SEA SPRAY ^ SMOKE DRIFT 



The colt will take lots of choking ; 

 The hot breath steams at your saddle girth, 

 From his scarlet nostril smokinof. 



The shouts of the Ring for a space subside, 



And slackens the bookmaker's roar ; 

 Now, Davis, rally ; now. Carter, ride, 



As man never rode before. 

 When Sparrowhawk's backers cease to cheer, 



When Yattendon's friends are dumb. 

 When hushed is the clamour of Volunteer — 



Alone in the race they come ! 



They're neck and neck ; they're head and 

 head ; 



They're stroke for stroke in the running ; 

 The whalebone whistles, the steel is red. 



No shirking as yet nor shunning. 

 One effort, Seagull, the blood you boast 



Should struggle when nerves are strained ; — 

 With a rush on the post by a neck at the most, 



The verdict for Tim is gained. 



Tim Whiffler wins. Is blood alone 

 The sine qua non for a flyer ? 



122 



