E. F. GEERS 



CHAPTER 

 XXIV 



CRESCEUS DEFEATS LORD DERBY 



THE champion's next engagement was at Read- 

 ville, on August 22, and he added one more 

 victory to his credit. He made his appear- 

 ance in the free-for-all trot, and with neatness and 

 dispatch disposed of Charley Herr and Lord Derby. 



The followers of The Abbot had despaired of beating 

 the champion with The Abbot, and had built their hopes 

 upon the other crack trotter of the Village Farm stable, 

 Lord Derby. This fast trotter had shown extreme 

 speed, and was thought to be a hardier, stouter-hearted 

 trotter than The Abbot, and for that reason was 

 thought able to cope with the sturdy champion. Char- 

 ley Herr was not in the fine condition which so dis- 

 tinguished his career the previous year, and in conse- 

 quence Lord Derby was depended upon to lower the 



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