SBR Chapter 4

September 25, 1890 3 Hours to Start is the fourth chapter of Steel Ball Run.

Summary
Gyro Zeppeli finishes making his preparations before the start of the Steel Ball Run race. As he walks out of his tent with his items ready, he sees Johnny's wheelchair lying on the ground near a fence by his tent. Walking closer, he sees Johnny being dragged on the ground by a horse.

Gyro overhears a conversation between two other racers, who say that Johnny has been up all night trying to get on the horse. They say that he was sold a dobbin and was injured the night before when a piece of wood went through his right leg. They add that he has been threatening to commit suicide if anyone tries to stop him from getting on the horse, and that he must be insane. The racers notice that he could be trampled to death, and rush out to save Johnny. When they ask Gyro if he agrees with them, Gyro simply says, "He'll never be able to ride his horse like that, but if he could ride it then he'll go beyond human."

On his way to town, Gyro is asked by Soundman where to sign up for the race, and points out the building to him. At the registration building, Soundman hands a wrapped cloth to the clerk as the clerk states that the fee is "one thousand two hundred dollars in white man's money." Soundman blows on the cloth, revealing that inside is an emerald. He asks the clerk for a participation permit and tells him to keep the change. The clerk hands Soundman his permit and number, telling him that they need to take his horse's nose prints before the race starts. Soundman replies that he is not using a horse; he will cross the continent and win with his feet alone.

Thirty minutes before the race starts, Stephen Steel shows the trophy for winning, frozen in ice from the South Pole. He says that it is the "sacred ice" of the Steel Ball Run race, and that the burning desire of everyone involved in the race will melt the ice. After making his speech, Steel makes a joke about how his comments broke the ice. Lucy Steel is the only one who claps.

As all the racers line up at the starting line, the two racers from earlier notice Johnny's horse walking towards the starting line, still dragging Johnny behind. The horse licks Johnny. As Gyro watches, Johnny begins to get up, and, looking at Gyro, tells him that he plans to discover the truth about his Steel Balls. Even if he cannot catch up to Gyro in the race, he will figure out the secret behind the Spin someday. Gyro replies, telling him that he chose his horse well, since older horses have more experience and are less likely to strain their legs in dangerous territory. He adds that he will give Johnny a hint: he has already found the answer. If he has the will to get on the horse, he should do so. Johnny stares at him, and the announcer says that two minutes remain until the race starts.

Johnny asks his horse to lick his face again, and as the horse bends its head down to lick him once more, its neck lifts Johnny up and onto its back. Johnny thinks to himself that all hope is in the Spin, and that he wants to know more about the Steel Balls. The race begins.