Part 76 (1/2)

”And compete with Borneo,” said the Doctor, quietly, ”which contains more coal than ever India will burn, at one-tenth the distance from her that we are. If that is a specimen of your prophecies, Major, you are but a Micaiah after all.”

”Well,” said the Major, laughing, ”I cannot reel it off quite so quick as you; but think we shall hardly have time for any more prophesying; the sun is getting very low.”

We turned and looked to westward. The lofty rolling snow-downs had changed to dull lead colour, as the sun went down in a red haze behind them; only here and there some little elevated pinnacle would catch the light. Below the mountain lay vast black sheets of woodland, and nearer still was the river, marked distinctly by a dense and rapidly-rising line of fog.

”We are going to have a fog and a frost,” said the Major. ”We had better hurry home.”

Behind all the others rode Alice, Sam, and myself. I was fearful of being ”de trop,” but when I tried to get forward to the laughing, chattering, crowd in front, these two young lovers raised such an outcry that I was fain to stay with them, which I was well pleased to do.

Behind us, however, rode three mounted servants, two of Captain Brentwood's, and my man d.i.c.k.

We were almost in sight of the river, nearly home in fact, when there arose a loud lamentation from Alice.

”Oh, my bracelet! my dear bracelet! I have lost it.”

”Have you any idea where you dropped it?” I inquired.

”Oh, yes,” she said. ”I am sure it must have been when I fell down, scrambling up the rocks, just before the Doctor began his lecture. Just as I reached the top, you know, I fell down, and I must have lost it there.”

”I will ride back and find it, then, in no time,” I said.

”No, indeed, Uncle Jeff,” said Sam. ”I will go back.”

”I use an uncle's authority,” I replied, ”and I forbid you. That miserable old pony of yours, which you have chosen to bring out to-day, has had quite work enough, without ten miles extra. I condescend to no argument; here I go.”

I turned, with a kind look from both of them, but ere I had gone ten yards, my servant d.i.c.k was alongside of me.

”Where are you going, sir?” said he.

”I am going back to Mirngish,” I replied. ”Miss Alice has dropped her bracelet, and I am going back for it.”

”I will come with you, sir,” he said.

”Indeed no, d.i.c.k; there is no need. Go back to your supper, lad. I shan't be long away.”

”I am coming with you, sir,” he replied. ”Company is a good thing sometimes.”

”Well, boy,” I said, ”if you will come, I shall be glad of your company; so come along.”

I had noticed lately that d.i.c.k never let me go far alone, but would always be with me. It gave rise to no suspicion in my mind. He had been tried too often for that. But still, I thought it strange.

On this occasion, we had not ridden far before he asked me a question which rather surprised me. He said,--

”Mr. Hamlyn; do you carry pistols?”

”Why, d.i.c.k, boy?” I said, ”why should I?”

”Look you here, Mr. Hamlyn,” said he. ”Have you tried me?”

”I have tried you for twenty years, d.i.c.k, and have not found you wanting.”

”Ah!” said he, ”that's good hearing. You're a magistrate, sir, though only just made. But you know that coves like me, that have been in trouble, get hold of information which you beaks can't. And I tell you, sir, there's bad times coming for this country side. You carry your pistols, sir, and, what's more, YOU USE 'EM. See here.”