Then Bandmaster did the same thing, but it was more of a lurch and Colley gasped in surprise. Both jockeys were straining to the utmost but had not drawn their whips. Bradley was the first to raise his arm; Colley saw it and immediately followed suit. The whips came down simultaneously, the result was equal and the horses kept their positions. Again the whips fell and this time it was Bandmaster made the better response. It was not a cruel race; these reminders were not vicious, so sensitive were the wonderfully bred horses that they answered to the least call. Alan's horse gained half a length and there was a terrific cheer; the brown and blue was well in front, the black and orange hoops fell back. A look of disappointment stole over Bernard Hallam's face. Rainstorm was his favorite; he would have given much to see him win. Two miles was his best distance. What a horse Bandmaster must be to beat him! A Hunt Cup winner giving Rainstorm the go-by over two miles--it was hardly credible; but there was the hard fact. "Ah!" Mr. Hallam exclaimed loudly. "Hurrah!" He shouted at the top of his voice. "Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" The cry came again in three loud, victorious cheers. And what caused it? Why this sudden change from despondency to joyful hope of victory? Rainstorm, after a prodigious effort on Bradley's part, drew level with Bandmaster, got his head in front, kept it there, and the judge's box was only a few yards away. A wonderful bit of riding, a great and gallant effort on the part of a good horse. Tommy almost yelled as he drove Bandmaster along; to be defeated after all, no, he couldn't stand that. He never rode a better race and he had a good horse under him. The last effort made by Rainstorm seemed likely to carry him first past the post, and Bernard Hallam was sure of winning. Bandmaster, however, would not be denied, the horse divined there was danger of losing; being full of courage he resented this and put forth his strength and speed to stave off defeat. How he did it Colley could not tell, but by some almost magical power he drew level with Rainstorm again and the desperate struggle continued. The best thoroughbred never knows when he is beaten; so it was in the case of Bandmaster, who hung on to his opponent with bulldog tenacity. Bernard Hallam hardly believed it possible that Alan's horse had again got on terms with Rainstorm. The angle was deceiving and his colors still appeared to be in front; so thought hundreds of others. For a brief moment the eyes of the jockeys met; each saw grim determination there, then they looked ahead and the judge's box loomed up clear and close. The finish was thrilling. As they flashed past the post the question was asked, "What's won?" and nobody could tell. "Close as The Duke's race," said one. "Gone one better; Rainstorm won," said one of the Australians. "Don't think so; that was a terrific run of Bandmaster's," replied another.