_ON HORSEBACK AGAIN_
When the "Wild Cat" arrived in the bay the news of the sale of the
pearls was at once told to Harry Marton, and he thought it a wonderful
price to obtain for them. Barry Tuxford examined the shells and said
they ought to bring about L150 a ton, if not more.
"There will be a good division of profits," he said, "but come ashore
with me, I have something else to tell you. By jove, I forgot all about
it. There's a letter for you at my place from the old country."
Jack's heart beat fast. It must be from Winifred, and he was anxious to
hear the news.
"How long have you had it?" he asked.
"Some weeks; that is the reason I forgot it."
Jack was annoyed; Winifred would think he had been a long time answering
it, but he could explain it was not his fault.
Harry Marton accompanied them ashore, and they went to Barry Tuxford's
house at Perth.
"The letter first," said Jack eagerly, and Barry smiled as he handed it
to him.
Jack recognised the handwriting; it was from Winifred. He left the room,
as he wished to read it alone.
Winifred wrote in good spirits, telling him all the news about her home,
and how her father had won a couple of good races with Topsy Turvy.
"We miss you very much indeed, Jack," she wrote, "and often talk about
you and wonder what you are doing in that far off country. It seems a
terribly long way from here, and sometimes I fancy you will not come
back. Father says most young men who go out get married, and settle
down. Have you met anyone you like very much indeed yet? If so, I'll try
and love her for your sake."
"Will you?" thought Jack. "You will not get the chance."
"I know you will answer this letter as soon as you can, but father says
I must not expect a reply too quickly, for there is no telling where you
may be when it arrives. I shall look forward to hearing from you. I
received your letters from Port Said and Colombo, and also the one when
you arrived at Fremantle. What a dear good soul Captain Seagrave must
be. We are going to ask him to come and see us and tell us all about the
voyage."
She concluded a long letter by wishing him every happiness, and good
luck. "Father wishes me to tell you to wear his colours the first time
you ride a horse of your own, or if you own one, to let the jockey wear
them. He is superstitious about it, and believes they will bring you
good luck."
Jack read between the lines, and was contented. He recognised that
Winifred loved him, and was constantly thinking about him. He must
answer her letter by the next mail, and although he had no pearls to
send her this time he would tell her to look forward to receiving a
string out of the next lot.
He returned to Barry Tuxford and Harry with a face beaming with
satisfaction.
"You have had good news," said Barry, "anyone can see that. I
congratulate you. I expect your letter is from the fortunate young lady
who is to receive the black pearl--when you recover it."
"That is so," replied Jack, laughing. "As you remark, if we get it."
"I am commencing to think you are a bit of a mascot," said Barry
laughing. "Everything you touch turns out well. I have some real good
news for you."
"Indeed," said Jack, "what is it?"
"The Great Tom mine has panned out all right."
"That's splendid," replied Jack. "I had forgotten all about it for the
moment."
"The pound shares are up to six pounds," said Barry.
"It sounds too good to be true," said Jack, excitedly. "That means three
thousand for my five hundred."
"That's it, if you sell out."
"What do you advise me to do?"
"Sell half your shares; leave the other half in. It is a dividend paying
mine, and I think they will go up to ten pounds, perhaps more, in
another year."
"That will give me fifteen hundred to play with, and the profit on the
trip as well. Harry, you must stand in; we agreed to go halves."
"Don't be ridiculous," replied Harry. "We agreed to go halves,
certainly, but that was only for the voyage. I shall not take a penny of
your profits. I have my share out of the pearls, and am quite
satisfied."
"That is not fair," said Jack. "Because I happen to have had a stroke of
luck it is no reason why you should cry off our arrangement."
"I think Mr. Marton is quite right," said Barry. "You cannot go on
sharing all through your lives; it is absurd."
"If I make a pile, Harry, you must agree to accept something from me,"
said Jack.
"If my luck is out I will; but if I make sufficient for my wants, no,"
replied Harry.
In the course of the week Barry Tuxford took Jack out to the stables,
where his horses were kept, and he had a spin on Lucky Boy, a
four-year-old bay, a great favourite of Barry's.
Jack was delighted to be on the back of a thoroughbred again; it was far
more to his taste than tossing about on a schooner, although he had
enjoyed that for a time. He had, however, no desire to make another
voyage at present. Lucky Boy was accompanied by Wanneroo, a bay, three
years old, ridden by a black boy called Willie, who was clever at his
work. The pair were attended by Onslow and Esperance.
Joe Kirby, who trained for Barry Tuxford, watched Jack critically. He
had not much faith in amateur riders, especially new chums, but he soon
saw Jack Redland was a good way beyond the average. Lucky Boy, he
thought, had never gone so well before, and this was the opinion of
Willie, when he dismounted, and the black boy looked at Jack admiringly.
Barry Tuxford was immensely pleased. He had no idea Jack could ride so
well, and he thought Captain Seagrave was right when he said he was too
good for pearl fishing.
"It does a fellow good to get on the back of a decent horse again," said
Jack, as he patted Lucky Boy's neck.
"What do you think of him?" asked Barry.
"A very good mover, not particularly fast, but I should think he was a
good stayer."
"He is, Mr. Redland," said Joe Kirby. "He can stay any distance, and
over a couple of miles he would wear a faster horse than himself down."
"I daresay you are right," replied Jack. "Has he won any races?"
"A couple of minor handicaps at the Turf Club meeting, but no race of
any value. He is generally in at a nice weight," said Barry.
"He won a Welter, too," said Joe.
"So he did, I forgot that. Carried ten seven, I think," said Barry.
"I don't know what I weigh now," said Jack, "but I could easily go to
scale at ten stone at home, and less if required."
"Then you have ridden in England?" said the trainer, somewhat surprised.
"Oh, yes, scores of times. I was almost at the top of the tree one year.
I won a race at Lewes a few days before I sailed for Fremantle."
"I thought you knew how to handle a horse when you threw your legs
across Lucky Boy," replied Joe.
"That's Dongara," said Barry, as a grey came along alone. "He's got a
bit of a temper. Gives Joe a lot of trouble, I'm afraid; but we keep
pegging away at him because we think there's something in him, and a
clever man chose him for me in Sydney. He cost more than he's worth, I
fancy, and he's had adventures; the beggar was ship-wrecked, and had to
swim ashore."
Jack glanced at the grey, and liked his appearance.
"May I ride him?" he asked.