It was a brilliant scene on the beautiful Randwick course on Cup Day, and Jack¹ Redland, as he looked round, thought it compared more than favourably² with anything of the kind he had seen in the old country. He knew it was to be a day of excitement, and he heartily³ wished he had some friend to share it with him. Sometimes our desires are gratified in a strangely sudden manner, and so it chanced to be with him.  
As he looked at the moving mass of people in the ring at the rear of the Stewards⁴' Stand, he saw a burly figure that seemed strangely familiar. At first he did not recognise it, but as the man moved nearer, he gave an exclamation⁵ of delighted surprise, for it was his old friend Captain Seagrave, who in some extraordinary way had turned up at this opportune⁶ moment.
 
Jack darted⁷ down the steps of the stand and hustled⁸ his way through the crowd, not stopping to answer numerous heated inquiries⁹ as to where he was "pushing people."
 
He caught Captain Seagrave by the arm, and the astonished sailor gasped¹⁰ as he looked at him.
 
"Of all the blessed experiences I ever had, this beats all," said Job, as he gave his hand a hearty¹¹ shake. "Where on earth have you sprung from?"
 
"I ought to ask that question," replied Jack, laughing. "What brings you here?"
 
"Come under the trees and sit down, and I'll tell you."
 
They went towards a shady seat, and then Job Seagrave said—
 
"It does me good to see you. I've a heap of things to tell you. I saw Sir Lester and his daughter last trip and they have sent no end of messages, especially the young lady. Lucky dog, that's what you are."
 
Jack forgot all about the races for the time being, so absorbed was he in listening to the Captain.
 
"I'll leave all the good things they said until later on," went on Job. "I only arrived here late last night. I've got a new craft, a real tip top steamer. I've chucked over the old firm, they treated me badly. I'm skipper of the "Falcon¹²," and a right down good steamer she is. I never expected to see you here. Knowing the Sydney Cup was run for to-day, I thought I'd come and see it. Lucky we arrived just in time. I don't know a blessed horse that is running in the race."
 
These remarks brought Jack's thoughts back to the business in hand. They had been talking for some time, and Joel Kenley was hunting all over the paddock for Jack. At last he spotted¹³ him and went hurriedly across.
 
Jack saw him coming and went to meet him.
 
"I have been looking for you this half hour," said the trainer. "It is almost time for saddling up, will you come and see the horses put to rights?"
 
Jack beckoned¹⁴ Captain Seagrave, and introduced him to the trainer, remarking that he was the brother of Caleb Kenley, of Lewes.
 
"Proud to meet you," said Job, "I know your brother, saw him when I was in England last voyage."
 
"We have no time to talk now," said Jack, smiling. "There is a lot to be done. Come and see the horses saddled, Captain."
 
"Whose horses?"
 
"Our's—mine and Barry's."
 
"Is he here?"
 
"No, worse luck."
 
"What races are they in?"
 
"The Sydney Cup," replied Jack.
 
"Both of them?"
 
"Yes."
 
"Well, this is a go, and which of 'em is going to win? Do you ride?"
 
Jack and the trainer laughed heartily, and the former explained the situation to Joel, who was thanking his lucky star that the "Falcon" had arrived in time for him to be present.
 
Lucky Boy was saddled first, then Black Boy, and quite a crowd gathered round the pair, for Joel Kenley's horses always attracted attention, his stable was generally dangerous.
 
Black Boy was quiet, but his stable mate was restless, and lashed¹⁵ out freely.
 
"Which do you like best?" asked Jack.
 
"I'm not much of a judge, but I prefer this one," replied the Captain, pointing to Jack's horse.
 
"The other one is the better favourite, but I rather fancy mine will beat him."
 
"What does the trainer think?"
 
"He's in a bit of a fix. Lucky Boy won the trial, and yet we all seem to fancy the other one."
 
"Then he carries my money," said Job. "What odds¹⁶ can I get?"
 
"About twenty to one," replied Jack.
 
"That beats Topsy Turvy," said Job. "I'll have a fiver on."
 
Jack laughed, and advised him to do his speculating at once, and he would wait for him.
 
The jockeys came up and mounted, and by this time the interest in the race had risen to fever heat.
 
Mentone, a Melbourne trained horse, is favourite, and the opinion was that he had been leniently¹⁷ treated, in fact, was the pick of the handicap. A strong contingent¹⁸ of visitors from the Victorian capital had come over to back him, and were confident of success.
 
Escort, Tramp, Hiram, and the Dancer, were all more or less fancied.
 
Captain Seagrave had no difficulty in obtaining a hundred to five about Black Boy, a wager¹⁹ he was more than satisfied with.
 
"If it pans out as well as that race you rode in at Lewes it will be grand," he said. "I wish Sam Slack had come with me."
 
"Is Sam in the 'Falcon' with you?" asked Jack.
 
"Yes, and so is Mac and most of the other boys. They'll be glad to see you again."
 
The horses were now moving out on to the track, and Job caught sight of the colours on Black Boy.
 
"He's running in Sir Lester's colours," said Job, in some surprise.
 
"And it is the same jacket I wore when I won on Topsy Turvy," said Jack. "Sir Lester gave it me."
 
"Then I'm hanged if I don't have another bit on," said Job, and this time he only secured a hundred to seven.
 
Jack laughed at his enthusiasm, and said—
 
"You had better have a pound or two on Lucky Boy as a saver, they will both do their best to win."
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