He meant to come with a rush round the turn, and get so far in front as to be able to sweep down on to the rails without any danger of crossing or interfering with the other horses. It was a bold plan and might succeed.
At last the bend was reached and he brought Neptune round with such a tremendous rush that it electrified all who saw it.
'What's his little game?' muttered Dr Tom.
'He means to get on to the rails,' said Jim to his companion, 'but it is too much to expect of the horse; look what a sweep he has to make.'
'He'll do it, I believe,' said Adye.
'It is a dashing move at anyrate, and worth trying for.'
Neptune, however, was not quite equal to the task, for Jackson saw what Willie meant to try and accomplish, and sent The Captain along at such a pace that it was impossible for Neptune to draw clear of him. This run, brilliant as it was, gave Neptune an advantage, even if it didn't accomplish all Willie had intended.
The pace, for the end of a two-mile race, was terrific, and there was soon a long tail in the rear.
Jackson had been pushing The Captain for some time and it commenced to tell upon him.
Madsley noticed this, and thought he had the race as good as won, but he could not get rid of either The Captain or Neptune. The green jacket was so conspicuous that Rodney Shaw became excited at the prospect of winning and commenced to shout the name of his horse. He was standing not far from Jim Dennis, who, hearing him, turned round and said,—