Neptune had grown into a fine sire, and Jim Dennis had many good horses and mares by him.

One in particular he set great store by. This was Grey Bird, a beautiful horse the colour of his sire, out of a mare named Seamew.

Grey Bird was a four-year-old, and had won a couple of minor races at Swamp Creek and Barragong, but so far as the big meetings were concerned he was an unknown quant.i.ty.

Jim Dennis knew if he could win a race, such as the Sydney Cup, he could win a lot of money and not risk much. Against such a horse as Grey Bird the odds in a big race would be remunerative, more especially if Willie, an unknown rider in the metropolis, had the mount.

He had entered Grey Bird for the Sydney Cup, but it was regarded as a piece of bluff, and no one ever thought it was his intention to run the horse.

The journey to Sydney was long and tedious, as there was no railway communication within some hundreds of miles, and then it was hardly safe to train a valuable horse.

Jim Dennis had, however, overcome far greater difficulties than the sending of a horse to Sydney. His never-failing counsellor, Dr Tom, was consulted, and expressed his opinion that the thing was feasible and that Grey Bird would have a chance in the Sydney Cup.

'Try it, Jim. Try it,' he said. 'There's nothing like self-confidence, and I am sure none of the southern jockeys can give Willie much. He's the cleverest lad I ever saw on a horse. By Jove, how he s.n.a.t.c.hed that Barragong Handicap out of the fire on Dart! It was a better race than the memorable one he rode on Neptune.'

'I think I'll try it. We can all go down to Sydney together with the horse. You will go with us?' said Jim.

Dr Tom looked gloomy. As usual, funds were low, and he did not think he could stand the expense.

'Of course you will go as my guest,' continued Jim. 'I want your company, and your skill would come in useful in case of accident.'

Dr Tom smiled as he replied, 'Generous as ever, old man. You know where the shoe pinches. I will accept your offer because I know it is made with a good heart.'

'I am not afraid to leave the stations now Dalton's gang are out of the way. What a curse they were!'

'No mistake about that. It was a fight! I'm itching for another.'

'There will be no chance for a nest of thieves round here with such a man as Sergeant Doonan about.'

'No,' replied the doctor; 'he deserves all the praise he receives.'

Willie Dennis was delighted at the thought of going to Sydney and riding his pet Grey Bird in the great race. He loved the horse, and Grey Bird was so fond of his young rider that he was uneasy when anyone else rode him.

The arrival of the coach was anxiously awaited, in order to see the weights for the Sydney Cup.

At last the paper came, and Jim Dennis eagerly tore the wrapper and glanced up and down the columns, Willie looking over his shoulder.

'There it is!' said Willie, pointing to a long list of horses.

'That's it. I say, Taite's horse has top weight, nine stone twelve pounds; that's a fair start. Our fellow will be near the bottom. What will he get? Let's guess!'

He put down the paper and looked at Willie.

'I'll guess seven stone twelve pounds,' said Jim. 'That would give him a chance.'

'Too much,' replied Willie. 'I'll say seven stone six pounds.'

Jim opened the paper again and looked down the list.

'Here's luck, Willie. He's only got seven stone.' Then his face fell and he said, 'You will not be able to get down to that weight.'

'Yes, I shall,' said Willie, and ran outside to the weighing-machine.

'I am only seven stone seven pounds now,' he shouted. 'That seven pounds can soon be knocked off. Dr Tom will see to that. Tell him he will have to dose me.'

'We will have no dosing,' said Jim. 'It weakens you too much, and you require all your strength for a long, severe race like the Sydney Cup.'

It was considered a stroke of good fortune for Jim Dennis's Grey Bird to have only seven stone in the Sydney Cup, and Swamp Creek and Barragong folk vowed they would back the local horse no matter how good the others in the race might be.

Adye Dauntsey and Dr Tom were present at Grey Bird's final gallop before his long walk to Sydney commenced. The magistrate meant to take a few weeks' holiday and go to Sydney to see the race.

'I saw his sire win one of the best races I ever witnessed at Swamp Creek, and I must see his son eclipse even that performance.'

'We shall be mighty proud of your company at Randwick,' said Dr Tom. 'To have the celebrated P.M. from Barragong with us will considerably enhance our reputations.'

'Chaffing as usual, doctor. I believe you would laugh at a funeral.'

'Probably, if I had not been attending the deceased in a medical capacity,' replied the doctor.

'I suppose under such circ.u.mstances you might possibly think you had a hand in facilitating his departure from this life,' laughed Mr Dauntsey.

The Sydney Cup was a great race even in those days, when such horses as Yattendon, Fishhook, The Barb, Flying Buck, Zoe, Archer, Banker, Lantern, Toryboy, Flying Colours, Clove, and many other good ones were winning, or had just won, all the big events at Sydney and Melbourne. It was the year of good horses when Grey Bird went south, and Jim Dennis knew that with only seven stone his horse would have no easy task.

The handicapper had not much regard for station-bred and trained horses, and he said to himself, when he came to Mr James Dennis's Grey Bird, four years, by Neptune--Seamew, 'From Wanabeen, eh? That's near the place where that fight occurred with Dalton's gang a few years ago. They cannot have much idea of training in that quarter; and I do not suppose the horse will run. If they have the pluck to bring him all that way, and run him against such cracks as we have now, they deserve to be given a good chance. Seven stone will do you, Grey Bird,' and then he set to work to try and give others a chance with the top weights, a somewhat difficult task.

Grey Bird's final gallop pleased them all, and Willie rode him splendidly.

'He is a mover,' said Mr Dauntsey. 'He'll not disgrace our district in looks or in the race.'

'If my property would carry a mortgage, I'd back Grey Bird for all I could get on it, but I am afraid a loan would cause the premises to fall down,' said Dr Tom.

'Shaky, are they?' asked Mr Dauntsey, laughing.

'Very,' replied the doctor.

All preparations were made for the departure for Sydney, and Dr Tom decided to ride one of Jim Dennis's horses, as he said he doubted whether his own would carry him so far.

Adye Dauntsey was to join them at Barragong. He preferred good, congenial company to the quicker way, and more doubtful society, by coach.

Ben Nix was left in charge at the stations, and Sal had a friend from Swamp Creek to stay with her.

Sergeant Doonan promised to keep a strict eye on Wanabeen, and this was a pleasing duty to him, as he was very partial to Sal's company.

'And, Jim, just put me this on Grey Bird for luck,' said Sergeant Doonan as he handed him five one-pound notes.

CHAPTER XXVIII