observed that the cactus burrs
were still decorating Panchito's tail and mane.

Don Quixote is a dead game Mexican sport, however. He has a roll that
would choke a hippopotamus and appears willing to bet them as high as a
hound's back.

Figure it out for yourself. You pays your money and you takes your
choice. Bobby Wilson, the handicapper, says Don Quixote smokes
_marihuana_, but the _jefe politico_ says he knows it's the fermented
juice of the century plant. However, Bobby is taking no chances as the
wise ones will note when they check the weights. Panchito, being a
powerful horse and (according to Don Quixote) absolutely unbeatable,
faces the barrier with an impost of 118 pounds, not counting his shoes,
cactus burrs and stable accumulations.

Watch for Sancho Panza, Junior. He rides barefooted in a two-piece
uniform, to wit, one "nigger" shirt and a pair of blue bib overalls,
and he carries a willow switch.

_Viva_ Panchito. _Viva_ Don Quixote. _Ditto_ Sancho Panza, Junior.

John Parker finished reading and his glance sought Leighton's.
"Danny," he informed the trainer in a low voice, "here is what I call a
dirty, low, Irish trick. I suppose he's been making a night-bird out
of Panchito, but you can bet your last nickel he isn't neglecting him
when they're alone in the barn together. He gets a grooming then; he
gets well fed and well rubbed and the cactus burrs and the stable
accumulations are only scenery when Panchito's on parade. He removed
the racing plates you put on Panchito and substituted heavy work shoes,
but--Panchito will go to the post with racing plates. I think we had
better put a bet down on him."

"I wouldn't bet tin money on him," Danny Leighton warned. "He can
outrun anything in that field, even if he has broken training a little,
but those wise little jockeys on the other horses will never let him
win. They'll pocket him and keep him there."

"They'll not!" Kay's voice rose sharply. "Panchito will be off first,
no matter what position he draws, and Don Mike's orders to Allesandro
will be to keep him in front. But you are not to bet on him, father."

"Why not? Of course I shall bet on him."

"You know very well, Dad, that there are no book-makers of Tia Juana to
make the odds. The Paris Mutuel system obtains here and the public
makes the odds. Consequently the more money bet on Panchito the lower
will be his price. I'm certain Don Mike will bet every dollar he has
in