lucky boy went into joel kenley's stables at randwick, and no one raised any objection.
strange to say, it was bricky smiles who took the horse to randwick. jack redland found him hanging about the yards in pitt street, where the horse was boxed, and in the course of conversation mentioned that lucky boy was going into kenley's stable.
"is he sending for him?" asked bricky with an eye to a job.
"no; we are to deliver him there," replied jack.
"will you let me take him? i will be very careful," said bricky, "and i know how to handle horses better than the lads about here."
"certainly," replied jack, without any hesitation. he had taken a fancy to bricky, and was glad to do him a turn, no matter how small. "you must be on your guard, for he's a bit skittish, and a trifle fresh and above himself just now."
"leave it to me; i'll see he comes to no harm."
"we ought to have someone to look after him at kenley's. i never thought of it at the time, and it will be hardly fair to ask him to lend us one of his lads. how would you like to do it? i don't suppose mr. kenley would have any objection."
bricky's eyes sparkled. here was a chance he had not expected, and he jumped at it. he thought he could induce joel kenley to let him remain if it was the desire of lucky boy's owner he should do so.
"i shall be very glad of the job," said bricky. "it is a long time since i had such an offer, but i am used to the work, and will do my best for you."
"i am sure you will," replied jack, "and i will write a letter to kenley and name the matter to him."
this he did, and handed it to bricky when he took charge of lucky boy.
the old jockey led the horse very carefully, and admired him when he saw how well he walked. as they passed through randwick numerous stable boys looked at him, and recognising a strange horse, called out to bricky and asked his name.
bricky was not a favourite with the younger generation, and they were apt to tease him and make fun at his expense, forgetting that he knew a good deal more than they were ever likely to learn. he answered them sharply, telling them to mind their own business and find out.
this nettled them, and one lad more venturesome than the others shouted—
"so you've found somebody to trust you at last, brick; i hope they'll not be sorry for it."
"shut up, you young scoundrel," shouted bricky. "if i could leave the horse i'd give you a hiding."
there was a general laugh of derision at this, which did not improve bricky's temper, and another boy called out—
"i'll hold the horse while you give it him."
bricky was moving on, out of the way of his tormentors, when someone threw a stone and frightened lucky boy. the horse plunged, and almost dragged the reins out of his hand. he tried to pacify him, but had some difficulty in doing so. it so happened that joel kenley was riding along at the time, and seeing what occurred he dismounted, handed his horse to a bystander, and before the lad who had thrown the stone was aware of it, he was in the trainer's grip.
the boy wriggled and endeavoured to get away, but it was not until he had received a sound thrashing that he was allowed to go. the trainer coolly remounted and rode after bricky, leaving the small group of boys cowed and sullen, and vowing vengeance upon both of them.
"whose horse is that?" he asked as he came up with him.
"mr. tuxford's, and i am taking him to your stables."
"that's curious; it was lucky i came up when i did, or he might have got away from you. so that's lucky boy, is it? he does not look a bad sort; a better quality than i expected."
the trainer watched the horse carefully as they went down the hill, and the more he saw of his movements the better he liked him.
when they arrived at the stables bricky handed jack's note to the trainer, and scrutinised his face as he read it.
"he wants you to stay and look after the horse," said joel. "we have no room, but i daresay you can sleep out."
"i'll manage that if you'll allow me to attend to him," said bricky eagerly.
"it is some time since you undertook work of this kind?"
"but you know i can look after a horse as well if not better than some of the younger ones."
"yes, i think you can, and i would far sooner have you in my stable than a stranger. bring him round to this box."
lucky boy was installed in comfortable quarters, and the head lad was informed that bricky smiles would look after him.
"and see that the lads do not chaff him," said the trainer. "if they do, report to me, and i will soon settle with them."
"very good, sir," replied the head lad, who respected his master, and kept a firm hold over the boys.
bricky at once set to work and strapped lucky boy well, and when he had finished his task, stood looking at him with much satisfaction.
fred manns, the head lad, smiled as he saw him, and said—
"you have not forgotten how to work, bricky, and i daresay you have not forgotten how to ride. i know when i was a youngster you were considered the equal of any of our jockeys. you've had bad luck, old fellow; this may bring about a change if the horse turns out a good one. where does he come from, and who owns him?"
it was evident joel kenley was not communicative, or there would have been no occasion to put these questions. as it was fred manns who asked them, bricky was quite willing to supply the information, which he did.
"comes from western australia!" said fred in surprise. "that's a deuce of a way to bring a horse. i should have thought it would have paid better to race him there, much easier to win than it will be here."
