Gil the Gunner Part 14

I used to talk to Brace about it sometimes, and he would agree.

"But what can you expect?" he said. "They are a conquered race, and of a different religion. I question whether, with the kindest treatment, we should ever make them like us; but we never try."

I did not say anything, but thought that the black servants were always ready and eager to attend to him, and I never had any difficulty in getting things done; and often after that I used to wonder that a man like Ny Deen should patiently put up with the brutal insult and ill-usage he met with from Barton, who treated him like a dog, while like a dog the Indian used to patiently bear all his abuse and blows.

"Does him good," Barton said to me one day, with an ugly grin, because it annoyed me. "See what a good servant it makes him. You're jealous, Vincent. You want him yourself."

"Yes," I said, "I should like to have him, and show him that all English officers are not alike."

"Do you mean that as an insult, sir?" he cried.

"I meant it more as a reproach," I replied coolly.

"Look here, Vincent," he said hotly, "I have put up with a good deal from you since you have been in the troop, and I don't mean to stand much more from such a boy."

"Really, Barton--" I began.

"Stop, sir, please, and hear me out. Ever since I joined, and as far back as I can hear of, it has been considered a feather in a man's cap to belong to the horse artillery. Many a fine fellow has put down his name and wanted to be transferred from the foot, and want has been his master. But nowadays the service is going to the dogs."

"I don't want to--"

"Stop! you are going to hear me out," he cried, interposing between me and the door. "I've long wanted to come to an understanding with you, but you have always sneaked behind your nurse."

"I don't understand you," I said angrily; but it was not true.

"Then I'll tell you what I mean. You have always hung on the ap.r.o.n-string of Mr Brace, and a nice pair there are of you. The troop's going to ruin, and I shall tell Lacey so. I'm not going to stand it. Here, you came out, a mere schoolboy, and before you've been two years in the foot, you are selected to come into what used to be the smartest troop in the Company's service. I'm not blind. It's all grossly unfair. You've got relatives on the board, and it's all money and interest. It's a disgrace to the service."

"Do you mean I am a disgrace to the troop?" I said hotly.

"Yes, I do," he cried savagely; "and I know well enough one of these days how it will be. There will be some excuse made, and you will be promoted over me; and if you are, I warn you I won't rest until the whole miserable bit of trickery has been exposed."

"You would be clever if you did expose anything, for there is nothing for you to expose. My uncle did write to head-quarters, I know, but I read his letter first."

"What did it say?"

"And he only asked for my wishes to be acceded to, if I was found worthy."

"Found worthy!" he cried, with a mocking laugh, which made my cheeks burn. "Found worthy! It's a disgrace to the service!"

"Oh, there, I'm not going to quarrel with you," I said, fighting down my annoyance.

"No, and I am not going to quarrel with you, but for a couple of annas I'd give you a downright horsewhipping."

I started up from my seat, but a hand was laid upon my arm, and I was pressed down as I swung my head round and gazed up in Brace's stern face.

"Be quiet," he said, grimly; and then--"May I ask, Mr Barton, what this means?"

"No, you may not," cried Barton, offensively.

"But I do ask, sir. I heard you threaten to horse-whip your junior officer as I entered the room."

"And most creditable for an officer and a gentleman to stand at the door listening," cried Barton, in a mocking tone. "Eavesdropping."

Brace's pale sallow face changed colour, but he spoke very calmly, for he realised that Barton had made up his mind to quarrel with him.

"What has been the matter, Vincent?"

"Mr Barton has thought proper to accuse my friends of gross favouritism, and he tells me that I have no business in the horse brigade."

"Lieutenant Barton is not the judge of what officers are suitable for our troop; and you may take it for granted that if you had not proved yourself worthy of the selection made, you would very soon have been transferred back."

"Don't you believe it, Vincent," cried Barton, whose face was flushed, and whose manner indicated that he had been drinking overnight, with the consequence that he was irritable and bitter with every one about him.

"The whole service is being neglected, or else there would very soon be a weeding out in this troop."

Brace had been very grave and calm so far. Again and again he had turned aside the sneers and innuendoes of Barton, who for months had grown more and more offensive as he found that he could insult Brace with impunity; but now he was startled by the change which came over his brother-officer, for Brace flushed up, his eyes glittered, and in a voice that I did not recognise as his own, he said--

"Yes, sir, and Lieutenant Barton would be removed, perhaps disgraced, for insolence to his brother-officers, brutality to the people under him, and conduct generally unworthy of an officer and a gentleman."

"What?" cried Barton.

"You understand my words, sir," said Brace. "You have forced me by your treatment to turn at last, and tell you that I will submit to your insults no longer, neither will I allow you to annoy Vincent."

"You will not allow me!"

"I will not. Do you think I am a child because I have been forbearing?

Your insolence has been beyond bounds."

"Then why did you bear it?" cried Barton.

"For the honour of the service, sir. Because I would not degrade myself and you in the eyes of our men by descending to a quarrel."

"How brave!" cried Barton, mockingly; but Brace paid no heed, and went on.

"Because, sir, I would not be your boon companion, and drink and generally conduct myself in a way unworthy of an English officer in the high position I hold in this country, I have been constantly marked out as the b.u.t.t for your offensive sarcasm, even as far back as the time when, if you had possessed a spark of manliness or feeling, you would have respected me and shown consideration for one who was pa.s.sing through such an ordeal as I pray Heaven you may be spared."

"Bah! A parade of your sufferings," said Barton, mockingly.

Brace winced, but he went on calmly.

"I have seen all and borne all, and even now I should not have spoken but for your insult to Vincent, whom I heard you threaten to horse-whip."

"Which he daren't do," I cried angrily.

"Silence!" cried Brace sternly. "You are no longer a boy, and this is not a school."

"Indeed!" said Barton, looking me up and down with an offensive laugh.

"I thought it was."

I winced now in my turn, and then looked wonderingly at Brace, who uttered the word--