But the most remarkable feature of the proceeding, that excited curiosity, was the slight construction of the sleighs.  It could scarcely be conceived that they would stand the trying test of the proposed race.  But they did.  Each driver having purchased a bundle of whips, jumped into his seat.  The word was given.  Off they went at full speed, going the first nine miles over bare ground.  The news spread over the city of St. John with almost incredible rapidity.  Excitement filled the mind of everybody.  No telegraphic despatches could furnish details as at the present.  On they trotted side by side over the smooth surface of the St. John river, which course had been taken after the first nine miles.  Whips were freely used upon the flagging animals.  Sometimes Captain H——­ kept ahead, in another minute Larry was quite a distance in advance.  On, on the infuriated animals raced to the heavy lashes of their merciless drivers.  Whip after whip was broken; still on they went over the glittering surface, the only sound the ceaseless crackling of whips and the ring of hoofs upon the still frosty atmosphere.  About nine miles from Fredericton, as those heartless sportsmen were madly urging on their jaded beasts, a well-known lumber merchant of the town was accosted by the leader demanding a whip, which, one is sorry to acknowledge, was given.  They had used the whole bundle, and mercilessly begged for more.  Still on they came, the exhausted animals panting and ready to fall.  The goal must be reached.  Fredericton must be the only stopping place.  One at least was to be disappointed.  Four miles have yet to be passed.  Larry Stivers is ahead, with visions of hopeful victory before him.  He is suddenly stopped.  One of the brave animals dropped dead on the spot.  Hope instantly vanished.  Captain H——­ wins the race, while the former arrives shortly after his contestant with the dead animal upon the sleigh.  Fredericton is reached.  A distance of eighty-five miles is trotted in six hours and thirty minutes, inclusive of twenty minutes for rest and dinner.  This wonderful feat caused general astonishment.  Hundreds drove from Fredericton to meet the contestants, while crowds gathered to see the effect thus produced upon the poor exhausted animals.  Soldiers were in attendance upon their arrival, almost dragging them up the bank.  Being rubbed and dosed they were soon restored.  The horse that dropped had been substituted for the famous “Tanner,” and not having sufficient training was unequal to the task.  The surviving animal, belonging to Larry Stivers, afterwards became one of the best and fastest horses in the Province.  This incident is not introduced to interest horsemen, but merely to show how far men’s judgment may be led astray by the force of such ruling passions.