Part 6 (1/2)
”Oh, is that all?” rejoined I.
”Why, what did you think it was?” inquired Coleman.
”Never mind,” I replied; ”let's look at Punch.”
And accordingly I was introduced to a little fat, round, jolly-looking cob, about fourteen hands high, who appeared to me an equine counterpart of Coleman himself. After having duly praised and patted him I turned to leave the stable, just as c.u.mberland and Snaffles were pa.s.sing the door, and I caught the following words from the latter, who appeared rather excited:--
”Well, if any harm comes of it, Mr. c.u.mberland, you'll remember it's your doing, not mine”.
c.u.mberland's reply was inaudible, and Snaffles turned to me, saying:--
”I've only one horse at home likely to suit you, sir; you'll find her rather high-couraged, but Mr. c.u.mberland tells me you won't mind that”.
”I have been mentioning what a good rider you _say_ you are,” said c.u.mberland, laying a slight emphasis on the say.
”Oh, I daresay she will do very well,” replied I. ”I suppose she has no vice about her.”
”Oh dear, no,” said Snaffles, ”nothing of the sort.--James,” added he, calling to a helper, ”saddle the chestnut mare, and bring her out directly.”
The man whom he addressed, and who was a fellow -37--with a good-humoured, honest face, became suddenly grave, as he replied in a deprecatory tone:--
”The chestnut mare? Mad Bess, sir?”
”Don't repeat my words, but do as you are told,” was the answer; and the man went away looking surly.
After the interval of a few minutes a stable door opposite was thrown open, and Mad Bess made her appearance, led by two grooms. She was a bright chestnut, with flowing mane and tail, about fifteen-and-a-half hands high, nearly thorough-bred, and as handsome as a picture; but the restless motion of her eye disclosing the white, the ears laid back at the slightest sound, and a half-frightened, half-wild air, when any one went up to her, told a tale as to her temper, about which no one in the least accustomed to horses could doubt for an instant.
”That mare is vicious,” said I, as soon as I had looked at her.
”Oh dear, no, sir, quiet as a lamb, I can a.s.sure you. Soh, girl! soh!”
said Snaffles, in a coaxing tone of voice, attempting to pat her; but Bess did not choose to ”soh,” if by ”sohing” is meant, as I presume, standing still and behaving prettily; for on her master's approach she snorted, attempted to rear, and ran back, giving the men at her head as much as they could do to hold her.
”She's a little fresh to-day; she was not out yesterday, but it's all play, pretty creature! nothing but play,” continued Snaffles.
”If you are afraid, Fairlegh, don't ride her,” said c.u.mberland; ”but I fancied from your conversation you were a bold rider, and did not mind a little spirit in a horse: you had better take her in again, Snaffles.”
”Leave her alone,” cried I, quickly (for I was becoming irritated by c.u.mberland's sneers, in spite of my attempt at self-control), ”I'll ride her. I'm no more afraid than other people; nor do I mind a spirited horse, c.u.mberland; but that mare is more than spirited, she's ill-tempered--look at her eye!”
”Well, you had better not ride her, then,” said c.u.mberland.
”Yes, I will,” answered I, for I was now thoroughly roused, and determined to go through with the affair, at all hazards. I was always, even as a boy, of a determined, or, as ill-natured people would call it, obstinate disposition, and I doubt whether I am entirely cured of the fault at the present time.
”Please yourself; only mind, I have warned you not to ride her if you are afraid,” said c.u.mberland.
-38--”A nice warning,” replied I, turning away;--”who'll lend me a pair of spurs?”
”I've got a pair here, sir; if you'll step this way I'll put them on for you,” said the man whom I had heard addressed as ”James,”--adding, in a lower tone, as he buckled them on, ”for Heaven's sake, young gentleman, don't mount that mare unless you're a first-rate rider.”