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XLIII. XLIV. XLV. XLVI. XLVII. XLVIII North Lbach Ma.'or Uraddock-s Di.nn-ek * t HROWN OUT • ;'LiNcoi..N Spri.vg " The Hu.vT Steeplhchase ' . * ^iR Ronald Radci.iffe i'URZEDc.N Starts os His War-Pvtm A'^Tii^r "''^' •'^ ^-koen-Partv '' " «0B Braddocks Conditions Sbeking a Commission ^HARLiE ON Probation Entered for the Armv * Dearest Friends •• May " Differ Bbllaton Wold ^-'ii'i'er Trial of Bblisarios In the GAzbttb The Two Thousand * MnL^rc^^^^r""^^"-"-' frsN^f rs/o TOWN Kate Kynaston Reconnoitres FuRZEDON Proposes '"''''^''*'' gfl"^«°" Bhllaton Wold . dire AflSGIVINC.S Thb Great Epsom Race ' Raising the Wind FtJRZEDON Returns "to th^ Chasp, In the Usurer's Fang.s ^°"' Shere Ali the D.xoit ' Sinister Rumours Major Kynastons Visitor" Shere Ali Vanishes ' A VutIaI n^™ ^°^^ This Thing rtx/J^.^.F'* ''^''STANDING Charlie's Baptism OF Fire . ' TulV^'"^ ^" ^'v^N TO the FriES" The Rocks of Rugoerbund .KA.-t-v;iis VENGKANCB VPNCLUSION 88075;? Pack 3 • lo . i8 26 • 34 41 • 49 5^ • 65 72 • 79 85 • 93 100 . 107 "5 . 121 129 . 136 141 . 150 X58 . 166 73 . 180 187 • 195 30I . 208 ai5 > 322 229 226 244 252 "39 266 273 280 287 295 304 309 317 324 331 337 344 SADDLE AND SABRE, I — North Leach. IV^'J"f iinlotsJ??: 1vZ.Vt '»"? -•'""-•°- k'aWed, irregular house, a house wnnf I ^ ^ , ^^\^^' "^any- as to what manner of man Sbe its ?^"^^ '^^ ''"^^^"^^ h.g for a farmhouse, nor dTd it look inTif '• , ^^^^stoo lectory; moreover, nothinirs?ooHn°o-."l*^® ^^^s* ^'^e a four lahourers- cottages As von ,Ti ^"* ^"""^ *^'^« o*- conscious that the Central iTr?. ^^^^ ^^°'^'" ^O" became built, and evidently of olderdlrtr' T^' '^^stantiaTy had apparently been added to ! ^^^ '^ ^^'' ""^''^ about .t. rather striking in a house if1hi ^"^ Peculiarity was thatched, neatly and vervtrLv It^ ^'^^' ^^s that it but still that was a ^oof ^ru lo A ^''^^^^^^^ "« doubt, to find on a house of th°s class Nl^ifr ^T^^y ^^P^cted was called, had been the home o^he n'' ' '^^' ^^^'^ tamly something like four ceSiesTL^.^Y'^^u^ for cer- some four hundred acres of thefr own .n ^^^^^^.^^^^'ned they had now for many years rentenn/J^'''^^''^"^^^ ^^at some seven or eight hundred acrefo ^ ^^i^'^^^g farm of territorial magnate of that nart of t* ^ P^Pf .^y of the great farming on a farge scalef b^u'tfaUh^^^^^^^ ^^""^ ^«« so prosperous for agriculturist* «c"P-^® \"^^^ were not tremendous struggle^Jh Na^S^^^^"^^^^^^^^^^ days of the flourishing. The farmers, albei The' ?« 5'"^^ ^^""^ very repealed, made money hand o^Vk J""' ^^^^ had been Old Tom Devereux kept ^ man v hoi' '"^. ^'"^^ ^°y«% another at North LeacM^at^So S/h ^°5, °"^. ^'"d ^nd ereux was always asked whetL^shf .1 ^mV^'^^* ^'^' I>ev- browns. chestnuts, ^r ,^f:i ..r^^Oi^W have four irra„c festival which thebe'vereux had'a/Ji' i^°°c?ster racesT a regularity for many ylfrT "^^^^ ^'^^ *^* "tmis? :!' 4 SADDM? AND SABRE. The present generation of the family had been broueht "£,' VJ^ different fashion from their predecessors B^th sons had been to Cambridge, v/hile Lettice Devereux had had everythmg that masters and a fashionable school could nZ M /■ J ^°J. '■'.'^'".^' ^^^""^ "'^^^'' was a Devereux that could not nde. Both the men and women of the famUy were thoroughly at home in the saddle, and well-known as r3* 'I'fu^T ^"^.b°Jd^«^ "ders with the Brock7esby In front of the house, indeed, running round three sides of It, and just beyond the gardens and shrubberies which immediately surrounded it, was what was called "the paddock, a large grass field of about fifty acres, virgin turf which had never known the ploughshare. Along one fir^°i i'"'^'*' ''^"''"' ^'■J^^^*^^ ^^"<^^«' s"ch as are used tor schooling purposes ; for the making of hunters was MS!r t"^ Pn'"^'' '' ^""'^^ ^^^^h with great assiduity. Neither loin Devereux nor his sons could be correctly designated horse-dealers, but when you have such a quan- tity of horses as were required for the work of a farm, to say nothing of a long string of hunters and carriage hovses it stands to reason that there must necessarily be a good deal of buying and selling connected with the establish- ment. FurtJier, there were a few brood mares at North I.each, aud consequently, a certain amount of young stock, some of which usually had to be disposed of Therl S'Jfllv, "^ ""^'^T ^* !^^ ^> ^^'"^' ^^^y ^°"ld utilise horseflesh m a great number of ways, and if a horse gave no promise of making a hunter, there were many other )>aths m life to which he could be introduced. inside, the house was, as might be expected, a roomv comfortable old building, which^had been most judidoush: modernised. In the central, or original house, so to speak, he rooms were low, with black oak panelling, and floors to match ; but in the wings the rooms were far more loftv and a very pleasant drawing-room in the one wing was' balanced by an equally comfortable billiard-room on the otfier side of the hall. At the time my st^ry opens, John Devereux, the eldest son. had left the Universitv some two --ears an'" ' d steadily settled down as his father's partr.eirnot but" what KORTH LEACH. s .Id Tom Devereux was a hale, heart v man of hi. years II sixiy as tney do m the days of the r hot youth VVV ill rtof.f"^' ^""" P^f ^"^"^ ^^'•^ soberly, an^d is w^n fo" MS, too, if we can take our work somewhat more e surelv rhe oyerlookmg of two such farms as No?^rLcac and' moun't'^f Wh'' ^t^ "5°^ ''^''^ ^"^°^-^ ^ consS^^rable .e callmgol a yeoman farmer ; and then tTie old man h^^l .ought solemnly of what was to become of thr?and.T there was no one to take his place when he was lone h' was fond of the old acres that had come Sown '; hu^ hrough so many generations of Deyercu^ He had mad^ Ins money out of the land, and respected it accord inSv Moreover, he was as honestly proud and fo u? of thl oM home of his family as any nJb^e in the land coul d^be if ofVnc'istr"'""^" ^^"""'"^^ *° him through a loLg lini Pnf.rf^v?' ^ovember day is closing in as Lettice Devereux enters the drawmg-room, and promptly rings for tea Sh^ IS soon seated in a comfortable armd.air^fn fronToffhe glowmg fire in lazy enjoyment of that luxury A sh^rn gallop with the hounds that morning has induced a oleasan? iangour, which now that she has changed h^r dress ^hl wheV thl'^d' '" ^"'"'^^H^ ^"- She is 4eady half asleep snk.JS h ?' °P^"^,abruptly, and her brother in weT ^'« HuHoa I .fr '^ well-stained pink enters the room You didn°t c^nt to ' ^r^r'^^''"?^' " ^^^^ became of you ? never caught sight of vour hnhi^ a-ain '' ' j'i © SADDLE AND SABRg. !L?,"?J'!"i " ^ ^^\^ «^°* '" *^e Stable. He carried me morning. But when we trotted oflF to look for that second tt i* .^«»"*° blunder a good deal. And the reaso tlwncr r"t' *^^ ^°Tff ^" ^•'■^^ ' q"'^e reason enough fo takmg him home. We all know nothing breaks the he«[ o^a^jroung one so much as asking him toV on when he"s vou?^ saTloh^^n^'"^ ^*" *?^J^" y°""g °"« then, do s^ip^ h?st/°*'" ^''''■^"* ^'*^ ^^'^^^t -t^r^t. as he ^^l^K°:"l.'^J?"®^ Lettice, '• and what is more, I have an Idea that he has a great turn of speed. I thi^k itXout^ be quite worth your whiJe at the end of the hunting season /' We shall see," replied John. " Anyway your schoolin^r will go a great way towaras the comj^etioV of his educa*' ?^"dow"nT'' "'" '^^^' ''''"' Charlie,^and whel fs'ltm: "Next week. Do you know anything of this Mr u't?'^''"^^^*^^^^^""^'"^ with him?" ^ ^'^• No. You see although Charlie and I certainlv n,«f were together at Cambridge, I was a good St befoVSi ime. I was leaving just as he came%, and during the term or two we were there together o,,r Sfo °"^'"S *"^ different As for this fellow^ze'on, nlverTeardS him, but he IS evidently a great pal of CharhVs • at ^I trrhf. 'h'^r "^f-^ ^l*'^"^ therefore we shaU have SS trouble about making him happy here, as lonff « the horses hold out; and if he wants a breather afferoart ridges, goodness knows we've plenty of them a1thn„f^^: takes hard walking to pick up a^e7ble no^.^i^^^"^^ '' i^nri^^"^^ Lett!^:'^V^rbS!InT;f ^''^^ most of the f^nds you and Chlr?;: asrhl rl^eTeralf* forThpT'fT \P^"^'"^ ^'^^ *^^ amusements wlp"ovide fall t^' "^ ^ ^^""^ ""^'y ^*"'^ ^^o»bt Mr. Furzedon win tall into our grooves nnifp as n-^ts-all -»-- • r • " Well nn«, T'.« ^«-">"~ • """"ally aa uic rest of tiiem,'^ well, now I m off, rejoined John Devereux, " to ex- NORTH LEACH. . .... and iidu^e in drea^^'JlJ^i^^J'^ "" ^'""^ '"P »' the best of evIrrtC shffLnH r° ''• ''".'^'^ '" """''e able. There was Tlw/v. t . ^" ''°'"' '''' very enjov farn,, and, although No?thteh'° """'\'"' =''°""^« residence, vet nSmU ?„ .1 "" **' "">«■ "n isolated staW... ai/maS^'S'Se'of tunLTlndM, «™r"\f^ of a ten or twelve mile drii, ,^ . ' ""ought nothing revel. Balls, it is tr"e wer" not" r """"^ ^ "' ""^ Lettice, though she coild hrow XXariX' '^ ^» dance, was by no meanc; h„r,„ r . *"" s°"^ »nto a As for the winter W th« - ^' * '"^^ entertainments. was. as Whyte M^viL '^t.P; ;^^^^^^^^^ eding in those parts was to hunt every day • " and I ^tft T^ business of life gallop. As she sat la^zily therein frnnf^^^f^ i°^^^ * &«^ speculating a good deil on ^he rZrn ofl^'V^' ^-^^ brother. She was very fond of lr.i^ i * u- ^^'■. favourite manner did not accord w^ h hJf' '"* t'1 ^"^^*' ^^^te like Charlie's. John wIL inf. ""'' ""-"th-loving nature, than herself, but might have W "'^ °' V^"" 3^^*'= o^e^ way in which he S bo^his "worranS'h^'^T' ^"^"^ score of years her senior Tf ^^S *."^ ^'^ pleasure, a to great Lthusf/sra out an^fh^i^f ^^^^ cooTh^' i°*^° ^^ seemed to lose its balance for onf m ?^ ''^'*. "®^' spirits as at times possessed herself an "h"*,'- '"^^ ^*^ away with John. She did not troublt . h ^^ "^"^^^ "^^^ about th s Mr. FurzeHnn ^m ^'^°"°^® ' ^i head very much very fuU of him durfn^Th; uIT^^' ^^' ^'''^^'^' ^^d been she^was thinSg mor^^^^^^^^^^ Truth to tell, her than anything else ^^' ^""'^^ *»*<^ carried young feUow, lazing into^the fir/ !I"''^-'f^' blue-eyed absorbed in th^hf. Thoughts ,;ot"of7h'"V'^ ^^^P^^ apparently, to judle from thf £f"t.l*^a'd^ ?'*"'?"'• '^"""s aspect oi the young face " somewhat What an ass I have been," n,ut,ered Charlie Devereu, Vd ^H ^'U iH^^H — i*' ^^^^H ■ ^m gmHmi # ^1 ^^^Hl , f '^^^^1 "* fH vi! ,^1 8 SADDLE AND SABRE. Bad form, too, borrowing monev from a ml =.7,-^ * ing him, there's only one tS ?or it^ f .^f f ^"I.^^^- three months of them b;fore?he sacrifice ^.J""*" ^"^^ '"' thf>n if T'm k.-«j ""- I'lc sdcrince. However, even yo^g „,a„ w.h a Bond countenan^f, an^'SgtV&S " What, Charlie, all in the downs !" he saiH " «,K,f „ fotheXafra I Wn?"'t? °' '^'"'"P-g"'. and th"n go ol North leach. g whenever you like, and what's more we outrht not fn !,.« such beautifully ope., weather as this^ ^ '°^ So the two dined at Lii.imer's, and the bottle of rh=^ menoft"hll ^^'i^'''-'^'^""'^'^ incumbent on the youn^ men ol the day to drop into two or thmn. K^f„, \. ^^^."S afforded, but then it was the Dron^r thinrr f« J !■ younger days there are ver/ LTof us^wL 3'o^n^';! """^ that sufficient reason for the'cS^mUtaTof'anVabsurdt^ Furzedon and Charlie Devereux of coV.rL f^ u^'v necessary to have a lobster or some oysters a <;nenffh '* houses, and as they sallied out after S^' thdr sunper a dilapidated man suddenly exclaimed • '« Ah F fr^^5^ ' ? beg pardon. Mr. Furzedon-youVe good t'm sure tn^t"~^^ a sovereign to an old pal who^is dow^n^n ii^luck •' '"^ Furzedon s eyes gleamed dangerously in the ffaslifrht fnr a moment as he retorted in stern measured tones '•fdoJt s^p:n:e1rrmrto!;i^U .^° ^"- ^^- yo^^- neve? a tXiSe^•■T•"^^l'"^"^' ^"'^ "? whtVou di^sot: tolerable dirty work no very short time ago." Voufta'nTto Jhr";" ir"^ '^" '"^^"^ ^^°^"«. "Why don't you stand to the gentleman now he is down in his li.rk"'' Keenly ahve, these supporters of the sturrmendicant to the probability of -glasses round," should^ Te succeed n extorting that sovereign from the " swell " ^"'^ceed in ''Close up, Charlie," said Furzedon in o u„. ,..:._ ;2/.ro^;'"''-^''^°'"^*P '■"^'^"^' andseeVhatTheriin malve of turning our pockets out. Just follow my lead. As to SADDLE AND SAjBRft. ^^^?n^Vi'vf*n^Tu"'^'l! '=°'".^' "P ^'*h ^'^ whining petittott again, I shall let him have it hot. Hit out at once all vou inT;?h^ T ''^"" ^" *^^°"^^' th«"^' and Lo a hansom AnH M r" *^° ™'""^^f- ^" *^^ meantime do as Ido? And Mr. Furzedon rapidly buttoned his overcoat up tightW Another moment, and the suppliant for relief advanced with an impudent leer, and said, "Come, Mr FGrzedon we don't part like this. I'm not going to wanJ a soverdgn while your pockets are well lined!" ^ «i sovereign '• Ah ! you think so, 'replied Furzedon. with a low laugh. I told you you should get nothing from me to-night I hed ; you shaU, ' and taking a step forward, Furzedon let go his left straight and true from the shoulder and stre?chS die uckless mendicant well-nigh senseleL' on tt pav^ ment. There was a rapid rush of his companions, but the quick, straight, determined hitting of Furzedon and Charlie speedily dissipated that attempt at plunder, and n another nected with this history, and yet it is these Wsmall events that so often bear curiously upon our lives^ Had a sovereign, instead of a blow, it would probably have made a considerable difference in the course of his life. II.— Major Braddock's Dinner. THE strangers' room at the Thermopolium was very full • ^",^,H'^'^^ Y^' '""'^^ *^^^ ^"d la^gl^ter going on at the various little tables as the wine passed merrily rounSthem ut, perhaps, from none did the laughter ripple more fS than from a round table in the middle of the^room, IrS which half-a-dozen m«>n wer« -a^hpr^H fl-- ~ 7' *V . P-^ Major Braddock. The Major^w'a'lLlls ekS V^Z never more happy than when giving a little Sinner j he MAJOR BRADDOCK'S DINNBR. i, flattered himself that he knew how to do it, and. what wa« more to he point, he did. Looking at his rubicmid &ce and portly figure, it was difficult how to imagine he Ma^ar a smart officer of Hussars, and yet, ten years before wS he finaUy doffed the pelisse, he was L go^-looW^ dragoon as ever wore sabretache. - ^ooKing a. free lfcence?n"thrrl!^.f 6o« z.,.a«J. and who gives himself iree licence in the matter of good liv ng, and who is not given in any way to field sports, rapidly puts on weieh off'L^/ \^' turned thirty. The M^jor was comfo3ly aLt town'^Th '°-^-°"' ^">"^^^ ^t °^ int^a man about town. The giving and partaking o. .ittle dinners now'!? n™'"^"*^^ ^"'° '^'^ ^^^'^^ °f his life and i? was now weU known that an invitation from Bob Braddrck was not a thing to be lightly declined ; nor. on fhe other iWA il^^ ^ man to whom an invitation wis to belighdy BraSlrJ' ™^-T" """^T ^'^^^^^J^ Clubland that BoB B^addock s verdict on a dinner was unimpeachable, and whSThf '°™- T °it^°/those monarchical insti u ions SSt to%r"^\l-^*'°u°'^' '^y'°^ *h^*^t was a positive Snfh.1 ^"ythf.f but a raw boy to partake of food m.ii«i I u ^^"^^^"^^ the Major, and it was one of those meUow laughs which almost instinctively carried the Jn^f-? f^^^ '^'^\}\: " ^hat times those were I What constitutions we all had in those days, and, heaven heb us J^J±r^"^;^"°'"^* ^^ were oA the' sub/ect of wine Md cookery! Just you try that champagni, Norman 2,. f Uw^iu"^ f*?"* '"^ '*' *"^ «ven if there is, upon my soul It s worth risking an attack for." l "n my Norman Slade.a dark, wiry little man, whose ace defi#.d sdd""^.'YeritS '" Wr^^' and" asle^f^sfedit' fr /■ J ^ ** ^/^^^ eood stuff, but you ought to have laid les. It was the Exhibition year, and thevwant«»ri ««i«o .i. i. t been to me; for heaven's sake «t rl,l ""'''* ,'"' ''"■' • What do you want-what^ f h!. mT,^ ^^'""''■- »°d ""Is.' don't,' he cried «ni fc.Tf • """f"^ ' "e cried. 'Oh, I've had Y^'„l half-weeping; -oh, dear, what a time ;;=^:?a'se^,x^ifi\7d'^4£^^^^^^ morning to his mSher Of . ^ *^^ ^^J^ ^'^^'^ »» the the top off the cTse and h!LT'^\^^ ?^"*^^^ ^°<>» ^ad account. Indeed, it required the SVuZctnrfA^"''' h.m round, and a handsome s Jatru^on Te^^^^^^^^ hush up the business. Poor Jerry ! A Thefl at B^lJtL we;nhap|e.^^^^^^^^ along, and its cKc^stl^% °^^^^^^^^^^ on ? StiU in as of yore. I suppose ?" ^ "^^ "^^^^ *"^ "^^^"^ "Yes." replied Gilbert Slade. laughing; "we still h«M oeen m the regiment U hin,:-iisi us life at present could Tt beS to hl^l" ^°- ^° ^^^' he had knocked about with hiLe%W froJ*""" ^^^"*^"^ '• town to another ^Hr fK« i Vr ^^5i'"^'lt trom one ffarncon- .. _notber .or the last four years, had always p^y Major bhaIjdock's dinner. t« ^rl^f^T T"" *° ^'""J" *^^ leave-season, and enjoyed a run in London as much as most men "Curious," muttered Gilbert, as he strolled homewards "the difference between theoc two uncles of mine. As fa^ as giving me a dinner goes, or writing me a moderate cheque if I got into difficulties, I've no doubt the Sr would stand to me like a man ; but in a serious scrapi I fency Uncle Norman would be worth a dozen of him Every one who knows him seems to think he might have ?or"?he"ff' -"^ '^ ^" ^^^ ^^-^^^ '^^ ''""^^^^ to trv,^whiVe Is Lk . aT""' ™y impression is that it is well for him his father left him very comfortably off. From all accoun s th.Tvt "■"/ v"^ ^?f ^^"^'^^ ^^' ^ P^^^^°"« bai officer n the days of his soldiering. Ah ! well, fortunately I need trouble neither of them for assistance." And then Gi bert began lazily to reflect on his coming visit to Nottingham- shire, and speculate upon how much fun he could get out of the couple of hunters th.t he was taking dowS with him. When he got back to Limmer's he strolled into the coffee-room. It was tolerably late by this time, for he smokmg-conclave at the Thermopolium had been of some diw"' ^^^^ ""^^^ *^'^y ^^^ ^^t ^°^n^o rnJJj^I^i'^^'"^ ^u""^ half-dozen young fellows in the coffee- ca??' are wni^"';!''^''"' ^V- ^^""^ gentlemen laden with .?Ti, r.°f *° "*?' according to the famous lyric. of Boh''??! ^'^^ -A ^°' ^ '^^nl/°^ *°-"^S^*' ^on^ing out rL£? . /,', ^^'^- °!?^- " ^^^y ^ere a queer lot who rushed two fellows m front of me; but, by Tove! thev caught a brace of Tartars. I never saw Ven h t ou^ straighter or cleaner; and as for the leader of the gang he went down at once from a left-hander I should have been sorry to have caught, and his pals got thorou^hlv 9ick of the job m less than t' nimtes " ^"rougniy nf'l^^m''^ '^^"'"' T y°" boring IS with the account of a night-house row for ? We've all seen it, and shaU doubtless, see It again before we've done. Bertie Slade by Jove ! What are vou doine here ? " ' *' Well, just now," said Gilbert, as he raised his hat tS SADDLB ANt> SABRlt that man hurled after the fellow «,?! ^?'^"^ malediSion as when he picked himself up""T "ii^t iVlh""^ ^'™ ^°^ stained face out of my head H. ^ I^V^? P^C Wobd- he cursed him by name and ^nrJ"^^"*^^ ^"^^ ^^^ ^r forgive him ; vowed thai h^s tn^n "17" *° ^°^&et nor hen Ralph Furzedon ^ght ToortoH^^r'^"^?' ^"^ ^^at the name before and Hon'? himself. Never heard ^ The compa,^shook their K^ bert, who. at all events con. in! J '" ignorance, and Gil. pated for that e.eJnTnT,l^^T^t^^^^^^^ dissi- III. — Thrown Out. MV^e^afs^^ZtlL^ar^^r- ^^ ^- beyond his arrival at the Uniters ityvvlf. A*' ^"'^ Previous "o no one knew anything He Zlr lir/S"'""?'"^ ^^'^^^ way to his family. -He seemed n! Iv'^f.'* '" *^^^ ^^^ntest money, had avowedly not ^heshvE'^""^ '"PP^'^d with a degree, and conformed to fhi^^^f'^ intention of taking sufficiently to nrpi^nf • . ^"^^^ o^ his college in^t the authorUs.^ HrspeThTs^^^ TT ^o^isbf ^ with an object in vie^ However oVh"'^?' I'"^ invariabi; might seem, they we7e not so in L^f;^^"^ i"' invitations young man less given to .rS.nfo '*^' ^"^ never was a descrintion. He ^Ls gy no Ss^Z^H °f J"''^*^ °^ '^'^' though he admitted the old SntSfJln ., ^^u'l Progenitor, sivdy well in quitting ?his wo!?J^ .,^^'^u''^^^^*^^ ^''ces- about sixteen ye\rs oil and iJav W w" ^"' ^^^P'^' ^^« It..."? ^<^ come up^o the u;;v4 ^^^^^^^^^ ' "^' "^ '°™"'^ ^ --^- of acquaintanL"^ Thf men' he THROWN OUT. 19 7nhitlluf^li^^^ ?".? as bethought would prove useful to him in life. His father had acquired his riches by the simple process of money-lending, but Ralph Furzedoii had no Idea of continuing that business, profitable though it was. His ambition was to take a good social position and college was to him a mere stepping-stone to that end He was fairly popular, he went in for most of the cames and diversions so much esteemed by the undergraduates, and. If he did not distinguish himself in any particular pursuit, still he was passably good at many things not perhaps, a very amiable character, if you knew him tho' roughly, but he was much too clever to let the spots on In/"" be seen Young men are not usually suspicious, and very few of his^companions had the slightest idea of the mgramed selfishness .of the man's nature. It never Zfl^i t^.^hem that the first view that anything pre- Furledon "" ^^^ '* "^""^"^ "^^""^ ^'™' ^^'p*^ Charlie Devereux was a very popular man, and it suited Mr. furzedcn to become intimate with him on that ac- count ; then, again, young devereux was an undoubtedly fine horseman. Mr. Furzedon, in his far-sighted sagacity, opmed that in a few years Charlie might htve blosloS fIS,«n '^'^ gentleman rider Furzedon was very foSdS a small racing specuktion, when, to use his own Iknguaffe he saw his way. and he thought that his friend might turn out useful to him in this latter capacity later on. Furzedon had come up to the University late ; lie had begun life fw himself at the age of eighteen, and it was only after knocking very difficult it was for a young fellow to form eligible acquaintances. Fri^ds. as they would term tSmsdies were easy enough to make by a young gentleman with a hberd command of money, but. sLwd beyond Ws^ars! Ralph Furzedon was not to be imposed upon by these m^STn^riT'^^Ir/- u ^^ aspired to mix with yS men, and he knew that the very best of the acquaintance he had made had onlv a Hn,,htfn' "faf-,- -•- ^h-- 'i"*""*"*^« 4 '--J .'iiui aiaruo III inai wav. For 5nK oM?"" °° possibility Of getting into a decent dub, and that was a point that troubled him much. It iffii; i m ill lil 20 Addle and sabre. of things, he made UD his minH /^ V'^^'^" *° '^'''' ^^ate of the UniverSfy so"elv to^ tain fh"^""'? 1° '?" ^^^^^^'"t« much ionger. but so far w^f ^°"°,'^'' "^^ University results of his experiment ""^'^ ""^^ ^^^'^^^^ ^^ t^e p4"rrr. ::;^ aSafST^-^^' -"^^^ -t their their quarters and they losrno Hm '' ^"^^ ^^"^^^ i" serious business of life^ ThaM. 1^ '" commencing the available opportunity Charl I J° ^ay. huntmg at every for breakfast one moVninn^ H "^ ''""'^ ''^^^ ^^^^^r late that respect, and genera hf"" .. "^^i ^ ^f "'^^^ «'""«r i" the course of the season ^ "'"P"^ "^ ^ ^°^^^ ^ack in mlYer;:;^e"^5ii^%r'h?nt:r^''lt.L^*^ '' ^e- W sent on, and Tnt^d ^r^T'th^^tek^^^ Tla^e^^f benef/i^'^^Lltha'l^ ^"'i ^--^on had Harrow Wood. I df resay •' ^''^' ^°" ^"^^'"^ ^^^ g«t to fas^ta'^ hr&t'oT"uVc'e?r ^"^^^ T' ^'^ ^-^'^- ofF through a line of eaksth.rii"^^ '" '^^^'^ ^^ ^"'•n'^d had seen^nothbg of^Furzed^^ led down to the wood he He looked at his ?vatch and saw thn/l "'"^^' ,°" ^'' ^^y- fancied that the hSs had not ^^^ V^f^^^^^ ^ ^t'" he galloped rapidly on and as hi/ ^f *t^ ^°^^'"- «« caugft sighfof'lLVrn difficulties Tt^hei^' "''^^ «^^^' side. It had swunff to anH h^r t ^ ^^^^ "" *"e far allow her to open if A Jit ^^".^^^^^ ^^s too fidgety to little n-. V openflnd'theti"? brnte^^^hi'lmtt -^'^ '' ^ get^ o^ .itched it out of her hand ^n^Patience to as h^Ssel hi h:t''^ '^ ^^^^ ^°^ y-' • -claimed Charlie, ^ of th^ man's ke to this state to the restraints he had in view, the University satisfied at the irried out their Once settled in ommencing the tinting at every own rather late rible sinner in I cover hack in ^ettice. " Re- you no doubt kless slave of Furzedon had re you get to ver his break- len he turned ) the wood he ■ on his way. ' late ; still he le cover. He le next field, ite on tne far too fidgety to she get it a tnpatience to med Charlie, lorse woman, :his morning f we are late, THROWN OUT. 91 By this time Charlie had got the gate open, and held it while his new acquaintance made her way through. '• 'Twas so late," she said, gaily, as they cantered across the next held together," " that my husband declined to wait any lonj^^r for me. Husbands are capable of such thmgs at times, and I daresay you will give the verdict against me on an occasion of this sort. But surely," she exclaimed, " we are not riding for the next gate." " No," answered Charlie. " But I know every yard of this country by heart. If we slip through the gap at the top here, it is nothing of a jump, we shall find a" similar place in the next fence, which will take us down to the top end of the cover. It's a great cut, and if I know anything about It, we haven't a minute to spare. Listen I " he exclaimed, as the full-throated chorus rang musically on their ears. " Those hounds will be away almost immedi- ately, if they are not already" And Charhe pressed his hack to a gallop, and led the way at a pretty sharp pace in the direction he indicated. As they cleared the fence there was a crash of canine tongues that was a revelation to a fox-hunter. " They are away, by Jove ! " cried Charlie, " and on the far side the cover, I am afraid. I will do my best for you but they will take a deal of catching. As for me, I am clean out of it, unless by miraculous luck I happen to pick up my hunter at the cover-side. I've rather taken it out of my hack already, and, though good of his kind, he is hardly equal to catching hounds that have slipped you." *« Too true," exclaimed the lady, as they jumped into the field adjoining the cover ; " they're gone, and apparently everybody else." Charlie made no reply, but sat down and bustled his hack round the top of the cover, his fair companion keep- ing close at his heels ; but when he got to the other side, and found nothing but a small group composed of a couple of gamekeepers in velveteens and half-a-dozen labourers, he realised that his prediction was only too fatally fulfilled! -, : ' — — ^'a'- '^' li"^ iiunivt, aiiu, \vOisc ami, no like- lihood of his reaching the. hounds. These, indeed, were .dro^ily out of sight, and their vicinity only to be judged aj SADDLE AND SABR£. , " Ah I ■• she iaid. S5f Wh „n A'' """.W ''■ke »! it. fellows n affliction I. ; '*"8"ing, half pouting, " we are gallop, and sdil^VU^f^^^^^^^^ 1° '^?J°^* "?