The Running Walk. 29 



As I shorten the reins, 't is indeed a pleasure to 

 see your head come up, neck arched, eye bright- 

 ening, alternate ears moving back to catch your 

 master's word, feet at once gathered under you, 

 and nerves and muscles on keenest tension. 

 Every motion is springy, elastic, bold, and free, 

 as full of power as it is of ease. No wonder, Pa- 

 troclus, that eyes so often turn to watch you. No 

 wonder that you seem conscious that they do. 

 For though we both know that the first test of 

 the horse is performance, yet having that, there is 

 pleasure to us both in your graceful gaits. 



To give the reins the least possible shake will 

 send you into the most ecstatic of running walks, 

 as fast as one needs to go, and so easy that it is 

 a constant wonder how you do it. This is no 

 common amble or bumping pace, but the true 

 four beat rack. And as you toss your head and 

 champ your bit, Patroclus, with the pleasure of 

 your accelerated motion, how well you seem to 

 know the comfort of your rider. 



IV. 



This running walk or rack, by the way, is one 

 of the most delightful of gaits. Its universal 

 adoption in the South by every one who can buy 

 a racker is due to the roads, which, for many 

 months of the year, are so utterly impassable that 

 you have to pick your way in and out of the 



