Old T. says he believes he can beat H. Saturday, as “Dick’s shoes are loose, and heavy, and he can’t run in ’em.” There was nothing more said about it, till old Tut made his appearance next morning, when the boys were after him with “Sharp Sticks” and “Hot Bricks.” One wanted to bet him a horse on H.’s colt, _versus_ his Indian Dick—another a V., another an X., and so on. “Hold yer hosses b’hoys! Don’t be all after the old man at wunst. Wait a while and he’ll commerdate yer! He’s an old man, and b’lieves he knows mor’n all on yer; but he don’t want all yer money at wunst. He wants to be _onatel_ with yer, so he can cum agin.” This course didn’t set them back any, as they thought the old man was _scary_, and they were after him the faster. Some of the more wary cautioned them to look out, but they _didn’t want no caution—they knew what they was about_. They could beat old Tuttle, and they were going to “do the State some service” by skinning him. They’d make the “old cuss” poor afore they left him! He took it all very coolly, advised some of them to save their money for the next time. He was an old man and b’lieved he knowed more’n all on ’em. _His father_ didn’t teach him for nothin’ sixty-five years ago! But the boys said that was all gass to scare them off; but ’twouldn’t work! The old cuss had got to be skinned or back out. The result was, they got up a horse and fifty dollars a side, to run on Saturday, at two o’clock, each one to start and ride his own horse, judge tops and bottoms—the winning horse take the cakes—and no back out. Either party refusing to run forfeits the whole stakes. Things went on smooth that day—some thinking old T. was playing some game with the boys, but what it was, no one could tell. However, before night, it was known there was _a secret_ among the boys. They knew the speed of Dick, and knew they could slay him; but there mustn’t anything be said about it, as when they got the old man on the track and right, they were going into him the whole amount of his fixins. They’d caught the old man napping once. They’d got a plaguy sight faster horse than he thought for, and now they were going to pay off old scores. Two o’clock came, and found old T. on the spot leading Dick round, and telling the boys they’d be surprised when they see Dick run his best—at the same time “doing what _business_ offered,” but somehow the boys appeared a little _scary_. Old T. was “on hand” for every offer, and no mistake; and ’twas known he never bet liberally, unless he “had a sure thing.” So that the betting soon began to lag, and the old man had the call, but no takers. Finally the old man said: “I’ve got a little more money, b’hoys, and I wouldn’t mind givin’ you a chance at two to one for it.”