<^ only ourselves to blame for ft vl? '^T" *^^* ^« ^»ve laughter triumphed over n^f .. In • V ^^® continued, as both victims of our own^sSr^ '° her mood, '< we are ourselves from our p.Tlows^ thif""'; ^^ ^°"^^"'^ ^^ar restra. 1 our appetites it 7h« k ,^"*"n»n niorning, nor we to do ? •• ^^^^^ ** ***^ breakfast-table. Whtt are run"hSL^^^^^^ "Lost a demoiseJie th^rown on mv te^ what to do with." ^ *'*"'^^' '^^°°' I have no idea accepttL^^Si^e"^^^^^ ",-"d i^ you wiU kindly They jogged alo^g for^ome7t«5;" ^°^ ^"."^^•" were now plodding alon^at^?^ httle t,me in silence, and his companion, wo^dd ISnT^hlm f ' m ^\^^'^ ^ rc'ssed n '. glancing at lid take of it. Jng, " we are e lost a good that we have continued, as )od, " we are couldn't tear Jorning, nor What are s. "Lost a ?ot a strange ave no idea 5 out of the fily on, and with them will kindly lands." iilence, and ie informed n Gorge, a ■y probable ^g at that the hirit • aud vMre iioptiess ; luestioned ^B for the luanimity, iary," she all make I should *s simply write in, 'Was an indolent idiot.' I've no doubt it has been thr run of the season, so far. What a fool I shall 'eel when tijey are all talking it over at dinner this evening." ••Yuu vv in't deem me too curious," said his fair com- [o uon, •♦ if I ask the name of my fellow-sufferer ? " I am Charles Devereux," he replied, "and hve at North Leach, where we have been settled time out of mind." "Devereux," she replied. "You are a brother, no doubt of that handsome Miss Devereux who rides so well ; ^^? are neighbours ; my husband, Major Kynaston, has taken The Firs, which no doubt you know, for the season. ' •' Yes," replied Charlie, *« I know the place very well. It is about ten miles from us. I hope you like it. The owner never lives in it, but it is nearly always let for the hunting ijeason, though people don't so much care about it in the summer time. The fact is, it is a widely-scattered neighbourhood, and though we natives don't mind the long (listancQs between our houses, yet strangers are apt to think them impossible." " They certainly strike me in that wise," replied Mrs. Kynaston, laughing, «• though I suppose, after all, it doesn't matter if you have plenty of horses. But if I mistake not, I turn off here, and so shall no longer be a trouble to you." " Yes, you are close to home, which I only wish I was. My horse will have had enough of it before I get him back." " Good bye," replied Mrs. Kynaston, as she extended ne- hand ; " I trust the next time we meet, it will not be lo pass such an unprofitable day." Mrs. Kynaston laughed as she trotted homewards. " It IS a blow, a sad blow, my dear," she muttered to herself ; " your good-looking cavalier was blind, both to your charms and his opportunities. Thereare plenty of men I wot of who would have thought a day well spent at Kate Kynaston's bndle-rein. This fox-hunting is a very brutalising amuse- ment. I don't helievp Mr. D^vf^rAnv lrnn.>rc i.rl-1^4- T'~. i;i._ *!..•_ minute. He was chafing all the way at having lost his beloyed sport. As a gentleman, he couldn't refuse to take H SADbLfe ANb SABRfi. K^^^LZZTosTllt^^y^^^^^ ^r, I reallymieve if , follow him as I best mLh^ T. • f""""^^ ^^^^ been feft to to do with his n^i:hlpZfueri^^^^^^ ^ad nothing have spoken to me again '' "*^''^>' ''^^'^^e he would neve? ture. That young S e^m^n^?£l"^^^u^^^'^ misadven- msensibletohisfair^compam^n^ ^^ "° "^^ns about hunting. As before s.,H if J^^' V.^' ^° enthusiast one it was excusabl? hat he ^^7^ l'^^^K^"^^**^«nty- about it ; no woman's smile at nri ^^ ^ ^'/j^^ ^^^^^^^^d hi? eyes with having haT all the^biTnr"^^ ^^'"P^^^ ^« minutes, and now aft*»r ho • ■ °^ a real good fiftv was with a Roormany w'r^ ,^'^ ^"" ^-e S horse, and haunted Jith ?h^ TdeT thJJu'°"'t °P * ^'^^^ real good run, And he had J^S ^ ]^^/^ ^^^ been a He knew that they had fom.d ' and%l°""^^' ^""^ ^° ^^'^^'^g- at a rare pace to Lrt wJS as he 1.1?^"/ ^n^' -^^^^ainly he had got of what miX A. . ^^"^ ^''°'" *^e ghmpses The hounds anTtheTeadL dfv,'3'''^.'^t 'f °^ *^^ ffeW. sight of. Then he wSd'ho^ Fur'zed^^^^^^^ Then came speculation as to wh^l ,^\^^^^^ had got on. chief rivals. Had tLv hi ,** /"''^ had attended his Whom had fort" efavoLdPAn^^^^^^^ ^-'"^ '^'^ ^ the proud .distinction of haviL t^il °/°"^'^ ^>^ ^^^^^^ to Then he began to think nnZ^ " r"? .^'■°"t throughout ? '•Yes." he riflected ertcallv ^^ht?J ^'' ^"*^ ^omp^nion sits her horse very n eel v She w.c V^^*^ '"°'"*"' and '^ectly^ I wonder whether she 17^.^*? T *e°' "^^^^ ^o^" and what sort of a felloL Vrl- ^""^ °^ ^ horsewoman, should say, or he wouldn^ S°'i Kyn?ston is. Keen, I by herself"^' I don^uppo^ m?ni^^' ,^' ^^^^ *° ^°"ow on I shotUd have heard KksS^akoTh^"^^'^^^'" y^*' °r man " he exclaimed, as His hacrm.^ *''"•, "°^^ "P' old •• we've only anothe'riour mSs to do" ^^^^^'!? ^^"'"ble. take your own time to do it onTv Hnn^^ "'"'"' t"^ ^^^ ^^^all The hack seemed to underst.nH i, 5 u *° '^'^^P o^'^*' it.'' him, for he pricked „n"rffl"^._^.^^^ ^'^ ."taster said to accord to jog on. ^^^^^ P^;^K:^t^t:^VZ THROWN OUT. really believe if lave be^n left to e I had nothing he would never X pretty accur- t his misadven- by no means s an enthusiast and at twenty, httle conceited •Id compare in real good fifty IS fun, here he 3me on a tired e had been a >r so thinking, ivay, .certainly I the glimpses il of the field, never caught I had got on. attended his tting away? i lay claim to throughout ? J companion, woman, and >o, most cor- lorse woman, is. Keen, I to follow on them yet, or ^old up, old ird stumble, id you shall ep ovfer it." ster said to of his own voke to the 25 fact that he was pretty close to his own stable, and de- termined that the sooner he got his day's work over the better. Charlie, as he anticipated, found himself the first home, as he had been the last to start. That he should vent his ill-humour on the luckless groom, who had charge of the missing hunter, was only natural. The poor fellow had done his best, but his master not turning up he had had to acton his own inspiration, and had unfortunately waited at the wrong end of the cover. He had then followed at a respectful distance, with three or four second horsemen who had fallen into the same mistake This much ouly could he tell — that the hounds had run straight awdy from him, and this by no means assuaged the wrath of his angry master, who, having informed him that he was a perfect idiot, strode into the house. As the groom remarked to his fellows, with considerable justice, " It wasn't my fault. How am I to know which end of a wood a fox will break ? If Mr. Charles had only been in time, we should have changed horses all right, and then he could have judged for hisself." Mr. Charles Devereux that night at dinner found that his instinct had not deceived him He had to face a fire of merciless chaff about his coffee-house proclivities. He learnt that they had had a capital run with their first fox, who, after an hour and forty minutes, with only one check, had fairly beaten their: ; how that they had a capital second gallop in the afternoon after a fox which was brought satis- factorily to hand ; and then, after the manner of sportsmen over their wine, they spared never a point nor details of the day's doings. They quoted every village and cover they had been near ; from Winnington Scrubs to Bubbleton Brook, not a point was spared him , till even Furzedon, who had gone satisfactorily to himself through the whole business, rather winced under this little geographical victory. Es- pecially cruel to the outsiders are fox-hunters when they get to full cry over the wine cup, and recount their won- drous accounts over Dabchick Pastures, or some similar Inr ali fv in «rhi*«Vi r><"«Krt/^.r K..* « f^« u.,~i. -•_!- doctor ever found themselves ; and then came a sharp 9ross-examin?^tion of how Charlie himself had spent hi« n 26 sadole and sabre. hul'c^.?c^n^er^^^^ -<» -% and his ill- very soon gave ovf r Sj\P,!° ^5?^ PflpaBle, that they --that the name of Mrs Kvn '^An ^"^^ t^^ng was curious whether it was acc,^en\ oHhetherhf .^^1 ^^«P«' misssion would lead to fi,S,J^ u ! "® thought the ad- sister and Furzedon. I can ^saJ ^\"*"' °" *?^ P^^* o^ his fact that it was so. ^^' *^®^® merely remains the IV.— "Lincoln Spring." which regulates its winter' hvfhlp- mysterious world respect tS weather oTamanL- a m^i?-^ ^^^^"^^^ ^^^J'^"* potted from frost and snow h„V r." ^"^ sometimes post- weather, and yet which aTtracts fni?^u'^ '"^« ^" ^^^^r denizens of the adjoiniL connH.c . * ^" the sport-loving great body to wh^ racing is a bu°inS ^^'^^Sof that been growling over the inf cHnn .f A 'f ' ^""^ ^^° ^ave months, TheTeismoLytobrma/eatV^^^^^^ two or three though It more often falls to th^K^ i, Lincoln, no doubt, than to the sanguine backer «h^"i^fef *° ^^^^er i capital on some^ p?obaWv^^^^^ ^"^^^^s Ws present form the sK have L » if . ^-i"^' °^ ^^^^^ sides these, there were the ^If ?*'*? '^^^- ^"t' ^e- from Yorkshire, from SottinghaSre a"^^^^^^ contingents Hard riders from the Ouorn f kT!I J t't "^ Leicestershire, from the Fitzwilliam from th. P^^'m^^^^"^ *^^ ^edale, voir-_aIl interested™; the oSen^r^^?^^^ '^^ ^^1- and the Gone Awav Pllf^ ?^t ^^^^Pj^chase, the Hunt, that some of th^ or for Ih^ "^..°^ '^i''^^ '^ ^ probable other weU- wr^^LS^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^-^ozen "LlNCOtN St'RING." ^7 ilkv, and his ill- pable, that they ing was curious passed his lips, nought the ad- the part of his ely remains the urf campaign, sterious world endar without metimes post- rule :n bitter B sport-loving thing of that ad who have two or three )In, no doubt, to gather it V invests his "e, of whose 5a. But, be- contingents sicestershire. the Bedale, nd the Bel- J.the Hunt, is probable lalf-a-dozen congregated «s chapter. o the races. B| i^qd with them were the Kynastons, for by this time a considerable intimacy had sprung up between the two houses; and then had not both the Devereux an^ Major Kynaston both got a horse runnmg? The old man was as keen as possible to see his son nde the winner both of the Hunt Steeplechase and the Gone Away Plate. In the former the Devereux had entered their four-year-old, of which Miss Lettice had thought so highly at the beginning of the hunting season, while the Major had picked up something a little before Christmas, that he had ascertained was pretty fast, and had hunted it just sufficiently to qualify. Tha North i?ach people, indeed, knew very little about th^ Major's r^^otenous purchase. Seen him, of course, they had ; but, wliether Mrs. Kynaston was on his back, or the Major he was never seen prominently, if there was anything like a run. The lady, although she rode nicely, was by no means given to hard riding. She enjoyed the sport in her own way, and by no means aspired to eclipsing other habits that might be out by witching horsemanship. Charlie Devereux was by this time amongst Mrs. Kynaston's devoted admirers, and she had not a few. One special trait that recommended her much in that young gentle man s eyes was that she did not want a " lead," or expect to be taken care of after the find, and always bade him not waste his chance of a good start by dallying too long at her side. About the Major nobody in that country knew much, although there were plenty of people in the London world that could have told a good deal concerning him. Lounging on the lawn, his hands buried in the pockets of his ulster, was Gilbert Slade; he had come across with some friends from the country house in which he was stay- ing to see the first big handicap of the season run, and at this moment one of his friends came up and suggested that they should go up to the top of the stand and see the race. Gilbert readily assented. "It's a grind to get there," he said, •• but there's nowhere that 3^ou can .see the race so well from;" and the two accoruuigly toiled up the narrow little stone staircase that led to the roof, which they found already thickly peopled " How are you, Jocelyn ? " said a tall, good-looking fel- V''" 2t SADDLE AND SABRE. Bitter on this ■:',l" low, Standing a pace or two in advance of th^m .. cold weather i«;n't it? u "'^^'^''^eoi inem. '« affair ?^' " " "^^^ ^^^ ^^^ a wager o " No," replied the other. " it !«?n't nft«r> t • j . wise." ' ^^" * °"^" ^ indulge in that bel'„'',::.l;;e"?hiM™:'^'^,i:'JL\--''id I shouW have people about here backing the.r jacklr' ' °" ''"^'"K had a IdKra^Ti' '"' *""'"' " " ''^= ' ™""' ''-^ haL'.' t" o'^.rThrea^S^sfs.^;??' ™H^^^^^ ">' ^'"'-'^ moderately level terns ' ^"'^ *"' "'^^ «<" °ff. »" axciSLI^ t',";: taroung fdiL^ro h'^jr,''^ ==«=«'<••" them. "The only^ZVt e;^were afraM 'o7 '''''^?>,^.'' mare getting a bad start: but sh?f Sot „ff ■ L *", """■ For once the owners Afthft I ?^ off nght m front." right in their caruhiSL^concernWrv "l"^ S"^"' before they had KOne a aMr^»r ^f ^m* ^',^ handicap: got a clean lead of her field I^rf fl ^ "S''' "'^ S'''*" had caused her backers t'e"mll"„1'Jre2,w' st"'^'? on improv nff her lead wac ,,^ ""easiness, bhe went finallf ran hLe an easrv^innor bvTa^f f P--°"h'=d, and "Well," said Gilbert^™^ever^saw s"u;h°f " '"'^■'•'• as that in my life in a bie race • »nS „! ". "*^" ^ procession forage for fo^od. A no«h easl w^n^ 'i'"""' ' ™'' «"= edly hungry." * '""'' ™^''«s me confound- respect' Ther'e'Ts'nortSat ^T '^ '""^^ " "'h^' "> »hat .h|genera%";rL"„tt:i?«^^tot"" '""'^^ "' '""^'"™» case :^dTemin';:';hrr,f„chel^''°""K'''^. "°"'i=d «-'■ and there v,as "ppa^n ?;t"l?rh°anie''"„f '' Iir- '"""K^'' • standing room at one of the tables obta.nmg even .roi^;uV;rh^,;:;;irteW';;fe^L^:"oSr'^^^^^^^^^^ hlvrde;;;?fd evSythini;." """'■ ""'' '»="»t'^"wiU them. "Bitter wager on this indulge in that . I should have )f the Siren are all our leading e I would have it the starter's they got off, on be satisfied," fore addressed of was their ight in front." e had proved 5ig handicap; the Siren had 3ut, she never ss. She went proached, and lozen lengths. 1 a procession ver, I vote we me confound- rather in that e of luncheon •owded stair- 'as thronged ; taining even have to con- Whpn wo ■ locusts will LINCOLN SPRING." 49 " Let s come away," rejoined Gilbert with a smile. " It's too much for a man in my state to watch his fellow-crea- tures feed." And the two young men pushed their way down stairs with the determination of assuaging their hunger with tobacco. They had barely reached the centre of the lawn, when a portly, clean-shaven gentleman, with rosy cheeks and a good-humoured smile on his face, suddenly exclaimed, " Good-day, Mr. Jocelyn, I hope you like the chestnut ? " •• Best horse I've got in my stable, Devereux. I only wish I could afford to come to you for another^ You never miss Lincoln Spring, do you ? " " No, nor the Autumn either : but we are come down a large party this time. We're going to have a shy at a couple of the local races. There's a coach load of us all come to see Chadie win, we hope. By the way, gentlemen, will you have a glass of champagne ? or mebbe you've had no lunch ; I know by old experience that it's pretty rough- and-tumble work getting anything to eat in there." " Well, we couldn't, Devereux, and that's all about it.' replied Jocelyn laughing; «'if you can get us anything, you d be doing a real charity." "Come along," said the old gentleman, with a jolly laugh. " The missus, when she has an outing, likes to do it comfortable, and you may depend upon it, when she gets on the coach it's well victualled." " Manna in the wilderness, by Jove," whispered Gilbert as they followed the old gentleman across to his drag, where the dSbris of luncheon still lingered. The two gentlemen were quickly introduced to the ladies, and hospitable Mrs. Devereux insisted upon their coming up on the drag, and having their luncheon " quite comfortable." "I think we have met before, Mr. Blade," said Mrs. Kynaston, with a bright smile. " Of course," replied Gilbert, " I remember you at Lady Ramsbury's garden party." "Ah, Mr. Slade," said the lady, laughing, " I'll give you one bit of advice. There is nothing so dangerous as remem- bering too much. It couldn't have been at Lady Rarus- Jd SADDLE AND SABtlt of this pig^D pie and nSrt S ""' ^ive you some to yourself, • Ah, ihTfeJ-m; ^'h™ rwa'sTunC' ' """'" Thank you," rejoined Gilbert, laughZ *^.7- ,, ;, nly guess how huno™ I ™ »."? V;*' *"" ". you 1 am aufthe.?„i;"'^r;3«')?5' S'^* we":^n any hurry to as from the Gr?„7s,a„d ; whLTsforX'T^^" "^ T" in furs and rugs there ™= T^ 1 . • '"? '^'''«=' swathed their seat? n w x A "° *«™P'atioii for them to leave wards tewee° the il?nd'.r;; 7" '{"''wards and for! He had a large and nume?™.l "^"'"S '*™ continuously, sequently shfking hanrrd ^^"J"^'"*^°«.. fnd was ccn- fri^nds. SuddeX cSblrt.^ ,»"^^"''""« 'i""' ^'"^ °W the lively co„ve;i^,iS;t^LToTdi°g"«:;;'hVtTv'/r by an exclamation from Miss Devereu" Ky"«ton dreaS°ol£:=7;oLhe;e'^."™''™'''^'''^ "■«^= "1 — ho'; fte' hor,haTcf rrtlTu so™',',' "j^ ^P"^''' " '° ^' '™«i»S'r° Ke. hia^inTmef:; Jh 'bTgtan'dl^lf '^ *""^ " " Yet thXou'l^hf ri|°/"„ rifaf ^^ ^^^^"^ tt-oSifw^a-'- " Fur.edon," .hougi;rGiLr""4'^e"r rf'heard "LINCOLN SPRING." 31 that name only the other day ? Ah I" hf> ninf*«r<»^ ♦^ w self, "in Limmer's Coffee Room That's thfm.n Ji"'" mentioned as having felled an unh;ppy wretch inThe Ha/ market, ^ ho hurled after him a malediction so terrible as to have attracted the attention of those fellows who saw ?t and they were a festive lot, to whom a row in Those n^t J was no novelty; "and then Gilbert dismissed the ma?ter TnS'L"'';^' ^"^ '^""^^ °°^^ "^°^^ t° his fair compTnbn on^f ""^ *^^ numbers went up for the Gone Awav P Lte' and there was great excitement on the top of thL Jraf to see Charlie's performance. Both Mr.; K\rr..*S^^ ? Lettice had a small venture b the succeS^oV (^h°.r?"^ mount, which they regarded as already won Couhl thev have overheard a conversation between th^ MaS and a seedy, sinister mdividual at the back of the Sn/dl they^would not have felt quite so sanguine affiTe iflt^'v H°V' ^*^^ *^? ^^"^'^' " I k""ws yot:r horse well Knew him before you had him, and you're auS riS he s just the sort to pick up these humers' stTkes oi^he tht' h2' T^ y^"' yo^haven't got it all your own way this time. There's another partv trvin^ in^f tiZ \ ^ game. I've tio idea which of y^has'^go^t '^eht^ ofT but remember there's another horse in the -ace wWrh^l « ' more a hunter than yours is." ^^"'^^ '^ ""^ !! IL^^'^V^^^ °^ what yo" say, Prance ? " Quite," rejoined the other. ;; Confound it I've got a good bit of money on this " "Well, you tell your jockey to keep his eye on The Decoy. And wow, Major, times are haVd. anf fX vou %h °M *^^* ^^^^'-'^f ion « worth a sovereign to you -^ The Major paused for a second, and then unbuttonpH hie overcoat took the coin from hi^ wastcoat pocket *^^^^^^ handed It to his companion. pocKet, and "Thank you, sir," replied the tout, for such he was I ve always run straight with you, Major, and I?J n^ite nr.. ^n^ =ccouu. aim it 11 be a race between 'em.' I hone for your sake, sir. yours is good enough to win." And thereupon Mr. Pr^nc^ vanished with the utmost celerity. li' r 3a SADDLE AND SABRE. 1,1 li!, and fmined:ateIvinvesf<:>H fK^ three-quarters of the distrnr.r^ ? ^*^' ^^*^^ galioping the Major's black jactt was seen" in T *^ ^^^^^t.^anf cry arose from th'e Stand^of ^f Lh p^ ''^^^•'' ^^^^' ^n^ a Roy in a canter ! " butMr ^ . ^°^ wins ! " " jj u rect in his diagnosis of tt Vac?"" ^'' '^^" °"^3^ *°« co - righ? a^S^^rf^^xt'^Dto™^^^^ --usly moment had told him that th J; *^.! ^^J^"" «* t^e last which he might apprehend danlr^'%^^t"" ^""^^^^ ^o^ The Decoy was rfo neophvte^h "' u J^^-^h gentleman on races, was a far more TS^ ^ t^^"^ "^^^^ many more was quite as well awlre as "- ^ 'i^' '^^" Charlie and nothing but* Rob RoJ?o beat^ TrlP'T"!^^.*^^* ^^ had Penence, the minute he caf^I'o ^"^"^^'"f *«> Charlie's inex- his track, the former cast W."^^^ he followed directly i„ could see nothinrof h!l / '°"' ^^^"^^« "ght and lef^ what astonished ^at the ntn"r^"' adversary! but some Charlie raced stead ly home S^ff^'^""? °^ '^^e Dec^y, mg the Stand, like a S h. "^^^t^ J"'* ^^^^re reach crimson belt of Mr. Sexfon's mLf T k-^^ ^^^^^ J^^^et and him a mtle, no doibt as tL K ^^ ^'^ ^'"^^hs. It flurried does most men in their first ou'bH? '^"^^' m^°'" *° ^°^^ head mar^-eIlously well and .F ^ .'■^^,^' ^*^" he kept his opponent had fairVcoiareH l^^^^"**'! he saw that hs he sat down and began r^dinJ'" °PP°''*^ *he Stand that no use, his crafty op^nt ha! aL'T"'** ^"* >* was o oi him. and, to say nS/of k • "^^^^^ ^ "^^^^ the best horse, was certainV^he more exnf °" ^'I^^P' ^he bes he pair. He, toof be|arto ridfM "*if^ " finisher " of fashion, and not only hill thp .5 ? ^°f^ '" resolute but improved it to a good half lenl^Sf ^t ^^^ ^^^led! wmnmg.post. ^ ^" ^^^^th before he passed the <^^o7%:'£^^ll^£(,^r^^^^^«.d half I.„ghi„,, „„ — ...ic, piciiscd to term Mr c«„i . ~ — •''-'^ '^^ ^o ^u term Mr, Sexton's unscrupulous ihadjustreceived r. f the drag as the after galloping the straight, and Clear lead, and a r wins ! " «« Rob 2en only too cor- ooked anxiously ajor at the last 'ne quarter from 56 gentleman on den many more an Charlie, and eux that he had • Charlie's inex- »wed directly in -s right and left sary, but some- )f The Decoy, t before reach- lite jacket and hs. It flurried close to home 111 he kept his 2 saw that his he Stand that But it was of neck the best haps the best " finisher " of ^ in resolute ? had gained, he passed the laughing, on Jpion. There IVfo f/x*- -a- ■*- - -j^J•i as JO inscrupulousi "LINCOLN SPRING." 33 conduct, totally ignoring that Mr. Sexton had only sue- in.', hJ^h '^^' ^' ^^? ^^^^^ ' *^^t otherwise their p Led- P > ^T P'^^^^^ejy similar, and there was considerable hilarity on the part of Mr. Prance, who had succeeded in adding three sovereigns to his store. u^^eeaea in "Very bad, Miss Devereux," said Slade. -but we can only say that your brother, though defeated, was iTot dfs graced. No man could have made a better struggle for it and we can only say that it was his ill-luck to encounter an enelny a litfle too good for him " 'counter I doubt whether Gilbert's uncle Norman would have given quite so merciful a verdict. I think he woii d have said, 'He rides very nicely for a young one but the old piactitioner did him at tL finish^ If\e had nmde the most of the conimanding position he held when he got into caugtt'him.'' '''^'^ ^°"^' '^^'' ^''""y -ver^havLg " Good-bye, Mrs. Devereux," said Slade. " Of course we shall see you aU here to-morrow, and then I trust yol; own jacket will be hailed the winner. In the meantime counl.nfT^'^'v * '"^ V^""^ y^*^ f°^ y^^' kindness o a hr^^l i^"^^^hing wayfarers. And now here come your horses, and we must say good-bye " ^ hi ^°'^;^^^;" '^^""I?^^ the hospitable old lady. " Good- tooutl'Se^art^ufr^ ''"" ^" "^^^^^ *'^ *^° ^-"^ -- JIiP^K^I ^°°^.fi"d that," said Gilbert, as he and Tocelyn walked back to Lincoln. " Very pleasant people, aid they have entertained us royally. What are they exactly ?"^ People who have farmed in the Woldo for centuries and on a large scale. The old man is held in the highest respect, and almost treated as a squire by the sea fered gentlemen around him. As for Mrs-Valn you appar off t^he"S:,n7°5? '^r'u^'' *^"^ ^ ^^^^ ^ h^P^ they'lf ^u 1 hIh ^""t Steeplechase to-morrow, for they were evi- dently sadly disappointed about being beaten to-day," m m m t ■ J; 34 SADDLE AND SABRR ill!!' 1 ii 'I • v.— The Hunt Stfeplechase. -who, like himself, pick^up!^^^HoSri^tj'^"'T no means stratla;ed fashion kJaX. , ^ """S '" » by was Utterly translormeSrhe ftarleS ^a "ffT"'.' ';\""^' stung; and had any of thise whn h,H •. ''°. ¥"* ''==" in the Haymarket been ores^t t^ l'".'?'''''' *e/<-ar-« noticed the same look of iS^Iw ''^^^ *«y would have havel cwld'^f-fST^^ ^--^^'/'^et me ever Mr. Furzedon. L all I ow. vn,^^ you quittance in full, be numb for e;irin this w^rSy''""'^™^^""^ ^"^ ^°"g"« ablfble^s^bllrvoS'o'nrsra^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^"-^-n- ful whether he would have btn '£ k '^ °"- ^* '^ ^°"bt- Prance's thirst frvengeanL had h^"h^ perturbed at Mr. had been far too consS of hie ^^^"^ ^^^'"^ ^^ ^^- He to say nothing ^^^^^^'^^^^/^y^ deeper than the blow he had1^?u'k'h mlw "•*'?