The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-14
the bookmakers with money for simp

the bookmakers with money for Simp-
kin.
Very few were backing Zizzag, and
he was travelling out in the betting.
Ten to one, Zizzag" the bookmakers
we're bowling in vain-there were no
At the start Johnson was playing to
and keep a nice place for Simolin to
drop into when his horse was beaten.
AT the third attempt they got away,
very very much as the captain desired.
Ihey're Off! went up from the grand
stand in hoarse cry, and glasses we're
leveled at the bright sDlashes of color
twisting in and out, as the eight horses
| scrambled for places.
A black jacket with red and yellow
''Zigzag leads somebody exclaimed,
and Layton rubbed his glasses with his
handkerchief. and focused them on the
leader of the rushing troop.
He could see the red and yellow GUAR
tered cap leaning far over the withers of
the big bay. Yes it was Zigzag
He's got away well, said. Layton to
Gaiety without lowering his glasses
He's trying anyway, and if it comes to
any brain work at the finish Johnson can
give all the boys seven pounds at that
game"
When they had Travelled a quarter of a
mile the black jacket was a length in
front of everything. Layton's heart lay
like Lead IN his breast. That was not
JODuSOH IdcllCS VINE ne was out TO
win mile and a quarter race. With ten
stone up, he wouldn't be making his own
running.
Layton knew then that he had lost.
1t was almost q, relief to know just where
he stood. He had cast the die and lost.
Some fool near him was croaking:
ZlgZagll win all the way. He felt. pitt
| in his heart for the mans utter igno-
rance OF racing. Perhaps though after
all. it were better that way: he almost
envied him It was the knowledge of
racing that broke so many of them.
At the three-quarters Higzag was still
He'll win! He'll win!p the other man
was saying, exultantly. Il took 10 to l
Then something crept up on Zigzag-
crept up until the horses were Tapped
head and head. The glasses showed the
white Jacket and red cap of the Jagnat's
stable.
''Simokin is coming nowr' went up a
cry from many throats-the throatS of
the many who had backed him when the
UP was spread about:
At the half7Inile SimDkin's Arab head
showed. in front. The two were a clear
length u front of the field.
The stand was wild with delight for
Simpkin had started faYorite.
over on the horses johnson and Dick
We're riding so close together that the.,
could speak in short, gasping words as
the wind cut at their breath.
Three furlongs from home they were TO-
gether, nose and nose-SimDl1in had
dropped back head.
Johnson could hear something closing
up on them from behind.
Go on, Dick he gasped. I'll pull
back and let you up next the rail-
I can't, answered Dick helplessly. 81
can't go any faster; I'm done for"
a great rage came into the heart of the
captain: This was the sure thing they
had put him on to. Beaten Il quarter of
q mile from the finish. and the others
closing up on them: already a chestnut
head was Tapped on the quarters of Simp-
kim
zigzag. was still full of running, fight
ing for his head. Slowly, inch by inch,
the chestnut was creeping up; his nose
was at Dicks girths now.
I'm DONE" he heard Dick say again.
and then he griDped the saddle with his
knees, and rode for Layton's $1,000
A Iurlon= from home he was clear of
la9ned on his quarters now, and beside
the chestnut, on the outside, was an iron
gray. coming very fast, too.
How he cursed the folly that had made
him take so much out of ZigZag to make
the running for Simpkin.
If the. gallant horse would only last
nome the 5000 rupees would pay his
losses.
In the stand the cry of "Zfgzag winsp,
went up, as the horses chung to each
other up the straight.
Layton was Juggling at his blonde mus
tache, and. even Gaiety's face was solemn
gle meant to the two of them-meant
more to them than to all the others in the
stand together. Not only money, but
honorlife itself was at stake.
AS they flashed past the stand. Zig
gags big bony head, with its wide, red
nostrils was still in front
And so they caught the judges eye.
The stout heart of the gallant horse,
and the cool head of the steel-nerved
rider had won the race that was ali huf
thrown away.