Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1856-09-27

men, VINO were assembled for that purpose at the
gate With short intervals, gray, a brown erd
TWO pays passed review; they had their respective
sdtaiFers, bat caused no great sensation and ex-
pectatlon was still on tip-ioe;" presently brz
was heard, horse approached, and FirebraDd. n
noted racing hunter from Roscornmon appeared
he looked TO be in capital condition, and from
having won four cups already, his character was
Edeservedly first rate.
but louder yet the clamor grew" as the pe
OF the day. the farfamed English horse, Comet. p,
tPeared. He was splendid, thorougI-bred cbes
nut, tuil sixteen hands high, and looking every
inch racer felt my check banch as | examin-
ed him: he vas indeed formidable opponen,. and
his Iate owner, Captain Nj, reputed Justly to
De the best field horseman in the kingdom was to
ride him, no wonder that began to dread the con-
test.
He was led off, and forlorn charger was impa-
uently expected. In the few minutes which elsps-
ed before his entree, and my nan-kiLer were sub
Jected to many sporting Jest; at length the broth
| er OF Mouse-catcher appeared, and on he came
with careless toss of the head, as if he had ney-
er finished stabie-boy; closely sheeted rs he was
hls appearance was very different from what he'd
been anticipated; the knowingsones looked more
knowing; and Jenny Joyce exclaimed with grin,
that he seemed "mighty like tartar"
| While the horses were leading to. the starting
post, galloped up to the hill to the place nv
pretty mistress occupied in an open carriage;
"tell me, pray yOu," said her cousin, what spell
is over Rosa know you the secret n robs her of
the roses Z: Shall restore then :" I replied;
and unclosing my top-coat, displayed my handsome
jacket. When 1t met her eyes, her cheeks were
dyed With hlusbes and left me at 10 loss TO con-
lecture whence my fancy favor came.
! Again the bugle sounded; Comet and Firebrand
occupied the attention of the crowd, while SeHm
was stripped and saddled behind a large marquee;
to assume my gay cap and dof my coat was the
business of minute; my competitors were already
mounted, and was impatienuy called for, when
from behind the tent dashing horse and gallant
rider issued. Our appearance elicted murmur
of applause; the owners of Comet and Firebrand
looked blank enough; and faith they had good rea-
son.
AS we drew up in line / thought the English
racer appeared not to be in full force; but the dc
termned countenance Of the inimtable Jockey,
dressed IN his black and buff stripes looked alarm
ing; nor was FiFebraHd without his friends; and
the greencdP was offered fully against every thing
but Comet; as to me, people seemed afraid to back
or bet against me; and those who had laid the odds
last night pretty heavily, were hedging now as
fast as they could meet with customers.
OFF we went in a bunch; the bays, brown, and
gray making the running. | saw at once that the
pace, though severe for them was nothing to Com
let, Firebrund, and my friend the Nan-kiher. AT
ter a mile we tailed them off, and had the race to
ourselves
lage fields and enclosures the other was open
meadow, afording excellent galloping, and inter
spersed with ltfences Here, after having clear
ed the paddocks, we increased the speed and came
out at a killing pace.
On entering the grass-lands, 1 found my rivals
could not conveniently 90 faster, and that | was
up to 1t well; the race was indeed beautiful; for
the next mile sheet would cover US; the fences
were taken in ERe; and none could tell whether
black, yellow, green was foremost.
Ifalf mile from home there q fence of
tremendous size; it a ditch with drain st
either side, and the place that We approached was
stoccaded with stumped thorns. # was, in truth,
Irregular rasper," and was distinguished by the
country people spar excellence" as the dg-ledp;
as we neared it, my companions gathered the ener
gles OF the horses for the trial, and Selin looked
as If he were half inclined to decline it; and yet
with glorious effort he cleared this formidable
barrier IN style that drew down from the multi
tsde thunder Of applause; not so my rivals.
FIrebrand fell, and staked himself; while Comet,
by his riders horsemanship was indfferently
brought across, but staggering, he came down on
landing, and in the mistake lost ground he could
never recover; during the-run home, he did make
wonderful struggle to pull up; it was in vain, for
after we crossed the break-fence, had the race
hollow.
Amid deafening cheers, was carried from the
scales IN triumph; was declared, even by Jenny
the best weight-carrier in tbe kingdom.
Every tale has its moral, so has mine. Never
condemn horse untricd, for many good one bas
been sacrificed. l saved Sem from slavery and
jingle; and he won me fur cups, and carried
four seasons as | was never carried afterwards;
nay more, owe my connubial happiness mainly to
{" my honEy bay Rosa was an heiress, and a
younger son, rich rival was encouraged by her
GUARDIAN and in few days he expected to
make his addresses in form. ] was flushed with
victory, and she flushed to see her fairy favorite
foremost in the field. At the ball that night, my
eloquence irresistible; she smiled upon my
suit; and TO end uncertainty, and her guardian
further trouble, eloped with to Gretna the next
morning.
Years Of happiness have proved Low fortunate
our uHisn was and if some "reminiscences of early
iGdIscretion viii sometimes intrude upon my mem
ory, on two eras can look back with unaoyed
delight-the morning when rode my''irst stoeple
chase, and the evening that made Rosa mine.