^ *^° ^^3^ the supper rooms had been trpn=A ? ^^'^^ "'^^'^ ^^t^^de spectators, but what that^^'^^'Pf'^f"*,^^^" *« the casual matter between themsdve^ On^ of tl P^"''"' ^""^^^" « tout came across when h'; h^d mLl h ''* P"''°"^ ^^^ enclosurewasMajorKvnasto ^h ^'' 7^^ '"*° ^^^e hi., race card ^y^^sto who was carefully studying ♦'Well, sir." he said, '^what I told you yesterday was THE HUNT STEEPLECHASE. 35 lifd'TrSlcdy'"' " ™ ^ ^"^^'°- fi' bet.^- yours young ™i' Rt'elS ri-r "^'' ' l""' '^ ■"-"-te lot ofVac ice It w ' ' «'«^.' everythmg else, requires a .hinJ?:.tyTllSVouffw?""^^' "'' ' findlutany. himSf'lfl;a°cet'u2\nr'' '\'= P^^"^ ^'O-^ «« <>' away by what he mS'^i ""r'''' "° ™^"' ♦» be led knew from former SoerlS., "^ '^""" ? •,?"* = P""<:e. he now and aS as ^1^ ca'srof Z'!'' i'"'?""'* *"• ^"^ had come by a bit of gl° „'il:fo°/jS:'^y ' "^'' '""^ dra'^^n" u'';r;;osi,i''[?f • i.rd' "^hT'i^'"'"''-^-"'^ spirits, and confident in the extreme Jf^l'f T' '" ''ieh ■n the Hunt Steeplechase In ™i- "^k V "'' ^"'^'^ against such extrei^e confidence "Tve a JJ1A°""°? know, Lettice " he sairf • ''Vt,;* i '^^ * ^ood horse, I I did yesterday." ' ■"" ' "^^^ ""»' => better, just as upon^rrL'g'v*Ic'o«i?S'^ «'? ' " "= «'''»' don't disappo"m us !° ^°"'' ^=^'=''' ^""^ ">'nd you next to nothing about it w. f ^"^"^i^ ^^y* ^ ^"ow Doncaster, anSVhave beln ^if^^^' \t^ '^^ '°^^^ *° father kno^s Lmcorraces well 1^7°;.?''' ''2"^- ^X ever came here beforeTan-^two t^'"'f ff ^°?^^ ^ Charlie's first appearance a^ 1 Ih . A 'V ^^"°"r o^ his county." ^^^^'^^^^ ^^ ^ rider at the big meeting of » ml I mi Vi 3< SADDLE AND SABRB. nf T ^"^'■^y'" implied Miss Devereux. " I know verv little of London and its gaieties, although, of course I Im awlr^ what great gatherings of fashion Those two ace meetTn^s ir ^^M""^ ^^""y plain, humdrum people. A run to ?hp sea when the crops are in constitutes our summer ^aiotv SLon'shf ^ ' '''• ^^'^^ *° -y aunrs't^'sTJt'h m^rrll ^^t '^ P^P^^ ^'s*er, you must know and marned a man who was in some kind of business i^Lon co^V ?u^'^y-''.'\^ ^"°^ ^J^at, but he hasleft her a verJ comfortably off widow, and she knows a lot of people an J I^.always have a very pleasant time when I^g'^t^'stay a very bustling woman, who enjoys life keenly, entertains herself a good deal, and goes to evervthin^ T ifo^ : irTno^'of sr^r^^^''' withTe&;hat-s 'n raJytr^and y^artSf fr^^^^^^ ^^"' ' ^"^ -^^ have " I have had my fling." rejoined Slade, quietlv • «♦ b.,f T Lldof T' r^."'" ""''y °^*^" ^^^^'^'^^ alon^way from i^ondon. Just at present I am at Alder «; h nf -t.,; "and tis I'hTfir.f ''^ r*'" ^'"J°^"^^ M^«« Devereux, ana tnat is the first and most important sten in mv t^h^ntrrTcl^^ ' ^"*-*'^^^' ^^^ --^- - "P --5; S have'^fult Sfihed t^il''''' ^""^^;"^- L* ^ ^"^ ^^^id they ^n^Qi-iiilfi ^ f J^^^ ''^''^' and we have actually been really interested in anyThiigC'the^'gllS sS^Lhas^:" i of Ascot and THE HUNT STEEPLECHASE. 37 got a fortune on the sky-blue jacket and "hte sleeves " don t often go in for a gamble, but I have asked Mr P„r zedon to put n,e ten pounds on Pole Star!" ^"^ I hats plunging with a vengeance," rejoined Lettice CharlirtellT^'i [T^^'^" '«°°^ "J^^' °f mone^ But atom hiltouTt."''' '^ ''" «°' -"^ «"y P-nds'to fiv"e prL! M'isJttut w;;.-t ^x™;- -irvorfft?^ a monopoly of it Thf» nnh, fK; *u V^ enjoy almost which tS bLk of-the^two°btthrs^(^t: ,7:; &he"yVI onX^>'ri^^^t'ST-'!, '"^ ^i'Hcu/tr.ste bro;|r^n:s^?"r„v;:UrrK,tsi.'''-^'''™^^^'''^ George Fletcher's mount is first favourite " r^nl,-.^ Jocelyn. .' but I noticed some very sLwd fa mers t£ the longer odds about Jim's horse. Don't think me at^'p^ h^5'rgo?rt-i-^^^^^^^^ at the fini h stni «ft>. "T" '"'?^t^"'^ to the winner » at we?e all h^iti'/ °"«'' ?"' °^ ""^ half-score runners nothing but "the Fletchpr^ -p";;r' ^V'^j^^'^i^y' ^dicvedin ravourL. ar^d Ji^Kt?; n.^u^i^^d^L^I'soTaptSly'-S! 38 SADDLE AND SABRfi. brother's. It is not verv d^ffi.f U^^J^ °^ P?'"*^ ^^^^"d his on a three-mile race 7fpw , ?^^*u '^''?^*^^ ^ ^o* of horses to be recovSed in f'slforf d.if"^^'' "^^^^ ^'^ often never little accounMn the W rr °" *^^ ^^*' ^'^ °f very very few ^nu^es tLy a?eTwr°"Fo7r?^?'u^",? ^" ^ nothing takes a very dedded 7ead • ft thi .'nH^I l^^^"^'^^ Jim Fletcher's black iacket shnol' 51 f I.""^ °^ *^^* *^™e andmanyofhisbacklrr.f J decidedly to the front, ■ as they r^urmur. ^^ °'' '^"^' infatuation, " The iavourite's the real hpa aff«r oii j t- . making running for his brother '' and that 'thf<= ^'"^ '' °"^^ was shared by the iockevrHrliA^ f ^u *^^^ impression bable. as CharlefDivereux an^^^^^ T.t '""'"^^ P^°- to him, as ftalso dM o ot of hk Sl'*"^ '"'^ """"^^ green jacket, that they were le tin! nmfw'T' '" ? ''"«'" dangerous distance in fron heVurned 1 ^''^ «f ' ^ T^ S-el-St^tflo^'rhe'^^l"??^''^^^^^^^ he muttered "" """'>' '""Shed low in his La'd,f s fa™„'„^e&trtU™;„'„V:^l'>f ."-''-^ of, the ^^rtSon^t^lfSl?^-'-'^^^^^^^^^^^^^ racing, one wav Tnd thl „^i ° '""^ ^l" " K^^ "ieal of real,/kfairSe^t*''!hedM'seT^. '"'" "^ '"°-- "" she said" ''"?hi*hLeTt'h' ""' *!'->< i-^et slip then,," lead, theyn't^ve^^u^cceld"™ ScM^li^ti^ 'T™"""^ Mr. Devereux seems quite alive to the sftuatfon no;"^^"' THE HUNT STEEPLECHASE. 39 w/v Now .nV°"*-""u^ 1° P""^^"^ *^^ even tenor of his ZTnr. ^A ^ ^^^'" ^e shot a glance over hi«^ shoulder but could see no antagonist near him. ^^oulder, thought.^ '^" ' '"^'"^ ^^ *° ^°«^^ ^" -l°ne, surely," he jshmgthe wide gap that la^ btel^llSf'tliX Kiru^'"t^'^*^^^'"^ed Miss Devereux, " thev will catch th^ " Yis'tlirX;^^ 5?^ '™^ *^^y ^"^- the sT^aig^t .■ '''' ^es, sa d Mrs. Kynaston ; " my only fear is that h^ Miss Devereux was quite riffht ALK AND SABRE. Mil h. f sprightly a woman of her aee as anv m t ««^ V j /> "bits" in hef vP^r ^!f,L°"^°n visit as one of the best iPPPliii sTck of th. ff *r^' ^^'" ^^*^ Kynaston felt biUerf; sick ot the life she was condemned to Ippd T^i i daughter of fashionable, but mi^ecSnious patentlit h"ac^ ^fun^Tl^lt^.l^P- h- fr- ^Sr childh:o'd'rt^;he ts "if '"r" T"^'' V""" ^^' eiigibic suitor that presented him- self. Captain Kynaston, as he was then, a fast young London, fond of had got together She went every- fastidious people she mixed freely . She might be nable world, but :change the most iver figure in the Connop's chap- le of it, although, tely mansions of it: she always )nslow Gardens, lily, and never Jre ; they were ves occupation, 'Ugh place when )evereux never s. Still, Lettie 3ne of the best a little bit of the invitation. ^ since she had bility that that id to go abroad rward to seeing i; she did not ad struck up a t lady recipro- about Lettie could not but man like the : quality long ; n felt bitterly id. The only arents, it had I that she was •resented him- a fust young FURZEDON STARTS ON HIS WAR-PATH. 51 man in a crack Dragoon regiment, and with the reputation of considerably more money than he had ever possessed, seemed to Kates father to fulfil all reasonable expecta- kT' ?'^,^*'■"^^'^.^^" they came to the settlements, that battered old roue felt somewhat disappointed, but things had gone too far to retract, and he could do no more than to see that such settlement as Kynaston could or would make was tightly tied up. There is much virtue in a settlement to gentlemen of the Kynaston type, as it not uncommonly becomes to them after a few vears the sole source of income upon which they can confidently count. The Major s case was not exactly so bad as that, but with his tastes for good living, the card-table, and the race- course, his income, outside that settled on his wife, might be termed a httle precarious. ^ There were people who spoke slightingly and shook their heads over Kate Kynaston's doings, although civil enough to her when they met. Kate's audacity sometimes paralysed them and Kate's quick uig . Undoubtedly awed them. She was a dangercu.. woman to splinter lances with ; she had a quick eye for the joints m her adversary s harness; she mixed much in the world, and was thoroughly aw co«m«^ v^ith all the fashionable scandal ot that world ; and the quick, rapier-like thrust she could deliver under a traducer's guard had made women won- drous shy of personally attacking her. But for all that Wff ^Tv'i^'^^% "^u^^" ^^*^ ^'""^^ ^'"^^ly o^ this ceaseless battle ot life— of this continuous struggle to hold her own m the weary treadmill of society. It is all very well if vou fl'o!,°j;^w the heavy galleons that sail under a recognised flag, but for the dashing privateers that flaunt their own gay colours, and only hold their own by finesse, adroitness and cajolery, its fruits savour of the Dead Sea. Kate Kynaston was just the woman who in the last cen- tury might have renounced all pomps and vanities, and betaken herself to a convent, might also very probably !?1!!5° P5^?^"/|y bored with the seclusion in six months, enioryeu ugam ixito the \vorid and become more mondaine than ever ; but in the days of which I am writing this was not to be thought of; moreover, the Major, if he had no 52 SADDLE AND SABRE. great regard for his wife, would have hp^n f»,. t . permit anything of that sort Mro t ^^'^ ^^^* "'^^ ^A assented to his wishes with easv in^ff ^^naston usually had a dim perceptfon That there miSf"""' ^"' *^" ^^H some point should raise a batH<^ ^^^u""^^ ^ ^"^^ when that, should such arise Kate mi/h? ''^*^'"" *^^"^' ^"d coerce. ' ^^*^ '"'^^^ P^^ove troublesome to wJ'gi: ^nfo^tT ::n"i^?tr?o:dir^^'^ ^-^--; new being. Sf whose eSstinfe we hate ,*;,"/"^^^"iy some crosses our path, and changes the who°ec'urr7 ^'"'^' destmy Impossible to sav wLf fV,7 ^""ent of our woof of our lives may do for us b^t LT" 'u°' '" *^^ changes our fate for good or evil Mr F ''' >' ^^^^"^ months ago, was utterly unknown e^en ^hJ'''^^"' ^ ^^^ the characters in this story; eve^Charllp nJ "^'"^' *? ^" acquamtance with him was tre Welt ?.Tl'"^' ^^.°'^ scarce eighteen months- and vef Vhlf ' • ^"°w" ^^^ money freely when he Sw ! ^ li™^" ^^° c°"ld spend And i'n this^in'tance'he was' S'^! tTZJ^^'''^ ''■ his acquaintance with all the eS * ^^^^^u^hly clinch contrived to get intimate wiVh ^ ^' ^°""^ '"^^ ^^ ^^^ Rydl; J^tre't'^nd^^^fslti^f ^^ ^^^^^^^ '- chambers in fast, is meditating deeX how "h??"f °^'' ^^^^^^^ ^realc his waymto soLt^of^ome so V h'^^".* ^°^^^"^ man, callous to a rebuff «nrf „f "^ shrewd, pushing purpose, he waLrettycertafn toL?"'^''^^^" tenacity of As he had gone trthrUnter U^^^^^^ before lo^ making desirable acquaintance so he h.H i ?^f P"'P°"^ ^^ to get himself elected to a cl,?h' t^ ^ ^^^^^^ contrived en the last man to Kynaston usually nee, but the Major ::ome a time when Btween them, and i^e troublesome to other's destinies; i U suddenly some ) far never heard, I le current of our | ew factor in the | it is; his advent! Furzedon, a few] by name, to all Devereux, whose j had known him an is destined to laracters in this ■idge, not seeing j )ut of that Uni- i^ine and supper no expense was ho could spend rn for doing so. loroughly clinch ng men he had in chambers in a latish break- about working irewd, pushing ible tenacity of ind before long, sole purpose of ately contrived t, perhaps, one -nd, but had a IS known to be reater prestige. FURZEDON STARTS ON HIS WAR-PATH. 53 Like even the best of clubs, its members were rather a mixed lot. Mr. Furzedon frequented the Parthian with great assiduity ; he set himself to work to learn the names and history of the members, and it is astonishing how much a man who makes that kind of thing his business can pick up about his brethren. There are clubs of which it is said: "Tlvey never let the wrong man in there." Sheer fallacy ! The most exclusive coterie, like any other com- munity, cannot avoid falling into that mistake. If at times institutions hke the Parthian, owing to a shortness of members, are not quite so strict in their ballot, it naturally follows that the proportion of black sheep is larger, and it was in sifting the black from the white that Mr. Furzedon was now engaged. The conduct of clubmen is erratic; there is the pleasant, genial, talkative man, known to every one, but of whose life nobody can tell anything after he has passed the club porter; there is the man who dines there three hundred nights out of the year, but who appar- ently knows nobody, and invariably takes his meal in soli- tude ; there is the member who drowns you with his own affairs ; the irascible member who is in weekly communi- cation with the Committee. It was not likely that Furzedon could arrive at a slzetch of the lives of all of his brethren, but he did of a great many. He himself was merely a representative of a type found in all similar institutions, the man who invariably calls the waiters and inquires the name of any one whose face he does not know. Where Furzedon thought his inquiries satisfactory, he endeavoured to scrape an acquaint- ance. This brings in again another type of club man, not quite such a bore, perhaps, as Joe Thompson, who, as the legend goes, always commenced his insidious advances by ?/^^"^ °" ^^^ victim's corns and then apologising, but Mr. Furzedon was conscious that he must do something more than that. Club acquaintance by no means leads to intimacy with social si'rroundings. He was busy this morning thinking what houses he could call at, and Mr. i^uizedon felt gloomily that, with the end he had in view they were very circumscribed in number. There was Mrs' Kynaston, but then he did not know wiiere she was. She 54 SADDLE AND SABRE. i'^'" i always came to stav w^f h ^"^^^ ^^ ^""* ^'^^ Devereux be in town by now.^ No diffi.n l"''^^.^!,^.^ Devereu^S she had a permanent S^odf her^Jn^"^^"^ ^rs. Cohnop arrived at in the Blue Book and if hf '' T/' ^^^"^ *« ^e Dev^eux. she would ProbaWrnol'^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ ~ Srh\tS^^^^^^^^^^^ -ade his way out he passed Gilbert s"fde n^^^^^ gentleman, except at Uncoln^JZ ^i "^^^ ^^^^ that race were liot people who kSew vn' ^v\^^^ ^^^^^' ^^ a even on that occasion iTad h.r^N ^°\^'^^*^y- Furzedon words with him. but constant tAif'''^^^"^.^^ half-a-dozen down, he neveriheless nodd^H^ the pnnciple he had laid gentleman's face s7mply"expre^^^^^^^ ^'^^'^' Thai then he returned the sahitS k ^^?^ recognition, and hat. Gilbert Slade in ^oS t/uth'\'^i^^'^^ *°"^J^i"& his who it was that had bow!d to I.,,!, ' ^'^^^^ recollection of two points invaluabie To h^^'^;.^"^ Mr Furzedon had play-he had a capital memL ?or hn.f ' ^' P^^^P^^^^ to ^ That afternoon witneSed thp S'a ?*^ T."^^^ ^^^ faces. Onslow Gardens. The defnnof "'u°^ ,M^' Furzedon in all events, mastered one of the ^f^f^'^^^"'^'^ «°" had, a" had learnt how to knock nl ""^1^."? « of fashion : he a door is of no conseoT^Pn.. ^"'^y*^'"^ the knockins at of the house, wrmTo^ i^afnTh^ ''. ^^^P-prieforl hkely, if they do, pay little a?fpL" * • '*' ^nd who very to enter into^that Valt auesHon " IV^-- ^ ^m not going versant with the hLtorfof the kno^r^^J^^^l" *° *^°«^^on^ of the post, the dun, t?e axes ?hf fc ° ""■ '^' ^"°^^ borrower, the wealthy but exa^'nlr f ^^^'."^P^^^tioner, the easy to read as teleVax^f T aml.Pi^''^^' ^^^•' a;eas visitor's knock. And if th^ servL^?, ^ "1^"^. ^^^^ to the on a n^utely acknowledged sJ'.'a.^c^^^^^^^^^^ ^"^^^P^-^ted o. the nervous, timid andhesitaTin^knnl .l^' -^^ those bestow arrogance and co„.reI;:;C^oVe''Torot.t ough she and the year in town, yet o pick it up. Ah! nt Miss Devereux 3s Devereux must ingMrs. Cohnop, > was easily to be uld only see Miss •e Mrs. Kynaston lade his way out and in Piccadilly never seen that the Slades as a Mly. Furzedon ged half-a-dozen :iple he had laid Gilbert. That recognition, and ly touching his > recollection of ■.Furzedon had ne proposed to ames and faces. Ir. Furzedon in er's son had, at of fashion : he he knocking at the proprietors and who very I am not going e to those con- hom the knock petitioner, the ve, etc., are as ? only to the IS mterpreted ^y- On those ley invariably donor of the fURZEDON StAHtS ON ttlS WAR-PATH. 55 bold, audacious roulade on the knocker they are invariably cap in hand. Delicious are the errors into which these clumsy menials constantly fall, except they are servants of the very best class : the swaggering manner and a certain gorgeousness of dress will constantly impose upon them. They kootoo to the confident stockbroker, and turn up their noses at the more diffident peer. Mr. Furzedon, in all the gorgeousness of his summer raiment preceded by his dashing peal on the knocker, was just the sort of man that quiet servitors would be startled I by. There was nothing outrS about his garments, but everybody will understai I what I mean when I say that they were just a lin 3 glossy. It is difficult to explain, but a well-dressed u;.aa of the world never seems to put on a new coat. Furzedon was wont to have the appearance of having received his clothes only the night before from his tailor. Yes, Miss Devereux was staying there, and Mrs. Connop would be very glad to see Mr. Furzedon, was the answer that came down in acknowledgment of his cards. Mr. Fur- zedon lost no time in responding to the invitation, and as he entered the drawing-room Lettice advanced to meet him, and, after shaking hands with him, at once presented him to' her aunt. "Very glad, indeed, Mr. Furzedon, to make your acquaintance. I am always pleased to see any friends of my family ; and Lettie tells me that you have been staying at North Leach all the winter, and are now quite a known man with the Brocklesby." " I am afraid Miss Devereux is a little laughing at me when she says that. I certainly qan claim in one sense to be a well-known man in that country, namely, that I was a constant attendant at their meets, and had capital good fun ; but a well-known man is usually translated into a very prominent horseman with such hounds. I am afraid I wasn't quite that. They were all a little too good for me down there." '* Ah, Auntie, you must not trust to this mock humility. Mr. Furzedon held his own with most of us." " Very good of you to say so. Miss Devereux, and I'll 56 fii SADDLE AND SABRE. (t ' ,' Leach, and two verviollv '^ . ^^P'^^^ *™e at North although, sad^o sayf ihi^fa^il h ^^"'°^"u ^^^rwards, phorical for colours, you know Lc^"??~-^^^ '^ '"eta- " Never mind." exclaimed M^^r " ^""'"PJ^^nt." a Devereux without kn^wlnf ^ ^°u?°P' "I wasn't born I didn't see itTbut Charll^f^ something of these things better yet. From my recol eSn^Af" n !i'^ ^° "^^^ ^^ ^^^^ Steeplechases, the yoVng ones Z- ^ ^^'^ """* the worst of i at firsfbut o 1^ v ""^'^ ^^^ *.° ^^^ ^ ^^^^e turn the tables. There is no frT, ^'''f P'^?^'^^ ^"^ they than that youth wil be served T H ^^5^',,^^- Furzedon, woman, and never mean bnMf ^°V ^^" "^^^^1^ an old can walk - down^^^-J^^^^^^^^^^ Lettie these VsWhTfooT kt7l?'o°'^ Ti ^°^^ ^-- ^M in boys still, in spite^of what thll hL '"^''1^ P"^"^ ™^"- to the contrary. By the waT mIL 'n ^^ '"^^'^^^^ ^^^^^^ seen anything of the Kvnl/' -^ Devereux, have you town ? •• ^ °* *^^ Kynastons smce you have been °n he^lhle^^^fasTer'ln'^fa^^l"^ ^^^- -^y been 'T";'^^^ 4^rd oTmy a'r"rivaL'..' '" ^^^'^^ ^"^^^^^^ ^^ forturi^S;ltar^^^^^^^^^^^ Th^P- P-eof good r^ t&-7^ire yr s{f«r ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^l^^ojo^Md^^ '"m? F?r.^:? ^^"™P^f °^ *h- worW." '' ^^'"^ ^^^ ^y^«' he only Xd^S wITen truiTe?ht'°"^ ^^^^^^ *° ^^o- interfered very little' •nl:d"^:?th^^i^"TnT-th7'^y '^' Cambridge had been entirely his own n 3^'"^ *« t^,^.^oVe"r'°i"^ ^°"^ ^- all'dvarre^'^Se^ldte^i^ moreover, ui age now some little time cr.7 ^"' ,uan.ty emancipated fr„„ .he 4!^ Ughl' co^LTlVg^^^- LADY RAMSBURY'S GARDEN PARTY. V of the case with )ital time at North ncoln afterwards, er--that is meta 57 dians had ever attempted to exercise. After a little more desultory talk, Mr.Furzedon rose to take his leave, and received from Mrs Connop, as he did so, a cordial intima- triumnhant '""''" ■ i°!! i^ m iT^i^^l ^^^^^^ *°. '^^ ^^"^ whenever he chose D •' T Si .: u I *° "F* . ^? ^^^ ^^^° ^^^"^"t f'^om Lettice that the Kvnas- ^'r ^.^asn t born | tons had taken a house in Chester Street, Mayfair "Not a bad beginning," thought Mr. Furzedon, as he strolled eastwards " I've got my foot fairly inside that house, and It will be my own fault if I don't establish myself on Mrs. Connop's visiting list. Mrs. Kynaston too,^ can be a very useful woman to me if she likes I don t suppose that they entertain mud , but I fancy thev have a very numerous acquaintance in London, and that Mrs. Kynaston could introduce one pretty widely if she r of these things. 'li go bail he does hose cheery Hunt apt to get a little )ractice and they e, Mr. Furzedon, all myself an old le whether Lettie :an." does grow old in ig public men— I registers assert ereux, have you Du have been in have only been her surprised at re piece of good ^ou said in the th Mrs. Connop would call." inibridge." I tended to take t is good for a opens his eyes, people to whom se. They had 1 the „oing to sa, and of his He had been, id was conse- ntrol his guar- VIII.— Lady Ramsbury's Garden Party. MORE hospitable people than the Ramsburys never existed. They lived in a great red brick housed K .1, T"?"® of those modern imitations- of the old Eliza- bethan style of house such as you may see in Pont Street A^Zr- ^^u- "'^'?'* °^ \^^'^^ S^'^^""' ^nd the Ramsburys delighted in big dinners during the winter months, and in large garden-parties in the summer. What Sir John Ramsbury had been knighted for was rather a mysterv He was known as a " warm " man in the City, was Alder- man of his Ward, and though he had never passed the chair, It was always r-garded that was an honour he might aspire to any day However, he had attained the distinc- lon of knighthood the why could be only explained other- wise than that he had been the chairman of several com- mercial enterprises, supposed to have resulted in much benefit to the country, and, what was rather more to the point, m considerable benefit to Sir John Ramsbury.' ,n ^Jf y ^^^^^'^"^ys " gardens " were a well-known feature m the London season. The company might be a little mixed, but there were plenty .of right good^ople always 58 SADDLE AND SABRE. Mil putting money int6^is friends' pockets is a power ^ ,-fc f^n'^ has never been a time when fashion in pursuit of Its follies did not grovel at the feet of Plutus How onr neighbours bowed down at the shrine of Law and many of us can remember when to sit at the table oHhe RaUwav After shakmg hands with their hostess Mr«5 rnnn«« ^ her mece began toslowlypace the lawn They^'merpCv of acquamtances, and were enjovine themse vpq in ^ ^ less, gossiping way. when Leufe's^ye was cauit bJt group of three people who were occupying a gardehLn^h and conversing somewhat earnestly.^ The ^centre" oAt' group, and the person who had first attracted Tr L tion, was a slight, elderlv m4 ^Sth^ " H ^ . ^"^"" an eye like a ha^kr Seated ;r one side of hfm"^' '"'^ .tout elderly lady, richly dressed, bSt wh^ ^vid^ntly'Sn' LAt>V RAM.'5BURY*S GARDEN PARtY $9 sidered that Nature was a handmaid to Art. The merest tyro would have known her colour was not that of fresh air and superabundant life, and made a shrewd puess that her exuberant tresses came straight from her hairdresser's. But i^ady Melfort was a well-known and very popular person. Ascot or Newmarket, Epsom or Doncaster, would have seemed mcomplete without the presence of that dash- ing and evergreen Countess. On the other was Gilbert blade. As far as Lettie could see, the conversation rested principally with the lady, who was declaiming volubly while Norman Slade, who was the central figure of the group, merely threw in an interjectional word now and again. Norman Slade had no objection to fighting the Turf battles of bygone days over again with any one who reailv understood racing, and the sporting Peeress, who was a thorough enthusiast, was '^y no means a bad judge " I don't agree with you. Lady Melfort," he ejaculated, in reply to some ^tory of her ladyship's, the gist of which appeared to be that she had lost her money when she thought she ought to have won it. " It is true, in his pre- vious form, the horse ought to have won, but it by no meaiis follows there wac any foul play connected with his running ; horses, hke ourselves, are not always quite them selves, and the cleverest trainer sometimes fails to detect that his charge is a little off. I know that people con- nected with Lucifer backed him upon that occasion " " I should like to know what his jockey did," rejoii her ladyship, sharply. ^ '« His best, I think," rejoined Norman ; " he's a steadv civil boy enough and we are rather too apt to make tHe jockey answerable for the shortcomings of the horse " But her ladyship was evidently not convinced, she was given to be -omewhat suspicious of unfair play when her racing calculations proved fallible. At this juncture Gilbert caught sight of Misa Devereux and, as he was by no means such an enthusiast about the - ui is-ings cih iji^^ompaniona, lie at once raised his hat and proceeded to join her. "How d'ye do, Miss Devereux? Rather different rejoined 6o SADDLE AND SABRE. h' y- t"u„"ToS.^'>^" ' '^^' -" y-- How ,„ng have am staying." ^ ^"^' ^"- Connop, with whom I ^Srii^^^^^^^ Ti':iiiyr^^^^^i ^bout «. doing Le tie said, -^j suppose now yo^u 'II sTethl^''' '"'""^"^ *° "Oh. yes," replied the girl " T '? A '^^'°" °"*-" and do everything, see aU There is to S *° ^° ^^^^^ywhere my friends. I sSppose Mr IllV ^u ^^^"' ^"^ ""^et aU are somewhat similar " ^^^'^^' *^^^ y^"'" intentions ^^e^^^^^^^^^^ ?nYt?eV^^"^r^ -^ b- fere with such things in ruthS Tt-^O'^s^ Guards inter- say that I only got a month's I ' ''''°?