ou got to open an oyster, careful.
Now go on back to your barn and do as I tell you. Understand?"

"Yes, suh, an' thank yo' kin'ly, suh."

Pitkin's bandaged head brought him little sympathy--in fact, the
general opinion seemed to be that Mulligan had not hit him quite hard
enough to do the community any good. Certainly the scantling did not
improve his temper, and Pitkin made life a burden to old Gabe and the
two black stable hands. Gabe swallowed the abuse with a patient
smile, but the two roustabouts muttered to themselves and eyed their
employer with malevolence. They had also been missing pay days.

One evening Pitkin stuck his head out of the door of the tackle-room
and called for his trainer.

"Gabe! Oh, Gabe! Now where is that good-for-nothing old nigger?"

"Comin', suh, comin'," answered Gabe, shuffling along the line of
stalls. "Yo' want to see me, boss?"

"Shut the door behind you," growled Pitkin. "I was thinking it was
about time we cut this Sergeant Smith colt loose."

"Yes, suh," answered Gabe. "He's ready to go, boss."

"How good is he?" demanded Pitkin.

"Well, suh," replied Gabe, "he's a heap better'n whut he's been
showin' lately, that's a fact."

"Can he beat horses like Calloway and Hartshorn?"

"He kin if he gits a chance."

"How do you mean, a chance?"

"Well, suh, if he gits a good, hones' ride, fo' one thing. He been
messed all oveh the race track las' few times out."

"But with a good ride you think he can win?"

"Humph!" sniffed Gabe. "He leave 'em like they standin' still!"

"I want to slip him into the fourth race next Saturday," said Pitkin,
"and he'll have Calloway and Hartshorn to beat. There ought to be a
nice price on him--4 or 5 to 1, anyway, on account of what he's been
showing lately."

"Yo' goin' bet on him, suh?"

"Straight and place," said Pitkin, "but I won't bet a nickel here at
the track. They'll be asking you about the colt and trying to get a
line on him. You tell 'em that I'm starting him a little bit out of
his class just to see if he's game--any lie will do. And if they ask
you about the stable money, we're not playing him this time."

"Yes, suh."

"You're absolutely sure he's ready?"

"Ready? Why, boss, ain't yo' been watchin' the way that colt is
workin'? Yo' kin bet 'em till they quits takin' it an' not be
scared."

"That's all I want to know, Gabe, and mind what I told you about
keeping that big mouth of yours shut. If I hear of any talk----