Eloise laughed. "Like a sister. Aunt Lucretia says we’ve got to marry each other, so what’s the use of my kicking? But listen—now—say, Jack—you’ve played right into my hand. I’ll need that Whiteman saddle for this beautiful thing. So hold up a while till I ride over and close that bet with the General. Now is my time! He’s crazy about that great lobster of his and I could win The Home Stretch on this bet if I had anything to put up." She wheeled her horse, threw a kiss down at Jack, and galloped off to find the General. When Little Sister got back from her cry the General was gone. He was over at the table talking to Uncle Jack. "Now, Jack," said he, "don’t disgrace old Betty any more. Why, I rode her fifteen years. I rode her—" Uncle Jack had always been so quiet that it was a distinct surprise to the old General when he showed an unsuspected grit and gameness. "Hang her old dam, Grandfather, and your cursed old war in Virginia! Drop dead, will she? Well, sir, you are likely to see something drop yourself before this heat is over." And he turned on his heels and walked off. The old General looked at him astounded, and with positive admiration. "By gad," he said to himself, "he’s either crazy or got more sense than us all. By gad, to think of him getting mad and having grit like that! He may make a soldier yet," and he chuckled with pride. Now Uncle Jack meant business. He changed his cart for a sulky. Again they got the word. Princewood, having the pole and all advantage, flashed ahead in his big lumbering pace, Little Sister in the very rear, struggling for her head. Slowly, gradually, Uncle Jack let her have it. Steadily, like moving machinery set in grooves of steel, she came up on them, relentlessly, mercilessly cutting them down, one after another. At the half there was nothing but Princewood ahead and no one even saw her yet, for the shout was: "Princewood! Princewood!" This heat would make the race his. "Princewood’s got ’em, General!" yelled a countryman, his mouth so wide open from excitement that tobacco juice ran down his chin whiskers and into his shirt collar. "Princewood’s got ’em! There’s nothin’ that kin head ’im!" "He’s got ’em!" yelled the partisans of the old General, packed solidly around him and cackling with half crazy joy. "Now jes watch sum’thin’ drop." But a girl sitting on her horse and looking over the crowd saw it differently. A daring, knowing, triumphant smile lingered around her mouth. And not in heaven, nor in the star-lighted lake below, ever shone two stars rippling into little wavelets of glint and glory like those in the eyes of her. The General, seeing her, shouted: "Yes, watch it drop! No saddle for you, young lady!" Down went her keen, fun-loving eyes to those of the old soldier. "It’s dropped already, General—see! I own that saddle now!"