The result was a gathering such as had not taken place, in that part of
the country, for years. Over a thousand people assembled, comprising
women as well as men. The sports began early, and the various events
were all eagerly contested. Ralph Gray won the horse race, a horse
which he had brought from the south being far superior, in speed, to
any of the smaller border horses; although, had the trial been for
endurance, it would have had but small chance with them. The shooting
was close, one of Percy Hope's men winning at last. The quarterstaff
prize was awarded to Long Hackett, one of John Forster's retainers. At
wrestling Roger bore off the palm. Some of his opponents were, in the
opinion of lookers on, more skilled at the sport; but his weight and
strength more than counterbalanced this, and one after another tried,
in vain, to throw him to the ground; succumbing, themselves, as soon as
he put out his strength, and theirs began to be exhausted; when,
drawing them up to him with irresistible strength, he laid them quietly
on the ground.
Oswald himself carried off the palm in a mile foot race.
At one o'clock the sports were concluded. While they had been going on,
a score of men were attending to the great joints roasting over
bonfires, six bullocks having been slaughtered the day before.
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