Page 155 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

Tlie CO^sse wzs a great ellipse with nine obstacles upon it— the
river ; a hiojh bariicr; in front of the pavilion a dry ditch ; aditchfhled
with water; ;l steep ascent; an Irish banquette. which is the
Ji file nit of all, composed of an enhankment covered with twigs, behind
which is concealcd a ditch, obliging the horseman to leap two obstacles
;it once; then three more ditches ; and, ihjady, the goal opposite the
pavilion agnin.
At Iasi, tlie signal was given, J‘ G o ! ’h and the riders spurred their
horses, All eyes were directed toward the races.
“ There they go ! ff “ "1 hero they come! " was shouted on all .sides.
And in order to follow them, the spectators ru idled singly or in groups
toward the places where they could get a better view, Frou-Frou,
nervous at first, lost ground, and several of the horses were ahead of
her; but Vronsky, trying to calm her as she pulled on the bridle, soon
outstripped the three who had won on him, and now had as competi­
tors only Gladiator, who was a whole jength ahead, and 'die pretty
Diana, on whose back clung the unhappy Kuzoficf, not knowing
whether he was dead or alive.
Gladiator and Diana leaped the re’ca at almost one and the same
moment: Frou Froti lightly leaped behind them, l;s though she had
wings. White in the air. Vronsky caugilt a glimpse of Kazofief almost
under the feet of his horse; and heard, after the race, how he had
loosened his reins as Diana jumped, and the horse had stumbled,
throwing him to the ground. A t this time, he oflv saw that Frou-Frou
was going to land on Diana's head. Hut Frou-Frou, like a falling
cat, making a desperate effort, landed beyond tlie fallen rider,
H‘0 my beauty!" exclaimed Vronsky. After this lie gained full
control of his horse, even held her back, meaning to leap the great
hurdle behind Makhotin, whom ho had no hope of outstripping before
they reached the long stretch free of obstacles. This great hurdle was
built in front of the Imperial Pavilion. The l^nperor, the Court, and
nn immense throng were watching. Vronsky saw on’y his horse's
cars, and the ground flying under him, and Gladiator's Hank’s and the
white feet beating the ground in cadency always maintaining the same

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