Draw Swords! Part 10

The stiffness caused by want of practice seemed to die out, and the soreness about his knees to pa.s.s away, in the presence of that intense longing; and his eyes ran from the magnificent head--with its slightly-curved muzzle and distended nostrils, which quivered as the animal snuffed the air, snorted, and threw specks of white foam from its well-champed bit--to the arched neck, hollowed back, and beautifully-rounded haunches, while through the glistening, thin, satin skin a perfect network of veins stood out. It seemed, too, so light and springy as it ambled along, its wide hoofs hardly touching the ground; and, though full of action and play, there was no trace of vice.

"Why, he could go like the wind," thought d.i.c.k; and, as if drawn by a magnet, the lad advanced to meet the white-clothed grooms, who seemed to be taking up their charge's full attention, till all at once it stopped short, tossed its great mane and forelock, drew up its head, and lashed its long, flowing tail as it a.s.sumed a beautifully wild-looking pose, and sent forth a loud, shrill, challenging neigh to the group of horses drawn up on its right front.

The challenge was replied to instantly, running along the line, and there was an uneasy movement and, good deal of reining in and spurring before the line was restored to its former evenness.

Meanwhile the beautiful, creamy Arab neighed again, rose upon its hindlegs, and struck out, pawing the air with each hoof alternately, looking grand in its wild, fierce att.i.tude as it dragged at the rein.

"Oh, you beauty!" cried d.i.c.k involuntarily.

"Oh, you beast!" said a voice behind him, and he turned his head sharply, to find that Wyatt had come up un.o.bserved.

"It's only spirit," said d.i.c.k resentfully. "He's fresh for want of work."

"Fresh? Why, look at him. He's spoiling for a fight. The brute's upsetting the whole troop."

"Is that Burnouse?" said d.i.c.k eagerly.

"Yes, my lad, that's Burnouse; and you seem quite wrapped up in him."

"Captain Morrison used to ride him?"

"Oh, yes; he used to ride him, but he could ride anything. We used to call him 'Mazeppa,' for Burnouse is a regular wild horse. Look at that; they can hardly hold him. Oh, here's Hulton.--Well, what do you think of him now?"

"I think it's a pity, for he's a splendid beast. I should like to see him have a final trial, though, with the troop before we decide."

"Well, ride him, then, to-day."

This was said just as two chargers were led out by their syces, and brought towards where the officers were standing.

"No, thanks," said the captain, smiling; "when I come to my end, I should like it to be by shot or sword. You're a better horseman than I am, and ought to be able to manage him. Try him."

Wyatt gave a peculiar writhe, and screwed up his face.

"My back isn't quite right yet from the fall he gave me. Once bit, twice shy. He took a piece out of my sleeve another time, and meant it to be flesh. Here, you keep that brute back."

This to the two syces, who were both now hanging on to the Arab's reins, the fierce animal having made a sudden dash to get at the two chargers being brought up.

The Arab was checked in time, and its attention diverted while the two officers mounted.

"Look here, Wyatt," said the captain, "let's give the brute a chance. I hate him to go out of the corps."

"Let me try him," said d.i.c.k eagerly.

"You?" cried the captain, turning upon him in wonder. Then, with a mocking smile, which made the lad wince, "You don't know what you are talking about, Darrell, my lad.--Here, Wyatt, ride across and ask for a volunteer. The men know what he is as well as we do."

Wyatt nodded, and rode across to the drawn-up troop, d.i.c.k, with every nerve on the quiver, watching him anxiously in the hope that every man would refuse; but, to his disgust, a man responded to the invitation, received the order to rein back, and came round to the front, riding towards the two syces behind the lieutenant, dismounted, handed his reins to Captain Hulton's groom, and stood waiting.

"Think you can ride him?" said Hulton.

"Oh, yes, I can ride him, sir. Captain Morrison always could."

"Mind, I do not order you to mount. You volunteer."

"Yes, sir; I'll take the risk," said the man, setting his teeth.

"Up with you, then; but mind, don't use the curb--he will not stand it; and keep your spurs out of his flanks, or he'll throw you."

Palpitating with the excitement from which he suffered, d.i.c.k saw the man stride up to the horse, who rolled his eyes back, watching him, but standing fairly quiet, while, with the two _syces_ at the head, the gunner took hold of the rein, placed his foot in the stirrup, and, quick as thought, was in the saddle. As soon as he thrust his right foot in the stirrup the two syces sprang away, leaving a beautiful group in the middle of the parade-ground, statuesque in the absence of movement.

It was only for a few moments, though; for, with a shrill cry of rage, the horse gathered itself together and sprang into the air, came down, reared up, plunged, flung up its heels, and then, as the rider sat perfectly firm and unmoved, tried to wrench itself round and bite--an evolution which the strong hands at the rein stopped.

"Bravo! Well done!" cried both officers in a breath.

There was another shrill neigh, and a fresh effort was made--one of the most trying for a horseman. The Arab suddenly lowered its head with a sharp s.n.a.t.c.h at the reins, arched up its back, and began a series of tremendous, buck-like leaps, coming down each time with all four legs together, ready for the next spring.

"There, it's all over," said Hulton. "He'll throw him."

"Sure as a gun," said Wyatt, while d.i.c.k bit his lip, and felt vexed with himself for feeling pleased at the prospect of the accident which seemed certain to befall the gunner.

He was a capital rider, one of the best in the troop, and had ridden many a dangerous horse, but somehow Burnouse was too much for him. At about the sixth bound his seat was shaken; at the next he was mastered; and the next sent him sliding sideways, to fall heavily on his back and roll over and over.

The two syces, who had kept close by, dashed forward, active as cats, to seize the reins, in the expectation of the horse bounding off; but, with a wild squeal, it turned and ran, open-mouthed, at its late rider, and would have seized him but for a sudden check at the reins, when it threw up its head and neighed as if proud of its triumph.

"Ugh, the beast!" muttered Captain Hulton, pressing forward with Wyatt, and closely followed by d.i.c.k, who was trembling and flushed with excitement.

"Are you hurt, Smith?" cried the captain to the man, who was brus.h.i.+ng the dust from his uniform.

"Bit shook, sir," said the man gruffly; "nothing broke. Why," he cried fiercely, "you might just as well try to ride a ball of quicksilver!"

At that moment Sergeant Stubbs came riding up, and heard the man's last words as he bent down to knock off some dust with his gloved hand.

"I'm glad you're not hurt, Smith," said the captain. "You did very well. The brute will have to go."

"There's none of us could ride him, sir."

"You hadn't a chance, riding him like that!" cried d.i.c.k angrily, and every one turned upon him in wonder.

Then Captain Hulton made the lad flush with annoyance.

"Let's see," he said sarcastically; "I believe you learned to ride this morning, sir, did you not?"

"No," said d.i.c.k sharply. "I had my first lesson in military riding, sir, but my father taught me years ago, and there was not a finer horseman with the hounds."

"But we are not fox-hunters, Darrell," said the captain sternly.

"No, sir; but, as my father said, soldiers ride in that stiff, balanced way, and have no grip of the saddle, and if a regiment was put at a stiff fence and ditch, no end would come off." [See note.]

"You had better give Sergeant Stubbs some lessons, Mr Darrell," said the captain haughtily, "and if they turn out satisfactory we might exchange. But I think we can ride a little out here."