A COWARDLY ASSAULT
At first Jim could hardly credit Sal's statement, but several things
that had happened of late caused him to place credence in her words.
Moreover, he knew she was truthful and would not deceive him.
He consulted Dr Tom, and that worthy man agreed with Sal; he had no
special liking for Rodney Shaw. Constable Doonan had noticed Rodney Shaw
coming from the direction of Barker's Creek on several occasions, and
wondered what he had been doing in that quarter. Jim Dennis meant to
have an explanation from the owner of Cudgegong; he did not mean to
allow Rodney Shaw, or any other man, to insult Sal, or to prowl around
his place during his absence. When the races were over he would have
more time on his hands, and meant to inquire into these matters. He had
no desire to quarrel with anyone before the cup was decided, because it
might possibly put obstacles in the way of Neptune winning. The horse
had been well tried, and had done a capital preparation, and Willie
seemed to handle him with the skill of an old hand. The lad was
confident of winning, and when he saw the new yellow jacket his father
had purchased for him he was delighted.
This jacket had been specially made in Sydney, and arrived in charge of
Ned Glenn. 'There you are, Willie,' said Ned, as he handed him the
parcel. 'You will find something in there that will please you, I
reckon.'
Jim Dennis, Sal and Ned Glenn eyed the lad admiringly when he put the
yellow jacket on, and he looked well in it, quite a model of a youthful
jockey.
The day before the races Jim Dennis with his son and Neptune rode over
to Swamp Creek and put up at the Gum Tree Hotel.
There was quite a crowd around the place waiting for the horse to
arrive, and the comments passed on the appearance of Neptune were on the
whole favourable.
There was a lot of wagering at night at the hotel, and, the township
being full of visitors, many strangers were present.
Jim Dennis had taken special precautions that his horse should be well
looked after, and Dr Tom's black boy was left on guard with strict
injunctions not to leave the door of the box on any pretext whatever.
There he sat like a black sentinel with old Baalim at his side, and the
pair kept off all inquiring visitors.
Jim Dennis knew that Abe Dalton was bent upon winning the race with The
Captain, and would not stick at a trifle to accomplish the end. Most of
the horses were backed, and there was every prospect of an exciting
race. Willie was at Dr Tom's house and was to remain there for the
night.
'He's better there than in the hotel. You never can tell what fellows
like Dalton may get up to,' said the doctor, as he and Jim went round to
the Gum Tree to see how the wagering was going.
The place was packed, and Aaron Hyam was doing a brisk trade behind the
bar and also with his bookmaking. First Class was a hot favourite at
three to one, and seemed likely to see a much shorter price.
Rodney Shaw was present, and backed Distant Shore freely, and offered to
back his horse for a hundred against any one of the runners.
Jim Dennis had not met him since Sal had warned him that the master of
Cudgegong was no friend of his. In his straightforward way Jim would
have had it out with him there and then, but Dr Tom counselled patience,
and Jim knew his advice was good. Shaw came up to them in a friendly
way, and was evidently unaware that Sal had reported his misconduct or
expressed any doubt about him.
He had been indulging somewhat freely and was in a boisterous mood.
'Now then, Dennis, I'll give you a chance,' he said. 'No one else seems
willing to take it on. I'll bet you a level hundred, or any part of it,
that Distant Shore beats Neptune.'
'Considering the odds, you ought to lay me a hundred to fifty,' said
Jim. 'You have Madsley riding, and my lad has not his experience.'
'I'm not particular,' said Shaw. 'I'll bet you a hundred to fifty if you
like that Distant Shore beats your horse.'
'Very well, it's a wager,' said Jim.
'I'll lay you a hundred to ten against Neptune,' said Aaron Hyam.
'That will suit me,' replied Jim.
'I'll take that too,' said Dr Tom.
The people crowded round them, and there was a lot of jostling and
pushing in a good-humoured way.
Abe Dalton was there, but wisely kept in the background. He had no
desire to risk an encounter with Jim Dennis.
Dalton would have given a good deal to ensure Neptune being beaten, and
when he saw Dr Tom and Jim together it occurred to him that Willie
Dennis was probably alone at the doctor's house.
He went out at the back and quickly made his way in that direction. He
had no very distinct idea what he intended doing, but he was determined
Willie Dennis must be incapacitated from riding.
'If the lad can't ride Neptune,' said Dalton, 'the horse will not run,
because he won't be able to find another jockey.'
He had not forgotten his oath to Dr Tom, but he had kept it so long that
he felt absolved from it, and to a man like Dalton oaths do not count
for much.
He went stealthily as he neared the house, and, cautiously treading up
the steps on to the verandah, he looked in at the open door.
Willie Dennis was asleep in a cane chair, and Abe Dalton, creeping
round, saw one of the doctor's pestles, which he used for pounding
various things in a mortar. He picked it up, and then, approaching the
lad from behind, hit him a violent blow on the head.
Willie fell forward out of the chair, face downwards, on to the floor.
Abe Dalton rolled him over, and, looking at him, said to himself,--
'He'll get over it all right, but I reckon it's settled him for
to-morrow.'
