PEDESTRIANISM AT HOME.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 788, 14 March 1871, Page 3

PEDESTRIANISM AT HOME.

An exciting contest between the noted runner, Edward Mills, aud a vomig Indian, named Debeaux, came off recently at Hackney-wick. A London sporting paper writes : "The Indian is twenty-four years of in height sft. 6Mn., and a model for a sculptor. He ran Teddy Mills oiip mile, with twenty-five yards at Lilie Bridge, on October 24, and won; but doubts were expressed as to the genuineness of the affair. For the last ten years Young England (Mills) has been so frequently before the public that any notice of his previous doings is quite unnecessary. Teddy, although, suffering from a cold, expressed himself confident of the result. For a veteran he was in good trim, and was most judiciously waited upon by his brother John. He was loudly cheered, and it was apparent that his friends were sanguine as to the issue of the race, to which some 2000 spectators assembled. Debeaux was also heartily welcomed. He went to the mark attended upon by Richard Lewis aud his interpreter Shaw. The Indian having been directed to make n waitiug race cf it, Mr "W. Price, referee, sent the men away to a good start. Mills at once rushed to the front, apparently intending to cut down the Indian ; the latter however, hung to the " Paleface," and could scarcely be restrained from going in front. In the first four laps (twenty to complete the distance) Mills led, hut the Indian would not be denied, and in the fifth round rushed in front aud led by a couple of yards, the pace now being very fast. The first mile occupied 4 min. 55 sec. The race was now most exciting, Young England striving to the utmost to leave his dark-skinned opponent. First oue and then the other was in front, and at the end of two miles Mills was leading by two yards. Time 0 min. 35 sec. The excitement was uow intense, as it was found that Debeaux could hold his own, and for some distance they ran first side by side, aud then with first oue and then the other holding a lead of a few feet. It was thought that the race was all over when, in the eighteenth lap, Teddy Mills was leading by a dozen yards, whilst the Indian appeared to tire. Mills dashed round the bottom corner, and the impression strengthened when up the back-stretch for the last time, Mills was fully eighteen yards to the good. Dick Lewis now, however, called on his man ; Debeaux responded, came with a spurt, caught Mills again at the top of the Pagoda, spurted down the straight at a 200 yards' pace, and won rather easily. The proper time (which speaks for itself) of the three miles was 14 min. 53 sec. Hazael, the present 10 mile champion runner, immediately challenged the Indiau to run 5 miles, allowing him (the Indian) 250 yards 'start. The challenge has been accepted, and the race will take place in Jauuary.