_TOPSY TURVY_
Having completed the arrangements for his voyage, Jack Redland went to
Lewes to ride Topsy Turvy in his final gallop. The horse went well, and
he became exceedingly fond of his chance, so much so that he wrote to
Harry Marton and advised him to put a little money on as he thought it
was a pretty good thing.
"I am not, as a rule, over confident," he wrote, "but Topsy Turvy has
done such splendid work that I really think, bar accident, there is not
much risk, and I know I can ride as well as any of the other fellows."
Captain Seagrave had not many friends in London, but he imparted to his
chief officer and engineer that Topsy Turvy was about the best thing he
had ever heard of for the Southdown Welter.
"I don't mind telling you, Sam, we are in for a decent trip this time.
We're going to have company, two smart young fellows, and one of 'em is
going to ride the horse at Lewes. What do you think of that?"
"I'll back him, just for luck," replied Sam Slack, chief officer of the
"Golden Land," "but if he doesn't win our passenger will hear of it
during the voyage. We have none too much money to spare, as you are
aware."
"Granted, Sam, but that is all the more reason why we ought to get a bit
when we can."
Rufus Macdonald, chief engineer, was a canny Scot, but he had the bump
of speculation strongly developed, and when the skipper gave him the tip
he quietly said he'd think it over.
"The Sussex fortnight" is always pleasant, Lewes following after
Brighton meeting.
At Brighton, on the breezy downs, Sir Lester won a couple of races, and
as Topsy Turvy had no difficulty in beating these horses on the training
track they were all sanguine of success.
Captain Seagrave came to Lewes, and Jack introduced him to Caleb Kenley.
"I have heard of you," said the trainer, "and am glad to meet you. The
Lewes folk were very proud of you when you stood by the 'Northern Star'
and rescued all her crew, at the risk of losing your ship and everyone
in it. You see we did not forget you were born here, and I assure you we
thought a lot of your bravery."
"I should have been a coward to leave them in the lurch; it was risky,
but it's no more than one seaman ought to do for another," replied
Seagrave.
"Men do not always act as you did, and I maintain you deserved a lot
more credit than you received for that job."
"Seamen often risk their lives to save others, and no one hears anything
about it. We consider it part of our ordinary work," replied the
captain.
The trainer afterwards gave Jack Redland a full account of Captain
Seagrave's action, and it enhanced his respect for the man, whom he
already liked.
Lewes is a popular meeting, and there are several races for gentlemen
riders. Jack, however, determined to accept no mounts, except on Topsy
Turvy, although he had several offers. He intended to keep himself fresh
for that event as so much depended upon it.
In the paddock he introduced Captain Seagrave to Sir Lester and
Winifred, and the skipper at once divined this was the young lady Jack
Redland had in view. He admired his choice, and Winifred's affable
manner towards him increased his respect for Jack's judgment. Sir Lester
was amused at the captain and thought that after all Jack was not far
wrong in selecting the "Golden Land" to voyage in to Fremantle.
Topsy Turvy looked as fit as hands could make him, but he had top
weight, and there were half a dozen good horses in the race. Speculation
on the Welter, as a rule, was not extensive, but on this occasion the
bookmakers fielded liberally, and the odds against Sir Lester's horse
were five to one. At this remunerative figure he secured five hundred to
a hundred on Jack's account, while Captain Seagrave plunged to the
extent of a ten pound note, a reckless proceeding he had never been
guilty of before.
He handled the note tenderly, and sighed as he gave it to the layer of
odds, who plunged it with indifference into his capacious bag.
"He thinks no more of it than of a bit of waste-paper," thought the
captain. "I wonder if the day will come when I can bundle ten pound
notes into my pocket like that. If Topsy Turvy wins I shall have fifty
to the good, and shall know what it is to be rich."
Bibury was favourite at even money, and as he had recently won a big
race, the majority of backers fancied the race was good for him. Marco
and The Duke were also well backed, as were all the others, seven
runners appearing on the board.
The owner of Bibury, a clever amateur, was riding his horse, and he
advised Sir Lester to back it.
"Topsy Turvy is a good horse," he said, "but I do not think he has much
chance of giving the weight away to my fellow. I hear Jack Redland is
going out to Australia. I'm sorry, he is a real good fellow."
"This will be his last mount in England for some years, I expect,"
replied Sir Lester, "but I hope to see him carry my colours again when
he returns. You seem confident about Bibury; I may tell you my horse was
never so well as he is at present, and he will give you a good race."
Winifred was talking to Jack as he prepared to mount. She was very
anxious for him to win, as she knew the five hundred pounds would be
very useful to him.
"You must win, Jack," she said. "It will be the last time I shall see
you carry the old colours."
"I hope not," he replied cheerfully. "I do not mean to remain away for
ever."
"But we cannot tell what may happen in the meantime," she said, rather
sadly.