Jim Dennis rode towards Cudgegong, vengeance gnawing at his heart.
So Rodney Shaw was the man who had wronged him, and he, Jim Dennis, had clasped his hand in friendship since then.
How he hated the man, this thief who had robbed him and dishonoured his house. It was with a glow of exultation he thought the hour was at hand when he could call him to account. He meant to settle with Rodney Shaw before he got into the more tender clutches of the law. He would show him no mercy, for he had a double score to pay off now, as there was the insult to Sal to be wiped out.
He worked himself up to such a pitch of savage resentment that he was scarcely answerable for his actions.
This was what he desired, to deaden all the better feelings in him so that there was no possibility of his showing any mercy.
He had heard from Constable Doonan that he had hit Rodney Shaw as he escaped from the fight atBarker's Creek, and the wound might have proved dangerous. So much the better, his enemy could not escape him then.
And Rodney Shaw, what of him?
When he made good his escape from the Creek he rode on to Cudgegong, and arriving there in safety, had his wound dressed. The bullet struck him between the shoulders and caused him intense pain.
He explained as well as he could to Benjamin Nix how it happened, and accounted for his presence at the fight by saying the police had surrounded the place while he was at Dalton's house.
'Doonan fired at me as I was escaping, and that is how I got the wound. Do the best you can for me, Nix, I am in a bad way.'
'It serves you right,' thought Nix, and did his best to relieve him.
Rodney Shaw had something else to contend with in addition to his wound. He had heard from Maud Dennis and discovered who she was, and that she intended to let Jim Dennis know the name of the man who had wronged him.
This preyed upon his mind and made his wound worse. He tossed about restlessly and was soon on the high road to a bad attack of fever.
'I will send for Dr Sheridan,' said Nix.
'It is useless; he will decline to come,' said Shaw.
'I have never known him do so in a serious case,' answered Nix. 'He has even attended Abe Daltonand pulled him through a severe illness. If he attended Dalton surely he will come to you.'
'I tell you it is useless,' persisted Shaw. 'There are matters you know nothing of that will prevent his coming.'
Rodney Shaw, however, knew it would not be long before someone else came, the man he dreaded most to see—Jim Dennis. He wished the shot he had aimed at him had taken effect, then he would have been well rid of him.
He knew when Jim Dennis heard the truth nothing would keep him from Cudgegong. If it had not been for his wound he would have been well on his way to Sydney, and might have escaped. He made an effort to rise, but fell back exhausted. He felt it would be better to risk everything rather than face this angry, wronged man. He called Nix and said,—
'If Jim Dennis calls tell him I am too ill to see him.'
'I will,' was the reply; but Nix thought to himself, 'If Jim Dennis wishes to see you no one can stop him after what you have done.' He meant the abduction of Sal; he did not know of Rodney Shaw's greater sin.
When Jim Dennis arrived at Cudgegong he got off his horse and strode into the house.
Benjamin Nix barred the way, and asked,—
'Do you wish to see Mr Shaw? If so, he is too ill; it would be dangerous to disturb him.'
Jim Dennis laughed.
'I have no quarrel with you, Ben,' he said, 'but I must see him. If the shock of my presence kills him, well, so much the better, it will save me doing it.'
'You don't mean to harm him?' said Nix, alarmed.
'That's precisely what I do mean,' said Jim.
'Then you must be prevented from doing so,' said Nix.
Jim Dennis knew there were several people about the place, and he did not wish to be hindered in his work, so he tried to propitiate Ben Nix. 'I shall not be long with him,' he said; 'and when I have done with him, and you know all, you will side with me.'
'I always do that,' said Ben. 'You and I have never been bad friends.'
'But we shall fall out if I do not see him quietly,' said Jim. 'I mean to do so, and you had better let me pass.'
Benjamin Nix saw he meant it, and stood on one side.
He argued that a disturbance would probably be as dangerous to Rodney Shaw, or more so, as an interview with Dennis.
'Which room is he in?' asked Jim.
Ben pointed it out to him, and he went to the door.
He knocked, and Rodney Shaw said angrily,—
'Come in. There is no occasion for you to knock, Nix. I have not had a wink of sleep for hours.'
'You will have plenty of sleep shortly,' said Jim Dennis, entering the room.
Rodney Shaw lay on his bed and stared with glassy eyes at the speaker. He felt as though his last hour was at hand, and he wished he could rise and fight for his life. He could not move without causing intense pain, and there he lay, helpless, at the mercy of his bitterest enemy.
Jim Dennis strode up to the bedside and shook him roughly.
'Get up and answer for your sins, you black-hearted scoundrel!' he said in a voice of suppressed passion. 'No shamming sick with me, remember. Stand up and fight for your life like a man—Heaven forgive me for calling you one!'
Rodney Shaw groaned.
'I am wounded,' he said. 'I have been shot.'
