voice was suddenly alive, and his lips were pursed in anger.
'I'm damned certain of it.'
'Mine. My colt-Grey Weather. Over a point-to-point course, I'd match
him against any of Sean Courtney's stud.'
And those words gave Ronny Pye the idea. He turned it over in his mind
while with slightly narrowed eyes he watched Dirk Courtney race Sun
Dancer down towards the wattle factory.
When horse and rider had disappeared through the tall gates, Ronny
spoke softly: 'Would you back your colt with money?'
'Id back him with my life.' There was savagery in Garry's voice.
Yes, thought Ronny, this way at least I will give him a chance.
This way the fates will make the decision, there will be no blame to my
account.
'Would you back him with The Uniskraal? he asked, and the silence drew
out.
'How do you mean?' whispered Garry.
'If you win, the bond on Theuniskraal is set aside.
'And if I lose?'
'You lose the farm.'
'No,' snapped Garry. 'Christ, That's too much.
Ronny shrugged indifferently. 'It was just an idea-you're probably
wise. You wouldn't have much of a chance against Sean. ' Garry gasped
sharply, that challenge had wounded deep as a lance. Made it a direct
competition between Sean and himself, to ignore it would be to admit he
could never win.
'I'll take the bet.
'The whole bet? You'll cover my money with what you have left of
Theuniskraal?
'Yes, damn you. Yes. I'll show you how much chance I have against
him.
'We'd better get it down in writing, Ronny suggested gently.
'Then I'll see if I can arrange it with Sean.' He touched his mount
with his spurs and they moved forward across the bridge.
'By the way, I think it best we tell nobody about our little bet.
We'll pretend it's just an honour match. ' Garry nodded his agreement.
But that night when he wrote to Michael he told him about it, then went
on to plead with Michael to ride Grey Weather in the race.
Two days before the competition Michael confided in his grandmother.
Ada went out to Theuniskraal to try and dissuade Garry from this
reckless gamble, without success. Garry was almost fanatical in his
determination. The stake meant nothing to him-it was the prospect of
winning.
And now he had Grey Weather and Michael to run for him.
This time he would win. This time!
down the lane to the stables In the dark Sean walked with Dirk The
clouds banked along the escarpment were fired red by the hidden sun and
the wind fretted through the plantations, so that the wattle moaned and
shook.
'North wind,' grunted Sean. 'It'll rain before nightfall.'
