CHAPTER XXVII
THE STEEPLECHASE
Alan was recognized by scores of people, deafening cheers greeted his appearance on Bandmaster. He walked the horse past the stand and saw Eve and her friends. Stopping for a moment he waved his hand. There was a flutter of handkerchiefs in response. Eve was a proud woman. Her hero, everybody's hero, was there sitting his horse well, eager for the fray, ready to show how he could ride.
The horses were at the post as he cantered down. The starter wondered why the favorite was late. He could not let them go without him.
The riders looked at the khaki-clad horseman and some of them recognizing him cheered wildly.
"It's Captain Chesney," said Dan Rowton, rider of Handy Man.
When he came up there was a general cheer and many of them expressed pleasure that he was riding. There was no time to talk. Alan smiled his thanks and took his place in the center. In a minute or two they were off, Frosty going away with the lead.
Alan's feelings can be imagined. He was excited, small wonder at it. He thought how wonderful that he was there in Trent Park, riding in the steeplechase.
The tension of the motor ride against time strung him to the highest possible pitch and he had not quite recovered from his wounds.
How glorious it was to be on Bandmaster! How much had happened since the horse won the Hunt Cup! Many startling events had crowded one another in rapid succession.