Thoroughbreds by W. A. Fraser
page 39 of 427 (09%)
page 39 of 427 (09%)
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goal. And at his girth raced the compact bay son of Hanover; galloping,
galloping with a stout heart and eager reaching head; straining every sinew, and muscle, and nerve; in his eye the brave desire, not to be denied. Ah, gallant little bay! On his back was the offspring of unthinking parents--a pin-head. Perhaps the Evil One had ordained him to the completion of Langdon's villainy with Lauzanne. At the pinch his judgment had flown--he was become an instrument of torture; with whip and spur he was throwing away the race. Each time he raised his arm and lashed, his poor foolish body swayed in the saddle, and The Dutchman was checked. "Oh, if he would but sit still!" Porter cried, as he watched the equine battle. The stand mob clamored as though Nero sat there and lions had been loosed in the arena. The strange medley of cries smote on the ears of Allis. How like wild beasts they were, how like wolves! She closed her eyes, for she was weary of the struggle, and listened. Yes, they were wolves leaping at the throat of her father, and joying in the defeat of Lucretia. Deep-throated howls from full-chested wolves: "Come on you, Lauzanne! On, Westley, on! The Bay wins! The Dutchman--The Dutchman for a thousand!" "I'll take--" But the new voice was stilled into nothingness by the shrill, reawakening falsetto. "Go on, Westley! Lauzanne wins--wins--wins!" it seemed to repeat. Allis sank back into her seat. She knew it was all |
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