Part 12 (1/2)

”We shall be glad to let him go cheaply, but you'll never dare to ride him.”

”Why not? I dared to ride him when he was quite strange to me; and, of course, when he knows and is used to me it will be quite a different thing. He only wants plenty of work and proper using.--Don't you, old fellow?” he cried, leaning forward to pat the beautiful, arched neck.--”Look, Mr Wyatt: I'm hardly feeling his mouth, and he's as quiet again.”

”But the brute has such a temper.”

”Don't call him names!” cried d.i.c.k merrily; and, turning, he rested his hand upon his saddle, to call back to the old non-commissioned officer behind, ”I say, Sergeant, don't you think I've got on well with my riding after only one lesson!”

”You managed him wonderfully, sir!” cried the sergeant; ”but I can't have you riding in the troop like that. You looked like a jockey at a race, with his shoulders right up to his ears.”

”That's complimentary,” cried d.i.c.k. ”Never mind; you shall teach me to ride with my shoulders down.--I say, you,” he continued to the gunner; ”I hope you are not much hurt!”

”Forgot all about it, sir. Had something else to think about.”

”Why, the horse seems to like you on his back,” said Wyatt after they had been cantering steadily enough for a time.

”I hope he does,” said d.i.c.k. ”I like to be there.”

”Walk!” shouted Wyatt, and the four horses dropped into the quiet pace at once, being kept to it till they came in sight of the great gateway, outside which a vedette was stationed ready to turn their horses and pa.s.s in.

”Gone to report our coming. They won't need to send an ambulance, my lad,” said Wyatt. ”Look here, Darrell, you've done something to-day, and I want Hulton to see what you can do. You ride on two lengths ahead, and go in first at a walk.”

”No, no; it will look so foolish.”

”Obey orders!” cried Wyatt sternly. Then, changing his tone from the military to the friendly, ”It may mean the keeping of the Arab for you if Hulton sees that you really can manage him.” Then aloud, ”Forward.

Trot.”

d.i.c.k had gone on to the front, and at the word the horses increased their pace.

”Give him a word or two, Stubbs,” said Wyatt, reining in a little so that the sergeant and gunner could come up level; and the sergeant shouted:

”Don't b.u.mp your saddle, Mr Darrell. Elbows back, sir; heels down; drop your right hand, and ride with the horse.”

d.i.c.k stiffened himself directly, and rode in through the gateway in regular military style, falling into it naturally, but flus.h.i.+ng uncomfortably as he saw at a glance that the troop was drawn up as he had left it, and the captain, with the trumpeter behind, sat motionless on his horse.

d.i.c.k rode on straight for his commanding officer, the Arab going over the ground as if he hardly touched it with his hoofs; and the next moment discipline was forgotten, every man on the parade-ground bursting forth into a tremendous cheer which nearly drowned Wyatt's loud ”Halt!”

The next moment Hulton had ridden up to the young subaltern's side.

”I congratulate you, Mr Darrell,” he said quietly. ”I suppose you would like to keep your mount?”

”Oh, yes, sir,” said d.i.c.k eagerly.

”You had your riding-lesson this morning?”

”Yes, sir.”

”And you seem to have given us one since. Believe me, I am very glad you are not hurt. Give the horse up to the syces now.”

He made a sign, and the two white-clothed grooms hurried up, showing their teeth and glancing admiringly at one who was evidently about to be their new sahib.