- u^^' ^ ^^g^et to already gone."^ ^Has Pole Star won^v '^"^^ '^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ Devereux?" ^ ^^^^ won his spurs yet, Miss ofdUg^'l'cet'r'p-^'"'^' "''°»''«" yo" r«all ,ha, day as'w'^VaraT'to'^^'C?'? ^"v;'l- -- defeated, run over again yo"r broXr iS'li*"" '"^ ''''^ "ee" thing of it." "loiner would have made a closer of d-f n/uiS[:r&:Sse,?f„ tt'a'u?:- ^""fr, <""-«™"y Sladep'iPi-^ */;,|-|J-» you wer^ talking ,„, Mr. isnorolr.\7h^?etefr^"'",r'«^ Gi"""- "I. of this sort, but. for some relso"li"- ""'' H' a">'*i»g Ramsburys-he has Itnown themT'i^H """ *""' "f thi I ve a vague suspicion tha? SirT,h/S -f u"?'"'^' 5"^"^ ! and some period of his life. All iiiJ^" •''1'"™ " Wndness at rea an,^ fpH--- T% ^ Know is that +hf-ii~h h- • ,-- ,-™ .e!l„„. my Uncle Norman is pecuilar^nd'^iUs How long have ie; "but let me P, with whom I ig about "doing then turning to B season out." o go everywhere en, and meet all your intentions ntions may be, e Guards inter- No, I regret to lat half of it is spurs yet, Miss recall that day were defeated, race had been made a closer er opportunity there any like- »n Meeting on am quartered ip down from ^king to, Mr. Gilbert. •• It for anything y fond of the y years; and a kindness at '^.ough he is a iar, and it is LADV RAMSBURY's GAllDEN PARTY. 6t & ""T" ^^^^y o"^ that could lure him to their dinner i: drarh!nro7thTs°ktd.'-^^"^^' ^^° -^-^^ ^^^^ lauiinS'. T^ u '' ""^^"^^^Sr replied Miss Devereux uncle is much to be pitied " *^"'^ ^^^^ ^°°^ pursue, and he had more than once spoken seriously of aLrarCaX°i"'^°" ^2^^"^^^^^ to Lit him when\^' pred'of'^tC'^ei'^^^^^^^^^ 1£- n'-f " "^^"^^y ^P- idea of what a soldSnrwas fk'e^ 'b^ tLrgS ^,T. Me^for'r^^Tht'^r'''"^^""^^,*^ *^^^ ^" ^^^^^^y way to Lady usually actid a. ?nr'''' ^^^"^^ ^'""^^^ ^i"^' ^hile Ke ^nhl. 1 ! ^ P^^^smg irritant upon her. He listened to her vehement protestations of the iniquities of the T,frf mth a quiet smile, and invariably exasDerated hpr il n^e'c\TL\'fan"d f T '°^ %' -inTroUhose'con' nectea with it, and declaring that people who losp a l,ffi« money shneked and made bitter wail oyeHhe treachery ?ncert'a?^tylaT H^T'^'^'^l '^^^^"-'"^ about the ext'eS Slnea^ffii'l' ^"^^"^"^^^^ --"^ beyond even most agaiS M 'Bk^n?"'?''" ^" T"^^ ^^^^ " you don't rail aga nst M. iJlanc when you lose your money at Mont^ Carlo, and yet when you Jome to gambling on^the Turf and you know, Lady Melfort, you are f Tamhler^Z don't bet merely upon the racis^uTuders^tand anTca^ form an opinion about, but you hPt r.r^T--nTJhJ^^ caps and seihng races, of which, ^oncerninr he me^S oi the competitors, you know nothing." ^ "*^ °^ 6i SAbDtE AND SAfiRfi. i\'i H,f someYh1nV„nt-'° "' " ""' ^'- S>=v M.if™. i j profound respect for his iudirm^n. Sk!. T^ r °iV.'"' ^ be able to elu^cidate manyiffi mystery thafhrd'^n''™, 'S racmg people profoundly! and m tEh?was STw mraa''de""7hei'"'' '""^ ''^'""i*^ Snest'anSl^ man blade. There were not many Turf robberies of Jm^I he could not explain the history Prav don't f hint f'*"^ moment he was a particioator in th^m ? i .T^ ^°^ °"^ public, he had ocSonaUy been a ;ic^™? *^^^^"f ^^ the scandal connected with such events w.^ '. J^^" over, a story in Turf circles is pietrcertaTn toTal ^^^^ more or less accurate form.andhesometimes^^^^^^^^^^ Melfort with the true history of one of th^L k ^ ^^"^^ fr\ ."-^^^ '"^"^ "^^" ^^^^^ °^e'good%eari^d"f:i]r though he was at bottom, he would hardly have inlrfc!? to save any one in whom he was not interested from h'^"^ awfully taken advantage of ^"^erested from being "It is wonderful," he was wont to say, " the amonnf «* foolishness there is in this world and l^ Jil 5"^°"".* of the man who undertook the task 'of bdng gSan'toTlf ' dovecot would have a thankless and onerous offiri ^u^^ • squabs,' if they have any independencrer^erSSf V T parental dwelling with a comolS- c!J? ^«'*-^'^°™ *^« warning could distuTb " ^^^^P^^^^"* self-sufficiency no He would have interfered fast enough on behalf of hi favourite nephew had he seen occasion! but Gilbert 1^' man quite able to take care of himself, akd with nrtJn', gambling in his blood. Norman in hi^ varied life hid ^Ln aronrrtLSiX;7~ . affairs oU young-gentlemrn^t=S' going Tot^^^^^^^^^^^^ i hand bores take a when has g( The y. quill fe deal w Miss their a The y< present Hussai well mi struck her sui and, wl him. ] for mar paced pleased fact, by into th< call at C "She paced h( " beside! Lincoln, lady and and wha I fanc' lious poi was he calling ir be a littJ very far admiratic society, who, thoi LADY RAMSBURY'S GARDEN PARTY. 63 take my advice, and c^n me .n S5" f ^^^^x l'^ '"''^ "''^ to when my back is turned 111 °^'^L^ ^^^^ "° '^o^bt. The young man in difficulties anHflo ' ^°" ^'^^ ^*' quill feathers still unpluckS' .rt ^^^^^ "'^^ ^^^^^ ^is deal with." "npiuckod, are very different people to thifr'a'cq^'u^In'L'll^eXriS^t^ contmued.to improve The young ?ady had nof tJ""' P"'* °^ *^^ afternoon, present, and was^no? at aS ave^lL ^"".''^1^. acquaintance Hussar dangling by her sld^ '^ P^.^^'^'^'Sthis good-looking well might, I veVpretty ^frl" SI^h'^ *^°"C^- ^^^' ^^ ^1 struck with her at Lincoln but nLl^ "°* ^"^" ^° "^"^^ her summer bravedes he freX^r'^^"^/" ^'"""y^d ^" ^" and. what was more to th.^^ •^^^^'^^'^^^^ ^^^ beauty, him. It was noTthat he did^no/'ii'''' ^^^f^>^ ^^^'^ ^'""«ed for many a fair head was ttf ^"f"^ P^"*^ °^ P^^P^e. paced the grass bv TetttT a ^^f'^^^^on to him as he pleased with'his'preLn^ com^an! :' to ^LkTr^e^L"^^ ^°° call at Onslow ofrd^LTheSdaT"^^" '''' '^ ^'°"^^ ' P^c^h::r:^^^^^^: ^^r^ ^- Slade. as he " besides, after the wav fJJlilu^^ ^°' f P^''^"& hansom, , Lincoln. I am bound fornTt""^ her mother lujached me a lady and her aurWhrtsnle'"n^,?^^^^ t° the young I and what a figure forYdiinf Su ''^°"" '''' ^^^ ^^^ I liouspcSLt^:: Sa^Mrs^t^^reS i: ^"^r \p"-*^- was he would not so clelrlv r2. .,"? °''-^'' '•'an she caUing in Onslow G^d.nswf^''''^"^ *« "'"^^"y of 1* a httle carel^s of sT, 'h 3 /"^u,? ^^^S man apt to vety. far from t're s onab e he had^lwf ' *>"' "-""Sh «4 SADDLE AND SABRE. IM hk, \m otie thing— they both eschewed the societv nf tu^ r • except upon very rare occasions. ^ °^ *^^ ^^''' '^^• Miss Devereux, as she drove alona l««t,-.j u i very pleasant afternoon - Charlt m. ? k"^ ^^'^^ °° » she thought. '.I rather ike sold ers "AnH%5; '°^r^'^'''" could not help laughing as shetnsldered tow ver^li^Tted she had much knowledge, she undoubtedly had but fe Oh, not for some days." ;; jy^?"^* d° y^^ suppose he is ? " inquired her aunt "He is sure to be at Cambridge" ^^° "^^ aunt. •• Did he see you, auntie ? " while L.t.i. was al,-^ alTre'jSSfy'^un'g ^"ntm^ralX carefully to heS, but from a Httle fL^K "'^^""S^ Charliein the winla^ she ferpret y ure that Irf "'*'* money troubles impending over hi hiad Lh th,. fi,'' storm was likely to burst at any moment! *' Wise. . !,.'' ty of the fair sex, ooked back on a ist be a soldier," And then Lettie ! how very limited lade, and two or at Hunt Balls— :ularl' impressed IS herself that she my entirely upon I only met three y soldier of whom dlyhad but little sr own mind that n. th some abrupt- ast ? " ed her aunt. id Mrs. Connop. It shopping this cab, unless I am y odd he should ' not very likely s nevertheless most generally 1 the case, that when a young gentlemar .-ets into diffi culties he IS apt to bestow his confidence., and »>'vith him at the ough Furzedon gement, that he nner was over, len he chose to isfactory repast, t last Furzedon rture Kynaston 3f billiards with ;he proposition, liard-room, they o have the roon y matched, but began to draw on pretty easily nettled at this, and offered to ■e a better fight i^ictorious; still , and suggested ke. Devereux >ints, which the ring ran pretty f>rv larrro r^irrn^ -.J i-.jj- --"sai, Kynaston, and, eeded to watch A LITTLE GAME AT BtLLlARDS. 69 Ithe play. The arrival of the new comer seemed sli^rhtlv o disconcert the Major, but at the same tim^, it seemid to have improved his play. A somewhat amused expTes sion stole over the ooker-on's face; and when KynaS eventually proved the conqueror bjl a few points he rose CrkS,'"*' '"'' '' '^ ^^""*^-^ out^oTEhe'^oom! " Hardly up to your usual form, Kynaston." -Always the case," replied that gentleman, "when voa Irink champagne at dinner ; you never can quiteTell what ;he effect will be. You either play below you game or a ?ood many points above it." g'lme. or a "Perhaps so" rejoined Bob Braddock, for it was he 'ho had been the amused spectator. " I don't know who that very young gentleman is," he muttered to himself^as 1 t* */'^/°°"? 'C ^"^ '^ h^ th>"ks that he can form the ajghtest Idea of Dick Kynaston's game of bimards from vha he has seen to-night, he is very much mistaken I f^hnn^lT'' ^" u^' ^"7 conception that he has got iold .f about the very best player we have got amongst us and .hom I don't suppose there are half^a-do^en ientlemen )layers in London can tackle." gennemen ^J}^"^^"" ^^A^'^'^^K"^^^ "^^*; although Charhe was no ool he had not the slightest idea, so well was iTdone that Kynaston was concealing his game ; he looked unon ..m as much such a player as himself; but thought tC le was a httle the best of the two. However thef^^^ couple more games upon even terms, and whatever Kvn iston's object might h^ve been, it was evident he ha^^n" lesign upon Charlie at present for in one of these iVes e was easily beaten, and the other he just won by an ipparent fluke. Nor did he make the s iffhtest^ffLt? ^ropotd.'''""^ *° '^* '"^^^^^ *^- '^^ motsfstatTrS he^episode of';he"h1?r '"h '^^^ ^"^ '"^"^^'"^^ ^"^ ^^^^^^^ed ne episode ot the billiard playing, would have been much enlightened about his host's character. ittJLH .. "• ^urzeaon was very shrewd, no doubt, and itmultbe boTne tn mind a good five years Devereux's senior but it is ^ery difficult, indeed, knowing nothing of a good bi^U^d !! 70 Saddle and sabre. players game, to know whether he is doing his best- then, again, Furzedon had never set himself to study Major Kvnaston. He knew that he was a sporting man, much addicted to horseracmg, and he had little doubt with a taste for plav; but he had never troubled his head to tak- further stock of him. He had dined with Kynaston at some httle inconvenience, simply with the view of cement- ing the acquaintance commenced at North Leach : but it was to Mrs. Kynaston he looked principally to helping him m the mam ambition of his life, namely/the working his ^/y;"t? London society. Mr. Furzedon had a high idea of utilising his fellows m anywise; but it had not so far struck him that the Major could be useful to him. He had r .t yet fathomed the vainglorious weakness of Kynas- ton s nature. The Major never could resist vaunting his triumphs when fortune favoured hii.i, either on the baize or on the grass. Young Devereux regained his quarters with all the com- placency of a man who has spent a thoroughly satisfactory Tvir^' A ^^-^^^ ^^^ ^" excellent dinnir, i good tussle at billiards with an opponent worthy of his steel, but of whom he firmly believed he had legitimately got the best and crowning mercy of all, the Major had told him those bills would be comfortably arranged for the present. It is true that there was something bitter within the cup. and young and reckless as he was, even Charlie made a wri face at the price he was told he would have to pav for thi^ further accommodation. Only he had a ddicacy about it he had far better have taken Furzedon into his confidence' Even If that gentleman had charged him interest for extend- ing his loan, It would have been something bearing a verv mild proportion to what his present benefactors required rLrwfLH '■'''?'• ^l M^«- Connop rightly .urmised, Charlie had not seen her. He was only up for two or three days, and did not particularly wish hi- rel^ ions, to know of his presence in London, more especiahv t-tiie He was very fond of his sister, knew that her suspicions ■ were already slightly aroused about the state of hi<; aff-i- | and was not at all inclined to submit to her keen question- " ing. "No, bethought, "Lettie always could worm any. thing this s deuce awk^^ autun good long i Mis her b would had r thougl ity of numb( Ryder lodged localit that it where likely i that g( much Lettie Parthij he com in OubJ It W£ his bill down s whom ] turn int just one Charlie ding, ar headad how thi expands lukewar •jpon su( preparec s doing his best ; self to study Major orting man, much tile doubt with a d his head to take ivith Kynaston at e view of cement- rth Leach ; but it lly to helping him T, the working his n had a high idea it had not so far eful to him. He akness of Kynas- sist vaunting his ther on the baize with all the com- ighly satisfactory ler, a good tussle his steel, but of tely got the best, id told him those le present. It is ^in the cup, and, rlie made a wry ^e to pay for this lelicacy about it, o his confidence, terest for extend- g bearing a very ifactors required ightly surmised, y up for ttvo or hi reli^.ionji to specially Lettie. t her suspicions _ Lte of his affairs B r keen question "" ould worm any A LITTLE GAME AT BILLIARDS. fl ! thing out of me. and it's not a bit of use worrying her with this scrape and she has aU her life taken my froubies a deuced deal more hardly than I ever did myself It b awkward, and if I can't win a race with Pole Star in tlS autumn I don't see my way out of it. But Letde" L re^ frg'aT/crn'hSp^^^"'* '^ ^^^^-^^--^ -y "oVbie;- hef brofhtrtS f 7\^"r' ^^" ^^^^^^y ^"^i<^"s about her brother, and had she known where to write to lim would have commun cated with him at once, but Chalu? had not as yet attained to the dignity of a club and tyTf'sf Tames^rrt" 'i? 'l^^' ^"^^^P^<^ fn the iicTn^ ity ot bt. James s Church, the precise street as well as number of the house were always uncertain. Duke street Ryder Street. Bury Street. Jermyn Street, etc he had odged m them all. At this'time of year ^ooms fn that ocahty were at a premium, and Miss Devereux knew that It was more a case of getting in where you could tht^ itehtoTnowTh J-""^ °."> P'^^°" ^^^ could ;Snk of iiKely to know Charhe's address was Mr. Furzedon and that gentleman, whether he found people in or out' was much too wary not to leave his card on the haH t'able Let le accordingly dropped a line to Mr. Furzedon aUhe Parthian Club, asking for her brother's address or. shoild hiJVTn-^ late before Kynaston left the Thermopolium after his bai ard tournament. He had accompanied Charlie down stairs, but at their foot encountered an old chum ttnTnt^n'.h'^ ''V^''' ^""^ "^""^ y^^«' ^ad consenteS t^ turn into the smoking-room on the ground floor, and have JUS tone small c:gar and a chat ovir old times.' BMd^ng Charlie good night, he did this "ancient marinerV' S dmg, and ah me ! how many of us can remember the dke headache that is 1 he result of those chats ab^t old dm^ expands, and how "hearing the chimes at midnight "it « MnTn'r"^^^"' '"• '^^"^Pa^son v^ith the chimes we do hew jpon such occasion. It was very late indeed as Kvnaston prepared tQ emerge from the wicket of the ThermopoUiSi \' i T» SADDLE AND SABRB. «K h^ f i?®"**^* .^t** *^®° '°"« «»'^«e Closed, and only that rabbi like portal was open to th« ?^lated members a the night porter unlatcied it for ? «m he handed him, mean and d rtyJooking note, which, "fter oSe gLoT/ -In Onslow Gardens. \T 0, hr V s not .auch difficulty about it, an d from what i^ yuu tell me, Miss Devereux, I should think it is the very profession to suit your brother. T.-ere is an exarnination to pass, of course ; but most of us manage tS months." ' ^'"^ sharpened up by a coach for a few r.niXf/i,^"'^ ^^Y^f ^^^ ^^^ * University education," replied the young lady. »"«u, f " ^?J J^^f y ^°"'* ^}'^^y^ ^""^ '"uch book-learning awav from that, rejoined Giliiert Slade laughing; "but thev are not required to ^be so very deeply read to qualify for he ought to tose no time about it. It's a pleasant lifi enough. The one drawback about it is that it is not a i money-making profession." ' " ^/IJ- ^^r. SJade, I shall look to you to put us in the! ^ay of making Charlie a soldier." " I am atraid they won't pay very much attention to the recommendation of a subaltern of Dragoons; but I might be of some use to you for all that. Miss Devereux. My uncle, familiarly known in the service as Bob Braddock, He was christened Henry, but a fellow who is good for anything always gets re-christened in his regiment He is hand-and-glove with all sorts of swells, and a i nation tor a commission is not much to ask for." "Ah! here corses Auntie!" exclaimec^ Mi.Q« wSevereuxl as her quick ea- tected a hand unnn f - u.^jiJ' " Not a word cb . my brother," she add. : uurriedly. Tn an undertone ; " he is a Uttle in disgrace jus^ , i/ " Mrs fond ( he? h« mascu and di There which |lady ir Lett she re\ even )'( "Yo Conno] reward jacquaii so," sh( (you, L racecou "Not differen spend ti " It ii [fever we Exc special a t,'ood I it is not I the very " Maj [said Mrs An ar rejoined, so many reply, m of the lac in the e> have a k going, w seeing, o: and drinl IN ONSLOW GARDENS. 7i rsity education," Mrs Connop welcomed Gilbert cordially. She was fond of young men, and always did her best ?o mike her house pleasant to them. She had a critical eye fo? imasculme good looks, and Gilbert's tall muscular figure and dark, resolute face were of the type she most admired J here was a touch of romance about Mrs. Connop S which only those who knew the good-tempered vivacki,^ lady mtimately would have credited her vivacious Lettice understood her aunt thoroughly, and knew that she revelled in sentimental poetry ; and tha her eyes would even yet moisten over the perusal of a thrilling love.rtory You have kept your promise. Mr. Slade," said Mrs iConnop as she shook hands. "And you w 11 be so far rewarded ,n that you will meet another of your sporting acquaintance in a quarter of an hour or so. ^ I call them so. she continued, laughing, - for as far as I can make ou? you, Lettie and Mrs. Kynaston have only mS on the racecourse. , '"^ _ Not as yet,* replied Slade; "but I'trust it will be different m future. I'm not at all one of those mJn who Ispend the best part of their lives in the pursuit of racil " " It IS exciting," exclaimed Lettie; "remember what a |fever we were all in about Charlie and Pole Star at Lincofn " , " Exciting ? Yes," replied Gilbert, quietly "youTad special cause for it then. Nobody appr^eciateVanS enjoys a .?ood race when it comes in my way more than I do • but |;Le^ veTbS'ol "^^S^^"^ ^--"' '- -*-— sai^^^rl^C^oVirot"' ^'' '''''' "''* ^" your tastes P" An amused smile played upon Gilbert's mouth as he Irejoined "Thatis a question that can be answered from so many different points of view. Professionally, I should reply, military glory; diplomatically, that they^kre tSe iof he lady I am talking to. Honestly, I should say, cathSic in the extreme, as far as I know myself. I shouW say I have a keen appreciation of the best of everything ther/is ^going, wnether it is hunting, shooting, travelling, siffht- rnd"d^in°ki^:^.^'" '' ^^'^^ ^'^ '^^^^ ^'- ^' -- -'"g 74 SAbDLB ANt> SAfiHE. •• Ah, Mr. Slade," rejoined Lettie lauKhing. " 1 have some remembrance of that latter characteristic ' I believ he was starvmg Aunt^, when father found him at Lincoln!' nVnf? .K *'!??' .^u'" P^T^ux- And I can never be suffi. c ently thankful that he did find us. Tocelvn and I wer^ almost capable of devouring each other.° ^ Kvnil!!ln°" *5^- ^""""^u" ^^""^ heralded the arrival of Mrs. r.f'l£^tV°/^*''M y^".""* ^^'*' Lettie. though you're one of the latest swalows that ever made a seasonf There' nothmg new, there never is. you know, to an old Londone like me ; they may call it this, they miy call it that bStI IS always the old show dished up under a new nam However, it's all very pleasant, and I am enjoying mv^df as much as e^er. and so will you. I heard b/ h! mrel accident in the Park this morning that you were at the 2S'"7nd i'^'T' ^'^*^?"y ' ^°"'t knTw tVet ^ettty.'^ "^^^^ understood they do the thing '' Yes, .indeed," rejoined Mrs. Connop. " I don'* care where it is. I think there are very few ga?den partes g.Ven HtlfSLl^rol?:'^'''''' *'^*^^'^ better doneS M;;.'^Va°ton?aSsV"'^^^^^ ""'' ^^'^'" '^^^^^ " Yes." replied Gilbert. " it was there I discovered Miss yoragain.'-'^"' '' " '' ''''' ' °^^ *^^ pleasured meeUng' "l'n^Tu''u^ ?^ r" *° '^y ^°'" replied Mrs. Kynaston- c/n 1/?^" °?^y.^' *°° ^^^^' ^S ^'" "^y husband if you Hnw f rr'i*°T^°"°"^"' ^'^h ^ <^a" ^n Curzon Street How IS Charlie, Lettie ; has he done with Cambridge vet ?' Miss Devereux was slightly discomposed by thfs ouVs tion. She detected a defiant sniff on the part of her aunt' ^V°rr;f,S^\--.P-^-^iy well that M^rs. Conno^rs -.mining because that erratic young Gentleman h^A not paid his devoirs in Onslow Garde^ns. Sh^e had paJticu mine rem alike, yot were onb make a ir Mrs. K had been faith that as she kr but she c her husba in Londoi a little; h mischief, silence. " Come of you; ai form, I sh him with I shall be Mrs. Conr IN ONSLOW GARDENS. ?hing, «« 1 have istic. I believe lim at Lincoln." n never be suffi ilyn and I were arrival of Mrs, had glided intoj th Lettie, been a cordial greet ugh you're one ason. There's I old Londoner II it that, but it a new name. injoying myself 1 by the purest! 'U were at the 't know them do the thing] '* I donV care) I parties given) tter done than! ie?" inquired scovered Miss) ire of meetingl s. Kynaston; isband, if you urzon Street.! I bridge yet ?' by this ques- t of her aunt I Con nop wasj :ntleman had f had particu' 75 larly requested Gilbert to avoid alluding to him, and now XT y,°^^*°" ^^ brought his name prominently forward. •• No, she replied, " I have not heard of him lately, but I believe he is still at Cambridge." " Do you, Lettie ?" said Mrs. Connop, sharply. " I feel pretty sure that he is at the present moment in London " " You can't be sure, Auntie," rejoined Miss Devereux • " m such a city as this, I should think your double, or your treble, for the matter of that, might be about. It is so easy to make a mistake of that kind." ^ "Ah!" said Mrs. Kynaston, with some languid curi- osity, " you think Mr. Devereux is in town, apparently. Mrs. Connop?" » i-r j'. "I don't think it— I know he is; and it's very rude of him not to call." ' "Now, Mr. Slade," cried Lettie, "I appeal to you- don t you think it is very possible to make a mistake in the street, and fancy you've seen a person who is not within miles of London ? " - " Certainly," rejoined Gilbert ; " as a brother officer of mine remarked on this point, ' Fellahs are so confoundedly alike, you know, there is no knowing them apart ; if they were only like horses, you know, dash it all, you couldn't make a mistake about 'em.'" Mrs. Kynaston inwardly congratulated herself that she had been reticent of speech. It was in perfectly good faith that she had asked if he had done with Cambridge as she knew that his time there was drawing to a close • but she certainly knew, further, that he had dined with her husband the previous night. That Charlie should be in London and his own sister not know of it puzzled her a little; but Mrs. Kynaston was not the woman to make mischief, and therefore passed Lettie's remark over in silence. ■ " Come and lunch with me to-morrow," she said, " all of you ; and if your bfothe-'s shadow should take material - form, I shall only be too p!r .„ed, Lettie, if you will brine him with you. We can have a real good tajk then, and 1 shall be enabled to honestly make your acquaintance. Mrs. Connop. This afternoon I have half a dozen places 76 SADDLE AND SABRE. brunette «,ould be pleasant, and, as Wore ^sa d hf 'had a.1 epicurean admiration for pretty women-tSgh at th I p:.-sent moment he was regarding these two livhfe breath u^-s^sl^n X"" " ' T" '"'«^* ^"^eard a coTpfrof p tun s— Still, they were pleasant to the eve and flffXrdlJ ^im that gratification that arrives to arof us from'th STu^ ^th "^'^^ ^?"*^^"\ They were a s'rikLTcon trast. bu both very perfect in their way. Kate Kynaston'J ebon locks, flash ng dark eves and wJ] rnn^JiL f f a Drettv ioil tn th» i.ttl^^ ana well-rounded form wasi a pretty loil to the lithe figure, dark chestnut tresses andl laughing brown eyes of her fri.nd. cresses andl Mrs. Kynaston could not be ^aid fr» rM,,^i^ u ,1 ?ha\lie'p^ ^'^ ''1 -nd^r a%i:tfe wh'artVtUgh Charlie Devereux to town in this somewhat mysterS man J^S ^^fl^j^ted, also, that her husband was not ?h .man to throw dinners awav anH that a-^^ Zu I ^whom he bestowed his Ls'^ita^ft/ he was no^so ^H apt to expect, but to feel certain, of^eceivfng some reTurn' What his object migh. be in entertair Ing ^r^eveS Kate could not fathom; and she was still furthlrK.! Ik'^T.I^V^ ^ '^t haH led hin oent^rtPin VfSz^^^^^^^ About the latte. ^irs. Kynaston had her own opinion shJ might be somewhat of a Bohemian hut cHa i^V^ ' i .1 too much with the b^st peopirn^^to knt .!