I have had no opportunity so far."
"Fishing, then?"
"Oh yes. I have had a little trout and bottom fishing."
"Ah! we can give you some mahseer fishing here. Trying after big ones
that can pull you in."
"Thank you. I shall be very glad."
"But you will not have much time yet. Nice grind you've got before you
to master your drill."
"Yes, I suppose so," I replied.
"Don't drink, don't smoke, and I suppose you can't ride?"
"Yes, I can ride," I said quickly.
"I suppose so--in a riding-school. Wait till you are going at full
gallop over the plain, with six or eight guns bumping and jumping after
you; you'll find out then whether you can ride. Well, how do you like
Brace?"
The question startled me.
"I--I hardly know yet," I said.
"With him long enough, anyhow!"
"I thought him very gentlemanly and kind."
"Bah! You don't want a man to be gentlemanly and kind. You have got to
learn to be a soldier--an artilleryman, not a molly. But, there, don't
you be uneasy about that. I'll see that you are not spoiled. Got your
servants yet?"
"No; there is nothing settled. I have only just come."
"No horses, I suppose?"
"No. Captain Brace said he would help me to get a couple."
"Hum! Deal he knows about horses. Better let me buy them for you. I
know just the thing for you: plenty of speed, showy, and grand action--
sort of a charger that wouldn't do for me. Not up to my weight, but it
would carry you splendidly. Brace always was the worst mounted man in
the brigade. Better try a cigar."
I declined again, and sat chatting to my brother-officer till I thought
I had been with him long enough, when I rose to go.
"What! off already?" he said. "Oh, well, if you can't stay. But you
haven't swallowed your drink."
I declined that too, feeling that he must be looking down upon me with
the most utter contempt; but he said nothing till I had shaken hands.
"Then I shall look out for a charger for you?"
"Please no; not till I have spoken to Captain Brace."
"What for? Oh, he'll be glad to be saved the trouble. That will be all
right. You stick to me, and I'll see you through."
I left my brother-officer's quarters soon afterwards, feeling very glad
to get away, and certainly under the impression that he thought me very
stupid and boyish.
"I suppose I've been keeping him in," I thought, for outside I found the
syces still waiting with the horses I had noticed on entering, and
th
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