Part 46 (1/2)
Once there was an alarm. One of the advance guard came galloping back after seeing a body of hors.e.m.e.n about half a mile away, their arms glittering in the sun; but the party, whatever it was, seemed to be crossing the road at right angles, and for safety's sake, Fred drew back his men and took refuge among some trees in a hollow a hundred yards from the road, where, to the great satisfaction of all, a spring was found rus.h.i.+ng out of the rock.
Here in a regular military fas.h.i.+on the horses' girths were loosened, they were watered, and allowed to crop the gra.s.s. Outposts were planted, hidden by the trees; sentries were placed over the prisoners, whose bonds were not unloosed, and the men opened their wallets to partake of a hasty meal.
As soon as all the arrangements had been made, Fred saw that his prisoners were supplied with food, a man being deputed to attend to their wants, and this done, the young officer strolled off to the edge of the woodland, where the road could be seen east and west, and stood there watching for the first approach of danger.
His thoughts were divided between his charge and Scar's blow and insulting, contemptuous conduct, which rankled bitterly, for he could not help feeling that the men would judge him according to their lights; and, think of the matter how he would, he felt that he had placed himself at a disadvantage.
”If I had only struck him back I wouldn't have cared.”
”Thought that over, sir?”
Fred started, and turned to find that Samson had followed him and approached over the soft moist ground beneath the trees unheard.
”Thought that over?” faltered the young officer.
”Yes, sir. Here's a splendid place for it just below among the big trees. Nice bit of open turf, quite soft for when you tumble down; and it would just please the men to see my young dandy c.o.c.kerel's comb cut after what he did for you.”
”Samson, you are talking nonsense. After serving so long in the army, you ought to know something of what an officer's duties are.”
”No, sir; I shall never learn nothing about dooties. I can fight, because it comes nat'ral to a man, and I'm obliged to; but I shall never make a good soldier.”
”You don't know, then, what you are saying.”
”Oh yes, I do, sir; and I know what the men are saying; and if you won't fight, it must be me, for there's bound to be a rumpus if they go on saying you behaved as if you had a white feather in your cap.”
”Who dared to say that?”
”Several of 'em, sir; and I wouldn't hit out, because I thought you would think better of it and fight.”
Fred turned away angrily.
”Well, sir, I can't help speaking plainly; and I thought it better to tell you what the lads are saying about it.”
”I cannot help what they say, sir; I am doing my duty. Now go back to yours.”
”Yes, captain; but don't be angry with your old servant as followed you to the wars. Give me leave to fight Nat, and that will be something.”
”Impossible, sir.”
”But it would keep the men's tongues quiet, sir. Just about a quarter of an hour would do for me to thrash him, and it would be all right afterwards. The men wouldn't talk so much about you.”
Fred marched up and down without a word.
”You see, sir, it's like this. Young Master Scar Markham's bouncing about and ordering and behaving as if he was everybody.--You won't fight him, sir?”
”No!”--emphatically.
”Then why not do something just to show him he isn't everybody, and that you are not afraid of him?”
”You know I am not afraid of him, Samson,” cried Fred, hotly.