256 Next to the Ground 



Leander, the non-winning four-year-old, tak- 

 ing the precaution to remove his under-jaw, 

 spirited away Running Rein, and sent his 

 nominal owner into hiding. When the case 

 was called, the judge could do nothing but 

 give Orlando the stake. He said, in giving 

 it, Running Rein was the one really material 

 witness, and his absence was proof positive 

 of fraud. 



A horse feels not only his manger but his 

 bed, more especially the bed of delight upon 

 which he flings himself to wallow. His joy 

 in wallowing is unmistakable, though the 

 reason for the act even the wisest among 

 horsemen has not yet found out. It cannot 

 be classed with motions involuntary but nec- 

 essary, such as stretching and yawning. 

 Upon waking, horses both yawn and stretch, 

 also after rising from long lying in the shade. 

 The yawn is open-mouthed, with a strong 

 out-breath, the stretching much like a cat's 

 stretching, with the four legs stiffly extended 

 and the back slightly arched. In rare in- 

 stances the back is deeply saddled that is, 

 swayed down. Sometimes also one hind leg 

 is held straight out, and kicked swiftly two 

 or three times. But all this is solemn and 

 serious work, if something languid at times. 

 Wallowing makes a horse, both spiritually 

 and actually, of another color. 



