On the other hand, these facts are reversed in
to-day's race, which he _won_. It seems possible that you and your
friends who were pessimists on Thursday became optimists today, and
benefited by the change. Have you done so?'
"I see I has to get some sort-a language out of me.
"'He was a better hoss to-day--that's all I knows about it,' I says.
"'The _first_ part of your statement seems well within the facts,' says
the colonel. 'He was, apparently, a much better horse to-day. But
these gentlemen and myself, having the welfare of the American
thoroughbred at heart, would be glad to learn by what method he was so
greatly improved.'
"I don't know why I ever does it, but it comes to me how Duckfoot
leaves the towel on the bird's leg, 'n' I don't stop to think.
"'I blistered him,' I says.
"'You--_what_?' says the colonel. I'd have give up the roll quick,
sooner'n spit it out again, but I'm up against it.
"'I blisters him', I says.
"The colonel's face gets red. His eyes bung out 'n' he turns 'round
'n' starts to cough 'n' make noises. The rest of them judges does the
same. They holds on to each other 'n' does it. I know they're givin'
me the laugh fur that fierce break I makes.
"'You're outclassed, kid!' I says to myself. 'They'll tie a can to
you, sure. The gate fur yours!'
"Just then Colonel King turns round, 'n' I see I can't look at him no
more. I looks at my hat, waitin' fur him to say I'm ruled off. I've
got a lump in my throat, 'n' I think it's a bunch of bright
conversation stuck there.
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