A GREAT HORSE 



the starting line, when he is turned and scored down 

 for the word. .. 



Here, presto! a lightning change takes place. The 

 horse that ambled down, apparently suffering from 

 general lassitude, turns and flashes back, energy in- 

 carnate. His neck is stretched and his nostrils begin 

 to dilate, while his eyes seem to burn in their intensity, 

 and the splendid muscles in his body quiver, ready for 

 the great effort. Yet he does not tug at the reins, but 

 is simply keyed up for the effort, like the tiger for 

 his fatal spring. Three times he comes down with the 

 pace-maker, Mike The Tramp, alongside ; then "Go !" 

 yells the starter, and stop-watches all over the place 

 click. 



The champion and his pace-maker reach the quarter, 

 and " 130" flashes from the timers' stand. With neck 

 extended, and without wasting a particle of effort, 

 Cresceus plunges into the wind that meets him and 

 roars around his driver's ears. At his saddle tears 

 the running horse, and words of encouragement are 

 shouted at him by Ketcham and Murnen, who is be- 

 hind the runner. The great horse's legs work like 

 machinery, and he trots with prodigious strides, and 

 with never a suggestion of a break, i :o2j is hung 

 out from the stand as the champion flew by the half- 

 mile pole, and i 134 goes up as he reaches the three- 

 quarter pole. 



At the half-mile pole stood the good old hunter, 

 Beauregard, with Bob Boyce, a most expert jockey, on 



152 