'Where?' asked Jim Dennis. 'Show me the wound.'
'I cannot.'
'Show it me.'
'It is in my back, between my shoulders,' said Shaw.
Jim Dennis laughed savagely.
'In your back. A fitting place for it. Things such as you never face an enemy, they are always wounded in the back.'
He pushed him over and saw there was blood on the bed.
'So you have not lied this time,' said Jim. 'I have come to have a settling day with you. It is a long-standing account and a heavy one. You are the scoundrel who stole my wife and robbed my child of its mother. You are the man, and you have taken my hand in friendship since.'
He raised his whip and was about to bring it down across Rodney Shaw's body. He hesitated. He would not strike a wounded man with his whip.
'I meant to thrash you, but you cannot stand up and take it. That part of your punishment I will count out, but you must pay the rest in full.'
'What do you mean to do?' asked Shaw.
'Kill you before I leave the house, anticipate death by a few hours. You are bound to die anyway. I can see it in your face. Your miserable victim is at my house, dying, and you are going fast, but I will not give you that chance, for I mean to kill you, Rodney Shaw.'
'At your house?' gasped Shaw.
'Yes, she dragged herself there to die, a victim to your treachery and cruelty. Even when you had stolen and dishonoured her you could not be true to her. You are too vile a thing to live, therefore you must die.'
'One word, Dennis. I wronged you, but not knowingly. I did not know she was your wife.'
'That makes no difference to me. You wronged her, that is sufficient. Leave me and my wrongs out of the question. I have waited for this day for years and have sworn you shall pay the penalty.'
Rodney Shaw was gasping for breath. The excitement and the moving of his body had caused his wound to bleed profusely, and he soon became exhausted, and fainted.
Jim Dennis watched him with a bitter smile on his face.
'I have been cheated at last. He cannot stand up and take the punishment I would give him. I cannot shoot an insensible man, it would be murder. Sal was right, it would be as cowardly with him as with her.'
He opened the door and called Benjamin Nix.
'He is insensible,' said Jim. 'His wound has opened again and he is bleeding to death.'
'Then nothing can save him?' said Nix. 'I have sent for Dr Sheridan.'
'He is at Wanabeen by now,' said Jim.
'Who is ill there?'
'My wife, or the woman who was my wife.'
Benjamin Nix knew something of that story.
'Has she returned?' he added.
'Yes, to die in the home of the husband and child she had deserted for that man,' said Jim, as he pointed to Rodney Shaw.
Benjamin Nix started back and said,—
'Can it be possible he is such a villain?'
Rodney Shaw opened his eyes and looked at them vacantly. A violent fit of coughing seized him and the blood poured from his mouth. He commenced to struggle, for the terrible flow choked him. They went to his assistance and raised him, but it was too late, his head fell back and he was dead. A higher power than Jim Dennis's had summoned him to answer for his sins.
'Jim, I'm glad of it; I mean that I'm glad it happened this way, not your way,' said Nix.
'It is better so,' said Jim. 'He will have a heavy settling day when he is called before his last Judge.'
'Sometimes I have thought he was not Rodney Shaw,' said Ben Nix,'but someone very like him.'
'Who knows?' said Jim. 'That's strange. I have thought the same thing.'
Jim Dennis rode back to Wanabeen.
During his absence Dr Tom had arrived and done all that lay in his power to ease the dying woman and render her last moments free from pain.
The messenger sent to Barragong had missed Willie Dennis, who was on the way home.
When Jim Dennis arrived at Wanabeen and entered his house he saw his son standing by the bedside holding his mother's hand. To violently pull him away was his first impulse, but Dr Tom stopped him by saying in a low voice,—
'She is going fast, Jim. Be very quiet.'
Peacefully and quietly the woman who had wrongedand been wronged passed away, with Willie's hand in her own.
'Who was she, father?' asked Willie.
Those words spoke volumes to Jim Dennis.
He bent over and kissed the dead woman's forehead.
'An unfortunate woman I once knew well, Willie,' he said, and thought to himself, 'She died without letting him know; it was brave of her. May she be forgiven as freely as I forgive her.'
'Rodney Shaw is dead,' said Jim to the doctor.
Dr Tom looked at Jim and then at the dead woman. He fancied he had solved the problem of Jim Dennis's life, and he was not wrong.
The trial of the Barker's Creek gang excited much interest, and it took place at Bathurst.
It is needless to go through the evidence given at the trial, as it merely recapitulated the events with which we are already familiar.
All the prisoners were sentenced to death, and there was a general feeling of satisfaction with the verdict.
Constable Doonan was soon afterwards promoted and raised to the rank of sergeant, and had charge of the district formerly under control of the unfortunate Machinson. All who took part in the fight and the extermination of the gang were eulogised for their bravery.
One lady was so enamoured of Dr Tom that she wrote and offered him her hand and fortune, which he respectfully declined.
