Slowly it forged ahead until it was
two lengths in advance, for a few strides their relative positions
remained unaltered, then there was a shout from the carriages;
scarlet was coming up again. Mameluke's rider glanced over his
shoulder, and began to use the whip. For a few strides the horse
widened the gap again, but Prothero still sat quiet and unmoved.
Just as they reached the end of the line of carriages, Seila again
began to close up.
"Seila wins! Seila wins!" the officers shouted.
But it seemed to Isobel that this was well nigh impossible, but foot
by foot the mare came up, and as they passed the Hunters' carriage
her head was in advance.
In spite of the desperate efforts of the rider of Mameluke, another
hundred yards and they passed the winning post, Seila a length
ahead.
CHAPTER VII.
The exultation of the officers of the 103d over Seila's victory
was great. They had all backed her, relying upon Prothero's riding,
but although his success was generally popular among the Europeans
at the station, many had lost considerable sums by their confidence
in Mameluke's speed.
Isobel sat down feeling quite faint from the excitement.
"I did not think I could have been so excited over a race between
two horses," she said to Mrs. Hunter; "it was not the bets, I never
even thought about them--it was just because I wanted to see Mr.
Prothero's horse win. I never understood before why people should
take such an interest in horse racing, but I quite understand now.
Pages:
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129