Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-03-01
KNIGHT A.RRAnT"
e&ysGBe 81 Jack Mcdonald esq.,

~ -yEHZ Y. -
on rigid diet getting him down to
LA pounds for today's ride"
"Then how do you explain his
breath?" snapped the judge.
"Oh, that's nothing" Slim replied
with shrug. "He felt little weak
this morning so I made him take q
little wine TOTO, well, you know, to
tone him up, that's ALL"
"Hm!" snorted the Judge. "It must
have been potent wine. Well get the
track doctor and find out"
A moment later the doctor came
into the jockey room and asked Drap-
er to walk a straight line along q
seam in the flooring. With studied
concentration, Draper managed this
acceptably and Slim, as the boy walk
ed across the room, was hopeful when
the doctor nodded in approval.
"Now, let's see YOU do it," was
Diapers chesty remark to the doc
tor after making good in the test.
The doctor flew into rage. "That
settles it," he said. "This kid doesn't
ride"
Slim laid his hand on the doctors
shoulder.
you've got to let him ride, Doc.
He's fresh kid, know and shouldn't
have said it. I'm not asking any IA
vors for this boy, but I brought him
here from Florida to ride a great
horse that's earned chance. Please,
Doc, be a good fellow and overlook
the kids dumb crack"
Sims earnestness won Draper the
doctors reprieve.
It was still more than two hours
before post time. Slim took Draper
by the arm and pushed him to the
track emergency hospital.
Fevereshly Slim worked over Drap-
er there, sparing no sympathy in
pummeling the boy around. Dimples
submitted meekly to the rough hand
ling during the rundown.
The pounding, the black coffee and
cold shower worked wonders with
the boy.
"I'm sorry I let you down, SLIM
Draper whimpered, coming out of the
shower"
Lets don't talk about it. You
told me once if ever needed you tt
send for you. Well, I never needed
you like ! do today-and look at you'll
"I'm all right, Slim. Remember
the way I rode Knight Errant the
day when I thought I was riding fol
a job with the colonel? Well, I'll dc
it again-only better"
"Never mind the dramatics. &C
get your tack and let's see if you car
pass inspection by the judges"
Slim joined Heather between races
Everything is fine" he assured
her cheerfully.
But his heart was heavy.
Slim STROBE into Knight Errant's
stable an hour and half before post
time. Snapper's mournful face show
ed by the feed bin. "I'v been waiting
for you. I know Something" Snap
per pleaded nervously. "Bassit's on
our side, Slim" he whispered. "He's
sending in a wad of dough on him!"
Slim observed tartly, "Well, then,
it will ease the pain for me if Knight
Errant loses"
"I'm telling you the TRUTH" whim-
pered Snapper. "Bassitt is going to
give Comanche the business. He has
a man hiding over there across the
track beyond the backstretch to shine
a mirror in Comanche's eyes,"
Without another word Slim led
knight Errant out of the stable and
to the receiving barn. Then he made
his way, not to Heather, but into the
box where Edith sat alone.
He did not give her a chance to
speak, for the time was shortening
now-the fourth race had been run.
Edith, Bassitt is around dealing
the cards again and he's planning to
hand Comanche the nine of hearts.
He's going to try binding your horse