Jim Dennis prospered during the next few years, and his son Willie was a great help to him.
A claimant to Cudgegong Station appeared in the person of a cousin of Rodney Shaw, and he made good his claim.
The new owner of Cudgegong, Chris Shaw, was a very different man to his cousin, and he soon became a firm friend of Jim Dennis's. He was not, however, enamoured of station life, as he had lived in Sydney, and one day he made a proposition to Jim that he should take over the management of Cudgegong.
'I mean to live in Sydney, Dennis,' he said. 'This life does not suit me, and I want to get back to my racing and town amusements. Will you take it in hand?'
'What about Ben Nix?' said Jim. 'I should not care to oust him out of his billet.'
'Ben is growing old,' said Chris Shaw, 'and he is quite willing to remain and leave the responsibility to you. He says you always got on well with him.'
'Very well,' said Jim; 'I will accept, and the terms you offer are quite good enough; in fact, generous.'
'And if at any time you can afford to buy Cudgegong you shall have it at a reasonable figure,' said Chris Shaw.
Jim's eyes glistened. He would have dearly loved to make Wanabeen and Cudgegong one property for Willie's sake, but it seemed beyond his most sanguine dreams.
He thanked Chris Shaw for his offer, but said there was very little chance of his being able to buy such a large station.
Chris Shaw went to Sydney, and Jim Dennis andWillie had their hands full with Wanabeen and Cudgegong.
Everything prospered, and they had no severe droughts. Jim Dennis put by all the money he earned as manager, and also made a big profit out of Wanabeen. He commenced to have hopes of realising his ambition after all.
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 quantity.
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 greaterdifficulties 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 snatched 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 thievesround 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 circumstances 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 thosedays, 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.
They arrived in Sydney without any misadventures, and the long journey proved far more enjoyable than could have been expected.
The party, small as it was, had this advantage, they were all friends and understood each other, and had fought side by side in the time of danger. Great care was taken of Grey Bird, and the constant walking exercise suited him, and he arrived in Sydney in fine condition.
The cup was to be decided the following week, and in the meantime the horse was stabled near Randwick with a friend of Mr Dauntsey's. Permission was given to exercise him on Randwick track, and much interest was manifested in the cup horse from 'way back.'
Grey Bird was conspicuous owing to his colour, as he was the only grey horse at exercise.
Willie rode him a strong two-mile gallop, Dr Tom and his father being interested spectators.
The local trainers were considerably impressed with Grey Bird's style of moving, and commentswere made on the folly of handicappers letting unknown horses in with such light weights.
There was considerable speculation on the Cup, as usual, and several horses were backed for heavy stakes.
Against Grey Bird fifty to one could be had when he reached Sydney, and Jim Dennis was not slow to accept such tempting odds to win him several thousands. He took a thousand to twenty five times from one bookmaker, who regarded him as fair and legitimate spoil. He then obtained these odds again to another hundred, so that he had the nice bet of ten thousand to two hundred. After Grey Bird had been seen out at Randwick only half this price was obtainable, and the men who had laid fifties were not well pleased with their books.
Dr Tom managed to collect a few outstanding accounts, some several years old, before he left Swamp Creek, and he backed Grey Bird to win him five hundred.
'If it comes off, Jim,' he said, 'I'll have a new turnout and buy sufficient drugs to doctor the neighbourhood with for the next five years.'
Willie became anxious as the eventful day drew near. He had come down to seven stone without dosing, having had long walks during their journey to Sydney. He never felt better in his life, and thought he had a good chance of success. He knew the Cup course well,having galloped Grey Bird over it two or three times.
He found the going on the rails was excellent, but the centre of the course was holding.
The morning of the race was beautifully fine, an ideal day for good sport.
Randwick presented the usual bustling scene, and everyone was on the tiptoe of expectation.
The favourite for the Cup was Defiance, owned by one of the best-known sportsmen in the colonies. The horse had nine stone eight pounds to carry, and was top weight, Taite's horse having been struck out.
Defiance had several fine performances to his credit, amongst them being the Melbourne and Australian Cups, and he was regarded as the best stayer in Australia. The crack jockey, Jack Ashton, was engaged to ride, and so eager was the desire to back his mount that five to one was taken freely. Target, owned by Chris Shaw, who had registered his cousin's colours—green jacket and white cap—was also in good demand. Tatters, Warfare, Bung Bung, Baby, Walwa and Hova all figured prominently, but Grey Bird had dropped back to a hundred to three, as no one appeared inclined to support the country-bred one.
This was a very tempting price, and so Jim Dennis thought, and took a thousand to thirty twice, so that he stood to win a matter of twelve thousand besides the stake.
Before the race a long interval took place, andmuch curiosity was shown in Grey Bird on account of his colour.
