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Show I Let's light." Willard challenged, whirling his horse around to lace Port Willard looked strong and c.nlidcnl. Port didn't think he could win. Ho had never been in a real list light. He didn't count the scuffles uilh his brothers and friends on the larm in New York. Port's throat was drv. He felt a lillU'sick. The winner visits Luana. The loser goes home. What do yon say'.'" demanded Willard. The two fierce young men glared at each other lor what seemed a long time to Port. He didn't want to light, hut neither did he want to retreat. Suddenly he had an idea. -Let's race for it." 1J'"' challenged. "My bay against your sorrel. Loser goes home, leaves Luana alone." "You got yersell a race," Willard bellowed. -About a half mile?" Port asked, no longer any emotion in his voice. "Fine with me." -I'll tie the pack horse to a tree." Port explained. "We ride back a hall mile to start. The first one to the pack horse wins." Willard nodded his approval. Port dismounted, tied the black horse to the tree, then began to remove Bill's saddle. "What are you doing?" demanded Willard. "Taking the saddle off. Like to race bareback." For a moment Willard seemed confused. He had never seen anyone, except Indians, race bareback belore. He wasn't sure if he should object or not. On the one hand, the horse without a saddle would have the advantage of carrying less weight. On the other hand, there was a greater chance Port would lose his balance and fall off. Willard offered no further ob-icction ob-icction as Port removed the saddle and placed it beside the pack horse. Pori had raced enough in New York to know his horses could run faster when he rode bareback. -He wasn't sure the advantage had as much to do with fewer pounds, as with the weight of the bareback rider being t lift her forward, closer to the withers. He only knew that when he rode bareback his horses ran faster, JJ I' '"' m"d s,a-v "n- Win, ll ""u'( :" 'sl;lk,' h" h d M every possible,, M Port crawled upn l. L horse, its back wet fmZ H-u' speaking the two youn 'L, was about a half mile aVa. U 'I'he sorrel mare wa' U sideways, sensing a raiJ'fe t" begin. Bill, (m the othorHr k,n no. unde r' th;il his speed was ah t what was about ! V nl.v horses undersiod t ;' ,'.1 wouldnt take Bill ,ong , whal was going or, nnce ' " began, but if the race J P those firs, few second" certainty could make all lerence. Port tightened' hoping that through prfs might communicate ((l 5' jpl that something very excii". about to happen. ' t: jv When the riders finaltv tu-lace tu-lace the finish line, Porur handful of black mane with; Tl hand, making sure he had' V hold. Once the horses were rT he wouldn't need the ma, C during those first four orfoV as the horses accelerated , speed near zero to 30 or ,, s hour, he would need to hold cT 08 to keep the horse from Unt'r,i,: from under him. k With the mane firmly in fc. Port looked over at Willard " "Ready?" the Missouriai,Sr, C Port nodded. fl "Go!," shouted both oh " simultaneously. !? As Port had feared, ihtv, mare got off to a much better and was two or three jumps,-' lead before Bill realized whji happening. But the bay cart quickly. Through his legs ami reins, Port sensed a sudden i . in intensity, a burst of energy" ' natural competitive spirit i 1 horse had awakened, was ti' over. The head went lower, fc,. ' reached out a little further, ant well-tuned muscles seemed is bursting with energy and streng; (To be contim:: |