I must hurry over this part of my story , because , though brilliant , it was very brief , and ended in a way which made it the bitterest portion of my life , ' continued Rosa . ' I won several races , and great fame was predicted for me . You may guess how high my reputation was when I tell you that before my last fatal trial thousands were bet on me , and my rival trembled in his shoes . I was full of spirit , eager to show my speed and sure of success . Alas , how little I knew of the wickedness of human nature then , how dearly I bought the knowledge , and how it has changed my whole life ! You do not know much about such matters , of course , and I wo n't digress to tell you all the tricks of the trade ; only beware of jockeys and never bet . '' ' I was kept carefully out of every one 's way for weeks , and only taken out for exercise by my trainer . Poor Bill ! I was fond of him , and he was so good to me that I never have forgotten him , though he broke his neck years ago . A few nights before the great race , as I was getting a good sleep , carefully tucked away in my roomy stall , some one stole in and gave me a warm mash . It was dark , I was half awake , and I ate it like a fool , though I knew by instinct that it was not Bill who fed it to me . I was a confiding creature then , and as all sorts of queer things had been done to prepare me I thought it was all right . But it was not , and that deceit has caused me to be suspicious about my food ever since , for the mash was dosed in some way ; it made me very ill , and my enemies nearly triumphed , thanks to this cowardly trick . '' ` Bill worked over me day and night , that I might be fit to run . I did my best to seem well and gay , but there was not time for me to regain my lost strength and spirit , and pride alone kept me up . `` I 'll win for my master if I die in doing it , '' I said to myself , and when the hour came pranced to my place trying to look as well as ever , though my heart was very heavy and I trembled with excitement . `` Courage , my lass , and we 'll beat in spite of their black tricks , '' whispered Bill , as he sprung to his place . '' ' I lost the first heat , but won the second , and the sound of the cheering gave me strength to walk away without staggering , though my legs shook under me . What a splendid minute that was when , encouraged and refreshed by my faithful Bill , I came on the track again ! I knew my enemies began to fear , for I had borne myself so bravely they fancied I was quite well , and now , excited by that first success , I was mad with impatience to be off and cover myself with glory . '
`` XXXXX looked as if the ` splendid minute ' had come again , for she arched her neck , opened wide her red nostrils , and pawed the straw with one little foot , while her eyes shone with sudden fire , and her ears were pricked up as if to catch again the shouts she heard that day . '' '
Rosa before day first jockeys minute night right second weeks