Together they galloped across the Paddock Close and made for the hill, Billy Bluff racing at their side.
The lads ran heavily behind.
The shed was belching smoke, and from the heather-thatch the flames were leaping in red flicker.
"Jolly blaze!" cried Silver as he galloped.
A sound of banging came from the heart of that cloud of smoke, and then the loud neigh of a frightened horse.
The young man's face changed.
"Four Pound's inside!" he cried.
He stormed up the hill, and for the first time in his life Banjo tasted steel.
Boy, too, had heard that muffled cry, and came shooting by the heavy-weight up the hill, Lollypop well extended.
"Keep clear!" cried Silver. "Hold my horse!"