^,'ooi"Jort'^^ when she Saw it, .nd her instinct told her that Furzed^nl was not quite a gentleman. He might oass as .hi J most men. but a well-bred womar fuld'be sure to d^T^;^ the base ring in the metal. auectl Still, that was no busin of ■ -rs Th*» M v... ■ .Te'Ltr " He' h"a'd' "^^ ^^ ^f^' TI sioLfaSficrdo'r/iti-L'^s^,^^^^ E. hands and say ho^v 1." ^ ily r.Gcepted; even le sparkling, bonny ore said, he had an en— though at the ■ two living, breath ird a couple of pic I eye, and afforded all of us from the ^ere a striking conf Kate Kynaston's rounded form was estnut tresses and ' puzzle her head] ^hat had brought! ewhat mysteriousi band was not thel from those uponl wa: not so mudf ving some return,! ng Mr. Devereuxl still further bel 'in Mr. Furzedon.l own opinion ; she) she had mingledj ov «• good form "| er that Furzedonl pass as Such wilhl be sure to deiectl Ihe M 'or, as al Consj iering inj definition, it was! he credi ide of I laintances— menL lewhat askance." sre divers queerP irely asked thes»| IN ONSLOW GARDENS. *• across his own threshold, nor was Mrs K-vn=.cf« thrust into the shghtest acquainra" e w ih tC Whe'n' _ ,H.. ,K.. -'— bSirSi--- '?i3 wW^ ^^"^'J^^^^n invitations are either - /en or accent, 1 lon^e^hu^ insL"r°".' ^t"^^^°" invitation had ^ot luiig leit nu- iips before she became ccnqrinii« ^■^,.>f *u- was not exactly what she wanteH Tho?? *]^* *^'^ That a «'" '«t ™l".''5!-tl,'"' y™"S lady alC hlrself"; with her usual good udgmen ''Hol?ef le Xarf' •^ = .°yeiif?!^s;\^ J~£'°" very stupid of me but rpallv in ti,!: "^P"^"""^®. "It was .'.-; fe"S.H "ESS "f { ■- ! 'i. Wk m t . 73 SADDLE AND SABRE. •h! I 1i W'lil" northwards^ For the present, good-bye to all of you " And then Mrs. Kynaston took her departure. ^ ,h?u ^°u " ^^JJ^'^^i ^^"^ example, and had hardly left the house when Mrs. Connop exclaimed, with a snap tha made Lettie start. '« Now. what did she n,ean by S " ' Mean I Who? What are vou thinking off Auntie ? " Mrs. Kynaston I Why did she suddenly withdraw ^Zr'J'M '° ^""^^ ^ ^°" '' l°°k «° bewildLI Chi d^ contuiued Mrs Connop, merrily. -It does no much Trfo"'';.''';'/ ^^^" '"^^^^ *°° '""^^^ i" the woSd not to mZ.*i^* '° fy°"" *^'"S ^"^ '"ea" another is by no means the exclusive privilege of politicians. The Fit" geralds- water party I Rubbish ! Doubtful whether there are any Fitzgeralds ; bet any one Mrs. Kynaston is no? going to them to-morrow. She's a very glib liarLettie guJ I-rf tTf ^° ^'T''' '""y "^^"' ^"^ ^-^' women : ^Sed^nfhfi . T' ""^^^T' "^y ^^^'■' ^'^d exceptional!); gilted in the detection of false speech." ^ " Absurd, Auntie ! You are too suspicious. Kate is as liberal a soul as ever lived, and little likely to be niggard of her wine or her cutlets." '"BS^ra " Nonsense ! It's not that I mean. I have never seen Mrs. Kynaston before, but she changed her mTnd aS se'a7efc"/r r^- I^^^l^tesureofit. Itisofnocon! sequence, but I am curious about ' the why ' " ;; You are prejudiced against Mrs. Kynaston," said Lettie. Hn«e '.""/i /' ^ -^"^ "°t ' ^"* ^t '^ no "se pretending one does not take fancies or aversions at first sight. Do "s acting up to the lights of their nature, often fight in ?eai earnest on first meeting. Reason tells me I know nothTng ^Au ^y"ft?n- Instinct tells me to mistrust her." ^ Miss Devereux. '" °"^ °^ ""^ ^'^^*^'* ^"^"^"'" ^"^^ ^hJj'^''^^ ^ am wrong, and that you may never rue it. that— ^WeH ! ^' ^ ^^'^''^' ^^^^'^'^^ '^°'"^"' ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ' The reason why I cannot tell. I do not like thee, Doctor Fell. Say no more, chUd ; but I don't take to >s. Kynaston." ! to all of you." ure. d had hardly left with a snap that ean by that ? " ing of, Auntie ? " Idenly withdraw iwildered, child," does not much he world not to mother is by no ans. The Fitz- "ul whether there Kynaston is not glib liar, Lettie ; d most women ; id exceptionally 3US. Kate is as ly to be niggard lave never seen ler mind about It is of no con- r •" • Dn," said Lettie. pretending one t sight. Dogs, en fight in real [ know nothing itrusther." friends," cried r never rue it. lan, but for all rs. Kynaston." A WAIP ON LIFE*S StRfiAM. XI.— A Waif on Life's Stream. .1 ! ;• 79 LET Dick Kynaston's habitation be where it might, one thmg was always an imperative necessity. Most men ct more or less to have a sanctum of their own, but with Kynaston it was a bona fide den, into which even the house- maid was jealously admitted. It was furnished after the Major s own peculiar fancy, and tobacco and the Racing Calendar were predominant features in its arrangement There the owner, seated at his writing-table, cigar in mouth would pore for hours over volumes of the great Turf Lexi- con, and make astounding calculations about weights distances, and the varied running of horses. He was as great a votary of racing as Norman Slade ; if he had not studied so long he had studied it quite as attentively : but there was this great diflference between the two men : whereas the one loved it purely as a sport, and exulted in seeing a good horse win, the other regarded it much as one might the tables at Monaco ; he looked upon it as a mere means of gambling, and would infinitely sooner have seen the good horse beaten had it profited him more. It is curious how this greed for money so constantly is, on the I urt, the cause of its pursuer's undoing. Is not the legend still extant of that luckless bookmaker who, after months ot infinite patience and manipulation, had succeeded in getting his horse into the Chester Cup at a weight that made It a gift to him? Carefully was the commission worked, and he succeeded in plotting a coup that should have made him and his associates rich men for their lives, in a reckless moment, onl^ a few days before the event was to come off, in his anxiety to let no money escape him he laid the odds to lose ten thousand pounds against a horse, the owner of which had no intention up to that time of sending it to the banks of the Dee. Strange fatality ! 1 nat very horse upset the deep-laid scheme by a neck, and turned the well-nigh mighty triumph into bitter defeat and disaster. It was very rarely that any of Dick Kynaston's friends were made welcome to what was conventionally called V ■' . }l 8o SADDLE AND SABRE. In Curzon Street thTsLnS^lasimXtS' l"^""^'^- room, and after the books andS-boMs ,1. J?'^?!'"'"*- tenstics were a leathern armchLi? and fi^'t' ?''"»<=■ stantial writing-tabie ™°''*"^ *"'' » large, plain, sub- bu7t 'J^rcerui"ra"m1n°:i,l''^''^'' ^"X «•«"•-, spondence. THp rtt.rc i, " '"■ ^^^'^ extensive corre were gene1:ally o? ha b ieLr^'' ""^ "-e replies thereto were fpparenSy i^L pe'op ' to wh'or.he Si"' ^'^ pen was a strange and toil^omo i k ^'^^ Jjandling of a hke .heir ca:igrapVwls'Sf aTub^tedeT'thfr^''"^' much, uncertainty annarpnflv ^^^ ??, -^ here was orthodox way of spe^^n?" ^ato^ '"InH h™ ?^ ^^ '^' more varieties on thaf nnl* .r'^J°^' ^nd they discovered a title was capable of ^Thl^^" °''^ '^^"i^ *^^"^^ «° simple monly followed th^SetTe^s 'S^^^ ""^«"^- as a rule; whose dress mgTt'pr^rSptkSX"/^^^^^^ to keep hs eye on the umhrln.?- Y, ' , '1^^ ^^''^^tor otherv.?se werj unmis?a\a\t bt?ness vStorf ' '"^ .^'° were a strange and curious lo^ t^ese fackSU/M -^^f^ I was a sad revelation of howSucated -- ^^^-^^ '" sunk beneath life's stormy wa?eTs are drivi^ f °^ ^""-^ living, to find that amontrst th^sUtZh? a *° P^ ^^^'"^ were men well educatedfand whf<^Sce tira 1 1*^^'" tion; ruined mostly by their own mo 5 in ^^^d posi. descended to the deoths of r!L ""^^ ^°"y' ^^ey had often had become tltoLofTh".''"^^^ who in former davs hid hifr^f^ H^ professional usurers, Major himS. ver^y iSdfgnaK ^^eir ruin. The had any one .-^ntured ti^Sf"/ In ^ ^^ "^^"^^ ^^^^ ^een latter in' a very llr": way'oT bu^inls? "St h^^l ^'^^.^ his fingers considerablv he h;,H nr.*- ^^ burned grief. He had never forW.^ not come to utter financial still held his own ve,V fa! v^sS^'' y °^ ^'' "^"^«' ^' to his scheme S^liffthat Mrf R ^^'.^"'^ V* ^^^ ««««ntial P.ace in the ^ollZnd^e^^^^^^^^^ *f e her ten thousand people do please JTonVrtltTv^J ^^^^ ^n.= ...ween lum and his empio^is'\s obWousT Toihe »m in which a man extreme intimate. ly the back dining. s, the chief charac- ^arge, plain, sab- er with literature, extensive corre- the replies thereto at many of them he handling of a • Their spelling, rder. There was them as w the 1 they discovered Id think so simple lents not uncom- assuming people, 11-drilled servitor e hall, but who sitors; and they Is of the Major's. I men who have ven to get their several of them Jld a good posi. folly, they had ts, or still more ssional usurers, leir ruin. The ould have been )ly one of these he had burned > utter financial of his clubs, he t was essential hould take her world of come *» T'lP J.'iT-- — 1 -le umcr- vious. To the A WAIf ON life's StREAM. gl well-dressed denizens of Clubland the spendthrift of familv and expectations was easily accessiblef wCh of cou^se^ he was not to those more ragged of his brethren long since cast out frorn the gay scenes of their undoing ^What hardly pressed young man would not welcome he pros perous gentleman in broadcloth and clean linen who Km pathised with his embarrassments over a cgar^knd wound up by saying. - Deuce of a mistake, borrowing But runit ctfse 'WT °' ^^^^^-^1"^' YounrSfod wi i run Its course. I never argue with a man who must have money, unless he is trying to demonstrate the po?s"b litv of Se but h.'l^ r^ you, naturally-they all do. It's their London.'- * ^°" ^^^" '* ^' ^^^^P *« ^"y "^^n in Amongst Dick Kynaston's habitual visitors was that luckless individual who has already twice flitted across the pages of this narrative. We have seen him riXeou^^^^ struck to the earth by Furzedon outside the ^gKuse m the Haymarket Unjustifiable though the provocat^Dn was . l u *T^ "^'^^ .'^°^' '* ^^^ questionable whether the striker had any right to ddiver^it. We have met hk^ again as a mere racecourse tout at Lincoln Racis sTeakin^ m the slang vernacular of his tribe, and yet Prance was f man of good education, who had known a r^uch Ser position, and who, though some years older Than RalDh Furzedon, had been tempted by that precoc ous youS gentleman to his undoing. How that happened wl appear later; for the present it suffices to say tEo Dick Kynaston he is a mere purveyor of racing imel°ence picked up ,t ,s impossible to sayhow, but at Si t"mes worth listening to. as the Major has discovered froreTperiW lurJ^^'^ ^5*^r'^o^^^" '^' ^^'^h*^^t connection^be ween Furzedon and Mr. Prance Kynaston uas totally unaware Had he been a spectator of that scene in theUaySei: no one woud have been keener to know what caUed forth the final malediction launched against Ralph Furzedon and what had been the previous relation, b^w.- fife- •-"^ warrant the bitter intensity in which i^ was'couVhed.'''^ The ordinary rough who, in his avocation of robbery, gets S ! Uil •M •ifi! Sd SAbDLft ANt) SABRE. ' ' ill knocked down, may swear a little, but takes it usuallv I after the manner of his betters as a micVJ^ • *u usually ■ brought forth the animosity concentrated in Mr. Prance's It is the morning after the Major's little dinner at th^ ujdi a person wanted to see him T it^ tho «i^ i u of wealth with a view to incasing it Now "a neion' see you " ,s an announcement disffrbing to a conSabl m.ted number, whose record is so entirely bKes, S uSr B??the'M ''^^ of the limeligL bemg L'^1 h>s own account. Dick Kynaston was a business man m s\J/jf'SeiSdTh^ttst,:;1e.^xl S ^^. Therefore thts announcement brought no mlSt rooln^MnVr^:'' ""' '"^ ""^"' ''^'' -''-^^ '"'<> "is Well," said the Major, " whi/. is it? Sit down, and A WAIF ON LIFE'S STREAM. 83 shered into his ion't let us waste any time about it. We know one janother pretty well now. If you merely want money, say ISO. You know I'm usually good for a trifle, and I will tell jyou.at once what I can let you have. If you've brought Ime information, you know very well that you can trust me Ito pay for it, if I find it valuable." I " Well, Major,'" replied Prance, as he seated himself in a chair, " I've brought you a bit of Turf information which, I think, is worth your taking note of. I can't say it's valu- able, probably never may be. You're a business man, and I don't expect you'll ever think you owe me anything on that account. I believe you were hunting up in the Wolds of Lincolnshire last year. Didn't you make the acquaint- ance of a Mr. Devereux? We both saw him ride at I Lincoln, and, mind you, he will ride some day, but he's got to practise a bit yet. Now, I've heard something about that young gentleman. He's got into trouble a bit, and from the little that I can learn, is falling into about the worst hands that could happen to any young man starting in life," It took a good deal to astonish the Major, but that Prance should be aware that he was mixed up in Charlie Devereux's affairs did surprise him. He hesitated a little before he made answer. It was scarcely hkely that a man like Prance would presume to come and tell him to his face that he was no fit mentor for youth. Prance, with a direct pecuniary interest in keeping on good terms with him, was hardly likely to commit himself in this fashion. What did he mean? What did he know? What could the fellow be driving at ? " Yes," replied the Major, slowly, " I know Mr. Charles Devereux and all his people, but I am not aware that he has fallen into particularly bad hands." "Did you ever come across a man of the name of Furzedon ? " said Prance, lowering his voice. " I know a gentleman of that name," replied Kynaston, as he rose from his chair and assumed a lounging attitude against the manllepiece. " Gentleman ! " retorted the other with a bitter snoer. " You may call him that if you like. There's a good many . L'dilli : n 84 SADDLE AND SABRE. ih travel under that name who if it «,^ , . L straightforwardness and honVtv ha^e Hm^"^*'!'"^ ^'^'\ From the little I've seen hnr' ^ r"^^ "^^^ *° 'H heard, I believe that Fnr!!:^ • °'^ ^'"°'" ^hat I've DevereuxV- F^rzedon is a great friend of Mr. "' No! Ztt:'tJ-7eroL'^i^^^^^^^ *^^^^ior. quietly him ' that Furzedon ' S,?. if "^®' ^???edly. « r!i call reux's tell himTo'^a^ke c^are ofrmTeff fo? ?h1 "i^' ^^^H mate with as slionerv a vn,,ni ^'"^^^^j' ^F>^ that he's inti-f Heath at NewSet ■' ^ ^ ^^^oundrel as ever trod the] good deal and frrsupposed t^ h''''°'' " ^°" ^° ^^°"' ^ just judge for y TurLT° Ano her \" t"l/d°"^ ^^"^^t^H sovereign, too. I don't know what sort oAV IV^ '\ Have you succeeded ?" ^ *° *"'^ ""^ >f possible, subject ; 'siill'a" fit'' 'can make" oV," Z T'" °" ""I grat^^7^i/--,-rrr^^^^^^^ know. And now e-ooH-hw*. " ^^^ ' -^ V ^^^^ ^^^ "lel indicated to Mr pfance th.V h.A V'^ "°^ ^^ dismissal cVcS^rs-r-s;^''rdrH?Si-^^^^^^^ Hir.fare„^j4t~^^^^ todifa: Andit'sa,uar;;iso„;ew7wd,"'Sred^;L''7a!'or"j sans anything likel i little right to it.f i from what I'vej reat friend of Mrj the Major, quietly. ^ggedly. "I'!! call "end of Mr. Deve- for that he's inti- ■l as ever trod the I '■ in that way ? ' . "you go about a| it your eye-teethj and it's worth a| of a card-player I h Furzedon, don'tl ppose that is very! o know that your! " you sit down. I ndout if possible.! " replied Prance, you again on the they have got no abies." f tanded the tout a you must let me nod of dismissal was terminated.) IS visitor had left that young man. -a he was so pre- ■ I wonder how eux's losses ? L ws an ugly story h would render' juid evt . happen i msed the Major, BOB BRADDOCK'S CONDITIONS. 85 " and men lose their temper as often as they do their money, and sometimes, sad to say, both simultaneously." Mr. Prance's hint was quite a revelation to the Major. He had regarded Furzedon as a quiet, tolerably well-mannered young man, not at all likely to exhibit speculative tastes, but, according to this informant, Mr. Furzedon was an exceedingly astute young man, with a decided taste for gambling m every form. Dick Kynaston had been brought up loo much amongst " the right people " not to detect that there was a clash of Brummagem about Ralph Furzedon. He was a very good imitation, but the initiated could not fail to see that he was not quite genuine. The base coin appears good money to the eye, but it won't ring, it jars upon the ear when put to that test, and similarly Furzedon, though at first he thoroughly passed muster, when you came to associate with him jarred a little on the feelings. You couldn't quite indicate the flaw, but you felt intuitively that he was not quite a gentleman. Suddenly a thought flashed across the Major's mind. A confederate might be useful in many of the transactions in which he was habitually engaged, especially a confederate over whom, he had a hold. And this, he thought, through Prance very possible in the case of Ralph Furzedon. There was plenty of time to make inquiries, for he had no particular scheme on foot at the present moment that required a coadjutor. The Major then seated himself at his writing table, and made some brief and mysterious memoranda in his betting book, without which volume, unless perchance it had been in his bath, Dick Kynaston had for years never been met with. XII. — Bob Bradeccx's Conditions. **Q0 Im to be civil to Mr. Furzedon, am I ?" mused 4^^ -it,, ii^ wa=i^-'jti, a... one Sill III ner prettv arawiitg- roorn the day after her meeting with Miss Devereiix. " Now I wonder what that means, Dick never gives me those t i-r-rr ■.fit '"I'll 86 SADDLE AND SABRE. M? S i w»tJ^out a reason. I don't particularly fancy ?L: ^^?^^^" ,"^y««^^ ; I wonder what Lettie thinks of h"m She had ample opportunity of studying him during the month he was at North Leach ; however, as she is coming m.?^"'"' ^ '^"" ^"^^ "^ opportunity' of asce alS^ ,J^\ A-^^^'TJ''' "^^^ l'".^ *° ^^' appointment, and the two ladies sat down to their meal tt-te-lme. After gossin '^L?^'^^ u^'tl "^^1^°"^ '"^J"^*^' Lettie asked her^SeS whether she thought there was any chance of their ^nkln^ The Firs again next winter. •< sin^ " I am sure I can't say," replied Mrs. Kynaston. " You see men Ike my husband now and then don't hunt at ah Dick will race, and there are bad years as well as Lod ones at th^t amusement ; and then we can't afford ho?ses iTkedT S ' '^'^P P^""^' \".^ } ^°"'^ t^i"k Dick quite hood Bv thf ^ ^'' I """'^ *^^'^^y populated neighbour- hood. By the way, have you seen anything of that Mr Furzedon who was staying with you last winter ?" with r ' ^u'a ^ ""^^^f *^^ °^^^' ^^y- He has quite done with Cambridge you know now. and is settled in London " Yes. replied Kate. " I have an idea he is trying hard of rm'£e'tt7eT''"*° ^°"^°" '^^'^^^ ^^^* ^^^ ^^^ ^^^"1 " He made himself very pleasant while he was with us- "^^'aT^/^u^V"^*"'^^' ^"^ ^ee'ned to enjoy himrelf" ; All of which, my dear," said Mrs." Kynaston Whine of hTr^ """n^^"^' '"^ the slightest insight into wha you thTnk of him. Do you consider him quite good form ? Is he of the same stamp as Mr. Slade, for instance ?" '"No," rejoined Miss Devereux. quickly; "but he is a soldier, and chere is something different about soldiers you know. I am so anxious that Charlie should Scome one. He is much too fond of hunting to become a cS man and I'm sure he would neve? do any good as ^ barrister, and he must be something " ^ " Quite so," replied Mrs. Kynaston, with mock eravitv " men njust be something, if it Js only' to kee^them out of mischief, and they don't always do that. Charli^ would make a very dashing Hussar : and I ou"Hf for 1 ''" ^' ' ' r , ■ . . . "G *o be a judge, knew the xinskig of bits and" bridles well Tn m/eariy BOB braddock's conditions. particularly fancy ttie thinks of him. f him during the as she is coming of ascertaining." intment, and the te. After gossip- asked her friend :e of their t?iking iynaston. "You ion't hunt at all. as well as good I't afford horses, hink Dick quite lated neighbour- ling of that Mr. i^inter ?" J has quite done tied in London." le is trying hard at did you think e was with us — :>y himself." aston, laughing, what you think form ? Is he of ?" r\ "but he is a about soldiers, should become scome a clergy- any good as a mock gravity ; Jep them out of Charlie would ^••j yc ;i juage, eW in my early t? married days. Dick didn't sell out for a couple of years after we married. Mr. Slade is good-looking," she con- tinued, after a momentary pause. «« Don't you think so ?" " Yes," rejoined Lettie ; «' it is one of those dark, hand- some faces we are all apt to go wild about." " He can be very agreeable, too, when he likes. I hope you found him so the other day at Lady Ramsbury's." " Very much so," replied Miss Devereux. «« I am glad to say that there is a chance of your seeing a little of him next winter." " How so ?" inquired Mrs, Kynaston. " His regiment has been moved up to York, and the Dragoons from there often come down to our county balls ; besides, he has declared that he will come down and see Pole Star run at Lincoln in the autumn." Mrs. Kynaston cast one quick look at her companion, and wondered how far she and Mr. Siade were interested in each other. Kate Kynaston felt almost inclined to resent this idea. She had commenced a slight flirtation with Gilbert at Lincoln ; and when Mrs. Kynaston did that, she was wont to regard a man as her own peculiar property, and looked for unswerving allegiance on his part. Like many women of her type, she was very good-tempered and pleasant till you happened to interfere with any of her schemes or caprices : and then one who should have known her well— for had he not been in the toils ?— said, " You may look out for squalls ; you've got one of the cleverest women in England against you, and it's long odds she carries her point, more especially if she is playing against a man." Gilbert Slade is lounging in the smoking-room of the Thermopolium with a view to, if possible, catching hold of Major Braddock. He had promised to consult his uncle as to whether he could assist young Devereux to a nomi- nation for the army, a fact which, when it came to Mrs. Kynaston's ears, disconcerted that lady not a little. She argued that when men exert themselves to assist young ladies' brothers, they, at all eventS; have considerable admiration for the young lady herself; and Mrs. Kynaston, upon very insufficient grounds, considered that Gilbert had %■ 88 SAt>t)L£ AND SABRE. "'I i ili'i) that wha7occupL hTs l?n J' rr'^ ^°*^ ^"^^^^ *° ^"°^ more than thei? fair seC. «f .v.^ P'^'^"* '"°"^^"t '""ch go back to York. York wLl5f verv^w.T'^h °' ^^"'"^ *° to the grouse time the Jri ^ f ^ T^^ ^^^^ ^O" '-ame during the LonS seLon wU^"^ *% ^"Jl*'"^' ''"^^ i'^'-k the loud blare of the barracrv-H'"h"!?^^"- u "^ ^^^^^^^ dusty Cony Street would h^^ ' u ^^"^^ ^°^^ ^o* and and an eve^ninrcount^y ride 'wiIZ^.°^^ ^T-'^ ^^ ^^^y* much for a mfn t^ook forJid " ^?,V^i^^^ ^^^ not muttered, " we soldiers drink. . a a ?° wonder," he rather stiffen our joints afwhiS"^ ^^^ °^. ^^^'^^' ^"^ quarters. What a deuce of I wlV" u^^'^ ^"" ^°""t^y lot of good to gSVgood Stlinrw,!, "/f'i"''° J"""^ tTr;L7ii^.»HI"^^^^^^^^^ occasion. hardships he had undergone upon that laugMng' "°"'" '"'" "™'P""*'^ "■""gh," said Gilbert, un:/e,t"iL',':,7iJSi;e^^.°?'1 Sn'^^ f •'; '^Pj'^'' '"'^ the nrie"»' to go home. It's a be"nHf!f „™?' ?_".''.,' H' " «.== «">= reverence used to talceThTsIxp'^'S '^^^IlL^L^ BOB BRADDOCK'S CONDITIONS. 89 Hi h^^ ^ K^? sfy h^%Played a better game; but I know he had a better head for punch." "You think he rather rooked you, then," said Gilbert. K„f V^^u "*??fcu '^ ' "^^ ^\^y^^ ^^'^ '"^''^^y nominal stakes; but Father O Shea was a keen card-player, and, like Mrs. Battle, loved the rigour of the game. I was generally foggy towards the end of the proceedings." ^ . •• I say, uncle," said Gilbert, quietly, " you've lots of mterest. you know, at the Horse Guards; do you think you could get a nomination for a commission for a youn? fellow m whom I am interested ?" -^ 8 " Young fellow in whom you are interested ; friend of yours, I presume?" "Well, I can't exactly say that," rejoined Slade; "for the fact is L barely know him." "Then what the deuce do you mean," rej6ined the Major; «'you can t expect me to go bothering at the Horse ^A'xr ,f?. . ^^vo^'^s for your slight acquaintances." Well, rejoined the Hussar, coolly, "his sister is a deuced nice girl, and I've promised to do what I can to help her m this matter." Major Braddock's sole reply was a low chuckle and an expressive wink. The suspicion of a sentimental affair was apt *o arouse the mirth of that bon vivant, who be- ueved in nothing but sensual gratification. " I say, Bertie, my boy, spoons at your time of life is only natural. You will find out the vanity of it before you re much older. Only, as far as my authority goes and remember you'll have a good bit of my dollars when 1 go, I bar matrimony before you've got your troop If you don't think you're better as a bachelor, then please yourself. I ve nothing more to say against it " ci"7°"^.'J^"'''"^ '^ ^^^^^ uncalled for," rejoined Gilbert r ?!" /!P"®,""^y ^'^^ ^"^ ^d^^i^e a girl without the slightest thought of marrying her. Besides, I am quite of your opinion. It ought to h% made illegal for subalterns to marry .^ But will you help me in this matter ?" " I can't sav. Vnn aHrnit »'/>!! l-~«— t.\.: -11 - .1 • _.._^. ; vii...(, j^\x ativTv iiumiiig aoout this young fellow. I've no doubt his sister is a nics, ladylike gurl. You are not likely to make a mistake aboui that. It ')', y\ ik -t- t " PI ,'„ ill I I II Will 90 SADDLE AND SABRE. But the prettiest and nicest of them are sometimes cursed with the most objectionable brothers." "I can assure you young Devereux will pass muster." Not a bit of use, Master Bertie. I am not hegfjinfr till I have seen him. I've too great a regard for Her Majesty s service to inflict upon any regiment a youngster whom his brother officers might feel ought never to have been amongst them. Let me see him, and then, if I con- scientiously can, I'll do my best for him." *i,".l^™/o^''^*^^''^,>^'" ^^ s°"^^ "ttle difficulty about that, said Bertie, meditatively. "I can't help it," replied the Major, testily. «« I have told you I won t back a dark horse. You surely can't be atraid to show hmi, because that's enough to d him at once." "Nonle. .c. Uncle Robert; it's not that.