"I'll not go in with you," said Bricky, smiling. "Joel's a cut above me
now, although there was a time when he would have been very glad for me
to do him a turn."
"And has he forgotten that time?" asked Jack, in some surprise.
"No, I can't say he has; but as you are a visitor, he'll no doubt prefer
to see you alone. I daresay we shall meet again."
"Sure to," replied Jack, "and if I can be of any service to you, I shall
be only too pleased. I will not forget to tell Mr. Tuxford I met you."
They parted, and Jack walked up the path to the trainer's house. The
front door was open and a couple of fox terriers barked a welcome, as
well as a warning, for they quickly decided the visitor was a friend and
not an enemy.
Jack thought it all looked very home-like, and the barking of the
terriers recalled to mind his visits to The Downs, and the joyous capers
of Winifred's dogs as they sprang up at him and then careered wildly
round the lawn.
The trainer was sitting in the front room and came to the door before he
had time to knock.
Jack recognised him by his resemblance to his brother, and said with a
smile--
"You are Mr. Kenley, I think, I have not much hesitation in saying."
Joel Kenley held out his hand, and said--
"And if I am not mistaken you are Mr. Redland. I had a long letter from
my brother, Caleb, about you some months ago; where have you been all
this time? I have been expecting to see you, and wondered what had
become of you; however, come inside and make yourself quite at
home--that is, if you are Mr. Redland," he added, laughing.
"I am Jack Redland, and it is quite evident we meet as friends."
It was a pleasure to Jack to talk about the old places at home, and Joel
asked many questions about his brother. "We have been parted a good many
years," he said, "and our letters have been few and far between; a
trainer's life does not leave him much leisure for correspondence. I
recollect Lewes well, and also The Downs. Sir Lester Dyke was a fine
English gentleman."
"He is one of my best friends," replied Jack, "probably the best, and
your brother has been very successful in training his horses. He does
not keep many, but what he has are usually of a good class, and pay
their way."
"Which is more than can be said for the majority of racehorses," laughed
Joel. "Caleb was always a cute fellow, even as a youngster, and got the
better of me on many occasions."
"I rode a winner for Sir Lester just before I sailed for Fremantle,"
said Jack; "Topsy Turvy in the Southdown Welter; it was a lucky race for
me in every way."
"My brother mentions it in his letter, in fact told me all about it, and
also that you were one of the best amateur riders in England. We must
try and get you a mount or two here, I suppose you have no objections?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account