freely offered,
which Lieutenant Thomas as freely accepted, and
£3OO to £lOO was staked in various sums against
him. The 60 miles to be gone over were fixed to be
on the turnpike-road between Preston to Lancaster.
He commenced his walk at a quarter past three
o'clock on Friday morning, the starting point
being the first milestone from Preston, opposite
a promenade known as the Ladies' Walk. He
was fully accoutred in the full marching condi-
tion of a private soldier, with rifle and knapsack, kit,
bayonet, and 20 rounds of ammunition, the whole
weighing about 561 b. He was accompanied by two
referees, Captain Beale, of the 10th Regiment, and
Lieut. Duncombe, of the 41st, Lieut. Garforth, of
the 32d Infantry, being umpire; these were accom-
modated in a conveyance. The gallant pedestrian
started off in hearty spirits, and arrived at Garstang,
10 miles on his route, at 6 o'clock. Here he par-
took of a cup of tea, and then pushed on for Lan-
caster, making the good old town at 9.30. He im-
mediately turned his face again for Garstang, where
he arrived precisely at half-past 12. He again re-
turned to Lancaster, arriving at 6 p,m. He recruited
himself at the King's Arms there for 15 minutes,
and then commenced the concluding portion of his
task—his return to Preston, where he arrived, or at
least he arrived at the winning post outside the
town, at 10.50, having accomplished his extraor-
dinary feat in 25 minutes less than the stipu-
lated time—viz., in 19 hours 35 minutes. He
had intended walking from Preston to Lan-
caster and back, and then to Garstang and back
to Preston, but finding the road between Gar-
stang and Lancaster best served his purpose, and
there being on that portion less probability of a
crowd of spectators, ho chose to traverse that part
of the road twice, instead of the Southern half of
the journey. When he arrived at Broughton, about
three miles from Preston, he was met by a large
number of persons, who cheered him lustily when
he came in sight, there appearing to be general
satisfaction at the accomplishment of the feat,
which, considering the weight Lieutenant Thomas
had to carry, was most extraordinary. For the last
few miles he exhibited manifest signs of exhaustion,
but gamely kept on, and won, as we have said, with
25 minutes to spare. When Mr. Thomas first took
up the challenge bets of 3 to 1 against him were
freely offered, but as the day approached confi-
dence in his ability to perform the task became
strengthened, and the betting became even. So
confident was he of his own powers of endurance
that on the evening before the match he backed
himself at 5 to 1 to accomplish the feat.