Part 28 (1/2)

”I do trust you, Forrester,” said the visitor, smiling. ”I would I had ten men like you, and as worthy of trust.”

As he spoke, he subsided into his chair, but Fred was already on his legs.

”I'll go and see after the horse,” he said.

The visitor gave him a kindly approving nod, and the boy left the room.

”How old is he, Mistress Forrester?” he said.

”Sixteen,” replied the hostess, sadly.

”Just on the dawn of manhood, madam. Hah, Forrester, old friend, it is a grand thing to be sixteen, and with life before you. G.o.d bless all boys! How little they know how grand a thing it is to be young!”

There was silence after this speech--a silence which lasted till Fred entered eagerly.

”The horse is quite right, sir,” he cried.

”How do you know, boy?”

”How do I know, sir? Because he is eating his corn so well, and feels so comfortable and cool. I say--”

”Well?”

”He's a fine horse.”

”Yes. So he is. A splendid fellow. There, my kind hosts, I'll say good night. I would I had come on another mission, but it is only duty, and you must forgive me. I shall be off at dawn. Good night, madam.

Good night, Forrester. I knew I could depend on you. Good night, my boy. You'll forgive me for pinching your shoulder so hard. It was to try your mettle.”

”Oh, I didn't mind,” cried Fred. ”Good night, sir; and when I do become a soldier, will you have me in your regiment?”

”I will,” thundered out the guest. ”Forrester, that's a bargain. Good night.”

There was silence in the room as the two men went out together; and as soon as the door was closed, Mistress Forrester dropped into the nearest chair, and covered her face with her hands.

”Mother, dear mother,” cried Fred, going on his knees before her, and throwing his arms about her neck, ”you are crying because I said I would be a soldier!”

”No, my boy,” she said, looking up, ”I was weeping for the evil days in store for us all. Heaven be with us, and guide us all aright. Good night, my boy, good night.”

Fred kissed her tenderly, and suffered her to lead him to the door on his way to his room.

He pa.s.sed his father on the stairs, and there was a troubled look in the colonel's eyes, as he bade his son good night.

A quarter of an hour after, Fred was in bed dreaming of secret pa.s.sages, and the captain helping him to fight men in rusty armour after they had won their way to the inner chamber where the old arms lay; and then it seemed to him that he heard the trampling of horses, and he woke to find it was morning, and the sun s.h.i.+ning into his room.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

NAT IS VERY MUCH IN THE WAY.

Fred lay for some few moments thinking over his vivid dream and unable for a time to realise that he had been fast asleep. That was the morning suns.h.i.+ne sure enough, and this was his room; but his head felt in a whirl, and as if it was mixed up with some puzzle.