FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 93 



shoulder, the horse saw his tongue hanging out — he 

 looked almost winded, but his pace was long and even, 

 like Morgan's, and his flapping ears responded rhythmi- 

 cally to his gait. 



Morgan tossed his head and made a movement with 

 his tail as much as to indicate he had just begun to race. 

 The rapid clatter of his own hoofs on the hard road was 

 music to him. 



Seconds passed. Then the dog disappeared at a sharp 

 bend in the road. 



Losing sight of him for a moment nerved Morgan 

 to a sudden spurt. With all his power impelling him he, 

 too, rounded the corner — and ran headlong into two 

 horsemen who had been jogging peacefully and unsus- 

 pectingly along the quiet and seemingly deserted high- 

 way. 



What a reckoning there was ! Never was such con- 

 fusion ! Lawyer Buckley slid from the back of his pony 

 and his books broke from the strap and were scattered 

 over the road ; Dr. Pierce's saddle bags burst open and 

 pills and bandages fell out as if to offer their help in the 

 emergency. 



Morgan, realizing he had caused all the trouble, kept 

 his presence of mind admirably, and stood firm and 

 motionless where his front feet had plowed into the 

 earth at his sudden halt. David did not lose his seat, 

 but the stop, without any warning, almost threw him 

 over Morgan's head. 



When things had steadied a bit, and explanations and 

 apologies made, David noticed for the first time, as he 

 put his hand up to remove his hat, and wipe the perspira- 

 tion from his brow, that his beaver was missing. 



Under the very feet of Dr. Pierce's nag, who stood 

 still snorting her expostulations, it was found. Lawyer 



