Draw Swords! Part 15

"The black, n.i.g.g.e.rly scoundrel!" growled the old soldier. "We're not supposed to strike the natives, sir, but if I'd been you I should have knocked the blackguard down--or tried to."

"I did," said d.i.c.k quietly.

"Try to, sir?"

"No; I knocked him down."

"Glad of it, sir," said the sergeant, smiling grimly. "It's a pity, though, because the scoundrel will go and talk it over with some of the meddling baboo fellows, and they'll advise him to make a complaint."

"What! after ill-using my horse?"

"Oh, he'll swear that he didn't, sir."

"But he did; and there are all the grooms who were present to prove it."

"Oh, they'll swear anything for him, sir. But don't you worry about that; only pay what's owing to the n.i.g.g.e.r and let him go.--'Tention! I wish, sir, you'd make a bit more of a try about stiffening yourself up; it's getting time you made some show."

"Why. I thought I was pretty well all right now, Sergeant."

"But you're not, sir. You give too much to your horse. You don't keep stiff. I'm having a deal of trouble with you."

"Very sorry, Sergeant, but I don't come off," said d.i.c.k, smiling.

"No, sir; I'd almost rather you did, for then you'd learn our ways quicker. I have just the same trouble with you that I had with that Bob Hanson."

"Hanson? Bob Hanson?" said d.i.c.k thoughtfully. "Isn't that the man I heard Captain Hulton talk about?"

"Yes, sir; no doubt. No man in the regiment has been more talked about than he has."

"A court-martial, wasn't there?"

"Yes, sir; and he was under punishment. A precious narrow escape he had of being flogged."

"Ugh!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed d.i.c.k. "Horrible!"

"'Tis, sir; but what are you to do with a man who will do wrong?"

"Try kindness."

"And be laughed at, sir. Tell a man who breaks out, and does everything a soldier shouldn't do, that he has been very naughty and mustn't do so any more. No, sir; that won't do."

"I know the man--fine, dark, handsome fellow."

"Well, I suppose he is good-looking; but handsome is as handsome does, sir."

"But I noticed him particularly yesterday when we marched out."

"Very likely, sir," said the sergeant gruffly; "and I noticed you."

"Well, of course you would."

"Sitting all of a heap in your saddle like a wet monkey, sir."

"Get out! I was not!" cried d.i.c.k indignantly.

"You weren't sitting like a soldier, sir. It made me wild to see it, after the pains I took with you, walloping about in your saddle just as if you were at home in quarters rolling in an arm-chair."

"But we were riding easy," cried d.i.c.k.

"I wasn't, sir. I was riding downright uneasy, and as if the saddle was stuffed with thorns. I like a man to rest himself in a long ride, but I don't like him to forget that he's a soldier."

"No; you want us all to be as stiff as if we had been starched, Stubbs."

"Well, sir, it looks soldierly, and makes the natives look up to you.

You see, we're such a handful to all the millions and millions here, that I think we English ought always to be seen at our best. But, 'tention! We'll have that gallop again, sir. You don't sit up as I should like to see you yet, sir."

"That'll come in time, Stubbs. Your way always makes me feel unsafe in the saddle."

"That's because you haven't drilled enough. Now then, sir. Forward at a walk--trot--gallop!" shouted the sergeant so that the rafters rang; and the old horse used for the lessons went round the building at full speed five times before the command "Halt!" was called.

"Hah!" exclaimed the sergeant, with a loud expiration of the breath and a grim smile showing on either side of his heavy moustache; "how long have I had you drilling, sir?"

"Just a month, Stubbs."

"Yes, just a month. I don't flatter people, sir."

"You just don't, Stubbs," said the young officer. "You've bullied me sometimes as if I were a raw recruit."

"Oh, that's my way, sir, to force the teaching home; but I hope I've always been respectful to a young officer I felt proud to teach."

"Ah, well, suppose we call it respectful, Stubbs. You've worked me precious hard."

"All for your good, sir: all for your good. Look at the consequences.

As I say, I never flatter anybody. I wouldn't, even if I was teaching one of a king's sons. But I do say this, that I'm proud of you, sir. I never saw a beginner do that gallop better than you've just done yours."

"Then I can pa.s.s now, I suppose?"

"Oh, no, sir, not yet. You've got the right form, but if I don't keep you at it you won't grow stiff in it. You'll begin to bend and bulge and dance about in your saddle again. Wait a bit."

"Oh, very well, I suppose I must; but it comes hard when I know I could challenge any man in the troop to sit an awkward horse."

"Oh, yes, I dare say, sir; but that's just sticking on--it isn't riding like a soldier."

"Have it your own way, Sergeant. But, I say, what about that fellow Hanson? He rides splendidly."

"Yes, sir--now. When he first joined he could stick on a horse well enough, but he always seemed to be reaching forward to see what was between his trooper's ears."

"He always looks to me the smartest soldier in the troop."