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208
Animal Heroes
·
Ernest Thompson Seton
136
VI
The
first
morning
of
the
meet
arrived
bright
and
promising.
The
Grand
Stand
was
filled
with
a
city
crowd.
The
usual
types
of
a
racecourse
appeared
in
force.
Here
and
there
were
to
be
seen
the
dog-grooms
leading
in
leash
single
Greyhounds
or
couples,
shrouded
in
blankets,
but
showing
their
sinewy
legs,
their
snaky
necks,
their
shapely
heads
with
long
reptilian
jaws,
and
their
quick,
nervous
yellow
eyes--hybrids
of
natural
force
and
human
ingenuity,
the
most
wonderful
running-machines
ever
made
of
flesh
and
blood.
Their
keepers
guarded
them
like
jewels,
tended
them
like
babies,
and
were
careful
to
keep
them
from
picking
up
odd
eatables,
as
well
as
prevent
them
smelling
unusual
objects
or
being
approached
by
strangers.
Large
sums
were
wagered
on
these
Dogs,
and
a
cunningly
placed
tack,
a
piece
of
doctored
meat,
yes,
an
artfully
compounded
smell,
has
been
known
to
turn
a
superb
young
runner
into
a
lifeless
laggard,
and
to
the
owner
this
might
spell
ruin.
The
Dogs
entered
in
each
class
are
paired
off,
as
each
contest
is
supposed
to
be
a
duel;
the
winners
in
the
first
series
are
then
paired
again.
In
each
trial,
a
Jack
is
driven
from
the
Starting-pen;
close
by
in
one
leash
are
the
rival
Dogs,
held
by
the
slipper.
As
soon
as
the
Hare
is
well
away,
the
man
has
to
get
the
Dogs
evenly
started
and
slip
them
together.
On
the
field
is
the
judge,
scarlet-coated
and
well
mounted.
He
follows
the
chase.
The
Hare,
mindful
of
his
training,
speeds
across
the
open,
toward
the
Haven,
in
full
view
of
the
Grand
Stand.
The
Dogs
follow
the
Jack.
As
the
first
one
comes
near
enough
to
be
dangerous,
the
Hare
balks
him
by
dodging.
Each
time
the
Hare
is
turned,
scores
for
the
Dog
that
did
it,
and
a
final
point
is
made
by
the
kill.
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