* The sligli< difficulty hi ism: that he is at the present moment at CambriM ^ na I don't know whether he can get awav while at ll:<: t {./ '^ / ^o 1.0 I.I 11.25 Um 12.5 |50 "^^ ■■§ M. 11.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 \ -m 'ij,^ ^'O"' If W ;). 1* ' K ) 1 f i / t i ' v| 9« SADDLE AND SABRE. going over to Lady Ramsbury's for a cup of tea and intend to have a turn in the Park afterwards " A tew minutes* lively conversation, for Mrs. Connop was by no means one of those women whom talking to becomes painfu and wearisome labour, and then Lettie enteredThe room, looking, as Slade thought, handsomer than he had aHtv I'nd .^h"' yet. She greeted Gilbert with much cordT :ta^tghingfyf ^' ^"^* ^^"^'' ^^^- ^--P ^°* "P' •' I must leave you to take care of Mr. Slade, Lettie. I am sure you wiU excuse me for a few minutes." she added ^urnmg to Gilbert, .• but I also must arrarm;.self f^r our' ;' I wanted much to see you alone for a few minutes Miss Deyereux," said Gilbert, as the door closej ^I W lost no time in seeing if I could be of any ass stance to your brother in obtaining a commission. Now my uncle SnrL'j/^K"°Tu^^J°"y ^°^ Braddock.' can as Itold SeTikes^hiW' ''°'''' ""^ ^" ^"^ P^°"^^^^^ ^« ^^^ do^uiurthiiTg.- " "P^^*^' ^^"^^- " ^"^ *^^* - -ther a cZ^J'La''"'} know the Major, and therefore you cant quite understand. He is straight as a die, but he won't fXw^'l'"^f "? *° P'^^""^^ a commission 'for any y^ung feUow whom he does not consider pleasant and a /entle man-in short, he insists upon seeing him '« ^ "Oh dear! •• exclaimed Lettie with a comic exDrptj^ion "Nothing of the kind," replied Gilbert. " There will be aJ'n?.^ ^' f^""} '' V """ ^"'>' g^t hold of your bTo her at once, and induce him to meet my uncle at the Thermo- polium. As long as his dinner is all right-and as we h?ve I hrfni *: '^" j-Charhe will pass muster triumphantly, and, I hope, spend a pleasant evening. But, you see, my time ^<^?^^P' ^"^ ^^^ ^"-*-" -'Can he'getCT; •• He is awaP. Mr. Slade ; I believe him to be in London SEEKING A COMMISSION. 9i t that is rather at this minute, though I don't know his address; but I think It very possible I may in the course of the day. I have written to a great friend of his, who is pretty certain Ito know where he is staying, and I will let you know the ■moment I hear. He is very keen upon this army idea, and, II am sure, would make a great effort in answer to your Ikmdness, and it really is very, very kind of you, Mr. Slade Ito have taken so much trouble for people of whom you Iknow so little as you do of us." \r-!J^^^ ^^ a fault to be amended. Miss Deverenx," rejoined lUilbert. " You cast your bread upon the waters that bitter afternoon at Lincoln, and won undying gratitude from a I half- famished man." ' It is^very good of you to make so little of the service you are rendering us." And as Lettie spoke, the door opened, and Mrs. Connop sailed into the room. I Gilbert felt that his mission was accomplished, and though he would willingly have prolonged the tite-d-tite, there was nothing left him now but to put the ladies into their carnage and take his departure. to be in London XIIL— Seeking a Commission M^- f H?^?P^^ ^^^ * ^'"^« puzzled on the receipt of Miss Devereux's note. There was no difficulty about giving Charlie's address, but it was ju'3t possible that young gentleman, for the day or two he was in town, might not care about seeing his relations. What had brought him up Furzedon did not know; he hau no opportunity of private conversation with him at Dick Kynaston's dinner, but he did know that unless the University had intimated that they could dispense with Mr. Devereux's presence for some time, or even altogether, that his stay in London I must be very short. However, after a few minutes' con- sideration. It was obvious to him that the best thini? to do would be to consult Charlie himself on that point." "That young gentleman, as soon as he had read the note 94 SADDLE AND SABRE. mi observed, "All right, i didn't mean going to Onslow Gar- dens, but Lettie IS a clear-headed girl, and wouldn't par- ticularly want jo see me unless she had a good reason for I!; 2 lu"" &u ""y '■^spected aunt knew I was in town, or else I should have gone up there yesterday. Mrs. Con- nop has a great idea as to what is due to her, from her nephews and nieces, and. as she is a regular trumo I wouldn't offend her for the world." ^' ^^^^°^'L^^ ^ precious fool if you did," rejoined Furze- don. "She s good, no doubt, for many years to come, but she has money to leave behind her whenever she makes an end oi it. •• I wasn't thinking of that," rejoined Charlie, curtly. •• 1 only remembered she was always a jolly kind aunt to me from my school-boy days, when she used to take me to the pantomime till last winter, when she gave me a chequ- lor 50/. to buy another hunter with." ' "I see," replied Furzedon, "one of those beneficent god- mamas that only exist in fairy tales. This is the first I ever heard of in real life." " Perhaps not I fancy Aunt Connop is a sort you don't often come across. j- «" •. "Well, good morning," rejoined Furzedon. " I shall write a hne to Miss Devereux to say that you'll be in Onslow Gardens this afternoon. An independent aunt who is lavish of cheques for fifty is a relative to cling to, take my word for it. ^ Charlie's appearance in Onslow Gardens that afternoon speedily made his peace with Mrs. Connup. With that lady, indeed, he was an especial favourite. She liked him better considerably than his steady-going brother, and, though very fond of Lettie, perhaps cared more about the scapegrace of the family than her niece. Charlie had never done anything very terrible, but he had a knack- some men have— of being incessantly in scrapes. He had never come actually to grief, but from his earliest days he had occasioned considerable apxiety to his family by per- petually hovering on the brink of it. Lettie was his niost trusted counsellor^ and in cm.al! financial muddles, at her instigation, Mrs. Connop had more than once come to the SEEKING A COMMISSION. ng to Onslow Gar- , and wouldn't par- a good reason for new I was in town, terday. Mrs. Con- ; to her, from her regular trump, I I," rejoined Furze- ny years to come, henever she makes Charlie, curtly. «• 1 y kind aunt to me i to take m*e to the jave me a cheque )se beneficent god- This is the first I is a sort you don't rzedon. "I shall that you'll be in independent aiuit ilative to cling to, ;ns that afternoon mup. With that B. She liked him ing brother, and, d more about the :e. Charlie had le had a knack- scrapes. He had s earliest days he lis family by per- ttie was his most I muddles, at her once come to the 9$ i rescue. Clear-headed Lettie saw that with a nature like her brother s the sooner he was set to some serious work the better She knew he was doing no good at the Uni- versity, and she was now very hot upon his getting into the army as soon as possible. You can't keep a man i i leadmg stnngs, but to let him saunter through life with no occupation is bad for any, destruction to some. The preliminary greetings over, Lettie plunged at once m medtas res, and had the satisfaction of finding both her auditors thoroughly with her. Mrs. Connop was as keen that Charlie should entei the army as he was to get into it and said that, to see her nephew a Dragoon, she would not at all grudge contributing handsomely towards his outfit J *j !?/^o."^f"* °" *° *^^^ Charlie how she had per- suaded Mr. Slade tc ask his uncle. Major Braddock, to interest himself m his-Charlie's— favour, and how that distinguished officer had promised to do so, providing that he approved of this candidate for military honours "But Charlie, Major Braddock will see you— to use Mr blade s words, he won't recommend a recruit he hasn t TTself inspected; but Mr Slade says-and it's awfully Id of him— that if you could manage to dine with him at .iie Thermopolium one day next week, he will get his uncle to meet you. " It is very good of him," replied Charlie ; " and I will manage it if he will only let me know what dav • but remember, I must go back to Cambridge to-night, ,' i have only leave for three days (he didn't think it necessary to mention that he had obtained leave of absence for three ,:; r " ."v^.ii.iig. n.uu v^nanie leit, tnousfh he did not venture to express it, that he would willingly risk being sent down, sooner than miss this chance of getting a nomination for a profession he had now set his heart on Verywell, then," said Lettie; " I shall write and tell him you will gratefully accept his invitation, if he will for- ward It to your Cambridge address." '' Thats ail right," rejoined Charlie, gleefully. •« And now, Aunt, I must say good-bye. You are a trump n iti: I'i i';M 96 SADDLE AND SABREL Lettie ; " and having given his sister a hearty kiss anrfl shaken hands with his aunt, Charlie shot down the stafrs and made his way back to Duke Street. Westwir^d' "?jf *^*>°"V«/e a little mixed as he walked westward. He was in high spirits at the idea of the ooen rng which presented itself to him ; but the usual bitlrS^ss was mingled m the cup, to wit, that he would haU to make ITl ^7^"&«"^«"t^ ^>ut those confounded bUls S?U1 his Aunt Connop had ust distinctly said that she wou d comedown with something handsome to see him a Dra ' irh«/f ^'P' '^^ ^°"'^ ^«« ^^^ °"t o?t£ rirapel She had done so once or twice before in a small way and Charlie felt rather afraid of confessing the extent of h^ misdoings this time to his sister, and she was the medil through which he generally approached his aunt HoT ever, he thought, "Only let me once get into the armv and some of th.m I think, are bound tolee me through Tt^l w.frh ^ passed through Piccadilly. Charlie took out his watch, and wondered whether he had time to turn into Curzon Street and call upon Mrs. Kynaston He wis beginning now to entertain a lively appreciation of tha till t^^r'' n^" *H^"".*'"^-«^^^ «^^ had a s °r^usriva m the goddess Diana for the prettiest woman in England would fiave had to ride hard and straight to keep cfie in her company while hounds were running, but fn^London t was very different. There Mrs. Kynaston hai no rfva in Charlie s estimation, and. miss his train or not.he detlr mined to call. •• Yes, Mrs. Kynaston was at home " so the iaX W wTtt "l'*"' '"^ ^' ^^' ^"^y ushered^to tha lady s pretty little drawing-room in Curzon Street. was a fivoidte 0^^:^^^ T""^ empressement, for he really was a tavounte of hers, and was quite aware of his admira- tion for herself She sometimes^ thought with a saucTair of triumph of their first meeting, and h^ow utterly obS he had been to the fact that he was doing escort to a ::f.:Lr'*\^°'?r""'n?u".^ ^^'^ Kynaston ^wouMsiftly *^ ~f "°," ,"' ^^ j""f iwi. i-'evereux. Arevouunini town for long ? Heard you were dming with my^husbLd SEEKING A COMMISSION. . ^ l^gStU clUdT? •• ^'^^ '°"' ^^^ ^°" ^ ^^"^ ^"^• - No," laughed Charlie ; " very short, indeed, but I hone soon-yes, very soon-to have done with it I have^a chance of entering the army, and if that comes off I shaH ' \"^^aSA T^^' ^°'!,'* y°" '^'""^ ' «h-iJ be right ?" Yes, mdeed, I do," rephed Mrs. Kynaston. •• You will make a very a.r Dragoon, and I don't think you 'frame " for anything hke bookwork." ^ "*rae " Ye^^**''/hi^T^''^^'"'^ '^y^ ' " ^^clainied Charlie. Yes. The life will j ust suit you— and remember I soeak as a woman having experience.'' ^ " I don't think I am clever," replied Devereux lauirhina • ' but you needn't tell a fellow so. Mrs. Kynaston fS I can ride a bit and play a decent game of bilHards. I had ^S'^^^S^^^l^ ^^e -'^er night,\^1 ;♦ Perhaps he was not in form," replied Mrs. Kvna«;(on ^nLi;^/' "^""""^ ''"'•' " «'""' '^^^ o/leaX in"; " And I flatler myself I do also," rejoined Charlie a for'Lry.""' ^'^- "^ '^ ^P' '° P'»^ -rSeSJy^erept ChX' ''*'' " '"** °"' ■•"" '" "*'" " """e»'"g." replied • j'^°"' P«*»PS yo" ""■« the best," said Mrs Kvnaslon Polel?a""'! """'^ ' "°"''*°'' *«= '°° '"'-■ H°- - " Doing wonderfully well, I hear, and very much im. proved smce we got so disgracefully beaten ati^oln JoTwlS LThSe^o^fe'^!!. '""' '" '-■= -'-»• -0 ">a5 JvL-eTs r. 'pS:;„?tne^un?e"rt'-%L^"^°^^ 98 SADDLE AND SABRE. Major Kynaston's movements were in good trutli governed considerably by his financial success on the Turf, as his wife had confided to Lettte, but Mrs. Kynas- CharTir "°^ *^ ^"*^'' '"*° ^""^^ confidences with r ^tft'^iu^^" ^u T ^''P^'^* ^? ?'' "P ^°'' yo"-- inspection ? i; ^ i 1 r *" /'?«"^•^ and I know that you are to be paraded before Major Braddock. I trust that the wine may be properly iced, and that thf cook may have done his devotrs deftlv," continued Mrs. Kynaston, laughing. I suppose you know that a mistake in a side dish, Sr tlie claret served at an undue temperature, may nip your aspirations in the bud ? " • > h y""r u " y®!*u r?i'^.^ Charlie, joining in her laugh. •« I have heard that \fajor Braddock regards dinner as a very solemn function ; but we are to dine at his own club, and surely there should be safety in that. I should think the chef for Ins own sake would do his best for Major Braddock." • • J »*'^ tT"*^" worldly wi.sdom in your speech." rejoined Mrs. Kynastdn. - Gourmets like Major Braddock back their bills, and make bitter the lives of both cook and committee should even their mutton chop not be done to the exact turn." " Let us hope the Fates will be propitious. And now, Mrs. Kynaston. I must wish you good-bye, for I have but just time to pack up my traps and catch my train." " Good-bye and may all success attend you. Write as soon as you know; or, better still, come and tell me you are to be a Dragoon." ^ .f!^^^%J^^r^^l°'\ ^^\ plunged in reverie for same time after Charlie had taken his departure. She knew her husband too weU to suppose that the light-hearted boy WK 7 t^ ?^"y, ''^*"" ^'^'^ ^'"^ a* cards or billiards. What could Dick mean ? He surely did not intend to K"f fj"" ,^?f ^ u ™/" ^^l"^ ^'^ ^^arlie Devereux, and yet that the latter had any chance with her husband at billiards or cards she did not believe for one moment. Poor Kate ! It was far from her nature to turn hawk, and she had t»ick Kynaston got his living for the most part by his skill SKEKINC A COMMISSION, 99 l! in all description of 'play.' But she soon ^rew callous and even stooped to make use of her own smiles and bricht eyes to lure men into her. husband's nt i. But she was loyal to her favourites, and Dick, though he ruled her with an iron hand, on the whole knew that now and again she would stand no plundering of the innocents. It was on l)ehalf of the young ones Kate chiefly interfered. Her elder admirers, she deemed, ought to be able to take care on liSff n7l' 'f* ^^'^ ""T^^ '"^^'^^"^^ ^^^'■P'y sometimes on behalf of her boyish adorers, and she was just the sort ot woman whom (juite young nwn especially worship. I don t mean to say that Kate Kynaston had not plenty of men of all ages at her feet, but she had a quiet way with her that put "young ones" at their ease in the first half- S'.i, * i! ^^ '^°"^'' "l^.* ^^^^ *^'s t^>"g- She would tell Dick that he must stay his hand as far as Charlie Devereux was concerned. She knew that he was wild, and she knew that he was weak, but she would not have it on her con- ff'®"u^,i'^*r'i'^ ^^"""^ ^y ^"<^ *w this boy ruined on the iJl^^^^^ ^'^ ''^'^^'' ^^^ ^^^ submissive in general, and Dick Kynaston was not the man to bear the thwartinc c .?i'^A ."'''^ patiently, but this matter should be speedily settled between them, and she would let him know that Charlie Devereux must be spared. Then her thoughts ran back to the old channel. Sh^ likW for r^r.^cf '5^^ ^" *^^ ^^?'*- ^^^ "^"^^ tJ^^t her' fr«^^I ?• ^^'* ^^^?^ T*^ growing on her. She knew it from the dismay with which she had learnt that he had r i1!!!f^'^u" ^^^'^i^ Devereux's behalf at Lettie's request. l»i;, f V^t^ ^¥!u•'^' """'A^^ "'"^h «*'""ck with that young ladv to take all this trouble on her brother's account. Shi uIa\ u^"" ^ great fancy to Lettie, but unfortunately she ^uX?^^Vu- ^q"^"y strong one for Slade, and when two womo •n^KPfu'"'^^^ '* IS pretty safe to predict that the woman will be thrown over in favour of the man. Again, a^rs. Kynaston had chosen, in virtue of her orior acquaintance, to regard Gilbert Slade as her own peculiar property. How very slight that acquaintance had been vvas snown oy tne Jact that when he met her on old Tom Devereux s drag at Lincoln fie had failed to remember her 111:;. ' I >* 51 100 SADDLE AND SABRE. True, Gilbert had devoted himself to her upon that occa- sion more than to Lettie, but a man would have lausjhed at Mrs. Kynaston's entertaining such an idea that she held right of vassalage over Gilbert, though a woman would perfectly have understood it, and have divined in a moment that the friendship of those two would be of short duration now that Mrs. Kynaston's jealousy was aroused. That lady, rousing herself at length from her reverie, sprang to her feet, and as she paced up and down the drawing-room, was quite as determined that Lettie Devereux should never wed Gilbert Slade, as that her husband should not plunder the brother. iii ( •* XIV. — Charlie on Probation. GILBERT SLADE contrived to see a good deal of Miss Devereux during this last fortnight. As the diplomatist who had the arranging a meeting between CharHe and Major Braddock on the most favourable terms, he found it necessary to consult Lettie very often. The Major usually, and more especially at this time of year, had pretty numerous engagements in the dinner way. There- fore it was necessary to ascertain, first, what evening would suit him. Then it was imperative that Charlie should be written to, and told that if anything should prevent his attending on that occasion he must telegraph at once, as otherwise he would create a most unfavourable impression on the Major, who regarded engagements of this sort as bonds of the most sacred description. Charlie also had to be cautioned against the heinous sin of unpunctuahty. Very fond was the Major of laying down the axiom, that to be late on such an occasion was an offence unpardonable. When in the army he had been always given to harrying the subalterns about being behind time for the men's duty. Unpunctuality on other parades he might look over, but not on this one ; so that altogether Gilbert was a good Gcai in Onslow vjstusns. riowever, Si lasi everyiiiing was arranged. Charlie had been most carefully tutored, CHARLIE ON PROBATJON. jqi uJh.f ^^''"'f ' '"'^'''^^ ^>^ ^'^^^' ^°"'d do so 1) .• the post He had even been tutored into studying " Li.r.lle '' and warned, d he saw a fair opportunity, to hre uV he follow ing quotation from that poeni : -- "°^' We may live without friends, we may live without books- But civil.sed men cannot live without cook^ •• I am so very anxious." said Lettie, when the imnortant day was finally fixed. " I do so hope CharlirwKcau^ himself creditably. I have done as Vou told me 1 hive warned h.m to be highly-appreciative of ti.e good h n^! set before him ; but to be a little diffident as toTv .^1 opinion about the wine." K'^mg an "Quite right," said 'Gilbert, laughing. «' Verv voun^ men are apt to set up as judges in that respect, an f I^"^ that always moves Uncle Bob's wrath. I even on e lu ard hid hX ^^o^f r gout'" ^^' ^"^^^^"^' ^^-^ -- -" ie do'ti?ey V'"'"''^ ^'"^'' " '"'" ^°"'* ^^^^y' '^^^- the gout, " I fancy my uncle and his cronies are unanimous con cerning that complaint. We must only hope that he is' not disposed to just now." ^ ^^ "It is very good of you. Mr. Slade, to take ;ili th,= troub e for me, and I am very grateful o you ; but I fid wofully nervous about Charlies ordeal. Your uncle fi somewhat peculiar." i our uncle ,,-. .is r.i;.^1 ^* ^"• ^^'«l,?evereux ; not more so than the L^ene- rahty of mankind. The only thing is that as I w^nVri^^^ to show to the best advantage, I'm giv 'n. vou "VV.'^ f the country. We have most%f uTtSrarE ami just our clashing of these that makes' peopL" ake a^ si ke to us when we first meet them ' aisiike grateful.'' ""''^ ^^""^ °^ -''°"' ^"^ ^ ^^"'^ ^e sufficiently " Don't think of it," interrupted Gilhprf • " I'rv, « i x pleased that I managed to arr^ange the m 't.e be?ol^ mv time was up. I rx,ust leave London the dav after Mn,?^^ uut 1 was so aitaid that it might not come off." " lUW i( :,:ti R,,f T oi 11 "•"' .V ...,g,,i „u[ come oft. tJut I si, til see you agam before you go ? " said Lettie. M I I IP Iff I02 SADDLii AND SABRE. " Oh, yes, I'll come down to-morrow afternoon, if you'll allow me, and tell you how things went ofif. And now I must say adieu. Depend on it, it will be all right, Miss Devereux. Uncle Bob is a good-natured fellow, though perhaps over-fond of his dinner, and has always done any- thing I wanted ; " and with these words of encouragement Gilbert Slade took his departure. Lettie really was very anxious that Charlie should get into the army. She thought, unless he had some occupa tion, that volatile brother of hers would most assuredly come to grief. She had been greatly pleased with the en- thusiasm he showed at the prospect of entering the army, and it was therefore no wonder that she should be anxious about his success. '• It's odd," thought Lettie, " but really at present his chance seems to depend on the caprice of a middle-aged gentleman." Then she thought how very kind Mr. Slade had been about the whole business ; and then I think her whole reverie rather concentrated itself on Mr. Slade him- self. It is a very easy transition, when the subject is a good-looking young man, to glide from " how very kind " to " how very nice " he was, and from that to those day- dreams in which all young ladies are prone to indulge, and to what answer she shouid give if ever he should ask the momentous question, and from that the whole thing dies away m a background of orange flowers, bridesmaids, rice, and old slippers. The fateful evening at last arrived. Charlie Devereux, having compared his watch with the Horseguards in the afternoon — the one authority on time that Major Braddock recognised, to which all other clocks were expected to bend — arrived at the Thermopolium at least ten minutes before the appointed hour. Gilbert shook him heartily by the hand, and said, laughing, •• This will do. Uncle Robert is not here himself yet. Don't forget the hints I have sent you ; I know you'll excuse my doing so, but of course we liave a point to carry : ap- preciative but not demonstrative about the dinner, and somewhat diffident on the subject of wine ; bear in mind it's all the Major's ordering, ; and everything is sure to be 111** 4 liii CHARLIE ON PROBATION. ,03 friend? A'^t^e^lx^"^'^ '*°'*"- ^=' "•' '"'-"uce „,y The Major shook liaiids cordiallv with Charlfc ]„.. =. fril'ndrfl ■•'■ ^""'' *"" '•" ^-" I "ave seen you, "Not likely, I think," rejoined Slad*. '• <:«»,^ n probably misleads you." ^^""^ i ; ENTERED FOR THE ARMY. 109 isnc signs and a shibboleth not understood by ordinary people, so amongst the higher vultures of society there is a recognition that takes but a short time to arrive at. The adventurer who has lived over half Europe very rapidly takes stock of his brothers, and Kynaston had already dis- covered that Ralph Furzedonwas a very promising pro- fessor of his own line of business. "Just the partner I want," thought the Major. «' Has some capital, but wants introductions and opportunities. We might do great things together. He would be an apt pupil with my experience to guide him." Apt pupils, when you are engaged in such ticklish pursuits as the Major s, are likely to prove inconvenient in the long run. 1 here is an old adage that runs To teach his grandson draughts, then his leisure he'd employ Until at last the old man was beaten by the boy. '^"'I'"'^' It is rather a nuisance when our protigi gets the best of us at our own game, and in the sort of games played by the social bandits of the Kynaston type there is not uncom- monly disagreement about the division of the spoil. Furze- don, though young in years, was, as the Major rightly conceived, old in the iniquities of play of all kinds, and Dick Kynaston is destined to have many uncomfortable hours in consequence of the projected partnership '\^T?