To an impartial onlooker the attitude of the two great peoples toward each other was an interesting study. Both were wary, ironical, provocative, and perfect tempered. They were as brothers, rivals in the arena, who having known each other from nursery days, cherish no romantic and sentimental regard for each other, are aware of each other's tricks, and watchful for them while still maintaining a certain measure of mutual respect and even affection.
When the American crowd surged up and down the course roaring magnificently,
The star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave,
the counter-marching Englishmen met them with the challenging,
The land of Hope and Glory
The Mother of the Free.
With any other peoples rioting and bloodshed would have ensued. Here, apart from an occasional cut-and-dry battle between two enthusiastic individuals in the fringes of the crowd, there was never any need for police interference.
There were two flat races before the National. The horses were gathering for the first when Albert in his shirt sleeves bustled across the Paddock.
A whistle stopped him and he turned.
"'Ullo, Mr. Brand!"