The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-09-13

J square yourself on Simpkm. You can
hedge on him, for he's Il sure winner"
: And If he's beaten" said Layton. al
most ansrily. Il shall be in a worse hole
than ever. | won't do it. I'll sta III or
fan by Zigzag, and III lay you 900 ru-
pees to nothing against hi, winning"
l won't do 1t that way said John
son. quickly, for that isn't 4 bet. If [
can't lose | can't win: that's tn, rule in
betting: but III take 300 rupees II 10
Here, dick" he called sharply. Won
witness this bet. Mr.. Layton lays me
300 rupees to 10 against Zigzag. If the
horse wins he pays me 1000. if he doesn't
pay him 10. That's Il clear under
standing. isn't it,"
Yes" answered Layton. cheerfully.
Its the only bet I've got On my
mount adde Johnson. and its just
; throwing 10 rupees in the sea.
As they rode over to the post. Johnson
said to Dick: III carry them along for
You half Il mile, for with your light
weight it will be better for something
10 make the running. When I'm Ions
for YOU can 90 to the front and cantrr
! home. | think you'll have an easy job"
Id rather be on Zigzae. sir" replied
the jockey. Il know what he can do.
and | don't like the feel of this fellow
under me; he's shifty."
The race was a mile and a quarter. ~
the horses made their way over to the
starting post across the course from the
stand, Gaiety came up to Layton, and
said: There a tremendous rush on
~Simpkin.'
being all on. Harvey had told a few Of
his friends. and the ring was flooding
the bookmakers with money for Simp-
kin.
Very few were backing Zigzag. and
he was travelling out III the betting.
Ten to one. Zigzag,' the bookmakcrs
were bowling in vain-thore were no
takers.
At the start johnson was playing to
get away in front to make the running
and keep Il nice place for Simpkin to
drop into when his horse was beaten.
At the third attempt they got away,
very much as the captain desired.
"They're off, went up from the
grand-stand III Il horse cry. and glasses
were leveled at the bright splashes of
color twisting III and out. as the eight
horses scrambled for places.
\ black jacket. with red and yellow
sleeves. shot to the front Immediately.
"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 quar-
tered cap leaning far over the withers
Of the big bay. Yes. it was Zigzac.
Hes got away WE'LL said Layton to
Gaicty. without lowering his glasses.
He's trying anyway. and if it comes
to any brain work at the finish John
son can give all the boys seven pounds
at that game
When they had travelled a quarter Of
Il mile the black jacket was 4 length
in front of everything. layton's heart
lay like lead in his breast. That was
not Johnson's tactics when he was out
to win a acknowledgements race. With
ten stone up. he wouldn't be making
his own running.
Layton knew then that he had lost.
1t was almost a relief to know just
where he stood. He had cast the die
and lost.
Some fool near him was croaking.
"Zigzag'lI win all the way" He felt
pity in his heart for the mans utter ig-
| norancc of racing. Perhaps. though, at
ter all. it were better that way: he al
most onvied him. 1t was the knowledge
of racing that broke so many of them.
At the t~hree-quarters Zfgzag was still
leading.
He'll win, he'll VIM the other mar
was saving eXultantly. Il took 10 to |
about him.
Then something crept up on Zigzag-
crept up until he horses We're Tapped
head and head. The glasses showed the
| white jacket and red cap of the J%agnat's
stable.
'Simpkin is coming now" went up a
cry from many throats-the throats Of
the many who had backed him when the
fin was SDrpa6 olout
At the half-mile Simpkins Arab head
showed in front. The two were a clear
length in front Of the field.
The stand was wild With delight. for
| Simpkin had started favorite.
Over on the horses Johnson and Dick
were riding so close together that they
could speak in short. gasping words as
the wind cut at their breath.
Three furlOngs from home they were
together. nose and nose-Simpkin had
dropped back Il head.
Johnson could hear something closing
up on them from behind.
600 on. Dick he gasred. I'll pull
back and let YOU up next the rail-
Il can't answered Dick. helplesSly.
q can't go any faster: I'm done for