months. He's by
Edgemont. First dam, Cora, by Musketeer. Second dam, Debutante, by
Peddler. Third dam, Daisy Dean, by Salvation. Fourth dam, Iole, by
Messenger. He's registered as Hamilton, 'n' that's all I know.'

"'That's sure some breedin',' I says. 'But I never takes a colt on
shares. I'll handle him fur you as careful as I know how 'n' it'll
cost you fifty a month. That's the best I can do.'

"'I'll send him over this evenin',' says Ike. 'Let me know what you
think of him after he works out for you.'

"I like this Hamilton colt the minute I gets my lamps on him. He ain't
over fifteen hands, but he's all hoss. He'll weigh right at nine
hundred, 'n' that's quite a chunk of a two-year-old. He's got a fine
little head on him 'n' his eye has the right look. A good game hoss'll
look at you like a eagle. I don't want nothin' to do with a sheep-eyed
pup. This colt has a eye like a game cock.

"Peewee Simpson is at my stalls when they brings the colt over, 'n'
after we've sized him up I asks Peewee what he thinks of the little
rooster.

"'Him?' says Peewee. 'He's a bear-cat. I'll bet he entertains you
frequent 'n' at short notice. I don't figger him related to Mary's
lamb, not any. You better keep your eye on little Hamilton. Hammy's
likely to be a naughty boy any time.'

"Peewee's got the correct hunch--the first time Snowball takes him out
Hamilton runs off 'n' the boy don't get him stopped till he romps five
miles.

"'Can't you stop him sooner'n that?' I says to Snowball when he's back.

"Micky's at the stalls that mawnin', 'n' he butts in, as usual.

"'Stop him!' he says. 'That black boob couldn't stop a hoss in a box
stall. Lemme me have him next work-out!'

"'I'll let you have a slap on the ear,' I says.

"'Aw, you go to hell!' says Micky.

"Next work-out day Hamilton pulls off the same stunt. He's feelin'
extra good that mawnin', I guess, 'cause he makes a nine mile trip of
it. Micky stands there with me, watchin' the colt go round 'n' round
the track.

"'Why don't you can that choc'lit drop,' he says, ''n' put a white man
up?'

"'Meanin' you?' I says. 'You'd holler fur your milk bottle before he
goes a eighth with you.'

"'Aw, you go to hell!' says Micky.

"I borrows a curb 'n' chain from Eddy Murphy--he's been usin' it on ole
Dandelion. It's fierce--you can bust a hoss's jaw with it. I puts it
on Hamilton next work-out.

"'I guess that'll hold little Hammy,' I says