“You’ll see him in action in the Derby,” he said.
With this the visitors had to be satisfied.
“Monday,” said Mr. Willing to Shirley and the others, “we must start for Louisville. We want to be on the ground at least a week before the day of the race. Besides, Gabriel must have that time to recover from the effects of the trip.”
“Have you made your arrangements for stabling at the track?” asked Leonard.
“Yes. I shall have the same quarters as in years past. This year, however, I shall take no other horses, as has been the custom heretofore. I do not feel that I have another horse in my string that is sure to win a race, so I shall content myself with winning the Derby.”
“And Gabriel will win,” declared Shirley.
“Let us hope so,” said Leonard sincerely.
This conversation took place the Wednesday morning before the Monday set for the departure.
“Daddy,” said Shirley the following afternoon, “I haven’t ridden Gabriel for a long time. Can’t I work him out to-day?”
Mr. Willing hesitated.