ewed the
race, though the other horses were a considerable distance in advance.

In the meantime a large number of the spectators had seen the
despicable act and roared their disapproval. Some shook their fists at
the monster dwarf, and cried for speedy punishment for his vile trick.
This outburst of indignation made him fear again to molest the bay
horse.

Now George knew that the time had come for Velox to use his utmost
powers. He knew that the horse had great reserved fountains of strength
in him, and believed he could still win the race. As for the horse, he
seemed alive to the situation. Perhaps he felt a proud resentment at
the insult and injury put upon him. His eyes flashed fire. His nostrils
were dilated until the red blood showed through his veins. Man and
horse gave to each other courage and confidence; they appeared no
longer to be two creatures, but had been merged into a single unit of
astonishing force and capacity. LeMonde's whole soul was absorbed with
one thought--to pass the other horses and to cross the line first. He
leaned farther front in the saddle, lowering his head to reduce the
resistance of the air. His face almost touched the flying mane of his
horse.

Again he spoke to his mount: "Steady, my Velox boy; we are nearing the
end. It will soon be over; but you must pass these horses, and win the
race." With this remark LeMonde gave free rein to his horse, pressed
his knees a little tighter against the animal's sides, and gave him a
light touch with the whip. The noble horse instantly responded to his
master's urge. He released fold after fold of knotted muscle, his
stride increased, and when his hoofs descended, they seemed to spurn
the ground. Now as steady as a Corliss engine this ultimate unit of the
animal and mechanical world rushed on, and was seen to be gaining on
the other horses.

At a quarter of a mile from the home stake the sorrel horse was passed,
but still the result seemed uncertain. Then young LeMonde appeared as a
Jehu incarnate. He pressed the horse's flanks with his heels and
shouted into the very ears of his mount: "Velox, we must win, we will
win, we are going to win." With this remark, for the first time in his
life he brought the whip down hard upon the glossy hide of his steed.
The animal increased his speed, and went thundering down the home
stretch after the black. It is a case of blood against time and space.
The bay gains! He has closed the distance between them