The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05

was then the property OF Lord Godolphin
VINO spent immense sums and inexhaustible
horses upon w1,ct the psriecting OF breed of
courses or England. 1t was matter of
supreme Importance to find a suitable hus-
panu TOT the equine charmer. 1t was pre-
suInsu tnat IN this capacity there was no
possible rival to the then most admired
station Hobgoblin, the father OF many a
racer or note. and for his prowess and
qom Like all the stations of his order,
hoogopiin was slightly more obese than the
pserIection Of equine beauty required he
shgntiy concealed, or, at least, modified.
the line lines OF his muscular torso and
powerful limbs; but his head, small and
square, was charmingly expressive of stall
licnhood and character
THE EQUINE DUEL.
Lord Godolphin invited party of friends
one day to inspect the three horses. Hob
goblin, Scham and Roxana. The three beau
tiful animals were led out. first Roxana and
then Scham- AS soon as the Arabian caught
sight OF Roxana his delight found vent in
neighing. strident and vigorous Roxana re-
sponded no less warmly. When, however,
the overfed and luxurious Hobgoblin was led
forth and the Arabian was led from the
scene, the case was entirely altered. The
spectators were astopished at Scham's furi-
Gus resistance TO the rein, and still more by
Roxana's unconcealei aversion to the En-
glish horse. Scham himself was not more
unmanageable than the angry mare which
turned her heels against every one who ap-
preached her. Nothing could be palmer than
TINS case OF love at first sight. Lord Godol-
pnln was vexed and perplexed. He was
about TO order that each horse be confined to
a separate stable, when the difficulties of
and through the humble instrumentality Of
the Arabian groom. Intensely distressed by
the ,sufferings of his favorite, Agba could
no. longer endure it. Hastily unbuckling
his loose box and gave him his liberty.
win roar, as that OF some wild beast
the courtyard. so panic-stricken were the
two grooms. that the leader of Hobgoblin
abandoned his horse to his fate and fled for
his life, while the attendant of Roxana,
after hastily tying her leading-rein to post,
followed his example. Then began such
combat as the onlookers had never beheld
ond, the two stations charged with such
force that they both staggered backwards,
Tor a. yard or two; after pause they
closed, and then Hobgoblin, who was much
the heavier, seemed to gain slight advan-
tage. He had gripped Scham across the
ioins with his teeth, and bore him down by
MS superior weight. The pain of the assault
rendered Scham even more furious than be-
fore; he quickly recovered, and, shaking
himself free from his enemys grip, showered
with his forefeet such vigorous blows
upon the body of Hobgoblin that the latter
soon became half stunned and near
~ helpless Iae Besides, ne was so. SO fat
was soon at Scham's mercy. With
his teeth firmly set In Hobgoblin's crest, the
Arabian worried him fercely that when
the lord Of the harem was able to get away
he skunk off, cowed and beaten, and took
refuge in Scnam's empty box. Roxana had
beheld the battle with anxiety and dismay,
but when ii was concluded she saluted the
victor with no uncertain sounds"
No animal painter ever selected a holder
or more inspiring subject than this duel
which Mile. Bonheur has depicted. She has
chosen the moment when the Arabian with
forereet in the air has seized with his teeth
the crest of the English horse. 1t Is use
less to attempt to describe the picture.
Equine beauty and equine fury were never
20 splendidiy portrayed. 1t is the eyes of
the two horses that more than anything else
impress one. Those of the one blaze with
triumphant wrath, those Of the other with
deSpairing fury.
This canvas will assuredly be one Of the
most famous Of the Victorian era. 1t is a
fitting climax Of the long life-work Of the
greatest mistress Of art of her day.