Argosy, Vol. 120, No. 1 — page 150: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

140 Just as he had ridden in from the plow did Pappy come—displaying the flapping, broad-brimmed hat, stockingless ankles, pants already hitching up his bony leg half- way to the knee, and an old brown shirt not entirely whole and not at all clean. Ue created the same interest that the h clown does in the circus parade. _ One of the bookmakers laughed, rubbed out the forty to one odds on the Rose colt, chalking it up one hundred to one; and at that there were few takers. The bunch of horses—some of them il- bred beasts that would kick and bite and were badly ridden—jockeyed for position. Pappy kept out of the ruck until the start- er grew stern and spoke sharply. Then the old man pulled the mare into line. By this time the other horses were lath- ered and nervous. The Rose colt was eager, but she was an old hand. She blew softly through her nostrils, tossed her head once, and then crouched for the word, She was, indeed, the only mount ready when “ They’re off!’ sounded in a roar from grand stand and, bleachers. She might eas- ily have taken the lead at the start. But Pappy let Breecher and Firefly do that. The big black leaped to the fore after the first few rods, and began to lead a fast race. Daylight could be seen be- tween his outstretched tail and the rest of the field, and that strip of daylight grew. Well in the lead of the field was Garry’s sorrel mare, her eyes rolling to see that nothing passed her. A full length behind her ran the Rose colt, gliding over the ground with her sixty-year-old rider—Pap- py riding so easily that it seemed the mare was not trying at all. The rush and scurry of the other horses —the hoof-beats, the dust, and the flying pebbles—did not ‘trouble the old mare in the least. Already some of the laggard riders were using whip and spur as though once around the course was the length of the race. But those too eager riders soon dropped behind—spent. Breecher, with his wonderful stride, kept the lead. As he flashed past the post first around, the crowd roared at the faVorite. It was all Breecher. And, if any accident befell the black horse, there was Firefly, THE ARGOSY, her head and shoulders out of the ruck, ready to forge forward, it seemed, and win the race. The horses reached again the first quar- ter post in the order already named. The flea-bitten gray with the scarecrow figure of Pappy on her back, was running sixth. Then, for the first time, the old man spoke to her: “Come up—Rose!” At the weird, shrill cry the mare actually doubled her speed! She passed two horses ‘so quickly that their riders scarce realized that they had lost place. But the rider nearest Firefly heard the Rose colt coming, and in his nervousness laid on the whip. His mount made a heartbreaking spurt and shot ahead of Firefly before the sorrel’s rider could let her out. This was the moment for Garry’s jock to follow the instructions which had been given him. He shot a glance behind and found the red nostrils of the gray mare at his mount’s tail. But he was too late, then, to turn the trick. It was only for a mo- ment that Firefly was outpaced; but it was Sufficient to rattle the sorrel. She had been passed. Her head came up, and she faltered in her stride. It was to her, not to the Rose colt, that Garry’s jockey must give his attention, Firefly recovered her lead on the first sprint- ing horse almost immediately, and that ani- mal lost two places in as many seconds— . for the Rose colt was coming on! Her hoof-beats pounded in Firefty’s ears, Her nose drew to the sorrel’s saddle, It crept inch by inch along Firefly’s neck. In @ moment, it seemed, they were running nose and nose, and instead of crowding the Rose mare against the rail, Garry’s jock found himself in the trap! The sorrel’s eye rolled and her temper was ruffied. The flea-bitten gray and her uncouth rider crept on and on, and Firefly began to sulk. She was being passed by a rival that could not be beaten. The horses were so far from the grand stand—they were now half-way round— _ that the change in their order was not af first noticed. Free of the field, with only the black in front, Pappy began to ride! Enos, watching through a battered pair EO 1NOO Ae <S XO