The horse looked a picture. He was one of those greys that show their colour well, not a washed-out grey, but bold and shiny in his coat. He was as fit as he could be made, and his powerful quarters and strong loins and back caused good judges to think seven stone would be a mere feather-weight to him.
A crowd collected round as Jim saddled him, and some curious remarks were passed about country-bred horses.
'He looks well,' said one; 'but they cannot be expected to know how to train in such a God-forsaken hole as Swamp Creek.'
Dr Tom turned round and said to the speaker,—
'I come from Swamp Creek. It is not quite the place you have described it. After the race you will sing very small. Take my advice and back the horse from that "God-forsaken place."'
The man looked ashamed of himself and walked away.
Mr Dauntsey was well known in Sydney, where he had been popular before he was sent to Barragong.
He came up with several friends, amongst them three ladies, who were eager to see the famous grey he had said so much about.
'What a beautiful creature! Mr Dauntsey.'
'He is. I knew you would admire him; and he is as good as he looks, Miss Corbold.'
The lady who had admired Grey Bird was about four-and-twenty and very good-looking. She was a cousin of Mr Dauntsey's and had been to Barragong once or twice.
'Why do you persist in calling me Miss Corbold?' she said, smiling. 'It used to be Molly.'
'You have grown beyond Molly,' he replied.
'Oh, no, indeed I have not, and Molly I insist it shall be.'
'I am quite willing, Molly.'
'That's better. Now show me Mr Dennis, the man with the history. What a sad life his must have been! Is he very interesting?'
'Very, and as good a fellow as ever lived. He is just saddling the horse.'
Molly Corbold looked at Jim Dennis, and her scrutiny was satisfactory.
'Will you introduce me?' she said.
'With pleasure. I am sure you will like him.'
Jim Dennis, having put Grey Bird to rights, left him in charge of the attendant to walk him about.
'Allow me to introduce Miss Corbold,' said Adye Dauntsey.
Jim Dennis, raised his hat, and, as he shook her hand, he thought,—
'What a good-looking woman.'
'I have heard so much about you from my cousin,' she said, 'that I was anxious to meet you. What a splendid horse Grey Bird is!'
'I am glad you like him,' said Jim, well pleased.'I think he will run a good race. My son rides him. Here he is,' and he introduced Willie.
Molly Corbold liked the son at first sight as well as she had done the father, and she expressed the hope that he would win the race.
'I think so,' said Willie. 'I shall try my very best.'
There was not much time for conversation, as the signal was given for the horses to go to the post.
Amidst a chorus of good wishes Willie was lifted into the saddle, and Grey Bird walked quietly down the paddock.
Defiance, the favourite, had been mobbed by the people, and his trainer was glad the ordeal was over.
The roar of the ring could be heard and the hoarse shouting of the odds. There had been several ups and downs in the market, and Grey Bird again touched twenty to one, so many men, after looking him over, deciding to 'save' on him.
Jim Dennis met Chris Shaw as he walked towards the stand. Shaw had backed Target to win him a good stake and was sanguine of success.
'What chance has Grey Bird?' he said to Jim.
'I advise you to have a trifle on at the odds; but of course you have backed your own horse.'
'Yes, and he'll run well. I think I will have a score on yours. Are you going for a big stake?'
'Big for me. I have an object in view.'
'What is it?'
'Cudgegong,' laughed Jim.
'By Jove, you shall have it! I'm sick and tired of it, and can make better use of the money. I hope you beat me, upon my word I do,' said Chris Shaw.
'I shall not be able to pay all the cash down—'
'Never mind that. You will work it off. How much do you stand to win on Grey Bird?'
'About twelve thousand.'
'Then you shall have Cudgegong for that amount of cash down if you win.'
'It is very kind of you,' said Jim.
'Not at all. You are doing me a kindness by taking it off my hands,' and he hurried away after a friend.
Jim Dennis had not expected this, and it made him more anxious to win.
He walked across the ring and joined Mr Dauntsey and Dr Tom. The horses were passing in the preliminary canter with Target leading.
'That's Chris Shaw's horse,' said Dr Tom. 'I trust you will lower those colours like you did at Swamp Creek.'
'I have just left Mr Shaw and he hopes the same thing,' said Jim.
'Surely he has no desire to be beaten,' said Mr Dauntsey.
'He wants me to win,' said Jim. 'He has promised to let me have Cudgegong for twelve thousand down, and said he hoped Grey Bird would win, so that I could take it off his hands.'
'They are a rum lot, these Shaws,' was Dr Tom's comment.
'Here we are! By Jove, look at him! What a horse! Willie sits him as firm as a rock,' said Mr Dauntsey as Grey Bird swept past amidst a murmur of admiration from the crowd.
'No horse went better,' said Jim, as the last of the eighteen runners galloped past.
