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 . ' `` 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 XXXXX had not saved my life .
Bill Rosa before day fire minute night right second weeks