An' that twig was s'posed t' work both ways.

For when Sam was runnin' 'gainst another feller, he'd put th' twig down in one of th' other feller's footprints, an' Sam thought that kept th' other feller back.
"Now, this here twig was one o' Gallager's greatest troubles.

For Sam was always losin' it, or leavin' it behind, an' him or Gallager havin' t' go after it, an' races was havin' t' be held back, or put off, for Sam wouldn't run without that twig.

So Gallager hated it.
"Along comes a time when Sam is stacked up t' meet a corkin' good runner.

An' Sam was off gallivantin' 'round at dances, an' worse things, an' not trainin' none whatever.