"i do not think it is a matter of money with either barry tuxford or mr. redland. they brought the horse over because they are true sportsmen and want to see what he can do against some of our lot. i hope they will be rewarded for their pluck with a good win."
"so do i," replied fred. "they are the sort of men we want about us; there's too much of the money-making about most of them, and when they get a haul it's precious little of it comes our way."
"then you find your jobs not all pleasure and profit?" said bricky smiling.
"it's anything but that. the boss is all right, a real good sort, but some of the owners are desperate skinflints."
"you'll find a difference with the owner of lucky boy if he wins a race," said bricky. "i'm open to bet he gives tips all round if he has a win, and liberal ones too."
"do you know him?"
"yes, i rode a race or two for him years ago, but i have not seen him since he went away. mr. redland i only met quite accidentally as he was coming to see the boss, but i am sure he is a genuine good fellow. it was he gave me the chance to look after lucky boy."
the new arrival at kenley's stables went out with the team to exercise at randwick next morning, and jack redland and barry tuxford were on the course. after mutual greetings, the trainer suggested jack should mount lucky boy and give him a canter, and then a fast mile spin with a couple of others.
nothing loath, jack was soon ready, and joel kenley's practised eyes quickly saw he had a good seat. the appearance of a strange rider, more especially an amateur, caused some comment amongst the lookers on, and there were many inquiries to learn who he was.
lucky boy moved somewhat stiffly, as this was his first exercise canter after the voyage, but it quickly wore off, and by the time the trainer gave instructions for the gallop the horse was eager to be off. the going was good, and jack admired all the surroundings—the hills, the houses at randwick, and the distant view of famous botany bay.
the horses sent out to accompany lucky boy were not of a very high class, but both had won handicaps at moorefield, canterbury, and elsewhere. jack soon found he would not have much difficulty in beating them, and this he did comfortably and with judgment.
as they pulled up, joel kenley said to barry tuxford—
"i think you have a very fair horse, and i am sure your friend is a good rider. i shall have no hesitation in putting him up when i have an opportunity."
this pleased barry, who said—
"i hope to win a good race with lucky boy, and i know jack will be delighted to have a winning mount."
the boys who had ridden with jack were not long in telling their stable companions that the new chum was "no slouch," and that he could ride "above a bit." as to lucky boy, they were not much impressed with his merits, as the horses they had ridden against him were not first class.
"the next thing we have to do is to purchase the second string," said jack smiling.
"and i think i have hit upon the very horse for you if he can be bought," replied the trainer. "you see that dark brown over there cantering alongside bowery?"
they looked in the direction pointed out, and saw the horses he alluded to.
"that's black boy. he's very useful; five years old, thoroughly reliable, no vice, and an excellent schoolmaster. if they'll sell him he is just the horse for you. he can win a welter race and you can ride him yourself."
they watched the horse as he went past, and jack was favourably impressed. there was a "cut and come again" look about him that argued well for his courage.
"what is he worth?" he asked.
"they are sure to ask a stiff price if they know we want him. he's not in very good hands, and i have had my doubts about his running on more than one occasion lately. i am under the impression they have been bottling him up, and if i am correct, you might get a better race out of him than many people would anticipate. no blame would attach to us; the change of stables would account for the reversal of form; but, of course, if it is as i surmise, it will put his price up. black boy is honestly worth about three hundred; they will probably ask five, and you may get him for something over four hundred."
"will you try and buy him?" asked jack.
"i had better keep out of it. if they think i want the horse they will not sell. i am not in their good books, and have no desire to be; they are not my class, but that has nothing whatever to do with the merits of the horse."
"no, of course not," answered jack, "but can you get anyone to approach them for us?"
"why not let me try?" said barry, laughing. "i generally succeed in my undertakings, and i fancy i can manage it. they'll probably take me for a greenhorn."
the trainer laughed as he replied—
"they will not do that."
"there's very little of the greenhorn look about you," said jack, "but try if you wish, although i do not know how you will work it."
"leave that to me," replied barry. "i can always find out ways and means of becoming acquainted with anyone i wish to know."
it was decided that negotiations for the purchase of black boy should be left in barry's hands, and he was not long in making a move in the desired direction.
the next day he told jack he knew abe moss, the owner of the horse, that he was introduced to him in tattersall's, and that in the course of a day or two he would broach the question as to whether black boy was for sale.
"i have given a hint that i wish to buy one or two horses, and i saw moss took it; he's a keen hand, and thinks he'll make a bit out of me. we shall see," added barry, with a wink.
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《a lad of mettle》
