Jack could not resist the temptation of bowing to Lena, who, quite perplexed, acknowledged his salutation by a slight inclination of the head.
Then he cantered gracefully back to the starting-place, taking his position among the other riders, to be ready for the start.
This was effected without much trouble, no time being allowed Harkaway for reflection.
He did not consider that he had undertaken a dangerous task in consenting to ride an animal he knew nothing of, but he had confidence in his own powers, and had never been much in the habit of calculating on consequences.
"They're off! they're off!" shouted the crowd, as the beautiful creatures dashed past, like so many arrows from a bow.
Jack was perfectly satisfied that Warrior had wind and bottom enough to stay, and he determined to ride a waiting race, feeling sure that several horses would tail off and that some would fail at the jumps.
The first jump was made of hurdles, and this Warrior took well, rising like a bird and going over without any more trouble than eating a measure of oats.
Although Jack held him well in hand his stride told in the first mile, and he had cut down the crowd considerably, there being only four horses in front of him.
The most dangerous-looking one of these was a long-barreled, long-legged black horse, with powerful haunches and a way of going that meant mischief.
At the second jump, which was made of branches of trees to represent a hedge, Warrior began to show his temper, for he flatly refused to take it.