"Ike sees the blood 'n' walks behind Hamilton.
"'I wish it was his neck,' he says, pointin' at the tendon. 'That's what you get fur puttin' a pin-headed apprentice on a good hoss! Get him so he can hobble, 'n' sell him to a livery if you can. If not, have him shot.'
"Hamilton's standin' there a-shakin'. His eyes has the look you always sees in a hoss just after he's ruined.
"'What'll you take fur him?' I says to Ike.
"'Take fur him?' he says. 'Whatever he'll bring. I ain't out nothin' on him. I splits three thousand with you to the race.'
"'You owe me a hundred 'n' thirty fur trainin',' I says. 'I calls it off 'n' keeps the hoss.'
"'You've bought him,' says Ike, 'n' goes back to the bettin' shed.
"They take Micky to the hospital. The doc says his arm's broke 'n' he's hurt inside. He comes to before they puts him in the ambulance.
"'Why didn't you let another boy ride?' says the assistant starter, who's helpin' the doc.
"'Ride hell!' says Micky. 'He runs off with them other boobs.'