He brought a couple of mates with him—boys from New South Wales and Queensland, Harry1 Trevor and Walter Meadows. Harry was a little older than Jim—a short, thick-set lad, very fair and solemn, with expressionless grey eyes, looking out beneath a shock of flaxen hair. Those who knew him not said that he was stupid. Those who knew him said that you couldn't tell old Harry much that he didn't know. Those who knew him very well said that you could depend on Trevor to his last gasp2. Jim loved him—and there were few people Jim loved.
Walter—or Wally—Meadows was a different type; long and thin for fourteen, burnt to almost Kaffir darkness; a wag of a boy, with merry brown eyes, and a temperament3 unable to be depressed4 for more than five minutes at a time. He was always in scrapes at school, but a great favourite with masters and boys notwithstanding; and he straightway laid his boyish heart down at Norah's feet, and was her slave from the first day they met.
Norah liked them both. She had been desperately5 afraid that they would try to take Jim away from her, and was much relieved to find that they welcomed her cheerfully into their plans. They were good riders, and the four had splendid gallops6 over the plains after hares. Also they admired Bobs fervently8, and that was always a passport to Norah's heart.
It was on the third day of their visit, and they were making the morning round of the pets, when a brilliant idea came to Wally.
“Let's have a menagerie race!” he cried suddenly.
“What's that?” Norah asked blankly.
“Why, you each drive an animal,” explained Wally, the words tumbling over one another in his haste. “Say you drive the kangaroo, 'n me the wallabies, 'n Jim the Orpington rooster, 'n we'll give old Harry the tortoise—turloise, I beg pardon!”
“Thanks,” said Harry dryly. “The tortoise scored once, you know, young Wally!”
“Well, old man, you take him,” Wally said kindly10. “Wouldn't stand in your way for a moment. We can use harness, can't we?”
“Don't know,” Jim said. “I never studied the rules of menagerie racing11. Use bridles12, anyhow. It's a good idea, I think. Let's see how many starters we can muster14.”
They cruised round. Dogs were barred as being too intelligent—horses were, of course, out of the question. Finally they fixed15 on the possible candidates. They were the kangaroo, the wallabies, a big black Orpington “rooster,” Fudge the parrot, Caesar the cockatoo, Mrs. Brown's big yellow cat, Tim, and the “turloise.”
“Eight,” said Harry laconically16. The starters were all mustered17 in one enclosure, and were on the worst of terms. “We'll need more jockeys—if you call 'em jockeys.”
“Well, there's black Billy,” Jim said; “he's available, and he'll drive whichever he's told, and that's a comfort. That's five. And we'll rouse out old Lee Wing, and Hogg, that's a ripping idea, 'cause they hate each other so. Seven. Who's eight? Oh, I know! We'll get Mrs. Brown.”
Mrs. Brown was accordingly bearded in her den9 and, protesting vigorously that she had no mind for racing, haled forth18 into the open. She was a huge woman, as good-natured as she was fat, which said a good deal. In her print dress, with enormous white apron19 and flapping sun bonnet20, she looked as unlikely a “jockey” as could be imagined.
Lee Wing, discovered in the onion bed, was presently brought to the scratch, despite his protests. He said he “couldn't lun,” but was told that in all probability no running would be required of him. He also said “no can dlive” many times, and further remarked, “Allee same gleat bosh.” When he saw his arch enemy Hogg among the competitors his resentment21 was keen, and Wally was told off to restrain him from flight. Wally's own idea was to tie him up by the pigtail, but this Jim was prudent22 enough to forbid.
Hogg was, as Jim put it, rooting amongst the roses, and grunted23 freely on his way to the post. He could never refuse Norah anything, but this proceeding24 was much beneath his dignity, and the sight of Lee Wing did not tend to improve his view of the matter. He stood aloof25, with a cold, proud smile, like a hero of melodrama26.
Black Billy was, of course, in the stables, and came with alacrity27. He had not much English and that little was broken, but he worshipped the Linton children—Jim especially, and would obey him with the unquestioning obedience28 of a dog.
“All here?” asked Jim, looking round. “Five, six, eight—that's all serene29. Now who's going to drive who?”
Opinions on that point were mixed. Every one wanted the kangaroo, and at last a general vote gave him to Norah. Wally chose one Wallaby. He said it was only natural, and made a further remark about the feelings of the others when “Wally and his wallaby should wallow by them” that was happily quenched30 by Harry, who adopted the simple plan of sitting on the orator31. Harry secured the second wallaby, and black Billy was given the Orpington rooster as his steed. Mrs. Brown from the first applied32 for the tortoise. She said it meant less exertion33, and she preferred to be slow and sure, without any risk of over-work. Hogg chose the yellow cat, Tim, and Lee Wing was given Caesar, the cockatoo.
