The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-17

said to Dick: ''l'll carry them along for |
you half mile, for with your light |
weight it will be better for something
to make the running. When I'm done
for, you can go to the front and canter
home. think you'll have an easy
job"
I'D rather be on Zigzag, SIR" replied
the Jockey. II know what ne can do,
and don't like the feel of this fellow
under me. He's shifty.'
The race was a mile and quarter.
AS the horses made their way over to
the starting post across the course
from the stand Gaiety came up to Lay
ton and said, "There's a tremendous
rush on Simpkin.''
And so there was. The stable money
being all on, Harvey had told a few of
mis- frien1s ana the ring was noodlng
the bookmakers with money for Simp-
kin.
Very few were backing Zigzag and
he was travelling out in the betting.
'Ten to one, Zigzag" the bookmak-
ers We're bowling in vain; there were
no takers.
At the start Johnson was playing to
get away in front to make the running
and keep 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 in a hoarse cry, and glasses
We're leveled at the bright splashes of
color twisting in and out as the eight
horses scrambled for places.
a 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
quartered cap leaning far over the
withers Of the big bay. Yes. it was
Zigzag.
He's got away WE'LL" said Layton to
Gaiety, 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
mile, the black jacket was length
in front of everything Laytons heart
lay like lead in his breast. That was
not Johnson's tactics when he was out
to win mile and quarter race. With
10 stone up. he wouldn't be making
his own running.
Layton knew then that he had lost
1t was almost relief to know just
where he stood. he had cast the die
and lost.
| Some fool near him was croaking
"Zigzagll win all the way" He felt
pity in his heart for the mans utter
ignorance of racing. Perhaps, though.
after all, it We're better that way; he
almost envied him. 1t was the knowl-
edge of racing that broke so many of
| them.
At the three-quarters Zigzag was
still leading.
Hell win! He'll winr' the other man
was saying exultantly 81 took 10 to j
about him"
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.
.'Simpkin is coming now!" went up a
cry from many throats-the Threats of
the many who had backed him when
the tip was spread about.
At the mile Simpkin's Arab head
showed in front. The two were clea,
length in front of the field.
The stand was wild with delight, fo1
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 a head.
Johnson could hear something clos
ing up on them from behind.
Go on, Dickw he gasped. "I'll pull
back and let you up next the rail-"
II can't" answered Dick helplessly
II can't go any faster; I'm done for"
A great rage came into the heart OF
tle cdpldlu. lulS WAS uuG sure CuluS
they had put him on to. Beaten a quar-
ter of mile from the finish. and tn,
others closing up on them. Already :
chestnut head was Tapped on the quar-
tiers of Simpkin.
ZigZag was still full of running, fight
ing for his head Slowly. inch by inch
the chestnut was creeping up. Hi
nose was at Dicks girths now.
I'm DONE" he heard Dick say again
and then he gripped the saddle witt
his knees and rode for Layton's 500
rupees.
A furlong from home he was clear o
Simpkin. but the chestnut was still
there, Tapped on his quarters now, AM
beside the chestnut. on the outside
was an iron gray. coming very fas
too.
How he cursed the folly that hal
made him take so much out of Zigza
to make the running for Simpkin.
If the gallant old horse would onl
last home, the 5000 rupees would pa
his losses.