Smyrna times., 1867-10-16
MIS- Gel L A N E o U S.
A RACE EXTRAORDINARY.

Some years ago race was run at the Hague,
in Holland, which for its novelty excited more
than ordinary interest. 1t was between fast
trotting horse in harness and ll-grown hog
single heat-distance, six English miles-for
a wager of one thousand guilders.
The circumstances which led to this unique
trial of speed were as follows: At a sporting
club at the Hague young member of the club
expatated upon the beauty, symmetry, and ex-
traordlnary speed OF trOttlng horse he had
that day purchased, expressing an eager desire
to get up match to prove the superior quail
ties OF his horse. A gentleman, engaged in
hand at cards, but whose attention had been
attracted by the ardent and impassioned re-
marks Of the speaker quietly remarked
Come, Sir don't be Dragging so much q bout
the Swiftness Of your horse, for | have a hog
which, for tritling wager, | would not hest
tate to run against him. " Pecls of laughter
greeted this strange proposal, to which-when
partially subsideG-the owner of "Grunty
quietly interposed: We'll, gentlemen, l now
challenge to run my hog Nero against that gen
teman fast trotter in harness., one straight
heat, six English miles, for one thousand gull
ders side. dome y Done F." was the
eager response from many voices. PrOvid-
ed, the challenger resumed, that the horse
carry two persons, and that fourteen days
time be allowed me for training my animal. y
Agreed" !" Agreed ~ resOunded all round !;
for the joke was deemed too good and too novel
to give it the goby.
Preliminaries being satisfactorily arranged,
and the stakes deposited it was agreed that
the match should come off that day fortnight
at IL clock A. NJ. precisely and the beauti-
full avenue leading from the Hague to the sea
shore at Scheveningen was selected as the
course. The news of this extraordinary match
for trial of speed between fast -trotting horse
and l-grown pOrker spread like wid-fre
and caused the most intense excitement, moi
alone in sporting circles, but among the peo
pie generally-all eager to see the fun. The
day was anXlOusly looked for, and the training
of Nero began.
On the first day poor Nero was starved
strict orders having been given by his Owncl
that no one should feed him, himself alone at
tending to that matter. On the second day Nerc
was pretty sharp set, when, punctually at elev
f en- clock, his master made his appearance. =
A rope was securely fastened to one of his hind
trotters, and his master drove him, with man!
a kick and forcible persuasion, all the way owe
the course to Scheveningen, where he fed hin
upon a scanty meal Of two herrings, whicl
, Nero ravenously devoured after which he hat
to trot it back to the Hague. 1t may be prop
I. er here to remark that the hog prefers fish t
any other kind of food.
> On the third day Nero felt perfectly raven
Gus, but he had to bide his time, and his mas
4 ter had to resort to the strictest hogdisciplin
Il to start him off when, at eleven O clock, he pre-
sented himself to drive him over the course
e After liberal and energetic application of tn
/ booted foot, and little loud and angry discus
d sion between the respective parties, they al
rived at their journeys end, where Nero wa
$ regaled with three herrings, being one extra
9 and which he dispatched voraciOusly in double
quick time, looking for more, but in vain.-
He was then, with much cOaXing and kicking
persuaded to resume the return trip hOmewarC
$ and which was safely accomplished, althOug
v not without considerable opposition, accompa
o MED by vigorous squealing and determine
grunting on the part of Nero.
: On the fourth day, punctually at elGve
o'clock, when his master presented himself
d Nero seemed to understand somewhat the oil
lect of his calling he walked off not only will
IL out compulsiOn, but with considerable alacrit,
/ at good round pace, to get to his journey
end, where his master regaled him not alOr
with his coveted dinner of three herrings, bu
as a reward for his tractability and good col
" duct, with one herring extra, and which Nel
devoured with incredible velocity as soon
~ they came within reach of the grinders.
I'd On the fifth day Nero was fully up to IL
-, game, and his master experienced considerab
IL difficulty to keep up with him. At Scheve
to ingen the usual allowance, now, of four he
rings was placed at his disposal and dispose
sa of by him in short metre
On the days following, and up to the time
re the race, his master had no further Difficult
ur with Nero but to keep up with him; Nero
ng variably taking the lead although on the I
turn trips the same difficulties always recurre
an A vigorous application of boots was in su
case the only convincing argument with Nel
he who never could see the point nor comprehe
hit the necessity OF this back track movement, a
in ever obstreperously squealed and grunted
s. objections, deeming this exercise probably /