"He's no lamb, if I'm any judge. Look at his ugly eye." Jack patted Warrior's neck, saying, "Soho! my lad. Steady!" When he sprung into the saddle, grasped the reins firmly and received the whip from the trainer. "Be careful how you use the spur, sir," exclaimed the latter. Jack nodded carelessly. "Go and put your money on, Dick," he said. "I mean to win this race or break the horse's heart and my own neck, just to show a certain young lady and her brother what I can do." Touching Warrior lightly with his whip, he cantered toward the inclosure, where the other horses had already assembled. The Van Hoosen colors were, black cap and white shirt with large black bands. If not pretty, it was at least very conspicuous and calculated to attract attention. CHAPTER IX. THE RACE. Going on the course, Jack gave Warrior a canter to see what he was made of, and found him a fast goer, well up to his weight, but inclined to be restive and have his own way. In front of the grand stand, which was thronged with elegantly-dressed ladies and gentlemen, Jack stopped short in the canter and took a look at the sea of faces. In the front row was Miss Van Hoosen and her mother. They had evidently heard nothing about Alfred's accident, for when they recognized the horse and the colors, they appeared much astonished. Jack could not resist the temptation of bowing to Lena, who, quite perplexed, acknowledged his salutation by a slight inclination of the head. Then he cantered gracefully back to the starting-place, taking his position among the other riders, to be ready for the start. This was effected without much trouble, no time being allowed Harkaway for reflection. He did not consider that he had undertaken a dangerous task in consenting to ride an animal he knew nothing of, but he had confidence in his own powers, and had never been much in the habit of calculating on consequences. "They're off! they're off!" shouted the crowd, as the beautiful creatures dashed past, like so many arrows from a bow. Jack was perfectly satisfied that Warrior had wind and bottom enough to stay, and he determined to ride a waiting race, feeling sure that several horses would tail off and that some would fail at the jumps. The first jump was made of hurdles, and this Warrior took well, rising like a bird and going over without any more trouble than eating a measure of oats. Although Jack held him well in hand his stride told in the first mile, and he had cut down the crowd considerably, there being only four horses in front of him. The most dangerous-looking one of these was a long-barreled, long-legged black horse, with powerful haunches and a way of going that meant mischief. At the second jump, which was made of branches of trees to represent a hedge, Warrior began to show his temper, for he flatly refused to take it. Jack put him at it again, and gave him the spur, digging the rowels deep into his flanks, while he lashed him with the whip.