Part 55 (1/2)

”Steady him,” she said quietly. ”Get up alongside him, Jerry. Now try and get him off the mark with me. All together. Now!”

The manoeuvre failed. Lollypop and Silvertail got well away, but the young horse merely pawed the air.

Monkey Brand's face was set.

”Give me that whip, Albert,” he said between his teeth.

”No,” said the girl. ”That's no good.”

Old Mat held up his hand.

”He ain't for it,” he said masterfully. ”Get off him, Brand.”

The little jockey glanced at his master, saw he meant business, and slipped off the great horse, chagrin in every line of his face.

Albert, unbidden, had already gathered the reins in his hand and was preparing to mount.

”No,” said Boy authoritatively. ”Albert, take Silvertail.”

She slipped off the tall old mare.

Her father nodded approval.

”She's right,” he muttered. ”Never do to try Albert when Brand has failed.”

”Chuck me up, Brand,” said the girl.

The little jockey turned.

”Yes, Miss.”

The girl had broken the blow for him, and he tossed her into the saddle with a will.

She sat up there on the great horse, ordering her reins with masterful delicacy.

Jim Silver's eyes dwelt tenderly upon her face. He longed to dismount and kiss the girl's hand. But all he said in matter-of-fact voice was:

”You've got a lot in front of you.”

”It's like a glacier,” replied Boy.

”She could slide on that shoulder,” commented Old Mat. ”Like Napoleon on the Pyramids.”

The young horse began to sidle and plunge.

”Right!” said Boy. ”Stand clear!”

The little jockey jumped aside, and mounted Silvertail.

Four-Pound-the-Second gave a great bound. The girl rode him as a yacht rides the sea, swinging easily to his motion, and talking to him the while. He sprawled around with tiny bucks and little grunts of joy, br.i.m.m.i.n.g over with energy.