Thunder, as sure as can be, and--Hush! Here
he is."

"Well, my boy, have you made your selection?" said Sir Godfrey, as he
entered the stables, where eight horses raised their heads to look round
and utter a low whinny.

"Yes, father; I have been hesitating between Moorcock and Black Adder,
but I thought you would like the black."

"No, my boy, I have made up my mind to have Thunder."

"I think I'll take Moorcock all the same," said Scarlett, thoughtfully.

"He will suit you better now. Two years hence, I should have said take
Black Adder."

"Why not take 'em both, Master Scarlett?" said Nat, respectfully.
"Black Adder knows me by heart, and I could ride him and take care of
him when you didn't want him, or he'd do for master if Thunder was out
o' sorts."

"Why, Nat, my good fellow," said Sir Godfrey, smiling, "you will be here
at the Hall, helping to protect her ladyship and cutting cabbages."

"No, I shan't, Sir Godfrey," replied the gardener, with a stubborn look
in his bluff English face. "I shan't be here, but along o' you and
Master Scarlett, and 'stead of cutting cabbages, I shall be cutting off
heads."

"Nonsense, man!" said Sir Godfrey, but with far less conviction in his
tone.

"Beg your pardon, sir, but I don't see no nonsense in it. I've
sharpened scythes till they cut like razors, and if you don't believe
it, look at our lawn. Think, then, if I take my best rubber with me, I
can't sharpen a sword?"

"Oh, nobody doubts that, my man; but--"

"Why, look here, Sir Godfrey, I'll keep yours and Master Scar's swords
with such an edge on 'em as shall frighten your enemies into fits.
You'll let me go, won't you, dear master? I can't stay behind." Sir
Godfrey shook his head. "Master Scarlett, sir, put in a word for me.
Don't go and leave me behind. I'll be that faithful and true as never
was."

"Nobody doubts that, my man."

"Then let me go, Sir Godfrey. Why, see how useful I can be. I can wash
for you, and cook for you--anything, and cut a few armfuls of heath of a
night to make your beds. And, look here, gen'lemen, soldiers on the
march never gets a bit o' vegetable; but if there's any within a dozen
miles of where you are, you shall always have it. So there!"

"You do not know the hardships of a soldier's life, my good fellow,"
said Sir Godfrey, as he patted the neck of the noble-looking,
dark-dappled grey in one of the stalls. Nat laughed.

"Well, master," he said, "if you gen