jewed. 333 



"Now, Aignog," said Col. Pierch, addressing the 

 proprietor of the Bucksnort Saloon ; "Now, Aignog, 

 do you turn that hoss ; I'm gwine to ride him myself." 

 This remark was made after Rolette had been caught 

 and returned to his owner. 



'Twas a beautiful sight to behold the Colonel 

 divesting himself of the long-tailed blue, binding his 

 brow with a red cotton bandanna, having first kicked 

 off his low-quartered shoes, and thrust the extremities 

 of his copperas dyes into his green hose, then encir- 

 cling his waist firmly with his suspenders. Before 

 mounting, like a prudent jockey, his critical eye and 

 hand swept every fixture about the horse ; finding 

 girths, buckles, bits, reins all correct, with a nimble 

 bounce he vaulted into the saddle, and gathered him- 

 self up for the struggle. The voice and chirrups of 

 his master seemed somewhat to soothe the troubled 

 temper of Rolette, and a prospect of a speedy turn- 

 loose animated the feelings of the bystanders. 



At last, after several skillful and masterly ma- 

 noeuvers, like ships in action beating to windward, 

 Keeno and Aignog, almost abreast, near the starting- 

 poles. The eye of Keeno has lost its leaden hue ; his 

 face glows, for one instant, electric fire ; his glance is 

 firmly riveted upon the face of the judge who gives 

 the signal, and as the thought of utterance fills his 

 mind, Keeno's grasp falls from the mare's bridle, and 

 like a flash of light she bounds forth with the word 

 "go !" a length in advance of Rolette. Ah ! Aignog 

 was no match for Keeno. 



"Hoorah ! hoorah ! my roaring Pierch," shouted the 

 crowd at the starting pole. "Hoorah ! hoorah ! clear 

 the track, they are a-coming — they're a-coming," is 



