The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-11-08
CLEOPAT RA


manyleNccs, and iianything, hadincrcased
het spccd But mha, worried me most was
the extraordinary manner IN which every
thing hurt y. There wasn't place any
where from MY head 70 my feet, which !
could honestly have made affidavit TO, that
was less sore than the other. In a way !
dare say, Il took my mind of other things
ard worked 70 my advantage, for i quite
forgot Cleopatra and busted myself finding
a place in the saddle that did not rub.
Then suddenly saw the huntsman 60 down
hard, over stiff four-bar post and rail into
4 roadway, and in a moment the master
followed him, and his horse turned turtle
in the air. For some reason or other il did
not impress me, and as Cleopatra and gal
loped at il quite alone, could not help but
feel kind OF admiration for myself 1t was
superb. The master said SO that evening,
for he was the cnly one near enough TO see
It except the huntsman, and he was chasing
his horse. Cleopatra rose at 1t like some
beautiful bird about to take fight, and we
cleared the fence and good-sized ditch
without quam.
The MASTER who was trying to mount
shouted for me to 60 on with the hounds,
which was entirely unnecessary, as Cleo
patra had caught the direction by the sound
and was galloping as only thoroughbred
can. | had given up hope long ago, and as
had been prepared to die for some time
past, there did not seem anything in par
ticular to do but wait.
Once | looked behind me and saw only
long stretches OF fields and fences, but not
soul in sight. Then suddenly hounds
turned sharply in at somebody's iarmyard
and surged over the gate, and chopped
their quarry there. Cleopatra surged also.
1t never occurred to me to try to stop her,
Sic took one last delightful soar, and we
sank gracefully but happily into a ton Of
Ley.
! got of, that is, rather, Cleopatra got off
re, ard | stood up. All around me seemed
TO reign peace and contentment. Every
thing seemed contented; the hounds were
calmly licking their chops; Cleopatra was
breathing heavily but happily in my sar;
and II stretched my leg and found my
self alive. 1t was enough.
When the others came cantering along
few minutes later, called to them and
Rawdon got off and tried to open the gate.
] noticed that his chin barely rested on the
top Of it.
John" he called, chow do you open
this gate2 It's padocked."
You don't; you come over it."
Rawdon's expression was worth much to
see then, and the glances OF the others quite
repaid me.
Here's the brush" / said in my best
manner, holding up as much OF it as bad
been able to save. Quite hot scent1"
"Well, I'll be d." said Rawdon, and
looked at the master.
The journey home was something of
triumph for me, and Cleopatra, having done
hcrworst, trotted along very demurely with
the Others.
That was very nasty place where the
huntsman and the master came down, said
Rawdon; Il didn't think Cleopatra had it
in her It's where Smith broke his leg.
You remember | showed it to you on the
way over."
The place where Smith" and then /
stopped. ,a
Whats wrong1 feeling little worn? you
look pale" Rawdon inquired solicitously. =
"Oh, no" | replied, not bit Of it." 2
Glad to hear it, he went on, relieved.
Thought it might have been too much for
you after you had not ridden for 50 many
years You rode like veteran J,
Whenever | hear hounds, you know, my
blood gets up and can't get enough" I
replied loftily Royal sport, wasn't it1"
You bet Cleopatra's great mare. I
knew she'd give you good ride Raw On
said
THE greatest ever" / answered. =