'I have a spare fiver,' said Dr Tom, 'I'll risk a bit more,' and away he went into the ring. 'I had a job to get a hundred to five,' he said on his return. 'He will start at a shorter price than that. I heard Chris Shaw back him.'
Mr Dauntsey also stood to win a fair amount, and thought it nothing derogatory to his position to do so.
Some delay took place at the post, and this told against the heavy weights.
Willie did not mean to be jostled out of his position by the local jockeys, who seemed to regard him with a certain amount of contempt. Frighten him they could not, as they quickly discovered.
'Now, then, pull out!' said Jack Ashton, as he tried to force Defiance between Grey Bird and the rails.
Willie took no notice of him.
'Pull out, you country-bred imp! Do you hear me?' yelled Ashton in a rage.
Still Willie made no answer; but he thought,—
'If I get alongside you at the finish I'll show you what a country-bred imp can do!'
'Go back, Ashton!' shouted the starter. 'The lad's in his right place. You can't have it all your own way.'
Jack Ashton had given the starter a lot of trouble at different times, and that official was glad of a chance to rebuke him. He also admired Willie's pluck and patience.
'That little beggar sha'n't be left if I can help it,' he said to himself.
Ashton was in a furious passion. Being the crack jockey, and on the favourite, he thought he ought to do as he pleased.
Target was next to Grey Bird, and Hurley, his jockey, said to Willie,—
'I'm glad you held your own with him. He's a bully. It doesn't matter much to you, because you don't often ride against him, but with us chaps it's different. He's a dangerous beggar. You steer clear of him in the race or he'll like as not drive you over the rails.'
'Thanks,' said Willie. 'It is very good of you to tell me. I'll keep a sharp lookout.'
In another minute the flag was lowered and the lot went off to a very fair start.
Grey Bird being a thorough stayer, Willie determined to make the most of his light weight, but the horse was not a quick beginner, and when fairly in his stride half the field was ahead of him.
Tatters, a six-stone chance with a smart light-weight named Jones in the saddle, made the running at a great pace, and so had a lead of many lengths. In a cluster came half-a-dozen more, then Defiance and Target, with Grey Bird on the rails behind them.
At the end of the first mile Tatters still held the lead, and was going so well that some people thought he might retain it to the end.
At this distance Defiance crept up closer with Target, and Willie kept Grey Bird near them.
As they passed the stand Tatters led, the bright orange jacket showing out distinctly.
The favourite was going well, pulling Ashton out of the saddle.
'Willie's on the rails,' said Mr Dauntsey. 'I hope he will not be shut in next time round.'
'It is good going there,' replied Jim, 'and he'll manage to get through, never fear.'
Dr Tom was excited; he had never stood a chance of handling such a lump sum before. Six hundred pounds! It seemed untold wealth to him.
He fixed his eyes on the grey horse and did not see any of the others.
Round the turn and past the road they swept, the orange jacket still in the lead, but the others were gradually drawing nearer. It was a fine race so far, all the runners being well together.
Willie was anxious for an opening, and it came sooner than he anticipated. As they entered the back stretch, round the bend, Target ran wide and bored Defiance out, and this gave Willie a chance.
With marvellous quickness he shot Grey Bird through the opening and went along at a great rate after Tatters. It was a good bit of horsemanship, and recognised as such on the stands.
'That up-country fellow knows how to ride,' said someone at the back of Jim Dennis's party.
'He does indeed. It was a fine move on his part to squeeze through; there was some risk in it. Won't Ashton be mad! He fancies he is the only man can do such things,' replied the gentleman with him.
Jim Dennis was in high spirits and so were his friends.
'He must be as cool as iced water,' said Dr Tom,'to slip through like that. What a run I am having for my money.'
'And you look like winning it,' said Mr Dauntsey.
The yellow jacket was fast drawing nearer the orange, and a couple of lengths behind Grey Bird came the favourite, and Target, followed by Hova, Baby, Warfare and Walwa, the remainder going well.
Past the top bend they went, and there was a great race for the home turn.
Willie 'hugged' the rails with Grey Bird, and he felt his mount was going better than he had ever done. The horse seemed to feel the excitement of his surroundings and the exultation of being at the head, or nearly so, of a Sydney Cup field.
Grey Bird was not a 'shirker' at any time, but he was surpassing himself on this occasion.
Jack Ashton was very wrath when he saw the grey shoot past him on the rails, and he was now making up for the ground he had lost.
Defiance, despite his big weight, held his own, and as the turn into the straight was reached Ashton sent him along at top speed, and drew alongside Grey Bird as they rounded the bend.
Willie saw the white jacket, and recollected what Hurley, the rider of Target, had said to him.
Jack Ashton closed in upon him until Defiance seemed to bore Grey Bird right on to the rails.
The riders' legs actually touched, but Willie kept his head and sang out,—
'Ride fair. Give me room!'
