Part 38 (1/2)
”I--am--really--going, Nat, and I want to settle which horse I shall ride. So please say no more about it.”
Nat took off his hat and scratched his head, his face wrinkling up all over as he followed his young master to the stables, just like one of his own pippins which had been lying in the apple loft all through the winter.
Then, as they reached the door, and Scarlett entered, Nat put on his cap, gave his knee a slap, and with one set of wrinkles disappearing from his countenance to make room for another, like a human dissolving view, he burst out into a low chuckle.
”That'll knock the wind out of old Samson's sails! A miserable, cowardly, fat-headed old pudd.i.c.k. He wouldn't have the courage to do that.”
”Nat!”
”Coming, Master Scar;” and Nat hurried into the stables to find his young master standing beside the light cob his father often rode.
”Hullo, Master Scar, sir, thinking about having Moorc.o.c.k?”
”Yes, Nat. My father is sure not to take him for his charger, and he would suit me exactly.”
”Well, yes, sir, I dare say he would. But why not have Black Adder?”
”Because I thought my father would like him.”
”Nay, sir; master'll choose Thunder, as sure as can be, and--Hus.h.!.+ Here he is.”
”Well, my boy, have you made your selection?” said Sir G.o.dfrey, as he entered the stables, where eight horses raised their heads to look round and utter a low whinny.
”Yes, father; I have been hesitating between Moorc.o.c.k and Black Adder, but I thought you would like the black.”
”No, my boy, I have made up my mind to have Thunder.”
”I think I'll take Moorc.o.c.k all the same,” said Scarlett, thoughtfully.
”He will suit you better now. Two years hence, I should have said take Black Adder.”
”Why not take 'em both, Master Scarlett?” said Nat, respectfully.
”Black Adder knows me by heart, and I could ride him and take care of him when you didn't want him, or he'd do for master if Thunder was out o' sorts.”
”Why, Nat, my good fellow,” said Sir G.o.dfrey, smiling, ”you will be here at the Hall, helping to protect her ladys.h.i.+p and cutting cabbages.”
”No, I shan't, Sir G.o.dfrey,” replied the gardener, with a stubborn look in his bluff English face. ”I shan't be here, but along o' you and Master Scarlett, and 'stead of cutting cabbages, I shall be cutting off heads.”
”Nonsense, man!” said Sir G.o.dfrey, but with far less conviction in his tone.
”Beg your pardon, sir, but I don't see no nonsense in it. I've sharpened scythes till they cut like razors, and if you don't believe it, look at our lawn. Think, then, if I take my best rubber with me, I can't sharpen a sword?”
”Oh, n.o.body doubts that, my man; but--”
”Why, look here, Sir G.o.dfrey, I'll keep yours and Master Scar's swords with such an edge on 'em as shall frighten your enemies into fits.
You'll let me go, won't you, dear master? I can't stay behind.” Sir G.o.dfrey shook his head. ”Master Scarlett, sir, put in a word for me.
Don't go and leave me behind. I'll be that faithful and true as never was.”
”n.o.body doubts that, my man.”
”Then let me go, Sir G.o.dfrey. Why, see how useful I can be. I can wash for you, and cook for you--anything, and cut a few armfuls of heath of a night to make your beds. And, look here, gen'lemen, soldiers on the march never gets a bit o' vegetable; but if there's any within a dozen miles of where you are, you shall always have it. So there!”