80 OINEY O'SHEA. 



Floyd objected, but the judges overruled him after 

 reminding him of his former protest. Then he said 

 he would draw his mare. The judges said, "You can 

 if you wish, and we'll give Oiney the money." The 

 stake-holder was one of the judges. He was a fair 

 man and as brave as a lion. In about half an hour 

 the two horses were again at the starting point. 

 There was but little delay, the rattle of the drum soon 

 telling the people lining both sides of the road that 

 they were off. As they came into view the mare was 

 in front, running under a pull with her mouth open. 

 Oiney was about a length away on the gray and 

 riding him for dear life. As they passed the half- 

 mile mark the mare was still a length to the good. 

 She held the advantage for over a hundred yards, 

 when she began to come back. I was opposite to her 

 at the time and Floyd was standing in front of me 

 with an umbrella in his hand. He rushed out into 

 the road and struck at her, while the boy who was 

 riding her also struck her with the whip. As the 

 blow fell she swerved her head, striking Conquering 

 Billy's quarters as Oiney with a wild "hooray" dashed 

 by. Conquering Billy won the heat in almost a dead 

 silence. There was not a cheer to greet him. Many 

 of those near the finish believed that Maud had been 

 pulled out of her stride, as they never saw her struck 

 before. Oiney came back smiling, but said nothing. 

 He was awarded the heat as soon as the starter came 

 to the wagon and reported to the judges. 



With the announcement pandemonium broke 

 loose. The whole O'Shea family, young and old, 

 seemed to have money to bet on the gray. They 

 stood up in their wagons and asked everybody and 



