Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-03-11


will be hall hon for today. sir"
There were six entries for the Chal-
lcnSe Cup. and all OF them started.
The starter. with sweeping glance
which comprehcnds every one of the
field drops his flag with Il sudden
downward sweep. and the horses skim
over the turf like flight of swallows
flying close together.
Hugh Westerly on Harvester got
away about fourth, Il position which
suited him we'll.
The Meadowthorpc course is n nat
ural one. and the first mile of the race
was over literally flair hunting
country
Hugh had ridden for about half that
distance when Harvester nadc up his
mind to try conclusions with his rider,
and threw up his head in very deter
mined manner. with the ultimate in
tention of boltEg the course.
Much To- his regret. Hugh was COM
PEELED to give his mount II rather Wig
orous treatment with his spurs.
Grasping him tightly by the head. he
administered just one telling Slnsh
with his whip. and then suddenly Hnr-
restcr determined To 20 kindly for the
present. The struggle. however, had
cost Hugh his place. and he now found
himself trailing along in the rear.
All tho horses had been taking their
fences well. but they now approach
natural "in-and-out," formed BY II
grassy lane running between two post
and rail fences.
Fricktop took both jumps splendid
ly In his stride. and he was followed
over by Brighteycs. Whalcbone how
ever. baked ut the second leap, and
Lady Grey refused altogether at the
first attempt.
This left the way clear for Druid,
who took both jumps very c!rverly:
while Harvester. rushing ut them with
an impetus that was almost fatal. Just
managed 20 get over without fall.
The jumps now were comparative
iy easy ones. until they approached
The liverpool" an awe-Inspirng leap
to the unframed rider or to 4 badly
schooled horse.
Rricktop. with the Indifference born
OF scores Of former struggles skinned
1t like bird. but Briehteyes would
have none Of il. Druid and Harvester
were now on equal terms; and Stan
ley Borden, with quick glance from
the corner Of his eye. realized that
Hugh was going to he formidable
competitor, after all.
He took a fresh grasp Of his reins
a. I'M u ~
pool" and Hugh did his best to steady
his own mount.
The two horses went at the big
.lumI'-a Suard-rnii, a SiX-foot ditch,
and stiff hedge on the landing side
together. As one horse they rose, and
as they landed and raced madly on,
Il faint sound rs of applause from the
crowd came from the clubhouse, three
quarters OF a mile away.
The race was now on in earnest.
Bricktop. well in the lead, began to
set the pace. while Druid and Har-
HcStcr fought it ont together.
No doubt Stanley Borden was sur
DriSch to find himself contcnding with
Hugh.
CHANGING ahead. Hugh saw that they
were "a hing rapidly on Bricktop.
Slowly the brown drew away from
the chestnut, until, az they approached
the brook, he was leading by couple
of lengths. Druid went ut the water
full speed and cleared ii SpIrndidly.
hut for Il moment Hugh feared That
his mount WAS going to refuse.
just one little hint with his spurrpd
heel did Hugh give 10 The chestnut,
ana he flew into The air. landing well
in his stride on the other side Of the
brook.
The jumping was over. and the run
home. thrrc.Quarters Of mile In
length. now lay before them.
In one respect. however, Borden had
!hr advantage. lie could punish with
whip and spur and thus force his
mount to use all the speed he DOS
sesscd. Hugh could only coax the
chestnut by appealing to his courage
and by an occasional hint from his
spur
But ms inch by inch he began to
draw up 10 Druid. and when ut last
the cheStnut's nose was on q line with
The brown horses girth. he felt his
confidence return To him with rush,
and he was his own man again. After
that Hugh had only a rather dim idcn
OF what way taking place.
But II was not until he had turned
and was riding back to the judges
stand that he was assured, by the
cheering Of the spectators, of his vic
tory.
II was iIarvcstcr'S rars.
Surely his $clf-rnised bogy OF mid
die age had bccn exercised now for all
time: and he hurried his toilet with
the caSrrn"SS of q boy IN his anxiety