The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-17
CLEOPATRA
BY PHILIP s F1ICFBORN

many fences. and. if anything, had increased
her speed. But what worried me most was
the extraordinary manner in which every
thing hurt so. There wasn't place any
where from my head to 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 off other things
and worked to my advantage, for / quite
forgot Cleopatra and busted myself finding
j place in the saddle that did not rub.
Then suddenly saw the huntsman 20 down
hard, over a stiff four bar post and rail into
Z roadway, and in moment the master
followed him, and his horse turned turtle
in the air. For some reason or other it did
not impress me, and as Cleopatra and gal
loped at it quite alone, l could not help but
feel a kind of admiration for myself. It was
superb. The master said so that evening,
for he was the only one near enough to see
it except the huntsman, and he was chasing
his horse. Cleopatra rose at it like some
beautiful bird about to take flight, and we
cleared the fence and a good-sized ditch
without a qualm.
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 gal1oping as only a thoroughbred
can. had given up hope long ago, and al
l had been prepared to die for some time
past, there did not seem anything IN par
ticular to do but wait.
Once I 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 farmyard
and surged over the gate, and chopped
their quarry there. Cleopatra surged also
1t never occurred to me to try to stop her.
She took one last delightful soar, and we
sank gracefully but happily into ton Of
hay.
l got off, that is, rather, Cleopatra got of
me, and 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 car;
and II stretched my leg, and found my
self alive. 1t was enough.
When the others came cantering along 4
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 gate? It's padlocked."
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 | had
been able to save Quite a hot scentt"
We'll, I'll be d. said Rawdon, and
looked at the master.
The journey home was something of
triumph for me, and Cleopatra, having done
her worst, trotted along very demurely with
the Others.
That was a 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 I
stopped. -
What's wrong? feeling a little worn you
look pale, RawGon inquired solicitously. !.
oh, no. replied, mot bit of it."
Glad to hear it," he went On, relieved.
Thought it might have been too much for
you after You had not ridden fol- so many
years. You rode like veteran a.,
whenever hear hounds, you know, my
blood gets up and I can't get enough" /
replied lottily. Royal sport, wasn't it?''
You bet. Cleopatras great mare. /
Atlts Slie G give YOU good ride RawdoD
said.
The greatest ever" answered.