For nearly two hours the thousands present followed and cheered to the echo every good round of the Competition. Towards the end of the afternoon excitement became intense. The knowing ones who had. been keeping each competitor's marks could barely separate the two leading teams. division were once agai and but for a bad mistake on the [part of Captain de Fonblangue ea "War Body" seemed to hold the prize within their grasp. Then came the turn of the Italian officers.
Their leading pair, Captain Count Borsayelli and Major Tappi, gave 'a finished exhibition, and at the end of these two rounds spectators still held their breath in suspense. Captain Caceiandra the last of the Italians began equally well but a. heavy blunder at the final gate let the side badly down.
Then while the judges totted up the marks excitement reached boiling point. How did they. stand? What were the final marks? What. about the American team? But it does not take long to get_a decision at Olympia. Everything there goes like clock-work. When the British number went up vociferous cheering broke out all round the arena,. People rose to their feet wildly waving and cheering.
Down from the Royal box stepped the Prince lightly, accompanied, not quite so lightly, by Lord Lonsdale and the inevitable long cigar. Again the big doors swung open, and 'a hurricane of cheers in rode the British team. Smiling all over they accepted winning rosettes from H.R.H. and departed. Then came the runners-up the Italian team, to receive the red rosettes and & very warm reception also. The U.S.A. team were placed third, Eleven and a half: 14 and a half: 16 and a half were the final figures, which speak volumes for the close: ness of the competition between the three leading teams.
'A League of Nations may be the world's final hope of peace. But such contests as Olympia provides go a long way in promoting Inter-harmony among sportsman countries.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.