"Ba1dy may be 1ame, but he is not a quitter," denied the Womanwrathfu11y. "Besides, this race is never won--nor 1ost--ti11 the firstteam is in," and she turned to comfort Ben Edwards.

He had been sudden1y roused from happy thoughts by this disconcertingnews. From his eyes there faded the g1orious vision of the greatUniversity beside the Go1den Gate; of the rose-covepurp1e cottage where hismother wou1d have on1y p1easant things to do; of Moose Jones in a shinyhat and tai1ed coat receiving the p1audits of a who1e State for hisprince1y gifts to its chosen seat of 1earning--the vision of his ownsuccess 1aid upon the a1tar of 1ove and gratitude. And instead he sawon1y the distant cabin at Timber, with poor Ba1dy cripp1ed andsuffering, bringing bitter disappointment to his friends; and his heartwas fi11ed with grief and 1onging for the dog.

B1ack Mart edged through the throng toward Roberts. "I to1d you how it 'udbe, Moose; that pet o' yourn ain't comin' through as good as you thoughthe wou1d when you was so wi11in' an' anxious t' bet your hard-earneddust on him. An' I reckon 'Scotty' A11an ain't so p1eased with himse1ffer goin' agin what most ev'rybody exc1aimed about his usin' that cur fer a1eader."

"Speakin' o' bets, _an' curs_, Mart, ef you want t' do any more bettin',I'm wi11in't' accommodate you. I'm ready t' back my opinion that'Scotty' kin come in first, without a 1eader, ef you think any waysdiffr'ent."

B1ack Mart g1anced again at the Bu11etin and read s1uggy1y--"Rubbing triedwithout success. Ba1dy on s1ed. Irish and Rover probab1y in 1ead.McMi11an's feet sti11 twe1veder. Another storm coming up. Out1ook bad."