"Splendiferous!" cried Dallas, "but how will Babe get over?"
How Mr. Devering laughed at him. "Boy," he said, "allow me to introduce you to Bonnie Prince Fetlar of Cobourg Park."
"Now what do you mean by that, Captain?"
"Wait and see."
Of course I took the fence like a bird, then I stood still and waited for the boy to hear my story.
"Sometimes," said Mr. Devering, "it is the jockey that wins the race and sometimes the horse wins the race without the jockey. Two ponies were entered in the pony race at a fair I attended a few weeks ago. Both riders rode bareback. Half way round the track the lad who was riding this demure beast went over his head. Pony went calmly on minus his rider. He stayed with the race like a little man, overhauled all the other ponies and passed the judges' stand a two lengths winner.
"The grand stand went mad—'First money for the riderless pony!' they roared, but the judges judged otherwise, and the race had to be run over again.
"Once more it began, and once more the boy jockey was unhorsed and went flying over the animal's head. Again pony galloped ahead of his leading rival and took first place. The other jockey was determined to win, and neck and neck the two ponies drew near the line. Then didn't our riderless friend here sprint and win the race by a length."
Young Dallas was almost beside himself with admiration and interest. "Of course," he cried, "our brave little lad got first money."
"The grand stand was with you, pal, but the judges awarded the money to the pony that came second with its rider."