'Yes; and when we passed the box I had no idea what had won or where I was. Neptune went over the ground at a tremendous rate.'
'But you were bad, ill, and you had no idea what you were doing. That's the yarn they tell me,' said Silas.
'I felt a bit queer, but I stuck on fast and sat still. That's the way to ride Neptune. If I'd moved on him I believe he would have lost. That knock on the head helped me, I had to sit still.'
'There's someone over yonder,' said Silas. 'Your eyes are better than mine. Who is it?'
'It is Doonan. Come on,' shouted the lad.
They rode at their horses' best pace, for Constable Doonan was well ahead of them.
'I'll coo-ee,' said Silas, and he did, and the familiar sound carried far, to Doonan's ears. The constable looked round, and as he did so reined in his horse. He knew there must be something 'up' or they would not have ridden after him at that pace.
He rode towards them.
'You two appear to be having a race,' he said.
They looked at each other.