“Leaving old Fudge for me,” Jim said ruefully. “What sort of a chance do you think I've got? Never mind, I'm used to being suppressed.”
“Good for you,” observed Harry. “Now, how about harness?”
“Well, we'll leave that to individual taste,” Jim said. “Here's a ball of string, and there are plenty of light straps34. Mrs. Brown—you're the leading lady. How shall I harness your prancing35 steed for you?”
“You will have your joke, Master Jim,” retorted Mrs. Brown, bridling36 and beaming. “Now, I don't think I'll harness my poor beastie at all. Give me a couple of sticks to keep his head the right way and to poke37 him gently, and we'll beat you all yet!”
Norah and the two boys fixed up fearful and wonderful harness for their nominations—collars of straps, and long string headpieces and reins38. The animals objected strongly to being harnessed, and the process was most entertaining. Mrs. Brown was particularly appreciative39, and at length in a paroxysm of mirth narrowly escaped sitting down on the tortoise.
Black Billy's harness was not extensive. He tied a string round the black Orpington's leg, and retired40 to the stable for a few minutes, returning with a bulging41 pocket, the contents of which he did not communicate. Hogg did not attempt to bit and bridle13 the yellow cat, which was much annoyed at the whole proceeding. Instead he fixed up a collar and traces of string, and chose a long cane42, more, he said, for purposes of defence than for anything else. Lee Wing and Jim harnessed their steeds in the same way—with a long string tied to each leg.
The course was across a small paddock near the house—a distance of about thirty yards—and the competitors were ranged up with no little difficulty. Luckily, the line was a wide one, admitting of considerable space between each starter, or the send-off might have been inextricably confused. However, they were all arranged at last, and Jim, in a stentorian44 voice, gave the word to “Go.”
As the signal was given, the drivers urged on their steeds according to their judgment45, and with magnificent results.
First to get off the line were the wallabies and the kangaroo. They fled, each his several way, and after them went their drivers, in great haste. The kangaroo had all the best of the start. So remarkable46 was his bound that he twitched47 his reins quite out of Norah's hands, and made for the fence of the paddock. It was an open one, which let him through easily. The wallabies, seeing his shining success, followed his course, and midway managed to entangle48 their reins, at which Wally and Harry were wildly hauling. Confusion became disorder50, and the wallabies at length reduced themselves to a tangle49, out of which they had to be assisted by means of Harry's pocket knife.
Jim had no luck. The parrot went off well, but very soon seemed to regret his rashness and, despite all Jim's endeavours, returned with solemnity to the start, where he paused and talked fluently in the mixed language that was all his own. In desperation Jim tried to pull him along, but Fudge simply walked round and round him, until he had exhausted51 his driver's patience, and was “turned out.”
The most spirited of the competitors were decidedly the cockatoo and Tim. They were panting for each other's blood from the start, and before they had been urged over a quarter of the way they found an opportunity of warfare52, and seized it simultaneously53. Then the air grew murky54 with sound—cockatoo shrieks55, mingled56 with cat calls and fluent Chinese, cutting across Hogg's good, broad Scots. Naturally, the strings57 of the harness became fatally twisted immediately, and soon the combatants were bound together with a firmness which not all the efforts of their drivers could undo58. A sudden movement of the pair made Lee Wing spring back hastily, whereupon he tripped and stumbled violently against Hogg.
Hogg's temper was at vanishing point, and this was the last straw.
“Ye pig-tailed image!” he exclaimed furiously. Drawing back, he aimed a blow at Lee Wing, which would have effectively put that gentle Mongolian out of the race had he not dodged59 quickly. He shouted something in his own language, which was evidently of no complimentary60 nature, and hurled61 himself like a yellow tornado62 upon the angry Scotsman. They struck out at each other with all possible ill-will, but their science was much impeded63 by the fact that the cat and cockatoo were fighting fiercely amongst their legs. Finally Lee Wing tripped over Tim, and sat down abruptly64, receiving as he did so an impassioned peck from Caesar which elicited65 from him a loud yell of anguish66. Hogg, attempting to follow up his advantage, was checked suddenly by Jim, who left his parrot to its own devices, and arrived on the scene at full gallop7.
“You are a blessed pair of duffers!” said Jim wrathfully. “Look here, if father catches you fighting there'll be the most awful row—and I'll be in it too, what's worse. Clear out, for goodness' sake, before he comes along, and don't get in each others' road again!” and each nursing bitterness in his heart, the rival gardeners returned to their respective beds of roses and onions.
