Part 45 (2/2)
”Beg pardon, sir,” he then said, humbly. ”I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.”
”No, no; I know that, Samson.”
”It was only because I thought that the men might think you afraid of Master Scarlett.”
Fred turned upon him angrily.
”I beg your pardon again, sir,” whispered Samson; ”but it's just as I say. I know you aren't scared of him a bit, because I've knowed you ever since you was a little tot as I give pigabacks and rides a-top of the gra.s.s when I'd a barrow full. But the men don't know you as I do, sir. Call a halt, sir, and fight him.”
”Samson, I am talking to you as my old friend now, not as your officer.
It is impossible.”
”Not it, sir. The men would like it. So would you; and as for me--let me fight brother Nat same time, and I'll give him such a beating as he won't know whether it's next We'n'sday or last We'n'sday, or the year before last.”
”I tell you, man, it's impossible, so say no more.”
”Very well, Master Fred. I only tell you the truth; and if you find the lads aren't so willing to follow you, mind, it's that.”
”I have my duty to do, sir, so say no more.”
”What a nuisance dooty is,” said Samson to himself, as his young leader went slowly to the front, and rode for a time beside the leading file.
”They'll set him down as a coward. 'Course I know he isn't, but they'll think so. Ha, ha, ha!”
”What are you laughing at?” said the man on his right.
”At him,” cried Samson, pointing forward at his brother. ”Looks just like a trussed turkey.”
”Ah,” said the man, quietly, ”and who knows when it may be our turn to ride prisoners just the same? Knew him before, didn't you?”
”Eh? knew him? Well, just a little,” said Samson, drily. ”Come from the same part o' Coombeland. Me and him's had many a fight when we was boys.”
”And the young captain and that long-haired popinjay met before, haven't they?”
”Often. I was gardener to our captain's father--the colonel, you know; and that fellow with his headpiece on wrong was gardener to his father as. .h.i.t our officer.”
”Took it pretty quiet, didn't he?” said the man.
”Well, just a little. That's his way.”
”Wasn't afraid of him, was he?”
”Afraid? Why, he don't know what it means!”
”Humph! Looked as if he did,” grumbled the man; and further conversation was stayed by Fred checking his horse, and letting the detachment pa.s.s on till he was in the rear.
They rode on hour after hour, till the horses began to show the need of water, and the men were eager for a halt to be called, so that they might dine and rest for a couple of hours under some shady tree; but for some time no suitable spot was found, and the advance and rear guards rode on, keeping a keen look-out for danger one minute, for a shady grove and water the next.
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