SPECULATION
Never had there been such excitement over the Swamp Creek Cup. The stake
was good, as country stakes go, and in addition to this a splendid entry
had been obtained, and Dr Tom prophesied that at least fourteen or
fifteen runners would face him when he held the flag, for in addition to
being secretary, stake holder and general manager, the doctor was also
the starter.
It spoke well for his reputation for fairness that he gave universal
satisfaction in these various departments, and had he been able to get
back from the starting post in time, he would undoubtedly have been
appointed judge.
The local bookmaker at Swamp Creek had already commenced operations, and
a horse from Bourke named First Class was favourite. This worthy
penciller owned the Gum Tree Hotel, and his name was Aaron Hyam. He was
of the persuasion indicated by his Christian name, and as his eldest son
and clerk was called Moses, there was no reason to doubt it when he said
if ever he had a daughter, or rather his wife had, he should call her
Rachel.
Aaron Hyam was a well-to-do man. Old Ned Glenn, the coach driver, said
Aaron had made his money mainly through his good offices, because he
invariably persuaded passengers to stop at the Gum Tree Hotel.
'The money I have put into that man's pocket would keep me comfortably
for life,' he growled; 'and the mean son of Jerusalem has never had the
decency to tip me more than a fiver.'
Aaron Hyam's hotel was the resort of the Swamp Creek folk and the whole
of the better-class people for many miles around. It was quite a
different place from Potter's Shanty, and for a country hotel was
respectably kept even in those rough and often lawless times.
The astute Aaron worked his cards well and was in good odour even with
such men as Dalton's gang. He likewise kept well in with the police, and
Sergeant Machinson was a supporter of his.
A fortnight before the race for the Swamp Creek Cup, two or three
bookmakers from Bathurst, Bourke and Orange arrived in the place and put
up at Hyam's hotel.
Aaron would have preferred to have the manipulating of the market to
himself, but as he could not very well do this, he had to remain
contented with fleecing the visitors to his hotel as best he might.
One of these bookmakers was a friend of the owner of First Class, and
he remonstrated with Aaron for making that animal favourite.
'He's never done much, only won a bit of a handicap at Bathurst,' said
Price James, the friend of the owner. 'What do you make him favourite
for?'
'That's my business,' said Aaron. 'If you care to lay longer odds, do
so. Four to one is quite enough for me to lay against a horse like First
Class amongst our lot. Why, his name gives him away at once! Had you
called him Third Class, or No Class, it would have been different, but
First Class--well, four to one is a very fair price against a horse with
such a name.'
Rodney Shaw had two horses entered, both by Seahorse. They were named
Seaweed and Distant Shore, and he fancied one of them would win.
When Ben Madsley heard from Jim Dennis that he was going to let his son
Willie ride Neptune he laughed, and thought to himself,--
'I'll frighten the life out of the youngster before the flag falls.'
Rodney Shaw engaged the jockey to ride the better of his pair, and gave
him his choice.
After a trial at Cudgegong, Ben Madsley selected Distant Shore as his
mount, and the horse certainly galloped remarkably well.
No sooner did it become known that Jim Dennis had decided to put his son
up, when long odds, comparatively speaking, were offered against Neptune
in the betting.
Aaron Hyam thought this was a particularly good chance of making a bit
without much risk, and when anyone wished to back Neptune he was always
ready to lay a fair price.
In the meantime Jim Dennis was taking every care to have his horse fit
and thoroughly wound up to go two miles. There was no pampering about
Jim's method of treatment. Plenty of fresh air and exercise was his
motto, and he trusted more to nature than art.
Neptune was given plenty of long, strong, steady work. He was not
galloped at racing speed over a mile one day and then cantered for the
next two or three days.
Willie Dennis rode the horse two-mile gallops at an even pace, and the
work Neptune did suited him. As for Willie, he never felt happier or
more elated than when he was on the back of his father's horse. Jim
Dennis was proud of the lad, and gave him every encouragement. Day by
day he saw the horse become better and better, and he knew that on the
eventful date Neptune would be as hard as nails.
Rodney Shaw was very anxious to win the race, and now he had secured the
services of Madsley he was sanguine of success. At the same time, he had
a wholesome dread of Neptune, but consoled himself with the thought that
Willie Dennis would hardly be able to do the horse justice.
Although Abe Dalton was regarded as an outlaw and a sort of social
pariah, Dr Tom and the committee of the race club thought they could not
exclude his entries from the races.
Dalton had done some desperate deeds in his time, but since his illness
he seemed to have changed for the better.
'It will not last long. He is certain to break out again,' said Dr Tom,
and he was right.
Abe Dalton entered a half-bred horse called The Captain for the cup, and
two others in minor races.
