110 ROAD, TRACK, AND STABLE. 



he now measured the distance to be overcome. 

 Slowly but surely came he nearer to Felix; within 

 a few lengths of the wire the}" were almost even. 

 Just at the last moment Splan roused Nobby for a 

 final effort, and landed him first under the wire by 

 a neck. Time, 2.25." 



Seventh Heat. Twilight was coming on as the 

 tired horses scored for the word. At the third trial 

 they received a fair start. Felix broke almost im- 

 mediately, and lost three lengths, but Florence gave 

 Nobby no rest so long as her wind and courage 

 lasted. She hung close to the wheel of his sulky 

 until they had got midway of the second quarter, 

 when Nobby began to draw away from her. At this 

 point Felix came along, and the driver of Florence, 

 seeing that she had "shot her bolt," kindly pulled 

 her out from the pole to the centre of the track, thus 

 allowing Felix to slip into her place. Florence then 

 dropped behind, but Felix continued to gain, and 

 at the half-mile pole he was trotting neck and neck 

 with Nobby. From this point, as before, Felix out- 

 trotted Nobby, and when they turned into the home 

 stretch for the last time he had a good lead of three 

 full lengths. Again the driver of Felix brought 

 him out to the centre of the track, and again Splan 

 hugged the pole. The brush clown the home stretch 

 was an exciting one. Felix trotted fast, but behind 

 him still pegged away the unconquerable Nobby, and 

 the distance between them was reduced inch by inch, 

 until at last Splan brought his horse up on even terms 

 with the other. They were now but a few yards 

 from the goal. Both horses were exhausted, and 

 Nobby could not be aroused by the voice, for his ears 



