"That mare'll beat him," retorted Porter, curtly, nettled by the other's
cocksureness.

"I'll bet you one horse against the other, the winner to take both,"
cried Langdon in a sneering, defiant tone.

"I've made my bets," said Lucretia's owner, quietly.

"I hear you had an offer of five thousand for your filly, Mr. Porter,"
half queried Crane.

"I did, and I refused it."

"And here's the one that'll beat her to-day, an' I'll sell him for half
that," asserted the Trainer, putting his hand on Lauzanne's neck.

Exasperated by the persistent boastfulness of Langdon, Porter was
angered into saying, "If he beats my mare, I'll give you that for him
myself."

"Done!" snapped Langdon. "I've said it, an' I'll stick to it."

"I don't want the horse--" began Porter; but Langdon interrupted him.

"Oh, if you want to crawl"

"I never crawl," said Porter fiercely. "I don't want your horse, but
just to show you what I think of your chance of winning, I'll give you
two thousand and a half if you beat my mare, no matter what wins the
race."