Pagina 544 de 2288

Their eyes met, and Vronsky gave him a friendly and encouraging

nod. Only one he did not see, his chief rival, Mahotin on

Gladiator.

"Don't be in a hurry," said Cord to Vronsky, "and remember one

thing: don't hold her in at the fences, and don't urge her on;

let her go as she likes."

"All right, all right," said Vronsky, taking the reins.

"If you can, lead the race; but don't lose heart till the last

minute, even if you're behind."

Before the mare had time to move, Vronsky stepped with an agile,

vigorous movement into the steel-toothed stirrup, and lightly and

firmly seated himself on the creaking leather of the saddle.

Getting his right foot in the stirrup, he smoothed the double

reins, as he always did, between his fingers, and Cord let go.