Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-01-28
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.
A little after six in the morning. The
April sun has just succeeded in breaking
through the morning mist, and the air
still has a crackle of frost in it. At
the foot of small knoll, surmounted by
a little clump of Scotch fir, stand three
men, engaged in earnest conversation.
Carefully sheeted, with stable boys on
their backs, some seven or eight thorough
breds pace majestically round and round
the little hillock. On the side these men
are standing, stretches a considerable ex-
panse of velvety turf-down. A series of
slender white poles mark out a wide oval
road, somewhere about a mile in circum-
ference. That broad, green, ribbon-like
track is what is termed the Mannersley
Gallop, and the ground upon which Mr..
pearmans horses take their daily exer-
else
The gentleman in the pepper-andsalt
suit, single-breasted coat, lOngish waist
coat and low-crowned hat, is Martin Ply
croft, trainer. He fiddles with the ash
plant in his hand, and seems rather to
demur to something that his companion
Sam Pearman-seems to insist on.
As for the third member of the confer
ence, a bright, wiry, dark little man, he
looks as if his opinion must be asked
pretty decidedly before he intends commit
ting himself on any point. He is a jockey
of some considerable eminence in his pro-
fession.
Cant do any harm, Martin. He might
just as we'll have a spin with the old
horse as go his usual gallop."
well. I'd rather Mr.. Pearman wait
till he is quite wound up before trying
him. You must do as you please, sir.
No horse can be doing better but cOntin-
ually trying does take the heart out of
them, you know sir
"Of course it does; but mind. we
haven't galoped Coriander beside another
this year We suppose him to be quite
as good and better than he was last au-
tumn, but we've never ascertained.
mean to know this morning"
In the meantime the string has halted
the sheets are removed, and then, led by
the head lad on a veteran of four seasons
standing. the youngsters proceed in In
dian file round the course at a half-speed
gaIlop. Then comes more walking for
twenty minutes or so, succeeded by an
other steady canter, towards the finish of
which the pace is considerably improved
the rate of progression being always
regulated by the rider of the leading
horse. who has, of course, received his
instructions from the trainer beforehand
More walking, then more cantering, at
the conclusion of which Martin Pycroft
says quietly:
Take EN- home, William, and tell
hOx TO hrinr 7
ander up here"
Merely replying, "All right, sir" Will
liam turned his horses head in the direc-
ton of the stables.
minute or two, and couple of stable
bows walk the horses to where Pearman,
Pycroft and 1.-THE rigid rider to orders"
are standing.
Jump off and strip EN-" says the
trainer. The boys slip off the backs of
their respective mounts, and hold them
by the head while Pycroft unlooses Corr
ander's surcingle, whips off the sheets
with a dextcrous hand, and proceeds TO
adjust light racing asddle on that
equine celebrity's back Jim. assisted by
Pearman, performs the same Office for
Loadstone.
Now, sir" says Martin, before we
see how they are together, we had better
just let EN- have quiet canter Jim, YOU
get up on Coriander. You, young 'un,''
he continued, addressing the lad who had
been upon Loadstone, get on your own
horse, and lead round a nice strong can
ter. making it a little quicker from the
bush home than in the dip; but no gallop-
ing in earnest, mind"
DolyS oOd u,nvaS sir doD't H. ~
said Martin, as Coriander, under Jim's
mastery hands, after two or three angry
snatches at his bit, settled down into
the long, low sweeping stride character
istic of the most thoroughbred horses
that distinguish themselves on a race
course.
And now the pair come striding along
towards the knoll. where they are pulled
up.
go kind?" inquiries Mr.. Pycroft
Nice 'oss to ride-can put him any
where" observes Jim, sententiously.
Walk EN- about bit, while we get
the saddle cloths ready"
Jim and the boy duly so into the scale.
Another muttered conversation between
Pycroft and his master; then the saddles
were removed, the loaded cloths carefully
adjusted, the saddles replaced over them,
the long surcingles passed carefully over,
and Coriander and Loadstone were ready
for their trial
Give them their orders, Martin, and
then come here and see it. Mind, they re
TO starr from the three-quarter-of-am mile
post. Who's to start 'em?"
"All right, sir; l told William to come
back, aEa here he is. You go down with
'em, VIII. Bush In, mind. Here, Jim,
you ride the old horse, of course. this
time. Get of, and come right along. /
don't mean ride his head off, but take the
lead, and keep it,
All right" And Jim walked the grey
leisurely down alongside William, to the
starting post
Now, look here, boy" said Mr.. Ply
croft, advancing to the STRIPPING who was