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 . ' `` Rosa 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 . '' ' I wish I had been there to see you ! ' I exclaimed , quite carried away by her ardor . '' ' I wish you had , for I won , I won ! The big black horse did his best , but I had vowed to win or die , and I kept my word , for I beat him by a head , and then dropped as if dead . I might as well have died then , people thought , for the poison , the exertion , and the fall ruined me for a racer . My master cared no more for me , and would have had me shot if Bill had not saved my life . I was pronounced good for nothing , and he bought me cheap . I was lame and useless for a long time , but his patient care did wonders , and just as I was able to be of use to him he was killed . '' ' A gentleman in want of a saddle-horse purchased me because my easy gait and quiet temper suited him ; for I was meek enough now , and my size fitted me to carry his delicate daughter . '' ` For more than a year I served little Miss Alice , rejoicing to see how rosy her pale cheeks became , how upright her feeble figure grew , thanks to the hours spent with me ; for my canter rocked her as gently as if she were in a cradle , and fresh air was the medicine she needed . She often said she owed her life to me , and I liked to think so , for she made my life a very easy one . ''
` But somehow my good times never lasted long , and when Miss XXXXX went West I was sold .
Alice Bill Rosa day fire first hours night second year