San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-13

What need, indeed, Of warning to the
man who had 80 often ridden calmly in
the race of deathp .-..
laundering on, his blood now afame
his terrible hoofs not five yards away
almost already trampling PROSTATE man
and beast-on, closer, faster, thundered
the massive black!
And checking him neither by word
nor bit-no, urging him hotly with voice
and spur-his rider was as one blind to
the dread mischance before him.
"Now, boy! Up, boyl UpI"
The bold, CHEEKY cry rings out above
tramp of hoof and shout of maddened
men. Clear and strong it floats back to
them with message of cheer. And with
the words the firm hands steady on the
reins; the 1.-the body swings back in the
saddle, and as it sways forward both
spurs so cruelty home.
Up goes the gallant horse, FIVE feet be-
fore the leap is reached-up into q tre-
mendous bound that straightens beauti-
fully and sends him over PROSTATE horse
and rider-well beyond the water. He
clears the leap gallantly, but he lands in
the very tracks of the Mexican mare
The heavy hind hoofs are well mp on
that treacherous brink, but the pounded
earth slips beneath them-once,
The horse has done its best. Now for
the mans turn! Again that quick intui-
ton, fostered only in discipline and in
active warfare, called upon sure agility,
bred only in the training of the cavalry
school, and even as the horses forefeet
struck the bank Dale Everett cast loose
his stirrups and braced himself lightly
to the left.
As Jonathans hind feet touched his
masters hand pressed strongly on hin
neck. well forward, and with wonderful
quickness the man had landed on the
bank, his left hand grasplng the nans,
his right the cantel Of tho saddle. Thus
lightened, the horses instinct urged A.
other trial, the mans strength and
weight thrown into the scale; and,
quicker than can be told, with scarce .
break in his stride. the gallant black
gathered for his next bound and took Il
jsss a the practiced hurdlor swung
lightly from tho ground, using his riD
Tor leverage, and dropped into the saddb
Ae had quilted but the second before. :.
No stopping for stirrups now. -
Anesse Of hands or head. no ear for Ne
soar Of voices, the distant clspping Of
Aands-meed for that grand leap!
One thought only was in Dale Eversete
train-a thought that seemed TO Aaah
down the feathers and magnetise his
horse. He must win that rsoei He had
yisksd too much, for others and himself,
10 lose it now! And, answering tho
Thought. the black Strengthened his great
neck, stretched his lean muzsle levd out,
and strained eyezy muscle to ovsrtals
The mare, flying along full forty yards
ahead. d. ,..... .. --. ...... .-,,...
Scarce q quarter Of mile to do it, too;
but man and horse were as one, and the
longer stride told with every Jump.
Voice, hand and spur drove the black
along now as he had not gone before.
The gap was closing fast, three lengths
-two-scsrcely one! Once more La Vega
called upon his mare, with voice and spur
and whip. With final effort she answered
grandly. msnding the great pace already
made.
Had Everett misjudged the stay and
feetness of the Mexican? Had he waited
300 long?
A trifle pale, he shakes the rein loose
and gives the black the spur. In rueh
like the wind the steeds tear On toward
the stand, hundred yards away. Closer
FORCES the black; he reaches the mares
flank, her girth, then laps her, nose ana
nose, for twenty yards!
The silence Of death hangs upon the
crowds. With bated breath and strain
ing eyes women and men hang on that
gallant trial. Suddenly the silence breaks
with wild yell.
Just as the corner of the long stand Is
reached the little mare slips inch by inah
away from the black. almost showing
daylight between!
Thirty yards to hold that lead, and
the race ID hersi Everett never moves
his eyes from the mares head. Erect,
easy and calm, he presses the spur lightly
on the noble horse under him. Jonathan
is doing his bestl So they tear along;
half the stands length is passed, and
Jonathan only hugging the whits mssss
girth.
Again the wild yells rise from stand
and stretch. Tis plain now that this
race is won. and that the YANKEES hss
lost il!
Suddenly white fash of the whip in
Everets's hand rises high in air. Onos,
Swice, it comes down with full force Of