ght it was the horse come."

"So it is."

"But trooper?"

"Of course. Well, charger, then. Officers' horses are chargers; men's
horses, troopers."

"Oh!" I cried, brightening up, but with a feeling of nervousness and
excitement making my heart beat more heavily still. "Where is it?"

"Paddock!" said Lomax shortly, and without the slightest disposition to
be conversational. In fact, he became more military every moment, and
marched along by me, delivering cuts at nothing with his cane, as if he
were angry with the air.

Then all at once he glanced at me, looking me up and down.

"Humph! No straps to your overalls," he said snappishly.

"Overalls?"

"Well, trousers, sir. They'll be crawling all up your legs. Get some
buttons put on by next time."

He turned into the field devoted to the Doctor's cows and to the junior
boys' football, and there I saw the General's groom holding a fiery,
untamed-looking steed, as it seemed to me, arching its neck and
snorting, as it stood champing its bit till the white foam flew from its
mouth.

The groom touched his hat to me as we came up.

"Master's compliments, sir, and as he wants me," he said, "would you
mind riding the cob back to the house?"

"Oh yes, of course," I said, glancing at the fierce-looking animal, and
mentally asking myself whether he would allow me to ride him home.
"Is--is he quiet?"

"Quiet, sir! why, he's like a lamb. Bit playful sometimes, but no more
vice in him than there is in an oyster. Mornin', sir."

The man touched his hat and went off, leaving Lomax and me with the
horse, which looked enormous then.

Lomax strode round the animal, examining it, and making remarks as he
went on.

"Very well groomed," he said. "Saw your old friend Magglin before
breakfast. Good legs. Like to get taken on again, he says. Tail wants
topping--too long. Lucky for him he didn't get before the magistrates.
Doctor won't have him again. Very nice little nag, but too small for
service. I told him that all he was fit for was to enlist; some sharp
drill-sergeant might knock him into shape in time. He's no use as he
is. Now, then, ready?"

"Yes," I said shrinkingly, "I suppose so."

"That's right," cried Lomax, and, lifting up the flap of the saddle, he
busied himself, as I supposed, tightening the girths, but all at once
they dropped to the ground, and, with the rein over his arm, Lomax
lifted off the saddle and placed it upon the hedge.

"