Rio Grande's Last Race, and Other Verses

Name: Rio Grande's Last Race, and Other Verses
Author: A. B. Paterson

by A. B. Paterson

Pages: about 85
Category: Literature & Fiction
Language: English
Reading time: 1.6 h at 250 wpm

Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 52 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

Now this was what Macpherson told While waiting in the stand; A reckless rider, over-bold, The only man with hands to hold The rushing Rio Grande.
He said, 'This day I bid good-bye To bit and bridle rein, To ditches deep and fences high, For I have dreamed a dream, and I Shall never ride again.
'I dreamt last night I rode this race That I to-day must ride, And cant'ring down to take my place I saw full many an old friend's face Come stealing to my side.
'Dead men on horses long since dead, They clustered on the track; The champions of the days long fled, They moved around with noiseless tread -- Bay, chestnut, brown, and black.
'And one man on a big grey steed Rode up and waved his hand; Said he, "We help a friend in need, And we have come to give a lead To you and Rio Grande.
'"For you must give the field the slip, So never draw the rein, But keep him moving with the whip, And if he falter -- set your lip And rouse him up again.
'"But when you reach the big stone wall, Put down your bridle hand And let him sail -- he cannot fall -- But don't you interfere at all; You trust old Rio Grande."
'We started, and in front we showed, The big horse running free: Right fearlessly and game he strode, And by my side those dead men rode Whom no one else could see.
'As silently as flies a bird, They rode on either hand; At every fence I plainly heard The phantom leader give the word, "Make room for Rio Grande!"
'I spurred him on to get the lead, I chanced full many a fall; But swifter still each phantom steed Kept with me, and at racing speed We reached the big stone wall.

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Rio Grande's Last Race, and Other Verses

From the opening

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