290 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
horse looked better for his exertion, was inclined to see 
the day out, just for the fun of the thing. 
If the extra exercise of the race improved “ Boots,’ 
it had quite a contrary effect upon the others. They 
were sadly blown, and manifested growing symptoms of 
distress. In those days, the business of training a horse 
for a four-mile race was beyond the skill of Western 
jockeys, or at least of many of them, and the art of 
riding in a manner to keep a horse together, and husband ~ 
him for after heats, was known to but few. In the 
present case, the horses were both over-trained, and 
over-worked in the race. 
As soon as the heat was done, innumerable boys and 
grown-up men were rubbing them down, scraping the 
foam off of them with great industry and perseverance. 
Covers of brightest colors were put over them, and such 
pains as few invalids get, were bestowed upon them; 
whilst his rider hitched “ Boots” to a post, and quietly 
sauntered off to a booth, to comfort himself with ginger- 
bread and a glass of cider. | 
When the time allowed for rest had elapsed, the three 
horses were again brought to the post—but this time 
the thorough-breds had become quite subdued, either 
through fatigue, or from an admiration of the sober de- 
portment of the strange competitor who stood beside 
them. “At the word “go,” they all three “got off” 
cleverly together for the 
Seconp Heat.— Boots” took a position close up, 
