Some delay took place at the post, and this told against the heavy weights.
Willie did not mean to be jostled out of his position by the local jockeys, who seemed to regard him with a certain amount of contempt. Frighten him they could not, as they quickly discovered.
'Now, then, pull out!' said Jack Ashton, as he tried to force Defiance between Grey Bird and the rails.
Willie took no notice of him.
'Pull out, you country-bred imp! Do you hear me?' yelled Ashton in a rage.
Still Willie made no answer; but he thought,—
'If I get alongside you at the finish I'll show you what a country-bred imp can do!'
'Go back, Ashton!' shouted the starter. 'The lad's in his right place. You can't have it all your own way.'
Jack Ashton had given the starter a lot of trouble at different times, and that official was glad of a chance to rebuke him. He also admired Willie's pluck and patience.
'That little beggar sha'n't be left if I can help it,' he said to himself.