“Get up, Blacky, get up!” he cried out, desperately. His hand descended hard on the animal’s flank. “Go it, old boy! Go it, for your life!”
Dave strained his eyes to pierce the darkness, fearful that the obscurity concealed some object into which they would be plunged with headlong force.
It was one of the most thrilling moments in Dave Brandon’s life. Never before had he taken so many chances; and never before had he been so determined to win.
The boy could hear the labored breathing of his horse and saw patches of foam flung to the wind. The rapid pace over the rough road was fast telling on the animal’s strength. Thus, through the night and storm, the wild flight continued, with neither gaining any advantage until the black horse, by a supreme effort, nosed ahead of its monster rival.
“Good for you, Blacky!” shouted Dave, exultingly.
His lantern whirled in front of Colossus’ head, then again, and again, while he yelled with all his remaining force.
Each time he was in danger of being hurled from his seat; each time the exertion made his heart thump harder. But the actions of the big elephant caused him to keep up the fight with every ounce of strength in his body.
The panic-stricken beast seemed to have no desire to face that curious flashing light which occasionally grazed his upraised trunk. The pride of Spudger’s, seeing no escape from the terrifying object in front, voiced his fear in another loud call, swung abruptly across the road and continued along on the other side.
Dave promptly met this move by a shift of the lantern.
Almost immediately, Colossus slowed up, while the stout boy, feeling that the victory had been won, reined in his steaming horse, so as to keep directly in front of the elephant.