about four to five
As it was the rule of the race that the jump must be taken , they were , by that rule , out of the race . They , however , kept on and rode well , taking the fences and wall , with Buffalo going wide of them in the rear . When they came to the rising ground again , corresponding to the slope they had ridden down , the Danish horses began to show signs of being ridden out of hand , and Buffalo passed easily in a canter , taking his fences as quietly as if at exercise , and came in an easy winner . The course had been about four to five English miles , a little too long , thought Hardy , for the Danish horses . Proprietor Jensen came forward to congratulate Hardy , and to thank him for enabling the race to be made interesting to them all . The prize was a silver cup , but Hardy declined to accept it , to the astonishment of stout proprietor Jensen and his friends . `` What in the name of the devil 's skin and bones does the man mean ? ''