^^ ^"'°"^ thieves" is just as fallacious a saying as that "Force is no remedy," or that "Coercion is the dragooning of a country." All civilised countries live under coercion, which simply means that the inhabitants have to observe the laws of the land they live in ; and force is usually the remedy employed to those who infringe them. As for coercion, I suppose no city in the universe is under the extreme coercion of London, where your lying down is almost provided for as in the days when the Norman ordained that the curfew should toll, whilst the Sabbath you, if a man without a home or a club, are bound to ob- serve m weariness and fasting. There is verv httle ho-our observed of thieves, whatever their rank in life, when their interests clash. What had first opened Kynaston's eves to the precociousness of his young friend had been Furzedon's 'iiiii MT-iil ' 1 1 5 i i iii t , 1 '• 1 i 4 ,i 110 SADDLE AND SABRE. )■•> ^\' I accurate information with regard to Turf matters. The old usurer, of whom, as a parent, that gentleman was so heartily ashamed, had Jewish blood in his veins, and an mtimate acquaintance with the tribes generally, and especi- ally with those in his own way of business. Now the Jews have been invariably mixed up in all sport at which money IS to be made— from the prize-ring to the racecourse. I can't call to mind a Hebrew cricketer, but to the Turf and the Ring the Israelites have largely contributed, and the former ' sendeth the Gentile constantly to Shadrac for the means with which to appease Gideon. Therefore racing secrets are rife amongst these people, and Furzedon was constantly permitted to share their knowledge ; and the information he had thus been occasionally able to proffer the Major had given that gentleman a high opinion of his capacity. Who lists the wind where it blows? Who can tell what mischief a woman's vanity and caprice may occasion when wounded and disappointed ? But let that woman's love be not a caprice, but a serious passion, and it's odds, like other fires, it leaves ruin behind it ere it burns itself out. Mrs. Kynaston, still brooding over her fancy for Gilbert Slade, is a woman in whom the fire is already smouldering, with vanity already mortified, and, in spite of an outwardly easy-going manner, of a temper that will reck little of consequences should the flames break out. As for that Hussar speeding northwards, he little dreams of his conquest, or of the coil he has left behind him. He is by no means blind to feminine beauty, and quite recog- nises that Mrs. Kynaston is fair to look upon, and it was quite possible that had not a fairer in his eyes than she dawned simultaneously on the horizon, he might have become her devoted cavalier for a time ; but as it is he thinks only of Lettie, and has well-nigh forgotten Mrs Kynaston's existence, a circumstance which that lady has xar too ^ood an opinion of her own attractions to ever dream of. That Gilbert Slade was wavering in his allegi- ance, she did think. She was accustomed to that but lENTERED FOR tHK ARMY. m with this difference, that the wavering was usually in her y?Mu ^^ ^°'"^ °^^^^ woman's expense. Gilbert Slade found the stream of life in the Northern capital run somewhat sluggish after London. A quaint old city waxes somewhat drowsy in the dog days, only to Iw^ «!?/?k'" t"^^^" ^"^"'i ^'■'"^^ ^^'^•"g °" the knaves- S H ^^^n'^u""^ *^!. ^""*'"S ^«^s°" ^'^ near at hand. However, Gilbert made the best of things, and was getting through what is rather the dead season in The T". S~*^ men -very fairly, wondering occasionally what Miss Devereux was doing, and whether she was stm frnmT; n i°"o T^^^^i^g the post brought him a letter from his Uncle Robert, which necessitated his at once tTpTrhl"/*'"^ r''*^ that young lady. It was dated from the Thermopohum," and ran as follows:— " Dear Bob,— vo„r *J' ^' have succeeded in getting a nomination for your protege, and if he prospers he won't be the first soldier who has owed success in his profession to the attractions of his female relations. His Royal Highness was exceed- mgly nice about it, and said, 'I can oblige you, Major Braddock, in what you want, and 1 shall have much pleasure in doing so. There is a cornetcy going in vour old regiment, and I'm sure I can't do better for him than that. I inspected them not long ago, and found them, as usual, all that they ought to be. Leave his name and address m the outer room, and I'll see Mr. Devereux gets his nomination at once. There will be an examination in October, and he will be gazetted as soon as he has got hrough that,' and then His Royal Highness remarkid laughing, I was glad to find that the champagne of the — th Hussars was as good as ever; Col'^nel Higginson told me that you still looked after them in tii^i respect and TT® %f°\^ °^ honorary mess president even yet.' I thanked His Highness, and told him I still tried to do my dutv to my country And so I do, you dog! Am I not always recommending her defenders to drink the best brands only ? Nothing injures the constitution more than drinking bad wine. Now, Master Bertie, I have succeeded in getting ■r li, tt2 SADDLE AND SABRE. n ' 1 young Devereux entered, bear in mind I shan't like it if he's beat. Tell him he must pass. I don't want His Royal Highness to blow me up for having interfered in behalf of a confounded fool. You had better write to him at once, and tell him to look up his books again. Thank goodness, in my time they didn't think it necessary we should know so much before we began They caught us young, and left it to the regiment to break us. " Your affectionate uncle, " Robert Braddock." Gilbert Slade was excessively pleased at the result of the Major's interference. H3 felt that he really had been of prompt service to Miss Devereux in this business. And then he thought that it would be rather a credit to himself to have introduced a recruit who could ride like Charlie into the regiment, for Gilbert had too much of the racing instincts of his family not to recognise that Charlie only wanted practice to become a really good gentleman rider, and even in a cavalry regiment men really good between the flags are rare. There was one thing— it was of course imperative upon him now to .write to Miss Devereux, and somehow he thought it would be rather pleasant to open a correspondence with Lettie. That missive duly arrived in Onslow Gardens, and threw the recipient and Mrs. Connop into a state of the wildest delight, tempered with no little anxiety on the subject of this examination. She had heard Charlie speak of men being plucked for their " little go," which she knew meant failure to pass an examination of some sort, and her confidence in her brother's riding was considerably greater than that she reposed in his reading. As for Mrs. Connop, she felt quite confident of her favourite nephew's ability to do anything in that way. Had he riot gone through a course of University training ? and was it likely that an examination for the army could have any terrors for a man who had undergone such a training ? But she, too, had her misgivings ; it is often the case, we attain v/hat we ardently desire, and are immediately afflicted with doubts as to whether, after all, we were not, perhaps, better without it. Charlie, she ENTERED FOR THE ARMY. "3 knew, although she knew it very partially, had developed a faculty for getting into money troubles at the University and her experience told her that equal facility and greater temptation existed for indulging this infirmity in the army And It did occur to Mrs. Connop, even in this hour of triumph, that his outfit might not be the only demand that would be made upon her purse strings. But Lettie hastened to reply to Gilbert Slade's letter, and thank him for the trouble he had taken in her brother's behalf. " Indeed, Mr. Slade," she said, " it has been very good of you to take all this trouble in Charlie's behalf. And I have no doubt that it was mainly thanks to the cunning hints he received from you which enabled him to make himself acceptable to Major Braddock, to whom also we feel very indebted about the whole business. The idea of his being in the same regiment with yourself is delightful because I am sure that you will put him in the way of things ; and, though I have no fear of his soon making his way, yet the hfe will be strange to him at first, as he has had no experience of the ways of military men. As for passing, he writes very confidently, and vows 'that he shall pul through, though it may be with a fall or two • ' and as I know he is very much in earnest about obtaining his commission, I believe him. Once more, Mr. Slade I must say that I don't know how to tell you how grateful we feel to you. You must come down and see Pole Star win at Lincoln ; and then< perhaps, we may induce you to ^u'^^^?V ^?l^\^^^''^^ ^"^ h^^e a few days' hunting in the Wolds. With kind regards to Auntie, " Yours most sincerely, " Lettie Devereux." Gilbert conceived this letter required acknowledgment and wrote a courteous reply, in which he expressed his hope of assisting at Pole Star's expected triumph in the autumn; and further requesting that he might be informed as speedily as possible of the result of the frav between ^harhe and his torturers ; but Miss Devereux' made no further sign, and it was not till the end of September that he received a letter from Charlie himself:— 1 1 I ! ■,!il 114 SADDLE AND SABRE. I \ "Dear Slade," he began, "I have gone through my ordeal, and, although not formally apprised of it, feel sure that I have passed. They have put me on in about the easiest chapter of all Caesar's Commentaries, the one about which, if you know anything about Latin at all, you couldn't go wrong in. Then they asked me if I would take up French, and, being excessively shy concerning my know- ledge of that language, I said, • No, thank you.' I was only compelled to take up one, you know, and felt sure I'd pull through in Latin. The whole examination, as it stands at present, is a farce, and one which no ordinary schoolboy could possibly be spun over, with one exception, Old Bridge Hall, who examines in history, has collected a bundle of very dry facts, thickly studded with dates, which he has published. He examines you chiefly out of his own book, and dates are his hobby. Of this I luckily got a hint, so just struggled hard at his chronological table for six weeks ; deuced lucky I did so, for the bigger half of my questions were of that nature. I answered them like the well-crammed gosling I was, and have very little doubt that I shall have totally forgotten all about them ere six months are over my head. Never mind ! thev have served my turn, and I shall hope to be with you 'at York this winter, and have a good time with the York and Ainsty. Good-bye, and no end of thanks for all you have ever done for me. .. g^^^ yours, " Charlie Devereux." Arniy examinations, it must be borne in mind, were quite in their infancy when Mr. Devereux passed so triumphantly through the ordeal. They have become competitive since, and assumed a very different complexion ; education, in- deed, seems highly necessary for anything except as a qualification for the electorate. "•i DEAREST FRIENDS "MAY" DIFFER. "5 XVI. — Deakkst Friends "May" Differ. r T was not till the very last week of her London visit that Lettie received Slade's lei:„-r containing the news If Charlie's nomination, and it was only when she wrote 3 Kate Kynaston, proposhig to call and say " good-bye," lat lady learnt the fact that in the event of success young )evereux was to be gazetted to Gilbert's regiment. If he had not been satisfied with Mr. Slade's interference in ^e matter before, her anger about it now was tolerably Ironounced. She was not going to be out-manoeuvred by 1 chit of a country girl like that if she knew it ; and she persistently regarded Gilbert as having fallen captive, oetaphorically speaking, to her own spear. She was not tkely to submit to having the spoils of the chase wrested torn her in this fashion. Charlie in the same regiment, |nd naturally, at his sister's bidding, perpetually bringing Ir. Slade with him to NorthJLeach ! Had Mrs. Kynaston een on the Board of Examfners I would not have given luch for Mr. Devereux's chance of passing, nor had she been colonel of the regiment do I think much leave would lave been accorded to him just at present. On one point Ihat lady was more resolute than ever — that though he light escape from her thrall, Gilbert should never be pusband to Lettice Devereux. But outwardly her brow was as smooth as of yore, and per congratulations to Lettie on paper apparently warm bd sincere. Women, when the quarrel is d Votitrance, bow better than to betray themselves; they bide their lime, but when that comes don't think they will spare their Tiand, or fail to send the steel home to its bitterest length. Bhe turned over in her mmd how this union might be brevented ; there was plenty of time — it was a thing that bight never come about, and even should she learn that Ihe pair were engaged, it was very possible, thought Mrs. pynaston, to arrange a slip 'twixt that cup and lip. Mar- riages may be made in heaven, perhaps, but that they are frequently ruptured on earth, both in the egg and when lull-grown, we have much demonstration of, and how often h M •■; ; '■ ■ ' \ %:, t •, 4 ! t P , ' it! I 116 SADDLE AND SABftJR. woman's jeaioi sy or man's frailty contributes to sach sa ending what piulosopher shall determine ? But I faucj the former has shattered as much matrimonial happinesj as can be attributed to any enemy of Hymen. 1 Suddenly it flashed vaguely before Mrs. Kynaston's mini that this new protege of her husband— Mr. FurzedonJ might be a useful card in her hand in the game she conl templated playing. She had read that gentleman's charl acter pretty correctly, considering the little she had seel of him. She knew that he was selfish, had a stroni suspicion that he was niggardly, but slie further knew fa certain that his great ambition was to attain some socia status in the great London world. He admired Misi Devereux— that was a fact patent to any one gifted witi the power of perception— but Mr. Furzedon was not a mal likely to marry, except deliberately, and in furtherance the line he had chalked out for himself. " It would not be such a hard thing," mused M^ Kynas^ n, " to make Furzedon anxious to marry Lettii Devereux. Her brother gating into a crack DragooJ regiment is one step towards it ! Let Mr. Furzedon onli be persuaded that Miss Devereux is an acknowledged beauty, whose face is a passport to fashion's portals, an] he will be keen enough to woo her. He would prefer ( wife with money, perhaps— with a handle to her narad undoubtedly— but he is far too shrewd a judge not to knoj that a man with no antecedents and only a moderate coio mand of loney cannot expect the pick of the matrimonii market. Yes," continued Mrs. Kynaston, still followin L^A'-^nn up the same tram of thought, " it is quite possible that Mi ' , i ^ Furzedon may be a very useful card to me in future. Zr' xr ! don't like the man myself, nor do I suppose Dick doe ' ' " , either, for, to do him justice, although necessity compel „ill nri^, ^T^° ^"^^ ''^'^^^ electro-plated gentlemen at times, poo T.; V "S?. old Dick thoroughly understands good form when he meet „ tn«m It. I usually >hey my lord and master, and for once hi << T. ;! wishes and m e conform. He has his reasons for wishini ^nu^Lz ms to be civil !• M" Furzedon ; I also have mine. Tha" "^i slightly underbid! 'outk raan promises to be rather a tamlrivilplp cat about oui esi. ik^ument ;" -ad then Mrs. Kynaston jieased DEARKST FRIENDS "MAY" DIFFER. tributes to stich s line? But I fauc rimonial happine [ymen. rs. Kynaston's mim I — Mr. Furzedon the game she con t gentleman's charj httle she had see fisli, had a stron he further knew f( attain some soci He admired Mi iny one gifted witij don was not a ma d in furtherance 117 [lancing at the clock, muttered softly to herself " Lettie, iy dear, it is time you made vour appearance. How leased I shall be to see you ! Ht)W ; ad I shall be that we ire about to part! And how sad, uiy love, I am at the hoiight that I cannot bite you !" She had not to wait long." A lew minutes more and Miss -evereux was annm „< ed, and Mrs. Kynaston rose and •eceived her with Iht greatest effusion. " I'm rather late, I know," said Lettie, as she sank into n easy chair, " but there is always so much to do the last few days ; people whom one has almost forgot have to be »alled on, and people whom you had hoped had forgot all bout you suddenly turn up, and pay visits of unwarrant- ble length and never-to-be-forgotten dreariness. I don't now how it is, but these latter people always circumvent ;he servants ; your dearest friends may be turned away rem the door, but, whatever the instructions, these people invariably at least gain the drawing-room, and you are •ery lucky if they don't catch you in it." "Yes," replied Mrs. Kynaston, gaily, " few people possess iuch a treasure as Staples. He was with the Major before married. He is a little brusque in his manner, I grant, ut he has almost an unerring instinct of whom to let in ind whom to keep out. He has a capital memory, and judffe not to knoMu wif ^^^* ^'"* ^"^''f ^ ^''"- ^^^^ ^^^^y^ says, in joke, sfa mode ate coS'''/'^^'^^'l*''"^\^^^" ^^^P^^^ ^'" ^^y ' ^ot at hLe ^ of tS matr mon ° t""' ^""^ u^^* "°*^'"^ ^"* ^'^ latchkey makes admission ton stm foKn' ° '^ °''" ^°"'^ a certainty. Undoubtedlv Staples is a e p^ss b e tl^at M, J^^^' ^.^Pf^o^ watchdog. As for the importunate creditor- iUDDose Dick dre ' • ^i*^ •'/'' ^^»n.th s -sj-Staples recognises them, I verily n^eSitv comud I n" ' '^ '^''\' ^^°'^' ^^* *^^"^ P^^y ^"^'^ salvo as they Tien at times r^^o ^'" "P^" ?"' ^°°!' ' ^^^^^ *^^ vagueness of his knowledge ^rrSwhen hemee '' ° ^^ ' Kynaston is in town, or ever will be Tnd fn^ nn^ ^ " ^°'^'' ^S^'"' '^ ^^P^y uusurpassable." ■Masons for w^shin " ^" ^^^^^"^bk man, Staples," rejoined Lettie. " I must have J'ne Th#°"';t' myself fortunate to be in his good graces." o berather a taml. " V ' ^^^j he knows you, and that you are one of the ^rMrs Kvnasto ^^'1^1^^. but I haven't congratulated you. 1 am so ,n mrs. liynaston ^leased about Charlie, and how very nice it is that he ling," mused MrJ lb to marry Lettil a crack Dragooj Mr. Furzedon onl an acknowledge hion's portals, ani He would prefer/ ndle to her naraa .^,' . 11; 1 1 ' w i m ilS SADDLE AND SABRE. should have got into Mr. Slade's regiment. It will bJ especially nice for you, my dear !" continued Mrs. KynastoDl archly. ' " Why so ?" asked Lettie. "Oh, I don't know," said Mrs. Kynaston, carelesslyl " Still, It's always convenient to have one's brothers anif admirers in the same bundle. When you want a few yound men for a ball you will always be able to write to Charlii to come, and bring two or three brother officers with him] And if you haven't, after the first twelve months, taughl him whom to bring, then you deserve to die an old maid,| «' How can you say such things ?" cried Lettie, hotlyl '• My brothers have always been accustomed to bring sucJ friends as they like to North Leach, and it is not likelj that Charlie, when he becomes a Dragoon, that he wij renounce that privilege— why should he ? And why should not one of those friends be Mr. Slade ? He, at all events! has a strong claim on our hospitality, if only for the serl vice he has just rendered us." "Quite so, my dear," assented the other speaker. " Mei have done more than that for the love of ces beaux yeuA and received far less guerdon than, I prophesy, will be Mrf Slade's lot Now, don't get angry, Lettice, but, bear iJ mind, these soldiers are arrant flirts— they woo, and the] ride away. Don't let your heart out of your keeping tij the engagement ring is on your finger." I '• What nonsense you are talking," rejoined Lettie, petul lantly. " Mr. Slade has undeniably been very kind in thii business to Charlie. I presume I may feel grateful to hin without having the slightest ulterior thought ? " "Of course you may," rejoined Mrs. Kynaston, withi, sarcastic httle smile ; " but you wouldn't be a woman I you hadn't one. What do you suppose made Mr. SladJ take such interest in a young gentleman he had never evel seen ? Pooh ! Lettie, don't juggle with facts ; nor attempl to hoodwink a woman of the world like me. If it was nol from admiration of yourself, I would simply know why diJ he trouble his head about Charlie ? " 1 Lettie flushed, and felt very uncomfortable under thl merciless raillery of her hostess. She most devoutly wished DEARESt FRIENDS "MAY" DIFFER. tl9 erself well out of Chester Street, and that she had never ome to bid Mrs. Kynaston good-bye. She was quite con- tious that there was a good deal of truth in what her ostess had said. She was not yet quite in love with Gil- ert Slade ; but she did not disguise from herself that she las in a very fair way to become so. And all these semi- kenng remarks of Mrs. Kynaston 's stung like so many pin- ticks ; but, sharp as the stab may be, no Indian brave ver stands torture with more assumed indifference than a boman in society endures the jibes of her sisters. I "I can hardly answer that question," Miss Devereux bplied at length. " My experience, of course, does not go p far as yours by some years, but I have known people do hndly actions without seeking much gain for themselves, rou know best ; but don't you think it would be rather a Ireary world if we never did our neighbour a good turn Irithout calculation ? Surely, Kate, you don't look to be laid in kind for every small assistance you may render lour fellow-creatures in this world ? " I " I usually am," replied that lady, with asperity. " ' As b'e sow, so shall we reap,' so say the Scriptures— a truth hat knowledge of the world tells me may be read in very jifFerent lights. The kindnesses you have sown generally Iroduce but a crop of ingratitude. Be a good friend to a Taan, and he drops you for the first face that catches his ancy ; be a good friend to a woman, and she devotes Ivery art she possesses to steal from you your lover or lour husband. Don't look so ' nia^ed,' Lettie ! You were lind enough to remind me of my many years' additional Ixperience, and that is the outcome of them." I If Miss Devereux was young, she was no fool : she was bguely conscious that some jealousy concerning Gilbert Blade was at the bottom of Mrs. Kynaston's bitterness ; but she had never grasped, nor was it likelv she ever would, jhat that lady had considered the Hussar her own peculiar Iroperty, and, as has been said before, this was a conclu- |ion on Mrs. Kynaston's part that circumstances hv no gleans warranted. "^ 'here is no helping these things, men go on telling Itories till they arrive at the belief that they were bonajide !| '1 11 rl ^1 , i! i i 'i-i'' ''1 1 1 120 Saddle ai^jd sabre. the heroes of them. Men regard property that may coi o them very often as property th^t must^ come to^th j Wh.nT ".f\'^ as property that actually belongs to th J When the holder dies, and his will announces that the ij proprietor has taken a different view of things such . J are s.mply crushed with a sense of injustice a?d that have been the victims of heartless robbery 1 " I don't know what makes you speak so bitterly to-da but I suppose you are in low spirits, something has go} ^or^'^f \u * i?'^^"^ ^'"'^*y *° knowing much about th sort of thing ; but even a school-girl has occasional fits depression : her music gets the best of her, or she's bau k in sonie expected pleasure. I thought j^ou would be ^ glad to hear of Charlie's good fortune." " So I am, of course ; haven't I told you so ? And hoi Miss Devereux did not reply immediately-there is moj than one way of offering congratulations, and Lettie 4 ?ho rn?T"' i?"' '^''^ ^-"^ ^ flavour 'of hyssop ab J ^°nt- ' I do-h^^"^''°"- •n"'^^"' ?°°d-bye," she sai thp m; ?f/" ^°' "^■''! '^^'°"- ^^ shall miss you anl the Major sadly as neighbours; and remember that t? ?ro^n^ rf^'f- ^^'"^ -^^^ ^^^^ J^^t «^id will accrue to rl h.Ik Sm ' <:°mm,ssion will also tend to make our f3 oalls St 11 more hvely for you ; in short," concluded Letdl with a laugh, " if we can muster a few iroung men at Norl Leach, ins good for the whole neighboiTrhoo^d inTa^^ w^^^ • Good-bye," said Mrs. Kynaston as she shook Sf with her again " I don't know at all as yet if ' The Fi" is destined to be our winter quarters this year. One Died of advice, my dear, at parting: don't be too philanthropl nor too ready to part with the partners you? brother hi delivered into your hand. You are very pretty Lettiel biit men are very fanciful, and let the bell-wethe^r take J with a Gorgon, and the rest of them are struggling madl to secure her hand for the next dance " ^^ '"& "^^°'l onl^'too^irHT\"'^'^\"° .r"e;ponse. She was, indeed only too glad to bring her visit to a termination. Sii BELLATON WOLD. 121 [as quite conscious that their conversation, though nomi- 'ally friendly, had been " on the jar " throughout, and that Irs. Kynaston's congratulations had been very far from brdial ; she did not understand it. She had thought that idy really fond of them all, and that she would have been ehghted at hearing of Charlie's good fortune. But she lit quite sure that there was something in his appoint- hent to the — th Hussars that did not meet Mrs. Kynas- bns approval. Then as Miss Devereux drove back to Dnslow Gardens her thoughts reverted to Mrs. Kvnaston's hnuendo that when Charlie had joined his regiment there fould be much facility for asking Mr. Sbde to come down hth him to North L'ich. She wondered if Mr. Slade Irould care to pay such a visit. She wondered a little as whether he cared for her. She had good evidence that [e had not forgotten her, or he would hardly have taken all his trouble in Charlie's behalf. " Ah," thought Lettie. [how jolly It would be if Pole Star should win at Lincoln tad they all come back to North Leach to have two or hree days' hunting, and celebrate his triumph." And in fey I fancy Mr. Gil'oert Slade was emphatically included ' ! '1 XVn. — Bellaton Wold. ^HE wind whistled shrill across the Yorkshire Wolds this March evening, but at that time of night there kre few wayfarers about to suffer from that bleakness. Here and there a belated shepherd might have been seen lurrying to some hamlet nestling at the foot of the hills or bme stalwart farmer making a short cut to the snug house Jat called him master. A little distance below a species It plateau, well known as a famous training-ground, stood I many-gabled, well-thatched farmhouse. It .was about jtie ordinary-sized dwelling that a well-to-do yeoman, who |!ili!vated his own land, might be supposed to inhabit ^y no nieans a large house or a house of any pretence! temarkable only for one thing, the rather extensive range - 1 '■ i I ^ i / 1 ii:, 122 SADDLE AND SABRE. 