Left to their own devices, the yellow cat and the cockatoo departed also, in a turmoil68 of wrath67, with fur and feathers flying in equal proportions. Eventually Tim found discretion69 the better part of valour and scurried70 away to the safe shelter of the kitchen, pursued by Caesar with loud shrieks of defiance71 and victory—sounds of joyful72 triumph which lasted long after he had regained73 his perch74 and been securely fastened by the leg with his hated chain.
Black Billy, meanwhile, had paid strict attention to business. The vagaries75 of wallabies and kangaroo, of cat and parrot and cockatoo, had no attraction for the dusky leader of the big black Orpington rooster.
The Orpington—Jonah, Norah called him—was not inclined to race. He had tugged76 furiously at his leg rope, with much outcry and indignation, until Billy, finding himself alone, owing to the eccentric behaviour of the other starters, had resorted to different tactics by no means devoid77 of native cunning. Slackening the line, he suddenly produced from his pocket a few grains of wheat, and spread them temptingly before Jonah.
Now Jonah was a tame bird. He was accustomed to being handled, and had only been indignant at the disgrace of bonds. This new departure was something he understood; so he gobbled up the wheat with alacrity and looked up inquiringly for more.
“Right oh!” said Bffly, retiring a few steps down the track and bringing out another grain. Jonah sprang after it, and then was dazzled with the view of two lying yet a few yards farther off. So, feeding and coaxing78, black Billy worked his unsuspecting steed across the little paddock.
No one was near when he reached the winning post, to which he promptly79 tied Jonah, and, his purpose being accomplished80, and no need of further bribery81 being necessary, sat down beside him and meditatively82 began to chew the remainder of his wheat. Jonah looked indignant, and poked83 round after more grains, an attention which Billy met with jeers84 and continued heartless mastication85, until the Orpington gave up the quest in disgust, and retired to the limit of his tether. Billy sat quietly, with steadfast86 glittering eyes twinkling in his dusky face.
“Hallo!” It was Jim's voice. “Where are all the rest? D'you mean to say you're the only one to get here?”
Billy grinned silently.
Sounds of mirth floated over the grass, and Norah, Harry and Wally raced up.
“Where are your mokes?” queried Jim.
Their mokes are rust,”
misquoted Wally cheerfully.
“We don't know, bless you. Cleared out, harness and all. We'll have a wallaby and kangaroo hunt after this. Who's won?”
“Billy,” said Jim, indicating that sable88 hero. “In a common walk. Fed him over. All right, now, Billy, you catch-um kangaroo, wallaby—d'you hear?”
Billy showed a set of amazingly white teeth in a broad grin, and departed swiftly and silently.
“Where's Lee Wing?”
“Had to tear him off Hogg!” Jim grinned. “You never saw such a shindy. They've retired in bad order.”
“Where's Fudge?”
“Left at the post!”
“Where's Mrs. Brown—and the tortoise?”
“Great Scott!” Jim looked round blankly. “That never occurred to me. Where is she, I wonder?”
The course was empty.
“Tortoise got away with her!” laughed Wally.
In her lair—the kitchen—Mrs. Brown was discovered, modestly hiding behind the door. The tortoise was on the table, apparently90 cheerful.
“Poor dear pet!” said Mrs. Brown. “He wouldn't run. I don't think he was awake to the situation, Master Jim, dear, so I just carried him over—I didn't think it mattered which way I ran—and my scones91 were in the oven! They're just out—perhaps you'd all try them?”—this insinuatingly92. “I don't think this tortoise comes of a racing family!”—and the great menagerie race concluded happily in the kitchen in what Wally called “a hot buttered orgy.”
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1
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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3
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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5
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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gallops
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| （马等）奔驰，骑马奔驰( gallop的名词复数 ) | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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10
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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12
bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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14
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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15
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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16
laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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17
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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23
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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melodrama
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| n.音乐剧；情节剧 | |
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27
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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30
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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34
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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35
prancing
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
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bridling
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的现在分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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poke
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| n.刺，戳，袋；vt.拨开，刺，戳；vi.戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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38
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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appreciative
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| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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41
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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42
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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43
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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stentorian
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| adj.大声的，响亮的 | |
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45
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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46
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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47
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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48
entangle
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| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
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49
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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50
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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51
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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52
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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53
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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54
murky
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| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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55
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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56
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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strings
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| n.弦 | |
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undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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61
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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62
tornado
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| n.飓风，龙卷风 | |
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63
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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65
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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67
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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68
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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69
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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scurried
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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73
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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75
vagaries
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| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
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tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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78
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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80
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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81
bribery
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| n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿 | |
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meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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83
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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84
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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85
mastication
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| n.咀嚼 | |
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86
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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88
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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90
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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91
scones
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| n.烤饼，烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 ) | |
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92
insinuatingly
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