He put the pestle back in its place, and quickly leaving the house
hurried back to the Gum Tree Hotel.
Constable Doonan happened to meet him, and Abe Dalton could not avoid
him.
'You are in a hurry,' said Doonan. 'Going to back The Captain, I
suppose?'
'Yes,' said Dalton, 'and I'd advise you to do the same.'
'I shall have my bit on Neptune,' said Doonan. 'I want to see young
Willie Dennis win the cup.'
'He'll not win it,' said Dalton. 'He's had no experience. Take my tip
and put your bit on The Captain,' and he went on his way towards the
hotel.
'He'll not know where I have been,' said Dalton to himself. 'Lucky he
did not meet me near the doctor's place or he might have suspected
something.'
The hotel was still full, and Dalton again backed his horse with two or
three bookmakers.
'You seem pretty sanguine of winning,' said Shaw to him.
'Yes, I am. He's a good horse.'
'I think mine will beat you, but I don't much care what wins if Neptune
is out of it.'
'You seem to have a "down" on Dennis lately.'
'He's a precious sight too good for this world,' said Rodney Shaw.
'Thinks such a mighty lot of himself. I'll tell you what, Abe Dalton,
I've a piece of work for you to do, if you care to undertake it. It will
be a risky job, but you are accustomed to take risks, and I am
accustomed to having my own way.'
'What is it?' asked Dalton. 'We can't talk here.'
They went out at the back, and Rodney Shaw said in a low voice,--
'I want that half-caste woman of Jim Dennis's. Can you get her for me?
I'll give you a stiff price.'
Abe Dalton laughed as he said, 'She's not worth taking any risks about.'
'Oh, yes, she is, and I have taken a fancy to her. Can you get her?'
'Of course it could be done, but there would be the deuce to pay about
it. Besides, you couldn't keep her when you had her. She would go back,
and as likely as not Jim Dennis would shoot you or burn your place over
your head.'
'I'll risk all that. Can you get her? Your gang ought to be able to
manage it.'
'It's a difficult job, but it could be done. What's your price?'
'A hundred pounds when she is brought to my house,' said Shaw.
'I'll think it over and let you know, but you are a fool for your pains.
Fancy risking so much for a black gin.'
'She is not a black gin, she is a very fine woman,' said Shaw.
Abe Dalton shrugged his shoulders and looked at the speaker with
undisguised contempt, which was, however, lost upon him.
'Is it a bargain?' asked Rodney Shaw.
'I'll do my best. Money down, mind you, and you take all the blame,'
said Dalton.
'Agreed,' said Rodney Shaw; 'and the sooner you kidnap her the better.'
'A little bit of "blackbirding" ashore,' laughed Dalton, and Shaw joined
him in his mirth.
When Dr Tom and Jim Dennis had seen Neptune safely locked up for the
night, with the black fellow inside his box, they walked home together.
'Willie's asleep,' said Jim, as he saw him lying on the floor.
'Funny little chap. Why didn't he lie on the couch?' said Dr Tom; then,
with his practised eyes, he noticed how still and unnaturally calm the
lad was. He stooped over him and gave an exclamation of surprise, with a
tone of alarm in it.
Jim Dennis was down on his knees beside the boy in a moment.
'He must have fainted and fallen out of his chair,' said Dr Tom, picking
him up and placing him on the sofa.
Jim Dennis was in an agony of fear. He seemed utterly helpless. Dr Tom
felt Willie's head, and found a lump at the back where he had been
struck with the pestle.
'Jim, he's been hit on the head, and a heavy blow it must have been.
Keep quiet and I'll soon pull him round.'
Jim Dennis looked on half dazed. He could not realise what had happened.
In a short time, under Dr Tom's treatment, Willie came round, and,
opening his eyes, looked about him.
'Oh, my head,' he said faintly, and seemed on the verge of going off
again.
The blow was severe, but not so serious as might have been expected.
When he had recovered sufficiently, they questioned him as to what had
happened, but he knew nothing about it, or how he had been struck.
'I went to sleep in the chair, and I remember nothing more,' said
Willie.
'There's been some dirty work here,' said Jim. 'Let me find out who has
done it, that's all.'
'Shall I be able to ride to-morrow?' asked Willie. 'My head seems to go
round and round. Oh, I do hope I shall be able to ride Neptune.'
'Don't worry about that, Willie,' said his father.
'After a good night's rest you will feel better,' said Dr Tom. 'I think
you will be able to ride. I'll fix you up with a good nerve tonic in the
morning.'
Willie smiled faintly; his head was very painful and ached badly.
He was put to bed and a sleeping-draught given him; after which he
rested peacefully.
'We must get to the bottom of this business,' said Jim. 'I should not
wonder if Dalton had a hand in it. He'll find he has gone a step too far
if I can sheet it home to him.'
'That blow might have killed him,' said Dr Tom. 'It must have been a
heavy weapon he was struck with.'
'Is there any danger?' asked Jim, anxiously.
'No, you can rest assured of it; but the little chap has had a narrow
escape,' said the doctor.