Part 48 (1/2)
”I have given Bucephalus a lesson,” said Gilbert, quietly. ”I will ride him again to-morrow. I think he is thoroughly subdued now. Did he ever act in this way when you rode him?”
”No,” answered Jasper. ”I don't see what got into him to-day. You rode him splendidly,” he felt forced to add.
”I am not afraid of horses,” said Gilbert, quietly. ”But suppose we turn back. I think he has had enough for one day.”
CHAPTER x.x.xII.
AN UNWELCOME RETURN.
”I wish I know'd the boy would come to no harm,” thought John, the coachman. ”What made Master Jasper so anxious to have him ride the ugly brute? He wouldn't trust his own neck, but maybe it makes a difference when another's is in danger. I ain't sure but I'd rather my frind, Pat Murphy, would break his neck than mysilf. It's human natur to think of your silf first, and Master Jasper is got his shere of human natur' I'm thinkin'!”
Time pa.s.sed, and still John, as he kept about his work, could not keep his thoughts off the adventurous youth who had ridden Bucephalus.
From time to time he went outside the stable, and shading his eyes with his hand, looked up the road, but still nothing was to be seen of either of the boys.
”If he can manage the ugly baste, he knows how to ride, that's sure,”
said John to himself. ”I wish I was certain of that same, I do, by St.
Patrick.”
”What are you looking at, John?” asked a voice, near at hand.
John turned suddenly, and perceived that it was Mr. Grey who spoke.
”I was lookin' to see if the boys was comin' back,” said John.
”They'll come back in due time. You needn't leave off your work for that.”
”I wish I knowed that, sir.”
”Knowed what?” repeated his employer.
”That the young man--Mr. Gilbert--would come back safe.”
”Why shouldn't he come back?” inquired James Grey.
”He rode on Bucephalus, sir.”
”Suppose he did?”
”I'm afraid the ugly baste will do him some harm.”
”I am not afraid. Bucephalus is a spirited horse, I am aware, but he is used to riding, and doubtless can manage him.”
”So is Mr. Jasper used to riding, but you couldn't hire him to ride Bucephalus.”
”He has a horse of his own,” said Mr. Grey, impatiently, not liking John's pertinacity. ”Of course he prefers to ride on his own horse.”