Rodney Shaw entered the room and, after greeting them, said—
'What's up with the jockey? He does not look very well.'
'No, and you would not look any better if you had had a crack on the head last night,' blurted out Jim.
'Was he hurt? Who did it?' asked Shaw.
'That's what I would like to find out,' said Jim.
'Will he be able to ride?' asked Shaw, anxiously.
'Yes,' said Willie, 'and win too.'
Rodney Shaw laughed.
'Don't be too sure, my lad. You have Distant Shore to beat, and The Captain, and a dozen more.'
'And I shall beat them all. It is my first race, and I am going to win it.'