Jack Ashton made no reply, but tried his best to head Grey Bird.
This was more than he could accomplish, and he set his teeth and vowed vengeance on Willie Dennis.
Neck and neck they raced together, with Tatters a couple of lengths ahead, and Target, Warfare and Walwa close behind, Bung Bung coming fast on the outside.
The crowd on the stand and the lawn was seething with excitement.
The favourite was drawing ahead, the white jacket looked dangerous, and visions of spoiling the bookmakers arose in the minds of his backers.
'What a pace!' exclaimed Dr Tom.
'It's a terribly fast race,' answered Jim; 'but Grey Bird is as fleet as the wind.'
'If Willie can hold his own with Jack Ashton he's a young wonder. Ashton has frightened many a lad out of a race. Look there! He'll have Grey Bird over the rails,' said Mr Dauntsey, the latter part of whose remark was caused by Ashton boring on to Jim Dennis's horse.
'That's not fair riding,' said Dr Tom.
'It's foul riding,' said Jim, 'and Ashton ought to be reported for it. I hear he is fond of cutting things fine.'
'The rider of the favourite, I suppose, thinks he may take liberties,' said Dr Tom.
'He'll not take them with my horse,' said Jim.
The excitement was rising every moment; it was evident a desperate struggle was at hand, for Bung Bung and Warfare, not to mention Target and Walwa, were all dangerous. It was an open race three furlongs from home, and the pent-up feelings of the people at last found vent.
At first there was a rumbling sound, which grew and swelled into a sort of roar, and culminated in loud shouts.
'The favourite!' 'The favourite!' 'Defiance wins!' 'Go it, Ashton!' 'Bravo, Jack!'
Then a momentary pause in the din, and again!
'Grey Bird!' 'Grey Bird!' 'Bung Bung has it!' 'Walwa!' 'Walwa!' according to the wishes of the backers of these horses.
Tatters had run himself out, and although Jones managed to hold the lead he knew his mount was beaten.
As Tatters fell back it became necessary for Willie to pull out and pass him, but Jack Ashton did not mean him to do so.
The crack jockey took in the situation at a glance.
Tatters was falling back beaten, and he raced Defiance level with him, completely blocking Grey Bird, unless Willie Dennis risked going round the leaders.
At this critical moment Willie almost slipped out of his saddle, his left stirrup's leather having given way. He swayed to one side, and for a secondthought it was all up with him, but by a vigorous effort he righted himself.
They were all in view of the crowd on the stand, and a terrific cheer went up as he made his clever recovery. It was a marvellous bit of work, and lovers of racing are not slow at recognising skill and pluck.
'Wonderful!' said Dr Tom; 'but it will lose him the race.'
'If Grey Bird wins now it will be the most sensational finish I have ever seen,' said Mr Dauntsey.
Jim Dennis made no reply. He saw what had happened and he felt his hopes of securing Cudgegong were extinguished for some time to come.
His disappointment was, however, mitigated by his son's superb riding, and he felt proud of 'the little chap' and hoped for the best. Tatters fell back beaten and Grey Bird passed him on the outside.
Defiance on the rails was a length or more to the good, and Willie was handicapped by the broken leather. He stuck to his work, and Grey Bird quickly made up the lost ground. Jack Ashton was certain of success now and took matters easily.
He little thought Grey Bird and the 'up-country imp' were coming on the outside at a great rate.
Bung Bung had put in a brilliant run and was close up with Jim Dennis's horse. Target was not beaten, and Hurley was riding him out for a place.
Willie heard the deafening shouts, and so didGrey Bird, and horse and rider were encouraged by the applause which many affect to despise but secretly rejoice at in their hearts.
Jack Ashton received a shock when he was sure of a win.
He suddenly saw a yellow jacket on his left hand, and then he caught sight of the pink-and-white of Bung Bung's jockey.
Had these horses dropped from the clouds? That country chap too, was he a good rider, a worthy rival after all? He could hardly believe it, but the indisputable evidence of his eyes convinced him. That yellow jacket was not only visible, it was level with him for a moment, and then he had not to look sideways to see it, for it was slightly ahead, and the pink-and-white was level with him.
Seldom had Jack Ashton received such a startler. He rode Defiance for all he was worth, and got every ounce out of the horse. The gallant top weight ran a game as his name indicated he would. Defiance defied defeat until his strength was exhausted. The great horse was giving away 'lumps of weight' to Bung Bung and Grey Bird, and he did his level best to enhance his reputation.
Amidst a tornado of maddening cheers and cries the trio raced neck and neck. The white, the yellow, and the pink, seemed hopelessly mixed together, and they could not be separated.
Jim Dennis held his breath and caught hold of Dr Tom's arm.
Dr Tom emitted a sound somewhat resembling a groan, so intense was his anxiety, and to relieve the tension grasped Mr Dauntsey's arm, until the worthy magistrate winced in spite of the excitement he was under.
