'
"I looks the hoss over careful when he's outside in the light, 'n' I
don't know what to think. First I think it's Friendless 'n' then I
think maybe it ain't.
"'If it ain't Friendless, it's his double!' I says at last. 'But I
think Friendless has a white forefoot.'
"'Well, it ain't Friendless,' says Harms as he leads the hoss into the
barn. 'And you're right about the white foot.'
"Now, Friendless is a bird that ain't started fur a year. Harms or
some of his gang used to own him, 'n' _believe me_, he can _ramble
some_ if everythin' 's done to suit him. He's a funny hoss, 'n' has
notions. If a jock'll set still 'n' not make a move on him, Friendless
runs a grand race. But if a boy takes holt of him or hits him with the
bat, ole Friendless says, 'Nothin' doin' to-day!' 'n' sulks all the
way. He'd have made a great stake hoss only he's dead wise to how much
weight he's packin'. He'll romp with anythin' up to a hundred 'n' ten,
but not a pound over that can you slip him. Looks like he says to
hisself, 'They must think I'm a movin' van,' 'n' he lays his ole ears
back, 'n' dynamite won't make him finish better'n fourth. This little
habit of his'n spoils him 'cause he's too good, 'n' the best he gets
from a handicapper is a hundred 'n' eighteen--that kind of weight lets
him out.
"Goin' back in the cab Harms tells me why he sends fur me. This dog
he's just showed me 's named Alcyfras. He's been runnin' out on the
coast 'n' he's a mutt--he can't beat a fat man.
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