"'A thoroughbred,' I says. 'A bang-tail.'
"'Oh--a runner,' he says. 'Do you know anything about the runners?'
"'A few,' I says. 'I'm on the track nine years.'
"'What are you doing here?' he says.
"'Ruled off,' I says.
"'Hm-m!' he says. 'What for?'
"'Ringin',' I says.
"'You seem to run to that sort of thing,' he says. 'What's your name?'
he asks.
"'Blister Jones,' I says.
"'Delightful!' he says. 'I'm glad I met you. Who has this remarkable
horse?'
"'Peewee Simpson,' I says.
"'Equally delightful! I'd like to meet him, too,' he says.
"'He's in Loueyville,' I says.
"'Regrettable,' he says. 'What's the name of his horse?'
"'Rainbow,' I says.
"'And I thought this was to be a dull day,' he says. 'Jump in here and
take a ride. I don't know that I care to go rainbow-chasing assisted by
Blisters, and Peewees--but nefarious undertakings have always appealed to
me, and I desire to cultivate your acquaintance.'
"We goes fur a long ride in the battle-ship. He don't say much--just
asks questions 'n' listens to my guff. At last I opens up on the Rainbow
deal, 'n' I tries all I know to get him goin'--I sure slips him some warm
conversation.
"'You heard what Brown said of Macbeth!' he says. 'Why are you so
certain this Rainbow can beat him in a steeplechase?'
"'Why, listen, man!' I says. 'This Rainbow is the best ever. He can
beat any brush-topper now racin' if the handicapper don't overload him.
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