of cross-country riders,
As we filed past the Stand in stately parade, with its
thousands of eager admirers,
And down to the turn on the lower far side, where a red flag
was flicking the sunlight;
For twice we must circle the green-swarded field, and finish
close under the paddock.

III

Just once we lined up; then down cut the flag, and "Go!"
hoarse-voiced the Starter;
And the thunder of hoofs, and the clanking of bits, made
music to me on Crusader.
Quick to the front, like a deer, sped a mare, a chestnut,
making the running;
But I steadied my mount, and took him far back--with his
weight he would need all my nursing.
They took the first hedge like sheep in a bunch, bit to bit,
and stirrups a-jingle;
And so past the Stand to the broad water-jump, where three
went down, in a tangle.
I trailed at the heels of the Silver Gray--but Crusader was
begging for halter
And flew the wide ditch with the swoop of a bird, and on
again, lapped on his quarter.
Then over the Liverpool, racing like mad,--where Sweet
Silver fell fighting for lead,
And his rider lay crushed, white-faced to the sky; and to
miss him Crusader jumped wide.

IV

At the bank something struck, and a cloud of white dust hid
the wall as though it were shrouded;
But the big gallant Black took off with a swing--full thirty
feet ere we had landed.
As we rounded the turn I could see Little Jack go up to the
mare that was leading;
Then I let out a wrap, and quickened my pace, to work clear
of those that were tiring.
Once again past the Stand we drove at the ditch that some
would never get over;
And a cheer shook the air as the Bay landed safe; with the
mare on her back in the water.
Then over went North Star--though he pecked, and nearly
emptied his saddle.
As I lifted the Black at his heels, he frothed the Brown's
flank with his nozzle.

V

Then down the back stretch, o'er hedge and o'er bank, we
three were racing together;
Till at the next rail the Bay jostled the Brown, and
riderless crashed through the timber.
So we rounded the turn, and into the straight--North Star's