Draw Swords! Part 9

"This is the finish," thought d.i.c.k.

"Gallop!" was roared, and in an instant the horse bounded off, swinging round the long building, while, delighted with the change, his rider settled down to the easy pace with a profound feeling of satisfaction.

But as he pa.s.sed the sergeant there was a roar at him to sit up, and he had to recall his instructions and ride according to them.

"Better!" shouted the sergeant as they dashed by, scattering the soft covering of the ring, while the horse covered the ground as if this were the natural pace to which he was accustomed. And the third time round the young rider was on his guard--he expected the word "Halt!"--and when it came, and the horse stopped short, he kept his place.

"Dismount!" cried the sergeant, and d.i.c.k threw himself off, hot and panting.

"That will do for this morning, sir. You've been on a horse before."

"Yes," said d.i.c.k quietly; "I used to ride about with my father when I was at home."

The syce clapped the saddle on the horse again, and walked it away to the stables; and, after a word or two from the sergeant, the two officers marched back to quarters.

"Feel stiff, Darrell?" said Wyatt.

"Yes, and sore about the knees. I'm not used to riding without a saddle."

"Capital practice. Keep it up; the sergeant's a splendid teacher."

"Rather a rough one," said d.i.c.k.

"Ah, you're tired. Come and have breakfast. You'll feel better then.

Go to your room and have a wash and brush; I'll wait for you. You'll just have time. Hulton likes us to be punctual. Here--No, I'll go straight on; join me there."

"Yes," said d.i.c.k quietly, and he went to his room, while Wyatt went on and found his brother-officer ready and the servants waiting to bring in the breakfast.

"Been to the riding-school?"

"Yes; just come away."

"Well, what's he like with a horse?"

"Tip-top," replied Wyatt--"for a beginner."

"Then you think we shall make something of him?"

"Not a doubt about it."

"They are going to bring out Burnouse this morning, so that I may come to some decision about whether it shall be sold. Will you buy it?"

"Can't afford another, my dear boy. Why don't you?"

"I'm in the same position. The horse is quite impossible for that boy?"

"Oh, yes; it would be murder to put him on it."

"Then the horse must go and be sold. It's a pity, too, for he's a splendid creature."

CHAPTER SEVEN.

A BEAST OF A TEMPER.

Wyatt was quite right, for the breakfast partaken of with his two brother-officers set the lad thinking in a very different way. Before the meal he felt weary and rather despondent; after, he was only a trifle stiff and sore, and would have been ready for another lesson.

"You'll take it easy to-day, Darrell," said the captain. "We're going to have a march out, but as you have no horse yet you can only see us off, unless you would like to try one of mine. Think you could manage it?"

"I'll try, sir," said d.i.c.k.

"Hum--ha--yes," said the captain thoughtfully; "but perhaps you had better not. My two chargers are rather spirited beasts.--What do you think, Wyatt?"

"Better stop at home," said Wyatt bluntly. "It's too soon yet. Have a dozen of old Stubbs's drillings first, and by then I dare say we shall have helped you to choose a mount. We have plenty always being offered.

Here, you will be able to see poor Morrison's Arab, Burnouse, this morning."

"Why wouldn't it do for me?" said the lad sharply. "It is used to the drill, and would keep in its place."

"Yes," said Wyatt, laughing; "but that isn't all. It's you that would have to keep in yours."

"You think it would be too much for me?"

"Yes, yes," said the captain. "Captain Morrison was a magnificent horseman, and about the only man who could ride the beast. It's quite out of the question."

"Very well," said d.i.c.k quietly; "I'll wait."

"Yes," said Captain Hulton dryly, "you had better wait.--By the way, Wyatt, you may as well come across to Sir George with me. I think you ought to be there."

"Very well. But what does he want?"

"It's about that Hanson."

"Oh, hang the fellow!" cried Wyatt.

"No we will not go so far as that this time, but I expect he will have to be flogged."

d.i.c.k started, and looked sharply from one to the other, for the last word jarred upon him, knowing what he did of military punishments. But the two officers paid no heed to him, and it was evident to the young man that he was not wanted; so he strolled out, to look about and make himself better acquainted with the cantonments, where, in addition to his own corps, there were in barracks a couple of native regiments and a company of foot artillery, who, he rightly conjectured, had charge of the heavy guns.

It was all wonderfully interesting, and he was tempted to wander off into the town, and stroll through the bazaars, on his way to the grand old temple by the side of the river which flowed through the place; but he wanted to see the march out of his troop, and hurried back, finding that the time had slipped imperceptibly away, and that he was barely soon enough.

To his great satisfaction, though, he reached the parade-ground just as the men were forming up. They were only in fatigue uniform, but their appearance was wonderfully striking and businesslike, while the guns were drawn up in line with the most perfect precision.

But it was the line of horses and teams of the guns which took the young man's attention most, and, recalling on the instant the lesson he had that morning gone through, a strange feeling of emulation filled his breast--a desire to work on as hard as he could till he was pa.s.sed as fit for service--fit to ride one of the magnificent, spirited animals facing where he stood.

"I must have a horse soon," he said to himself; and the thought had hardly crossed his brain when, from the gateway leading to the stable enclosure, a couple of white-clothed syces came out, one leading a rather small, beautifully-formed Arabian horse of a peculiar, creamy, dun colour, with flowing, lighter-tinted mane and tail. The horse came ambling and showing itself off, and apparently resented the pull upon its bit, but was prevented from dragging thereon by the presence of the second native groom, who walked on its other side and raised a hand from time to time as if to soothe it, smoothing down its great mane when a lock was tossed over to the wrong side, as the horse lowered its proud head and then threw it up. The n.o.ble-looking animal was fully caparisoned, and looked the artillery officer's charger to perfection, sending a thrill of envy through the lad, seeming, as it did, the most beautiful and spirited creature he had ever seen--and just, too, at the moment when he was suffering from an intense longing for a mount.

"It must be the charger they spoke of," he thought--"Captain Morrison's.

What did they call it--Burnouse? Why, I could ride that."