d dread,
Seeking ever to devour,
And the hissing serpent's head,
He shall tread with victor's pow'r.
God will wipe away his tears;
Grant him honor and release;
Crown his life with length of years;
Save, and keep in perfect peace.

CHAPTER VII.

The Horse Race.

We left Sam Wiles, Zibe Turner and other disturbers of the peace in the
county jail. In due time they were brought before Judge LeMonde for
trial. They were found guilty and sentenced to prison for one month.

A few days after their liberation the following conversation took place:

_Turner_: "Most all de folks on de hills and in de valleys air
goin' to de races tomorrer, and I look for a gay o' time."

_Wiles_: "Yes, and all de niggers that can get off'n work will be
there too."

_Turner_: "Dat feller from Lexington has a right smart of a hoss.
You know he wants me to ride him in de last race, and I'm bound to
beat George LeMonde, if beat is in de critter. His hoss stands
seventeen hands high, is rangy in de legs, has a deep chest, and
has a will to go. He can easily bear my weight, and you know dat
dey count me de best jockey in de whul county. If I can't win by
far (fair) means, I will by foul."

_Wiles_: "I hearn dat Jack Ketcham's sorrel goes like de wind, and
Jack's hoss is goin' to be in de big race."

_Turner_: "George LeMonde has been speeding his bay over de track
for days, and he will get every bit of go out of him. His mother
and sister are dead set agin hoss-racin' and dey are begging him
not to ride; but George likes de sport too well to please dem."

_Wiles_: "Mr. Rawlins, of Lexington, swears by his black, and will
put up a great deal of money. George will try to match it, and ol'
farmer Ketcham won't be slow with his cash."

_Turner_: "It will be an excitin' time, and I low, as many will see
de races as went to de big camp meetin'."

_Wiles_: "Well, Zibe, you must stick to your hoss like a monkey,
and do your best to win de money and down that upstart, George
LeMonde."

With this remark the two men separated.

George LeMonde was a youth about seventeen years of age, well-built,
good-looking, full of life and vigor, and at this time engaged in that
serious occupation, common to many young men, sowing his wild oats. He
was boisterous and rather reckless, but not vicious. His moral nature
was to