So great was the struggle, such a powerful effect had it on the dense mass of people that they had barely enough breath left to shout.
Willie saw the judge's box, he saw the head of Defiance on one side, his red nostrils glowing like coals, his eyes starting out, his neck outstretched, and heard the gallant horse's breath coming in sobs and gasps.
On the other side was the head of Bung Bung, who was equally done up, and whose eyes had a dull, beaten look in them.
He saw the head of Grey Bird was slightly in front of the other two heads, and, by a great effort, he lifted the grey forward and shot him past the post—a winner by a neck; and Bung Bung just beat Defiance by a head for second place.
The scene which followed baffles description.
As Jim Dennis led in the beautiful grey tumultuous cheering rent the air.
'Bravo, young un!' 'Well ridden!' 'He's lost a stirrup!' 'Great riding, by Jove!' 'Hurrah for the little chap!' this last from the excited Dr Tom.
Smiling in triumph, Willie dismounted, unbuckled the saddle-girths and went to weigh in.
The scalewould not go down.
'Fetch the bridle,' said Willie.
In an agony of suspense Jim Dennis waited for the bridle. He seemed to live weeks in the short space of a minute. As for Willie, he went very pale, but retained his nerve with wonderful coolness.
The bridle was handed to him and the scale turned.
'All right.'
What a welcome sound! The cheers broke out again, and Willie Dennis, Grey Bird and the little party from 'up country' were fairly mobbed.
'I never want such another couple of minutes as I had when the bridle was sent for,' said Jim. 'It seemed like a lifetime.'
'I don't know how I felt,' said Willie. 'I seemed dazed, but when the scale went down I could have yelled for joy.'
Jack Ashton was cut up at his defeat, and it did not improve his temper when Willie remarked as he passed him in the paddock,—
'What about the "up-country imp" now?'
Ashton scowled at him and made no reply.
'It is five years since Grey Bird won the Sydney Cup, and I feel all the excitement over again as I look at him,' said Dr Tom, as he admired the handsome grey who was now doing stud duty at Cudgegong.
'You will never ride a better race than that, Willie—never. Don't you wish you had accepted Mr M.'s offer and remained to ride for his stable? Think of the big races he has won, and you would have ridden all those winners. What a triumph that would have been!'
'I am far happier here,' said Willie Dennis. 'My father has been so kind to me ever since I was a little chap that it would have been selfish on my part to leave him in his loneliness. It was no sacrifice, I assure you, Dr Tom, because I love station life.'
'You are a good lad, and your father may well be proud of you. I expect you will be married one of these days,' said Dr Tom.
'No prospects of it yet,' said Willie, laughing; 'and I am quite contented.'
'I must look round for a suitable mate,' said Dr Tom. 'It is not good for man to live alone.'
'You are a standing refutation of that saying,' replied Willie. 'It is different with me. I was cut out for an old bachelor.'
Cudgegong and Wanabeen were now the property of Jim Dennis, and he was a prosperous man. He paid down twelve thousand pounds, after settling day, over Grey Bird's Cup, to Chris Shaw, and the whole of the purchase money was handed over in three years.
Chris Shaw was as glad to handle the money and be rid of the station as Jim Dennis was to buy it, so they were mutually satisfied. Only one bad season had troubled them, and during that time Jim Dennis lost heavily, but quickly recouped himself when better days dawned.
Sergeant Doonan married Sal, and Jim Dennis had to look out for another housekeeper.
He searched in vain for some time, until at last he was well-nigh in despair of securing a suitable person. About this time he visited Barragong, and again met Molly Corbold at Adye Dauntsey's house.
The magistrate's wife died suddenly and she came to keep house for her cousin.
Molly Corbold's father had met with many severe reverses in business in Sydney, and she was glad to accept such a position as Adye Dauntsey offered her in order to relieve him. She admired JimDennis and was not afraid to show it, and he was not insensible to her charms and many good qualities, but considered she was 'a cut above him,' as he put it.
Mr Dauntsey saw how matters were drifting and was not ill-pleased. He knew Jim Dennis's worth, and also that he was a man of substance and well calculated to make a woman like Molly Corbold happy.
'Molly,' he said to her one day, when Jim Dennis had returned to Wanabeen. 'I think Dennis admires you. Do you like him?'
'Yes, I like him very much,' she replied openly. 'He is a very genuine man.'
'Precisely, that exactly describes him,' said her cousin. 'He is well off, and, although not well educated, he may be said to be one of Nature's best make. He is coming again next week.'
'Oh,' she replied, 'I shall be very pleased to see him.'
Jim Dennis came and tried his chance, and Molly Corbold accepted him as her husband, and was thankful she had secured such a good match.
They were married, and at the time of which we read had been living happily together for three years at Cudgegong. Willie Dennis was very fond of his father's wife, and they were a united family.
