"If Mr. Redland will risk being thrown off there can be no objection;
but it is only fair he should be warned what sort of a horse he is."
"As bad as that, is it?" laughed Jack. "Let me try my hand. I have
ridden some nasty horses in my time; if he throws me he's welcome to any
satisfaction he may get out of it."
Dongara was brought up, and when the lads saw the new chum was going to
ride him they grinned at his expense in anticipation of some exciting
fun.
It was exciting enough while it lasted, but could hardly be called fun;
it was a battle in grim earnest, and the youngsters looked on in
amazement.
Dongara first tried to bolt, and Jack let him have his head for a couple
of miles, but did not allow him to forget who was master. This did not
exactly suit the horse, who generally had his own way with the lads.
"He's holding him," said Joe. "That's more than I expected he would do."
At the end of a stiff gallop Dongara gave in, but he was not at the end
of his experiment. He lashed out suddenly, then stood up and pawed the
air; but a blow between the ears brought him down to a less exalted
attitude. Then he tried to savage his rider, and got his nose kicked for
his trouble.
At the end of half-an-hour Dongara consented to gallop like a well
mannered thoroughbred, and it was evident Jack had him under control.
"You handled him splendidly," said Barry approvingly.
"He's a good horse," said Jack, "but, as you say, he has a very bad
temper. It will take more than I have given him to cure him; but I could
tame him in time. Where did you say he came from?"
"Sydney. Joel Kenley bought him for me."
"Joel Kenley!" exclaimed Jack. "That's very strange; his brother trained
Topsy Turvy, the last horse I rode before I left England. I am going to
look him up if ever I get as far as Sydney."
"You'll find Joel a decent sort, and well up in his business," said
Barry.
Jack enjoyed the change thoroughly, and went back with Barry, eager to
hear what he had to propose about racing.
Barry Tuxford was not long in coming to the point.
"There is not much to be won here," he said, "and after our meeting next
month I thought of taking a trip to Sydney. Will you go with me?"
"With pleasure," replied Jack. "It is just what I should like."
"Harry Marton can go back with the pearling fleet, and you can have a
share of the plunder. By the time we have finished our jaunt, Silas may
have captured the black pearl for you."
"I hope so," said Jack. "I have set my heart on getting it."
"It's not much use taking any horses, they are too good for us there,
although I should like to take them down on their own ground with a nag
from West Australia."
"Why not take Lucky Boy? He ought to be good enough to win a long
distance race, and he would get a light weight."
"We might do that, but I am afraid he would not pay his expenses. He'd
come in all right as a second string if I bought something good; do to
bring 'em along, and make the pace sound for the other fellow."
"I should say you would have some difficulty in finding a better horse
to lead another at exercise, or as you suggest, to ensure a good pace
throughout a long race. I have often seen the second string beat the
first when he has been run merely as an assistant," said Jack.
"Will you sell half your shares in the Great Tom mine?" asked Barry.
"Yes, if you advise me to do so, and the money will come in handy for
racing."
"If you are going to bet with it, keep it locked up where it is, it will
be safer there."
"Then you are no believer in backing horses?"
"Not to win much money. Of course, I like to have a flutter for the fun
of the thing, most sportsmen do," said Barry.
"When do you intend leaving here?"
"As soon as we have got the fleet away again. I must see Rank, and the
two skippers, and come to terms with them."
When Barry went to Fremantle, to arrange for the return of the schooners
to the bay, Jack wrote a reply to Winifred's letter. It was a long
epistle, and in it he gave her an account of his adventures with the
pearling schooners.
"It was a rough life, but I did not dislike it, and the finding of
pearls is very exciting. I did not intend to tell you of this incident,
but I cannot keep it to myself, and I know you have too much good sense
to be disappointed if it does not turn out as I wish. One day I found a
beautiful black egg shaped pearl in a large shell. It was perfect--not a
flaw in it, and I was bewildered at its beauty, for they are very rare.
I thought how nice it would be to send it to you as a token you were not
forgotten. Forgotten! Why Winnie, I am always thinking of you and of the
last time I saw you on the terrace, with your arms outstretched,
pleading to me to come back, or I fancied so. 'Like his conceit,' I hear
you say.
"There is an old pearl dealer here; a regular character, looks like a
cross between a Jew pawn-broker and a Christian cabdriver. He's very
rich, so my friend, Barry Tuxford, says. (Barry's a splendid fellow--a
regular colonial. I am sure you would like him.) His name is Silas
Filey--how do you fancy it--and he bought up all our pearls before he
left the schooner. He says he'll try and get the black pearl back,
because he knows the man we think persuaded the black fellow to steal
it. If it is recovered Barry has promised I shall have it at a fair
price, and I mean to send it you. Its story and adventures will interest
you, and when you look at it, if ever you have the luck, it will remind
you of 'the failure' far away in Australia.
"I am commencing to think, Win, that I am not such a dire failure after
all, for I have just made a big haul by an investment in the Great Tom
mine, again thanks to Barry, and my share of the pearls and shell will
be considerable. Tell Sir Lester, Barry and myself are off to Sydney on
a racing expedition, taking a horse called Lucky Boy with us, and that I
shall also take the black jacket with orange sleeves I rode Topsy Turvy
in with me, and if I get a chance either wear them myself, or put them
up on a good one. We are sanguine of doing some good before we return.
"I am sure Captain Seagrave would enjoy himself and amuse you both if he
paid a visit to The Downs. He's a rare good sort, and as large-hearted
and brave as only a British seaman can be. Write to the G.P.O., Sydney,
next time, that is, if you still have a corner in your heart for me. I
should like to say something, Win, but wait until I come home, and then
I will tell you my secret. Guess it if you can."