The weekly examiner., 1891-08-01

ever 6efore. began to get Just fr1He apprehensive that had crowded her a little bit too hard and caused the lame ness. Then I recalled the soulful chuckle from George Washington, her darlzy groom, when he rubbed hex down and gave her her feed. 'Dey ain't no horse dat kin beat yo. honey. mess dey got wings, she had murmured as he stroked her clean legs. felt that there must be false impression out some way and I was about to ex- press myself to that effect when got wink from the governor that under stood meant that I should emulate the example of the clam, shut up and think. went over to the stable to see the invalid. There she was her legs aA wrapped up in flannel bandages, and a strong odor of iniment permeated the atmosphere; she must be lame. Several sympathetic natives called and offered their condolences. They said it was really too bad that we had come so far to have to walk back, it would be so much further.
 s'I was questioned by many as to the extent of her injury. admitted in my innocent, childish way that she must be lame. The governor had an inter- view with MT. Orr, Bob's owner, and intimated that he would like to have a show for his white alley. That gentle man said he knew he had 8 'ciDch' from the start, and he would stick to terms of the race as laid down by the governor. Soon after the conference the boss began to hedge, or try to. Odds were offered by Bob's packers, and it seemed as if their money would go begging, until the day of the race, when money was taken at odds on the mare until quite pot of it was up. In the excitement nobody seemed to notice that takers were coming rather anxious to get all the bets that could be pro- cured at any odds offered. The time drew near for the race, and the town was evacuated. Every body went out to the fair grounds to see it. There was no regulation costume for that day. There was the soldier in blue, farmer in jeans, and the citizen in, broadcloth.
 ssThe track was a half mile and in tolerably good condition There was no grand stand and the crowd jostled and stood as near Che track as possible. The first horse to come on the track was Bob. Of course he received an ovation. Then the mare followed. The flannel bandages were still on her legs and bound so tight that she stepped almost stiff legged Bob's rider, a boy about my own age, was up and eager for the start. We'll, they took the blanket off of the mare. She stood with her head well up. eyes bright, coat sleek, and ears forward.
 q. Put the saddle on her. said the governor, and then, taking mo by the arm and stepping aside, he whispered: My son, there is a heap of money on this race; force the mare from start to finish; make him run that first mile as fast as he can. These were my instruc- tions.
 ' Get ready, said the starter.
 s' Take the bandages of, said the governor. Then I mounted her and the horses were headed in the opposite direction to which they were going to run, as vas the custom in that country at that time.
 t Ready We leaned forward and took good hold on the reins, clinched our teeth, and waited.
 ssBang, and off we went after wheeling our horses about. Bob got the advan- tage on the start by three good lengths.
  giving her the whip from the go, and soon drew up alongside of the horse. forced him; made him strain every muscle. He did run nobly for three quarters of mile, bull could see he was weakening just trihe as we came down the headstretch on the second turn. drew to his nose and he was pumping hard for all the wind he H1> L. getting better. As we passed the crowd began to draw away, and how they did yell with chagrin. I was only a kid and didn't have sense enough to get scared. but realized that that crowd was mad by a large majority and might make trouble for me. as had to pass them twice more before could win their money. could hear Bob blowing behind me and made the pace a little hotter. When we got just past the quarter on the second mile lse quit. His head went down and his tail went up and he was beat As I came past the crowd the third time I knew they were red-hot, and something was liable to happen at any minute. I gave the mare her full head and then i the whip and spur As we rounded the turn for the hn1sh that human mass began to wsathe and surge on to the track. It seemed to be their intention to block me and make my horse fly the track. She headed right for them as if she was blind. The air seemed to 1 be full of hats, arms, umbrellas and strong language. There was just a | little opening left. just about wide | enough to squeeze through. As the brave little mare dashed through that | enraged throng hands clutched at her l bridle and my legs, but they never ! touched us. saw the governor way ing his hand and beckoning me to run | through the gate and I did. We gal loped two miles and half into town | and then two miles further until we l got to rendezvous in the brush, where l the governor had sent our stock for | safety. The mare had run six miles |