Part 11 (1/2)

”I do not profess to teach any one, sir,” said d.i.c.k angrily; ”but I could ride that beautiful Arab, and it would be a shame to send it away.”

”You don't know what you are talking about,” said Wyatt in a low voice.

”Hold your tongue.”

”I beg your pardon, sir,” said d.i.c.k proudly; ”I've ridden restive horses before now. The gunner here took him on the curb, and he has a tremendous bit in his mouth; look how he champs. I'll ride him if you'll give me leave, Captain Hulton.”

”Mount, then, and show us,” said the captain haughtily.

d.i.c.k started forward at once towards the horse, while the sergeant looked frowningly from one to the other, as if he could not believe his ears.

”No, no,” said Wyatt warmly; ”he'll break the poor lad's neck.”

”No; he will only fall lightly. It will take some of the conceit out of the young puppy. It's intolerable.”

”But he was hot and excited. He's only a boy. Stop it.”

”I will not,” said the captain angrily. ”A mere cadet to come and talk to me like that on the parade-ground; it's insufferable!”

”Well, you may be answerable if he comes to grief,” said Wyatt; ”I wash my hands of it all.”

”Silence, if you please,” said Hulton; ”we are not alone.”

Note. This has been greatly altered now. Our cavalry ride with shorter stirrups and in better style.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

”THAT YOUNG CHAP'S ALL THERE!”

Captain Hulton was all the time watching what was going on by the Arab, where the slight youth, full of eagerness and activity, had nearly covered his hands with foam as he loosened the tight curb-chain, which evidently worried the horse, and was nearly bitten for his pains.

Then, as he stood wiping his fingers on his handkerchief, he made one of the syces shorten the stirrups to a considerable extent.

”You are going to risk it, then?” said Wyatt.

”I don't think there is any risk,” said d.i.c.k.

”You are as blind as you are obstinate, my lad,” said Wyatt. ”I tell you it is a terrible risk; give it up.”

”It wouldn't be acting like a soldier,” replied the lad earnestly. ”The men are all looking on, and even if I felt afraid I shouldn't dare to back out. But I don't feel a bit afraid; and who wouldn't long to ride a horse like this?”

”I wouldn't, for one,” said Wyatt. ”Well, good luck to you, then, my lad; but mind, for the brute's as full of tricks as a monkey.”

”I'll mind, but I wish I'd a whip instead of these spurs. That will do!” he cried sharply to the syce, who had finished altering the last buckle.--”Now, then, old fellow,” he cried, going to the Arab's head and taking hold of the snaffle on either side, ”it's of no use; I'm going to ride you, so none of your tricks.”

The horse whinnied and threw up its muzzle as the lad resigned it to the groom. Then, without a moment's hesitation, he took up the snaffle-rein, seized his opportunity when the off-side groom made the horse sidle towards him, thrust his foot in the stirrup, and heard Wyatt utter a kind of gasp as he sprang into the saddle, while the syces darted back to avoid the coming plunge.

Every eye was fixed upon the group, and the gunner who had been thrown smiled grimly at the sergeant, as much as to say, ”Wait a minute and you'll see.”