Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-04-11
The 1kentue,.y ssssple eha.s. orrhs captain WHO

The following good story is extracted from " Lonz
Powers, or the Regulators Romance of Kentucky
/ By James Weit."
"What in the d. is a sleepe chase p exclaimed
thick set heavy parsonage. the brighter for The
liquor he had drunk. and who as he had been in the
last with England and was, like the majority of
the rural population OF Kentucky, most cordial hater
of the English, went by the name of Captain. 'Ihave
heard of toxchases, and wolf chases bear-hunts, and
Indian trails, and all such things but d-n me if ever
before heard Of such thing as chasing seeple'
90 exclaimed Bob, in slightly sneerng tone.--
for he had an object in view and knew how TO excite
his audience" seepe-chases are very common in
England, and quite an everyday occurrence with En-
glish fox hunters, but considered rather dangerous
by the sporsmen of this country
See here, Mr.. Allson,' said the Captain, in a
surly voice. as II disposed TO a quarrel, lnterrupng
him, want of your insinuations about danger
or fear On England and the English. can do
anything done by any of John Bull. and will
dare any danger dared by any Brtsher. from the
time of King Arthur "a very clever old fellow If half
they say of him be true) down TO the present hour
There that internal paroon, Polk, continued the
Captain with increased wrath, voted for him, and
Just when thought we were going to have another
brush with England about 81 deg 40 mp., and was
beating up in the neghborhood for company of voun
teers what does he do, but, like that he was,
fall back upon 40 deg and give up the whole affair
May the ID take all such rulers, say l. Why,
would have fought the Red Coats from now until the
|
ough red clay from Oregon to make Prince Albert
Dutch pipe. But 60 on you haven't told as yet what
| these steepe- chases are like
Nor will soon, if am to be snapped up you
! have Just done whenever | mention the OF an
Englishman,' replied Bob, drily.
| The Captain moved easily in his chair, as If ne
would again gladly open his batteries. but the Major,
his face sparkling with merriment, interrupted him,
exclaming:
Hold hold hard, Captain, and let's hear Bob out,
and honv Hrno uraU af
! you please"
81 haven't much more 10 say replied AlIston, A
steeple chase in England IS mere v race from one
given point in the country 10 another where the riders
have to every difficulty, whether fence ditch
or hedge, and derives its name, suppose, from the
steeples of the churches being generally the objects
| pointed out a goal.'
On the English! muttered the Captain.
| "By the powers Bob suppose we have steepie
chase ' exclaimed the Major after moment of silence
and with drunken gravity.
{" Done !" said the wag, for this what he had
been aiming al from the time he had mentioned the
ubiect {" provided the Captain here will take part"
" When ?" said the Captain with grim smile.
TO night" echoed the Ma or, growing every mo-
ment more enthusiastic in the scheme.
"Where is the seepe' again inquired the Captain,
with much dignity and decorum as if sitting a
court. martial.
&c Bevieu Church." replied Bob, after moment of
silent musing; " it is just eight measured miles, and
on the country road What say you, Captain, will
you venture -
Venture to be sure wiIl,'' exclaimed the Captain
with oath and what is more" said he, rising from
his seat we'll start now and I'll bet my bay geldng
against any other horse, that will be the first man 10
take my seat in the pu pit of the old church,
Ozone % exclaimed the Major ;" my grey hunter
against your bay that will be before you.''
Agreed agreed 20 shouted the company " we'll
all go and have grand steeple-chase, if never
have another"
|" Shouting for their servants to bring out their
horses the jewellers began huredy buckle their
spurs and prepare for the land by the time the
dering negroes had fulfilled their commands, the Ma
and guests were fully prepared for the contest.
"By this time most of the lady guests having reti-
red to their departed to their homes, and Bob
wishing to make the steepe-chase' ridiculous as
possible, cried to the Major and Captain, who af-
taking parting taste of the punch, were making
off for their horses
&C Halo, there! don't be in such hurry suppose
we all take along with us supply of victuals, and
have cold lunch at the church after racer
"'A id good suggestion" said the Captain, as
he put bottle in each pocket and seized another in
his hand. The cellar is now stored; some of you
take of the at-house.'
"'Well thought off,, muttered the Major, gravely
bearing away turkey
Each of the others following the example of thei
host seized on ducks and chickens and hams bottles
or whatever handiest land Bob, 10 cap the Climax
broug the rear with entire and untouched roast
pig.
The servants, grinnug with delight and staring
with establishment at the strange appearance of the
masters brought up the horses, and the Major and his
tipsy guests mounted with all due gravity and decorum
although TO tell the truth) the laws of gravation did
cause some Of them to sway little 10 the right and
left.
" Now cried out Bob, fourshing his nantile grun
ter around his head, be ii understood that he who loses
his provisions by the way forfeits the and two
baskets of champagne
agreed agreed was the ready response of his
reckless companions, each man steaded himself in
the saddle grssped with renewed vgor his individual
stores
"'Then whoop, and away shouted the Major, and
off darted the Kentucky steepe chase down the lawr
and into the highway, the Major and Captain leading
and the remainder of the jewellers following close upor
their heels For the first mile or two the road was
good one, and the crowd kept pretty we'll together, al
going at killing pace and shouting at the top OF the
voices. During this time they passed more than ont
merry party returning from The wedding and some
these catching the wild spirit of the racers, with bois
ferrous g|ee, Joined in the mad chase swelling the
f Der of the { steeplers to twenty more.
1t was wild scene-that night-race of the revel
ers-twenty mounted on splendid horses, dashins
along, with mad shout and halo, through the sen
woods squirting with eager haste rock, and hill
and miry branch. led by the jolly Major and grin
n most and eagerly and resolutely holding to thu
provisions which the laughing Joker with an eye tc
the ridiculous, had pressed into the chase. Many
quiet cottager aroused from his deep SAUNDERS BY
the distant shout sweeping up from the silent forest
and quaked with supersttous terror he heard tht
heavy rushing tramp of fleeing seedes come and gone
before he could look that sicht