I'd
love to have been riding myself." At which everyone laughed extremely,
and a tall young stockman from a neighbouring station, overhearing, was
so impressed that he hovered as near as possible to Tommy for the rest
of the day.
The next event was the Hurdle Race, and interest for the Linton party
centred in the candidate described on the race-card as Mr. M. O'Toole's
Shannon. Nothing further could be done for Shannon--he was groomed until
the last hair on his tail gleamed; but black Billy, resplendent in a
bright green jacket and cap, the latter bearing an embroidered white
shamrock, became the object of advice and warning from every man from
Billabong, until anyone except Billy would probably have turned in wrath
upon the multitude of his counsellors. Billy, however, had one refuge
denied to most of his white brothers. He hardly ever spoke; and if some
reply was absolutely forced upon him, he merely murmured "Plenty!" in a
vague way, which, as Wally said, left you guessing as to his meaning.
"Yerra, lave off badgerin' the boy," said Murty at last, brushing aside
Dave Boone and Mick Shanahan, and the other Billabong enthusiasts.
"If he listens to the lot of ye anny longer he won't know whether he's
ridin' a horse or an airyplane. There's only wan insthruction to be
kapin' in your head, Billy--get to the front an' stay there. Ridin' a
waitin' race is all very well on the flat, but whin it comes to jumpin',
anything that's in front of ye is apt to turn a somersault an' bring ye
down in a heap.
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