EQUESTRIAN RACE BY AMERICAN LADIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 94, 2 March 1866, Page 5

EQUESTRIAN RACE BY AMERICAN LADIES.

At the agricultural fair of the State of Wisconsin, m the United States, on interesting feature was an equestrian race by ladies. The riding seems to have been hardly up to the standard of Rotten Row. We read that — " Miss Lottie Tabor's saddle turned with her, and she was thrown down and so severely hurt that she left the grounds. Margaret Davis was also thrown off, but resumed her seat and came galloping up m time. The ladies then exhibited their abilities singly. Miss Case tried the Davis feat of riding a bare-back horse, but slid quietly to the ground before she had gone fifty yards. Miss Furlong rode very gracefully, carrying her handsome figure erect and steady as a practised dragoon. Belle Shattuck, really the belle among the competitors, next rode out, and distinguished herself by her gracef al ease and selfpossession. Little Hattie Furlong was loudly applauded. The Davis giria did everything that everybody else did, and that without the aid of saddles. They also came m for a round of applause. In awarding the prizes, equestrianship seems to have been entirely lelb out of consideration. The judical mind was warped by sympathy, and those ladies had the highest awards who suffered the severest mishaps. Lottie Tabor, whose saddle turned with her, got the first prize of a silver tea set. M: -. Case, who fell off, took the second prize, a set of silver tablespoons ; to Miss Furlong, the third, a set of silver teaspoons ; Miss Campbell, the fouith, a silver card-case ; and an extra prize, a present from the committee, was given tolittle Hattie Furlong. General Sherman waspresent at this scene, and made a speech, praising the soldiers of Wisconsin. What he said of the horsewomen of that region is not reported."

A Eun for Life. — One day a solitary and adventurous Cree made his appearance at the fort on foot. Shortly after his arrival, a body of mounted Blackfeet arrived, and discovering the presence of one of the hostile tribe, clamorously demanded that he should be given up to them to be tortured and scalped. The trader m command of the fort was anxious to save the life of the Cree, yet afraid to refuse to surrender him, for the Blackfeet were numerous and well armed, and had been admitted within the stockade. After much discussion, a compromise was agreeed to, the white man engaged to keep the Cree m safe custody for a month, at the end of which time the Blackfeet were to return to the fort, and the prisoner was to be turned loose, with a hundred yards start of his pursuers, who were bound to chase him only on foot, and with, no other arms than their knives. The Blackfeet took their departure, and the Cree waa immediately put into hard training. He wasfed on fresh buffalo-meat, as much as ever he could eat, and made to run round the fort enclosure, at full speed, for an hour twice every day. At the expiration of the stipulated month the Blackfeet came to the fort, according to their agreement. Their horses were secured within the walls, all their arms except their knives taken from them, and then the expected victim was escorted to the starting-place by the whole staff of the establishment, who turned out on horseback to see fair play. The Cree waa placed at his post, 100 yards ahead of his bloodthirsty enemies, who were eager as wolves for their prey. The word was given, and away darted the hunted Indian, the pursuers following with frantic yells. At first the pack of Blackfeet gained rapidly, for terror seemed to paralyse the limbs of th.c unfortunate Cree, and his escape seemed hopeless. But as his enemiescame within a few yards of him, he recovered his presence of mind, shook himself together, his training and fine condition began to tell, and to their astonishment and chagrin, he left them with ease at every stride. In another mile he was far m advance, and pulling up for an instant, shook his fist triumphantly at his baffled pursuers, and then quickly ran out of sight. He eventually succeeded m rejoining the rest of hia tribe m safety. — "The North-west passage by land, by Viscount Milton and Dr. W. B. Cheadle."

A French General, well known m Endiab: circles, who had the misfortune to be baldheaded, said that he wished to make a present to a lady, and give her something rare; " Give her a lock of your hair," remarked Montrond,