jewed. 335 



tunity to consummate the business affair, and for that 



desirable end, he determined to cross the tracks at all 



hazards, and keep in the wake of his man. A 



moment he gazed adown the tracks at the approaching 



horses — 



"A moment listened to the cry 



That thickened as the race grew nigh." 



and then, with one brave bound, he crossed the path 

 nearest him, for one instant bewildered; he crouches 

 like a hare in the little space of grass that divides the 

 two paths ; amidst cries of "lay down,'' "go on," from 

 the many-headed ; he plunges into Rolette's path, and 

 receives from the knees of that animal, in a rising 

 bound, a glancing blow upon the pack strapped upon 

 his back, and, amid a loud crash of smashed glass and 

 boxes, he is spun in a variety of somersets high in the 

 air, and breaks the force of his fall by carrying an old 

 man and boy, mounted double, to the earth from their 

 mule. The accident was fatal to Col. Pierch's in- 

 terest. Rolette floundered and fell, and ere his rider, 

 with frightful oath and imprecation, could rouse him 

 from the earth, Sliding Jennie had swept by like a 

 storm, and passed through the poles a winner, amid 

 the shouts and yells of the crowd. 



The scene that ensued I will not attempt to de- 

 scribe. After a partial lull had taken place, I be- 

 held Col. Pierch elbowing his way through the 

 crowd, and glaring about him with an eye that 

 absolutely flashed with rage. It was plain to 

 see, as Uncle Billy Spark remarked, that the devil 

 was in him. "I want to speak with that peddler a 

 minit," the Colonel ejaculated through his bloodless 

 lips — "only a minit." "Now," said Col. Pierch, con- 