Jim Dennis found it very different living at Cudgegong, with such a clever wife as Molly, to the deserted life he spent at Wanabeen.
He told her the history of his past life, omitting no details, and she pitied him for all he had suffered.
Molly Dennis was as popular as her husband at Swamp Creek, which had developed into quite an important township owing to the discovery of gold in the vicinity.
The population had increased by leaps and bounds, until Dr Tom found he had quite as much work on his hands as he could manage, and had serious thoughts of obtaining the services of an assistant from Sydney.
Sergeant Doonan's position was no sinecure, and he had his headquarters at Swamp Creek. The rough element, attracted by the rush for gold, abounded, but he kept them in order with a firm hand, and Swamp Creek was grateful to him.
The races there were the most important out West, and the valuable prizes given attracted owners from far distant parts.
It was at such races as these Willie Dennis often rode his father's horses with signal success, but he refused to ride for anyone else, although offered large sums to do so. Jim Dennis remonstrated with him, but Willie stood firm, and his father allowed him to have his own way.
The Cudgegong stud was fast becoming famous, and breeders from many parts of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland visited the station and made extensive purchases.
They were surprised to find in Molly Dennis a well-educated, refined woman, and wondered how she managed to exist in such a lonely part.
Molly Dennis was not lonely; she was very happy. Her husband was kind and devoted to her, and she did all in her power to please him. They generally had someone staying with them, and constant visitors came from Swamp Creek and Barragong. Altogether it was a 'jolly life,' Molly said, and she meant it.
She was an excellent horsewoman, and had long gallops over the big paddocks with Willie Dennis.
Adye Dauntsey generally spent the week-end with them, and on the occasion of these visits Dr Tom would drop in for a chat.
Dr Tom had never been so prosperous before, and he was quite accustomed to having his fees paid, a thing he had never dreamt of even in his most sanguine moments.
He had built a new house at Swamp Creek, and his buggy and pair was highly presentable.
Altogether Dr Tom was somewhat of a reformed character, but he was still the same good-natured, even-tempered, kind-hearted man who had answered Jim Dennis's call for help when Willie lay at death's door.
No man was more beloved than the doctor, and no trouble was too great, he thought, to deserve the kindness of his many friends. Molly Dennis was his favourite, and he amused her for hours with his quaint tales of ship life and his early struggles at SwampCreek. He still had a mania for poetry, and Molly Dennis was his theme, 'his inspiration,' he said.
'I declare I am quite jealous of you, doctor,' said Jim. 'I wish you would teach me to write poetry so that I might have a chance of winning back Molly's affections.'
'Poetry is not taught,' said Dr Tom, grandly. 'It is born in men. It is a genius, a gift from the gods.'
'You don't say so?' replied Jim. 'Then you are a spoilt child of the gods.'
'Very much spoilt,' said Dr Tom, laughing. 'In order to calm your jealous suspicions I will write my next poem upon your many admirable qualities.'
'Don't; please spare me that,' said Jim. 'I could not stand it. Anything but that, doctor. Have some mercy upon me.'
'Jim, you are too severe upon him,' said Molly. 'I am sure some of Dr Tom's poetry is beautiful; the sentiment is charming.'
'I am amply repaid,' said the doctor. 'Such praise from so fair a lady is a grand recompense for hours of toil.'
They all laughed merrily, and Dr Tom vowed he would do something brilliant in the future.
One calm, peaceful night Jim Dennis sat on the broad verandah at Cudgegong, and, looking across the green lands before him, thought over the past and contrasted it with the present.
As far as his eyes could see he owned the land, it was his to hold for ever, until he died.
After all, fortune had favoured him, and Providence, having chastened him, was now amply recompensing him for his early sufferings.
He had a loving wife, a dutiful son; what more could he want?
He thought of the old days at Wanabeen; of the time when, well-nigh broken-hearted, he learned Willie's mother, his wife, had deserted them. It caused a passing sadness in the midst of his happiness. Then he recalled how the sinning woman came back to die, and he clenched his hands as he thought of Rodney Shaw and his villanies.
Of the fight at Barker's Creek he had a vivid recollection, and his eyes glistened as he thought of the hand-to-hand conflict with Dalton's gang.
A light touch on his shoulder, and Molly said in a low voice,—
'Dreaming of the past, Jim? Do not recall it; think of the present—and me.'
She nestled at his feet and laid her head on his knee. He stroked her hair, and said,—
'I was thinking of the past, Molly, but it is a very far-off memory. With you near me all the black days vanish and there is nothing but light and joy and peace. I little thought such happiness as this would ever be mine.'
'Then you are contented?'
'Yes; no man could be more so, and I owe it all to you,' he said.
The trials and troubles of Jim Dennis's earlier days were past, and the autumn of his life was full of peace and contentment.
September 1901