"By Jove, he's coming and no mistake!" exclaimed Alan. "Splendid!" said Eve. "What wonderful speed--but will he catch him?" "Whoop, whoop, whoop!" came from Jack Wrench--three sharp, piercing cries; but there seemed to be a note of alarm in the last, it died away suddenly. The Duke was now almost at Southerly Buster's quarters, and Bradley was on the lookout for squalls; the advantage he possessed was greatly in his favor at this critical point. Colley thrilled with excitement; after the first part of the race the change was delightful. There was no doubt about The Duke's doing his best now. A tremendous cheer came from the crowd as he drew almost level with Southerly Buster. They were not many lengths from the winning-post; it was a terrific set-to. There was nothing between the pair; they were evenly matched. The Australian was a wonderful horse. How the colonials cheered! There was nothing wrong with their lungs, whatever there might be with their limbs. It was a glorious sight to watch these two horses, representatives of all that was best in the sport on two sides of the world, struggling for supremacy. There was the blue blood of the English thoroughbred in both, although reared and trained under different conditions. Cheering and counter-cheering echoed over the heath as The Duke and Southerly Buster struggled on. Whichever won, the honors were almost equal; this is as it ought to be on a match of this kind. The whips were out; down they came, and still the horses were locked together. The Duke tossed his head. Colley thought it was all up, that he had given in; then to his surprise the horse's resentment took another turn and he made a savage effort to get his head in front. The din was tremendous, and the excitement great; there was not likely to be a better race than this in the four days. Bradley rode splendidly, so did Colley, and both horses put in all they knew. They were just at the post when The Duke made his final stride. Had he won? Nobody knew, not even the jockeys; each thought he had just got it. The judge was certain; he alone could decide, and he did not hesitate. There was a moment of silent suspense, then the hurricane of cheers as number one, The Duke's number, went up. Alan's horse had won by half a head in the last stride and Southerly Buster was only just vanquished. "Honor's divided," was Mr. Hallam's comment when he met Alan in the paddock. "They are," he replied; "there is nothing between them." "Only half a head," answered Mr. Hallam, smiling, "but it makes all the difference." "I thought I'd just done it," said Bradley. "So did I," said Colley. "It was the last stride; they were dead level next moment." "It was worth coming home for," said Alan enthusiastically. "There'll be some fun at the front to-night. There were several wagers on. They are all great sports." "Will they hear the result?" asked Eve.