My sturdy opponents and left them at last,
With sure-footed pedals each spinning away,
And still on the watch like a cat for its prey.
I now kept the inside and heard them at my back—
Saw their shadows athwart on the smooth cinder track,
And each eye’s sharp look-out lest they neared on the right,
Kept my bi. well in hand as each wheel came in sight;
And the roar of the people which aye and anon
Would quicken each pedal and hasten it on.
Next moment Lea fell; cried the judge, looking grim,