Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-24

impossible unless by chance approach.
ing miracle for him TO get hold Of it.
The accident was now seen from the
stand, and roar Of excitement arose mp
some frightful catastrophe.
The horses we're flying up the hill to the
double. When within about one hun
bred yards of it Cluney shifted his posi-
ton in the saddle, boldly caught the iron,
stopped down--going like rocket that he
was-and placed the stirrup on his foot.
The next instant Queen Bess landed like
a deer on the other side OF the great OBJ
stacle. Calypso bungled on the fence,
threw her rider, and now there were four
in it-Steelribs leading, with Rupert Sec
ond and Blueskin falling back to Queen
Bess.
"Steelribs run away with it A cheer
for the countryman /! shouted a voice
near me.
"Look out for another bit of nice rid
ing now," said Brown. "Mark how Blue
skin will keep the rails next the winning
post for Queen Bess.
They were now approaching the water
Jump, after which the terrific struggle
known as the home-run would commence.
The rails in the straight for the winning
post lay on the right and, apparently
without an effort, up came Blueskin and
cleared the water in a line with the other
two, and on the right. Queen Bess came
straight after him. Horses and men now
bent to their work. There were no whips
going, but the way they got over the
ground was astounding. They approach
| ed like hurricane. Queen Bess lying
two lengths to the bad as they came to
the straight. The stand and ring were
like a pandemonium. "Blueskin runs
away with it |" ;,
"Steelribs romps in p RUPERT has il
as he likes" The cries were deafening
As they approached the hurdle lead
, ing into the straight, Queen Bess, i'll somt
e unaccountable way, drew level with the
3 three others. She was on the rails, Blue
l skin lying next. In the same unaccount
able way, and on the off.side, Steelribs
. landed in the straight, fully two lenSth
: before his three companions. The eX
a citemcnt was terrific, and the air rang Will
Y the name of Steelribs. Friend and fo'
e shouted it. The straight was about 3O'
Il yards long. For 100 yards the three
, horses came along about two lengths, be
b hind Steelribs. Then Rupert was don.
n with. In the next 100 yards only Length
;. separated the two others from Steelribs
e Then Blueskin gave way.
: "Splendidly done" said Brown, press
ing my arm.
. Gradually, imperceptibly, on cam
Queen Bess, until her nose was Mt tn
c shoulder of Steelribs and then, whel
s they came like lightning flash to tn
winning post, out went her head just ii
e the nick of time to save the race.
# There was dead silence over the victory
i Every one was taken by surprise. Black
leg went around saying it was the mos
i incxplicable thing in theworld that Blue
4 skin should not have won, and that Ii
# and his friends had lost n heap OF none.
: by backing the worthless brute.
c For my part, 1 have only to say that
c was faithfully paid my winnings, that
5 went home rejoicing, and at once com
e menced business again in such frame o
h mind that it would not be easy for Oil
e skin, or any other superlatively conscien
k tious character, to catch me signing
. blank acceptance.