“If I say it’s enough, what’s the next job, Billy.”
“Mine thinkit Master Jim him pretty likely want a hand with that pfeller chestnut,” said Billy eagerly.
“Oh, do you?—I thought so,” said his master. “All right, Billy—cut along; but don’t get in Master Jim’s way. He’ll call you if he wants you.”
“Plenty!” said Billy, thankfully, and fled towards the yards like a black comet. He was already perched on the cap, a grinning vision of joy, when Mr. Linton arrived on the scene, and swung himself up beside Norah.
The big mustering yard was empty save for Jim and his pupil—a beautiful chestnut colt, rather dark in colour, and with no mark save a white star. He was fully saddled and bridled, with the stirrups removed from the saddle and the reins tied loosely back, while in addition to the bit, bore a pair of long driving reins by which Jim was guiding him round and round the yard. It was evident that the colt was not happy. His rough coat was streaked with dark sweat and flecked with foam, and, though he went quietly enough his eye was wild, and showed more than a glimpse of white.
“Hallo, Dad!” sang out Jim cheerfully. The colt executed a nervous bound and broke jerkily into a canter.
“Steady there, you old stupid,” said Jim, affectionately, bringing his pupil back to a walk with a gentle strain on the bit. “He has a curious dislike to the human voice if it’s raised, Dad; and as we can’t expect everyone to whisper for his benefit, the sooner he gets over it, the better. What do you think of him?”
“He’ll make a good horse,” said his father, surveying the colt critically. “A bit leggy now, but he’ll mend of that. How is he going, Jim?”
“Oh, he’s quiet enough; a bit nervous, but I don’t think there’s any vice in him,” Jim answered. “At present he is exactly like a frightened kid, but he’s calming down. I drove him, without a saddle on, most of yesterday, and he graduated to the saddle this morning—and at first I think he thought it was the end of the world. He’ll make a topping good hack, Dad.”
“Better than Garryowen?” came from Norah.