Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-02-12
CHAPTER XIII.

little after six in the morning. The
l--1 SIN has Just succeeded in breaking
4,ngb the morning mist, and the air
III has a crackle of frost in 1t. At
III foot of a small knoll, surmounted by
little cIump of Scotch fir, stand three
~, engaged in earnest conversation.
CAREFULLY sheeted, with stable boys on
tar backs, some seven or eight thorough
s rpis pace majestically round and round
+ he little hillock. On the side these men
& u Standing. stretches a considerable ex-
, nlse Of velvety turf-down. A series of
ssliar white poles mark out wide oval
4 mL somewhere about a mile in circum-
Eence. That broad, green, ribbon-like
nek is what is termed the Mannersley
. 9lop, and the ground upon which Mr..
?arnan's horses take their daily exer-
p
The gentleman in the pepper-and-salt
git, Sngle-breasted coat, longish waist
1at and l0w-crowned hat, is Martin Ply
ntt trainer. He fddles with the ash
Plant in his hand, and seems rather to
auQr to something that his companion
San Pearman-seems to insist on.
As for the third member Of the confer
aoe, bright, wiry, dark little man, he
l0lS as if his opinion must be asked
pretty decidedly before he intends commit
ting himself on any point. He is a jockey
d some considerable eminence in his pro-
tsion.
Can't do any harm, Martin. He might
B as we'll have a spin with the old
ho'se as 60 his usual gallop."
Well, I'd rather Mr.. Pearman wait
I'll he is quite wound up before trying
lin. You must do as you please, sir.
No horse can be doing better; but contin-
a!y trying does take the heart out of
1en, you know, sir"
VI course it does; but mind, we
AVent galloped Coriander beside another
lS year. We suppose him to be quite
Is good and better than he was last au-
lnl, but we've never ascertained. l
man to know this morning."
in the meantime the string has halted,
he sheets are removed, and then, led by
-7 head lad on a veteran Of four seasons
sanding, the youngsters proceed in In
-al hIe round the course at a half-speed
A.op Then comes more walking for
Tenty minutes or 50, succeeded by an
@ae' steady canter, towards the finish OF
'lca the pace is considerably improved
me rate Of progression being always
esulated by the rider Of the leading
0Se, who has, of course, received his
.SIuctons from the trainer beforehand.
aoHe walking, then more cantering, at
~s conclusion of which Martin Pycroft
us quietly:
lake EN- home, William, and tell
lose boys to bring Loadstone and Corr
adec up here"
Merely replying, "All right, sir" Will
44 turned his horses head in the direc-
ol Of the stables.
minute or two, and a couple of stable
w walk the horses to where Pearman,
!cSoU and the rigid rider to orders
q standing.
Jump Of and strip 'em," says the
amer The boys slip off the backs of
-@s respective mounts, and hold them
NE head while Pycroft unlooses Corr
.gs' surcingle, whips off the sheets
~: q deTterous hand, and proceeds to
-, s.% light racing asddle on that
,-,1e celebrity's back. Jim, assisted by
~, ~, 1lan, performs the same Office for
~, NOW, sir" says Martin, before we
i. =. low they are together, we had better
:. let EN- have a quiet canter. Jim, you
= up on Coriander. You, young 'un,
~ .Ooan1ed, addressing the lad who had
~. upon Loadstone, "get on your own
,,'S and lead round nice strong can
>, -, making it a little quicker from the
: 1ome than in the dip; but no gallop-
; - II earnest, mind"
y ~C El and moves we'll, sir, don't he?
.a - martin, as Coriander, under Jim's
~, ,SIF hands, after two or three angry
'-sS at his bit, settled down into