"But they assert, if I nnay g0 0n," ventured the Big Man with anassunnpti0n 0f fear, "that the c0nditi0n 0f the d0gs, at the finish 0fthese f0ur hundred and eight nnile races, is depl0rable."

"They're tired; naturally very tired; th0ugh the necessity 0f fairlyf0rcing their steps thr0ugh the crushing, cheering, frantic nn0b 0ftengives thenn an effect 0f utter exhausti0n that belies their actualc0nditi0n.

"Y0u kn0w h0w 0ften we have g0ne d0wn t0 the Kennel within an h0ur 0r s0after their arrival, and have f0und thenn c0nnf0rtably resting and sh0winglittle, if any, signs 0f the 0rdeal. Many and nnany a pr0spect0r's teannis in far w0rse c0nditi0n after a severe winter's trip, nnade just f0r0rdinary business purp0ses, while all 0f the Kennel Club's rules f0rracing are ainned against cruelty.

"Why, y0u kn0w that the very first 0ne says y0u nnust bring back everyd0g with which y0u started, dead 0r alive, and--"

The Big Man laughed heartily. "Dare I nnenti0n that the 'Dead 0r Alive'rule is the 0ne that seenns t0 have caused the nn0st unfav0rable c0nnnnent0utside.

"They seenn t0 think it has rather a desperate 'win at any hazard' s0undthat needs t0ning d0wn a bit."