Part 4 (1/2)
”I can't say,” said d.i.c.k merrily. ”But, let's see; sixty and twelve are seventy-two--would you mind waiting?”
”Ahem!” said Wyatt, clearing his throat; ”five hundred pounds for you to draw upon. You can easily afford a good horse out of that.”
”Of course; it was meant for the purpose.”
”Then let's go and see Hulton at once, and hear what he says.”
The uniform was quickly put away, d.i.c.k's native servant being summoned; and then the two officers crossed the parade-ground to Captain Hulton's quarters, where that quiet, thoughtful-looking personage gave d.i.c.k a friendly nod, and proceeded to chat over the subject in a very decisive manner after Wyatt had opened it and had not omitted to allude to Aunt Kate's money.
”What do you say about Morrison's Arab?” he said after a while.
”What! for our young friend here?”
”Yes.”
”Decidedly no!--There is no hurry, Darrell, and you need not be too eager about spending your money. Let it rest till a good, quiet, fast mount turns up--one that would suit you. Poor Morrison's Arab is only fit for a rough-rider. We'll find you something for the present-- something that will not want much riding.”
”Very well, sir,” said d.i.c.k quietly; ”you know best.”
”Well, I think so, Darrell,” said Captain Hulton, smiling. ”When you have been out here ten years with the troop you will have had my experience. You do ride a little?”
”Yes, sir.”
”But not our way, of course. Done a little hunting at home, I suppose?”
”Yes, a little; but my father never encouraged me in it.”
”Of course not. Well, I'm glad you have joined, Darrell, and we will do our best to make you like the troop; but I'm afraid you will find our drill a bit rough, for we stand first as smart troop, and we have to work hard to keep our position.--I'm busy, Wyatt; so you must take Darrell round and show him the men, horses, and guns.”
”Right,” said Wyatt.--”Come along, d.i.c.k, my lad.”
”I wish he wasn't so fond of d.i.c.king me,” thought the boy; ”but I suppose it's his way.”
CHAPTER FOUR.
SUCH A BOY!
Wyatt performed his task thoroughly,
”You shall see the guns first,” he said: and he marched his new brother-officer across to the gun-shed, where a smart, six-foot gunner in undress uniform drew himself up to salute as they pa.s.sed to where the light six-pounders stood in an exact line, with their limbers and ammunition-boxes, rammers, sponges, and trails--the very perfection of neatness, and everything that would bear a polish s.h.i.+ning like a gem.
On the walls were rockets in racks, and stands for their discharge were close at hand; while spare wheels and tackle of every kind possible to be wanted, and beautifully clean, took d.i.c.k's attention, showing, as they did, the perfect management over all.
”Now for the stables,” said Wyatt. ”Better be on your guard, for some of the horses are rather playful with their heels.”
d.i.c.k nodded, and followed his conductor into the plainest and cleanest stable he had ever seen. Here they came upon several syces or grooms, whose task it was to give the horses' coats the satin-like gloss they displayed; for the drivers and gunners of the Honourable Company's corps were far too great men to run down their own horses, or do much more than superintend the cleaning of their own accoutrements.
”It's different to being at home,” said Wyatt laughingly; ”and we want the men to fight, not for grooms and servants. They're a bit spoiled, but the n.i.g.g.e.rs are plentiful, and we let them do the work.”