The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-08-02

u,
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 tho
withers Of the big bay. Yes. it was
Zigzag
Hes got away well," said Layton to
Galety, without lowering his glasses.
hes trying anyway, and If 1t 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
a mile, the black jacket was length
IN front of everything. Luytons heart
lay like lead in his breast. That was
not Johnson's tactics when he was out
10 WIN mile and quarter race. With
~ stone up. he wouldn't be making
MS own running.
Layton knew then that he had lost.
1t was almost relief to know lust
~here he stood. He hnd cast tho dio
and lost.
Some fool near him was croaking.
AigZagll win all the way" He felt
pity IN his heart for the mans utter
ignorance Of racing. Perhaps, though,
aiter all. 1t were better that way; he
almost cnvicd him. 1t was the knowl-
edge or racing that broke SO many OF
them.
at tho threo-quartcrs Zigzng wns
still lepdiug.
He'll win! He'll win" the other man
was saying eXultantly. 81 took 10 to 1
about him."
| Then something crcpt up on Zigzag-
| crept up until the horses were lapped
| head ana head The glasses showed
the white jacket and red cau OF the
| Jagnat's stable
"Simpkln is coming now" went up n
cry from many thronts-the thrOntS 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 We're clear
length In front OF the field.
The stand was wild with delight. for
Slnpkin had started fuvorlte.
Over on the horses Johnson and Dick
were riding so close together that they
could speak In short, gasping words rs
the wind cut at their breath.
Three furlongs from home they were
together, nose and hose Slmphin had
dropped back Il head.
Johnson could hear something clos
Ing up OH them from behind.
"Go on. Dick" he gaSpcd. "IM pull
back and let you up next the rail-"
IL can't" answered Dick helplessly.
Il can't 60 any faster; Pm done for"
A great rage came into the heart Of
the captain. This was the "sure thing"
they had put him Oh to. Beaten n quar-
ter OF mile from the finish, and the
others closing up on them. Already
| chestnut head was Tapped on the quar-
ters Of Simpkln.
Zlgzag was still full Of running, fight
Ing for his head. Slowly, inch byiinch,
the chestnut wns creeping up. His
nose was ut Dicks girths now.
'Im DONE" he heard Dick say again,
and then he grippcd the saddle with
his knees and rode for Laytop's 5000
rupees.
furlong from home he was clear of
Simpkin, but the chestnut was still
there Tapped on his quarters now. and
J beside the chestnut, on the outside,
was an iron gray, coming very fast
| too.
How he cursed the folly that had
made him take 50 much out iof Zigzag
to make the running for Simpkin.
If the gallant old horse would only
last home, the 5000 rupees would pay
his losses.
In the stand the cry OF 'Xigzag
wins. went up as the horses clung to
each other up the straight
| Layton was Juggling 1t h!s blond
| muStachr. and even Gniety'S face was
| solemn and still rs he realized what
that struggle meant to the two Of
| them meant more to them than to all
The others In the stand together. Not
snly the money, hut honor-lifr Itself
was nt Stnkc.
AS they flashed past the stand Zig
tig's big b"ny head, with its wide red
noStrilS, was still In front.
And $" they caught the Judges eye.
The stout heart OF the gallant horse
and the cool head OF the steel ncrvcd
elder had won the race that was nll
but thrown away.