No one knew much about The Captain, and when it came to handicapping him
there was a difficulty.
The committee did the work of adjusting the weights, and great arguments
they had over it at Dr Tom's house.
'If we accept Dalton's entries, as I take it we must, his horses shall
be fairly weighted,' said the doctor.
'How can we weight a horse we know nothing about?' said the chairman. 'I
say, give The Captain top weight, and if Abe Dalton does not like it let
him do the other thing.'
'But The Captain is only a three-year-old. We ought not to give him top
weight,' said the doctor.
'Some horses are better at three years than at any other age,' was the
reply.
'The lowest weight is to be seven stone,' said Dr Tom; 'and I think if
we say nine stone seven for top weight that will leave a sufficient
margin.'
There was a lot of wrangling over the matter, but eventually First Class
was weighted at nine stone seven, and The Captain put on the same mark
with Rodney Shaw's horses and Neptune, who were all to carry eight stone
seven.
These comprised the first division, and the tail end were in the
seven-stone list.
Considering the committee knew very little about some of the horses
entered, the general opinion was that their work was well done, and
Aaron Hyam soon found his book would be profitable, as most of the
runners were backed.
Despite his weight, First Class, who was a fair public performer in the
district, was favourite. Abe Dalton's horse was well backed by several
members of his gang, who came into Swamp Creek for the purpose.
Rodney Shaw backed both his horses, Distant Shore for the most money,
but Neptune was almost out in the cold, as Jim Dennis was contented to
run for the stake and a few modest wagers.
Dr Tom was most enthusiastic, and went about the Creek, followed by
Baalim, with an air of importance, as though greatness had been suddenly
and unexpectedly thrust upon him.
A night or two before the day of the races the crowd at the Gum Tree
Hotel was large, and Aaron Hyam was doing a brisk business both at the
bar and with his book.
Abe Dalton had ridden in from Barker's Creek, and as he was somewhat the
worse for liquor there was every prospect of a row, for he was a
quarrelsome fellow when in this state.
'I wish he'd go,' thought Aaron Hyam to himself, but dared not say
anything to him.
Dalton was swaggering about his horse, and swore he would beat anything
'in these parts.' He offered to back The Captain against any other horse
in the race for a hundred.
'Come, some of you fellows. Have you no pluck?' he said. 'He's only a
three-year-old, but he'll beat the whole blooming lot.'
Dr Tom was in the bar and said quietly,--
'I'll bet you a score I name one to beat The Captain.'
'Bravo, doctor! Don't let him have it all his own way.'
'Done with you,' said Dalton. 'Name it.'
'Neptune,' said Dr Tom. 'How will that suit you?'
Abe Dalton gave a coarse laugh as he replied,--
'That will suit me very well. You've not much chance of landing that
score with a little brat like young Dennis up.'
'You had better not let Jim Dennis hear you call his son a brat,' said
Aaron Hyam.
'And why not? Who is Jim Dennis that I should be afraid of him?'
'He's more than a match for you and your crew,' said one.
'Is he?' sneered Dalton.
'He's proved it.'
'Has he?'
'Yes, and he'll prove it again if you ruffle him about his son.'
Abe Dalton swore, and looking at the speaker said,--
'I'll say what I like about Jim Dennis, or any other man; and as for
that lad, why, he's only a half-caste. Ask black Sal if he isn't.'
Abe Dalton suddenly felt a pressure at the back of his neck, and he was
swung round as though he had been on a pivot.
'You say that again, you cur, and I'll smash your face in!' said Dr Tom.
'If Jim Dennis heard you he'd screw your head off. Get away from me. You
are not fit to touch!' and Dr Tom flung Dalton against the side of the
bar, where he had to clutch at the railing to prevent himself falling.
There was a chorus of approval from those present, for Abe Dalton was
hated as much as Dr Tom and Jim Dennis were liked.
A row seemed imminent, when Dr Tom said,--
'If he wants a fight he can have it, and I'm the man to take him on.'
Abe Dalton had no desire to tackle the doctor, and he growled,--
'If you hadn't saved my life I'd throttle you.'
Dr Tom laughed as he replied,--
'Don't let that trifle stand in your way. Come and try!'
'Let him alone, doctor. He's not worth troubling about,' whispered Aaron
Hyam.
'I think you are right,' was the doctor's reply. Then, turning to Abe
Dalton, he said,--
'I have offered to bet you twenty pounds Neptune beats The Captain, and
I'll not go back on my word; but, mind you, if I win I will not touch
your money. Aaron Hyam shall send it to the Bathurst Hospital,' and the
doctor stalked out of the place amidst a volley of cheers.