"Steady him," she said quietly. "Get up alongside him, Jerry. Now try and get him off the mark with me. All together. Now!"
The manoeuvre failed. Lollypop and Silvertail got well away, but the young horse merely pawed the air.
Monkey Brand's face was set.
"Give me that whip, Albert," he said between his teeth.
"No," said the girl. "That's no good."
Old Mat held up his hand.
"He ain't for it," he said masterfully. "Get off him, Brand."
The little jockey glanced at his master, saw he meant business, and slipped off the great horse, chagrin in every line of his face.
Albert, unbidden, had already gathered the reins in his hand and was preparing to mount.
"No," said Boy authoritatively. "Albert, take Silvertail."