'I mi If / of stabling that stood around it. There was accommoj tion for many more horses than the tiller of such a farm J might be supposed attached to the dwelling would requirl A bright light penetrated through the chinks of the shuttel ot a latticed window on the ground-floor and suggested tf Idea of warmth and a comfortable fireside within. Usi] our privileges of Asniodeus, we peep inside the parlour ai see two men seated on either side of the glowing heartl with a table well supplied with spirits and water. Ala] too well supplied for one of them. " Yes, Mr. Slade, I've been main bad. I can't stand til winters as I used to do, and the gout lays hold of me te nble now at times." The speaker was a little dark, very dark, wiry man, wi eyes like gimlets, whose countenance bore the traces recent indisposition. c, me traces Sir2°" °Tf'^* ^"^ ^' ^J^il T'^ ,'^^''^^"^'" ^^P^'^d Norma Slade. It s no use, Bill, the old 'uns can't live with t young ones ; you can't expect to take your liquor fred overnight and turn out to ride trials in the keen mornirf air now you ve got within the forties, without feeling it! "Now don t you preach, Mr. Slade," rejoined bJ Smith, testily. "I should like to know what a man's i' do when he can t get about to look after his horses, must take a drop to comfort him, horses indeed ! such I lot as they are too. I don't believe there's one of the worth a row of gingerbread. I tried my two-year-olJ last October, and a pretty moderate lot they are. N| chance of their doing any good as three-year-olds." • ""^ jy'^i ^V^'^ ^° S^^ "^ of them in seUing-races rejoined Slade, flipping the ash off his cigar. " I suppoJ tney re good enough to do you a turn there " i •• Well, I should hope so," growled the other, as he tool a gulp of a mahogany-coloured mixture which no doctof would have dreamt of recommending for gout ; " howevel n,ff t ^^, ^^'^"t ^pi" in a few days now, and then I mud fit for^ "^"^ *^^ "^'" ^^^'" ^^^ see what they're realll Bill Smith's was a common enough case: a man whj now passed a good deal of his time between drinking-boutl fiELLATON WOLb. m id severe attacks of the gout. One of the finest horse- len in Ejigland, he had at an early age established hini- elf as one of the crack jockeys of the day, " Formidable It Epsom, invincible at Doncaster, and dangerous any- where," had been the comment on his riding, only a few rears back, by one of the shrewdest judges of racing on |he turf. Cast by nature in a light mould, he was exempt from a reat deal of the abstinence and privation that forms so Prominent a part of a jockey's life. Always a iFree liver, knd of a convivial disposition, he had latterly allowed his braving for strong waters to get the upper hand of him. ft began to be whispered about that " Black Bill," as ht iras called by his brother jockeys, was very often "half- booked " when he got up to ride." It was some time before the fact became generally recognized. A man could ride >s well half-drunk as sober, save in one respect ; and it is just that which invariably cuts short the career of a jockey Who takes to drinking, namely, that in the critical moments bf a race he lost his head. Instead of taking advantage of ^very point in the game, he failed to note what his anta- gonists were doing ; he got muddled ; he timed his rush bither too soon or too late. That deadly rush of his, for Ivhich he had once been so famous, and which had snatched |;o many races out of the fire on the very post, was now vont to be delivered at the wrong time. He who had been ^vont to measure his supreme effort to the very stride, now either won his race two lengths before the chair, or per- haps the same distance the other side of it ; but he failed jto win at the winning-post. Gradually his riding fell away from him ; owners naturally ceased to employ a jockey [ipon whose sobriety there was no dependence. The same pitiless authority whom we have quoted above as giving such a laudatory opinion of Bill Smith's riding, now said h that he threw away more races than any man in Eng- land." The great stable of the North, wlich had held birst claim on his services for many years, had now with- jdrawn its patronage ; and the world geiieraJly frowned lipon the once-famous jockey. Still, every now and then Ihe astonished the turfites by a bit of brilliant riding worthy 'I ■i| IK'W T f i' IH SADDLE AND SABRE. i I ti ,1 h III' of his best days. It was evident that his right hand haa not lost Its cunning, nor his nerve failed him ; and that 1 only he could keep from drmk the man was as fine a horse] man as ever. Ah I the infinite conjectural probabilities those " ifs ! " Bill Smith took (he neglect of his old patrons bitterlyl 1 hat he had lost the greater part of his business soured thj man. True, it was from his own f:iult ; and in his own breasl he most likely acknowledged that it was so ; but it rarelvf happens that upon these occasions a man does not put hij own sins upon other people, and think all the more hardlJ of them on that account. In his palmy days, too. Bi| Smith had been arrogant and coarse of speech to most the turf officials with whom he came in contact ; a bull] amongst the younger jockeys and a very unscrupulouj rider to say the least of it, amongst those of his owj standing. A man like this has not many friends when thi tide turns against him ; and, though his brethren of thJ saddle were chary yet of provoking the rough side ol " Black Bill's " tongue, thev made no disguise of theiJ satisfaction when he throw a race away in consequence o| his besetting failing. Two of his old friends they were wh(f stood staunchly to him, in spite of his transgressions ; and these were Norman Slade and Sir Ronald Radcliffe. " I can't quarrel with the old fellow, Norman " Sii Ronald had observed after one of Bill Smith's later fiascos»arPd u .1, f \P'^*T'??f u" (°V°° "^any good things in his time fo. ^h Bi that, but 1 11 back him no more. He simply threw thai last race away by comiiig too late." It would have been well for Sir Ronald if he had adhere( '^as"it li firmly to that resolution. *^^ " ^' " Well," said Slade, after a pause 6f some minutes "very little sleep does for me as a rule, but I feel tired to inm f night, and, as you know, when in the country am always ,p to w v an early man in the morning. I think I'll be off to bed*^ bhall you be out with the horses to-morrow morning ?" " No," returned the jockey. «' I'm not rid of this coni founded gout yet, and I am especially ordered to be careful about taking cold. You had better wrap well up, for you'll nnd the air confonnded keen on the Wolds." frti BELLATON WOLD. 125 (< I suppose I d if he had adhered "I know all about it," rejoined Slade. Ihall find Tom Parrott in charge ?" " Yes, he is a right good lad is Tom. I don't know how shall get on without him, for I've been able to look after Ihe horses very little all this winter. Sure you won't have Inything more before you go ?" " No ; good night," rejoined Slade, as he picked up a hand-candlestick off the sideboard, " and I hope the enemy kill let you sleep to-night. When vou come down to breakfast I shall be able to tell you what I think of the Ihree-year olds." 1 Bill Smith replied with a grimace, and turning to the fire bbserved as Norman left the room, " There's michtv cold bomfort in that." h y ^ A little before eight the next morning saw Norman Slade bttired in breeches, gaiters, stout shooting boots, and fchootmg-jacket, plodding up the winding road that led to Ihe plateau. There, walking up and down, clothed in their fugs, were some half-score horses bestrode by stable-boys [he whole evidently under the control of a little man riding \ clever-looking pony, and, though he was every day of five-and-thirty, was perhaps better known by the sobriquet bf Bill Smith's head lad than by his legitimate appellation f>f Tom Parrott. ♦ The string, with one or two exceptions vere the property of Bill Smith himself, for few people bared to intrust the preparation of their horses to a man fcvith Bill's unfortunate reputation. If he could not curb bis propensity for strong waters when such urgent call lipon his faculties was demanded as on the racecourse, vas it likely that he would put any check upon himself on fhe training-ground ? and the furf, hke all other profes- sions, requires sobriety among its votaries. Tom Parrott cantered briskly towards Norman the minute be saw him striding across the grand expanse of springy lurf. It was not that he was going to do anything that all khe world might not have seen, but he had all the instinc- tive jealousy of some trainers at finding his charges watched In their work. " Mr. Slade !" he exclaimed, as he recognised his visitor ' Blamed if I didn't think it was one of those woudy touts! :$ !^i ! 1 I ■ : . i ! f '[ ■ I 126 SADDLE AND SABRE. Ssit ,li Not, I am sorry to say, that we have anything worth theirl spying alJout, but I can't abide the varmin." " Glad to see you looking so well, Tom," rejomed Nor L man. " No, Mr. Smith told me last night that you had nothing in the string that you had any hopes of. 'Tis so, sometimes, the stable gets clean out of form, and hasn't al horse in training good enough to win a saddle and bririlel next year. Luck changes, and you sweep the board.f What work are you going to give 'em this morning ?" I ^ " Well, they'll do a little slow cantering, and then oldl Knight-of-the-Whistle will lead the three-year-olds a smarti mile spin. It's time to get on with them, you see, Mr! Slade ; if they're ever to addle their keep, they ought tol begin at the Newmarket Spring Meetings." " Just so," said Norman. " You use the old gallop, ., suppose ? I shall go and stand about half up the rise atl the finish, and then I shall see them well extended." I " Can't do better, sir," replied Parrott ; and, turning hisl pony short round, he cantered back to his charges. Slade made his way to the coign of vantage he hadl mentioned, unshipped his glasses, and gazed lazily at thel horses, as on the other side of the down they went throughl some slow exercise. Presently he saw four of them walkl quietly down to the mile-post, and knew that he was about! to see the cream of Bill Smith's lot gallop. There was nol keener race-goer than Norman Slade. No man morel thoroughly loved racing for sheer sport ; he could be asl deeply interested in the issue of a trial on those Yorkshirel Wolds as on the result of the Derby ; but still, it was witbl languid curiosity he awaited the forthcoming gallopj There could be little interest in seeing a few notoriously! bad horses scurry over their mile in an exercise-gallopl Suddenly his attention was aroused ; before the quartetl had gone a quarter of a mile he could see that the second] a slashing big brown colt, had got his head up, and was! fighting with his rider. Another few seconds, and, dropf ping his head, he makes an angry snatch at the bridlel bolts out of the Indian file in which they are gallopingj tears past old Knight-of-the-Whistle, and comes thunderf ing along the gallop by himself. BELLAION WOLD. 127 "Got clean away with the lad," muttered Norman as he watched the boy throw himself right back in his saddle and str ve ,n vam to check his horse; •« but what on earth Jdoes old Bill mean by saying his three-year-olds are no V?°A • u ^^u^^\^ "3* t ^^"^P^"" ^ "«^^^ s^w one. What a stride he has I and how well under him he brings his [quarters ; now he is really going." ^ In vain the boy pulled; the big brown colt had com- ple ely overpowered him, and was bent upon doing a gal op entirely on his own account that morning. Nornfan watched him keenly as he swept past him, breasting he Imile past the termination of the gallop before his rider succeeded m pul ing h.m up ; he did so at last, and turned his mount d httle ruefully to walk back. " It's well" he ITm'^-,', u*^^*,?^"*^" '^ '" ^^^'S^ this morninSead lof old Bill himself." Although it ilat times impossSo [prevent it. yet tramers look with considerable disfavour a? la boy who lets his horse get away with him ; and with la violent-tenipered, coarse-tongued man like Bill Smith Isuch a mistake was met with a volley of abuse. By this ■time Tom Parrott had joined Slade. and, walking h s W. alongside pf him, they both proceeded to meet the "Well you young duffer," exclaimed Parrott, «'what possessed you to let him get his head up like that ? You might have known thPt he would twitch the bit out of vour hands directly he dropped his head. Now don't you by you couldn't help it. In the first place, you shouW W helped It ; and in the second place, if I hought you ould have helped it you'd get your walking ticket fh°s afternoon;" with which rather contradictory rebuke Mr Parrott closed his lecture. "Stop a moment boy," said Slade, authoritatively hi want just to look your horse over; "and Norman's tnd^gs"^" "' '"'' '°°^ ^''" ''°^^ °^ '^' col?s u^der! Ll^.f"K-^^^ T""^ "11""" ?"- '^^'^' ^^t I'll have a good lisll^*'"i,'" th^^^ble, where you can strip him for me pis legs look sound enough." ' fi i ■ I 128 SADDLE AND SABRE. " Oh, he's sound as a bell," rejoined Parrott ; " if he wasi only as gdod as he is sound he'd do." " What do you call him, and how is he bred ? " "Belisarius, by Triumph, out of Darkness,' rejoincdl Parrott, laconically. " As stout blood as any in England," remarked Norman; "and what's more, Tom, as fine a mover as I've seen gallop for some time. Mr. Smith told me last night that he had tried all his three-year olds— good for nothing. Dol you mean to tell me that brown colt was in the trial ? " " Yes, sir," replied Parrott, " and well beaten oflf." " Well, Tom," said Slade, " did you see the colt go this morning ? Can you shut your eyes to that ? Who rode him in the trial ? " " One of the boys," replied Parrott. '• I fbrget at this moment which, but I can easily ascertain," " Do, Torti, as soon as you get back. I'll lay pounds tc crowns the trial's all wrong. I'll come round, "and have a look at Belisarius in his box after breakfast." And w;;ti, that Slade strode away down the hill to satisfy the ketiii appetite that a morning on the Wolds was wont to induce, " It's all nonsense," he said to himself as he stepped smartly out in the direction of the farm-house. " That trial wa all wrong, I'll lay guineas to gooseberries ; old Bill wa most likely too ill to superintend it himself, and, at al events, no doubt, never rode in it. Tom Parrott's a goo head bpy, but putting horses together is a little beyon him. If Bill had ridden in it he would have known whai every horse in it was doing. As it is, I fancy Belisarius i a great big lazy colt that takes a deal of getting out. , don't suppose any of them ever saw him gallop till thii morning. Well, come, I'm going to have a more amusin week than I reckoned on. I've at all events found ou something to do. I've got to discover the rights of tha trial, to induce Bill to try them again, and also to ascertain whether that big brown colt is entered for any stakes worth winning." ^arrott; "ifhewasi TRIAL OF BELTS ARI US. XVIII.—Trial of Belisarius. 129 A S Norman entered the house his host called out to him n from the parlour, - Is that you, Mr. Slade ? CoZ along m, and we'll have breakfast up in a twinkling f feel more like myself this morning than I have don^e for some .me ; the jaw with you last night did me good°" " Glad ro hear it," replied Norman. " I'll just run ud- fivTmi^l:"' ""^'""'^ ^"' ''^"•^^ y- in les^'thTn .t ^nJ^^'l'^'u'^'^ ^^^"^^ ^"^'^''^^ ^'^ bedroom than he dashed at once to h.s portmanteau, and eagerly took from it a volume of the Calendar bearing thelitis of '• Ra^es to Come He turned over the leaves quickly. Yes there k was, Behsanus, by Triumph, out of Darkness. t didn' take Slade's practised eye long to run over the horse's en gagemen ts "By heavens - " he exclaimed. " if I should friT ?!i h"^ "ly opinion be confirmed at the subsequent trial, Ive discovered a veritable gold mine. Here's a three-year old entered for all the big races of the vear I whose nanie has never been even whispered among rac^n^ men. who has never run, and whose very owne^S S" I h'"" ^' frt ^°/ "J'^^""^- Now this is real fun l7we have got hold of a flyer, what a dressing we will give tho^e I south country stables. As for money we can ;" n as much as we please over him. Properly worked, Radcliffe BiU deTk •• "k'^d'*'"^ '°- -'V^^f-^ fortunes S ve^ 'iSlrsfobreakfat '" "^"^ ''°'^"^° ^''^' -"* d°- '' Well 1 Mr. Slade," exclaimed the jockey, as Norman entered the parlour, " I hope you found an appet^e u^oS my' rTbbish.^°" """^ ""'^^"^ ''''' ^ «"PPo«e% sT.ll "Rubbish, are they?" ejaculated Norman, "perhaps so I wonder what you'd take for the three thr?e year morning P^t" *^^ ^^'''^^ ^"'^ ^" '^^^' .^aSop^this "Have you got a commission?" inquired the jockey eyeing his guest keenly. " If you have you may tS^ . ■ 1 t ;!-r| I ti if ;i I30 SADDLE AND SABRE. those three for a monkey, and I shall think myself well out of tl.jm." '• Well, Bill, you take my advice, don't you be in a hurry to part with those three for five hundred until you know a little more about them. How did you try them last back end ?" " They had a six-furlong spin with old Knight of the Whistle, as true a trial horse as ever was foaled. Two of 'em were tried at weight for age, but Belisarius I rather fancied, so I put him in at seven pounds less. The old horse cleaned out the lot, and as for my fancy, he finished last of all?" " You neither saw it nor rode in it, I suppose," rejoined ^ade. " I certainly didn't ride in it, and I only half saw it. I was very ill, and it was a very misty day, and I left the management of the whole thing to Parrott." " Well, then," retorted Slade, " I maintain your trial is no trial at all, and that you know nothing about your own young ones." " You're a very tidy judge, Mr. Slade, and know a bit what you're speaking about," rejoined the jockey, not a I little nettled, '* but if you think you can learn me my busi- ness you are damnedly mistaken." "Never supposed I could teach you anything. Bill,"! replied Norman, perfectly unmoved, "but no man ever lived who didn't make a mistake at times; and he never did so without there being a looker-on with half his brains who could point it out to him. If you had been well enough to ride in it yourself I should look upon that trial as conclusive. You weren't, and I look upon it as all I skittles." " I know what I'm about," rejoined the jockey, sulkily. I " I'll come to you when I want to know the time of day, I thank you; in the meantime you can't say you're invitedj to risk money on anything of mine." " Now, do hsten io reason, Bill," rejoined Norman,! quietly; "don't say anything now — ^just turn it over inl your mind. Give me three or four days to worm out what! \ can about that trial. You have got nothing to do.| TRTAL OF HKI.ISARIUS. I3t think myself well uppose, rejoined remember but to Ret well, a:.,I just before I leave yo.. k^et on that brown colt, arul see whether Kn.«hl of the W histle can give him twenty-one pounds over a mile ' ( 1 lH""! f '^V^^'*"""' i^'^'ta^'le old jockey bhinth refused ; said that he had satisfied himself about the brutes • tha he was not going to trouble himself to g.i mto the saddle to see how far Behsarius was behind a good horse; that Slade had better not waste his time in the experim;nt of turning \orkshirc goese into Epsom swans; but in hi Hinermos heart Bill Smith began to ponder over what Is k'uest had said; he knew that Norman Slade was a really nght good judge of a thoroughbred. He had had. in the first instance, a great opinion of Belisarius himself, and in lus best days the mans natural egotism had inv'ariab y prompted him to httle belief in a trial in which he had not I aken part No man had more often expressed his dis- l-e ef in the issue of what he designated a "mooddiing gallop, and he was forced to admit that this trial of hit might strict y be described as such. As for Slade, he was much too clever a man of the world to touch upon The n r. R ?'" "" .^°"P^^°f ^^y^- He was up every morn ng to see Behsanus do his work, and the more he saw of him the more convinced he was that he was a good horse He had got hold of the boy who rode him in that rough Vork^ shire gallop at the back end of last year, and by dint of bribery, cajolery, and intimidation had at last wrung from him the confession that he had been so bad with bSils on that occas^ion as to oe perfectly unfit to ride, and quite unable to do justice to his horse. ^ i Norman Slade communicated his discovery to Smith who received the intelligence with a savage^xecrS and a muttered growling, in which strong expletives and such terms as " Break every bone in his body/' ''Cut the little devil in two,'' etc., were alone audible; but Slade eventually smoothed him down, and pleaded hat he had pledged himself the boy should go scatheless if he toM he whole ruth "Besides," urged Norman, "it's no use |thrashmg him for his sins of five or six months b.rk "h! be7ore long"'^^'^' ""'" ^°"^'^''' "°'""'^* himself ""again ill ' t i ; I r ^ t ■ i i iii SADDLE AND SABR& The jockey burst out laughing. '♦ Well, Mr. Slade," he cried, "you are an ingenious advocate, but I'd as lief you weren't arguing for ray defence. Don't hang him now, because you'll have another chance before long. Well, there's something in it, and I promise to let the young vil- lain off this time." " Thanks, it's very likely all for the best ; nobody has the faintest idea that you hold a trump card in your hand. I want you to have another spin with them Saturday morn- ing, and ride Belisarius yourself— it'll do you more good than all the doctors. Bill, if you find him what I think, don't ask him to do a heartbreaking thing, but still let us ask Belisarius the question in real earnest." «' Right you are, Mr. Slade ; I shall be perpetually on the fidget till I know the worst, as old John Day always puts it." There was an eager discussion that night at dinner between Slade and his host as to what weights should be | apportioned to the Knight of the Whistle and Belisarius. The Knight was a five-year-old, who from his youth up- 1 wards had always been a fairly good horse. He was- by no means first class, and his chief merit lay in his being a consistent performer. If he didn't win when he was expected, still he was always there or thereabouts ; and on the training-ground, as Bill Smith always said, you might thoroughly depend on what a gallop with him told you as regarded the young ones. Slade insisted upon it that if Belisarius could beat the old horse, in concession of a stone, I it would be quite good enough for the present, and then it would be time enough to try him a httle higher later on, whilst Smith was for asking the sterner question at once, However, after much discussion, Slade's proposition was! agreed to, and it was determined that the trial should come] off on the Saturday morning. Eight o'clock on that day consequently saw the little! group gathered together at the mile-post. As on the first! morning Slade had gone up to the moor, with this rather! important difference, that old Bill Smith himself, his throat j enveloped in many folds of a silk handkerchief, was on tht'I back of Belisarius. Tom Parrott was down at the mile- Trial of belisarius. m post to start them, while Norman took up his favourite ^H thrL h^^'^Y 7 '^-"^^^"^ ^'^'^'^ terminated the ga op! All three boys had their orders, the best lad in the stable bemg put on Knight of the Whistle. At the word ''Go .' oneof the three-year-olds rushed to the front and made the SS."Swastst oTan' ^'I ^"'-^'^ 'r^- second^th': fkl il/l r i u . . ^^- ^ quarter of a mile from home the leader had shot his bolt, and the running was immeS ately taken up by the other three-year-old, the KniX still lymg second and Belisarius last As thev nearid thi ascent the Knight assumed the command a^nd Bel sariu^ crept rapidly up to him. Just before reaching Norman he browTi colt, pullmg double, reached the Knight's quarters " It s a monkey to a mousetrap on the young 'un " mut tered Norman Slade, with a flush of exultatiorT in his Trk eyes, when suddenly B.ll Smith stopped riding, eased h's horse and left Knight of the Whistle to gallop ,n two or three lengths in front of him. ^ cy"?^^V^\ '* ^^^ ^^^'^ *oo much for him I" exclaimed th': m'aner'Brir"'/"°" ^^/^^^^ ^° ^^^ ^'-^^y- " ^h" 's the matter, Bill Are you faint, or sick, or what is it ? " "Hush ; nothing ,s the matter," replied Bill Smith as he bent over his saddle-bow. " He's a flver T r^JiJ i^' .™ the Jength of a s.ree, if J ""lo^nfon, bu^ ttld have been a sin to show him up." . "^ ii wouia This concluded the work for the morning. Belisarius was handed over to his boy, and Slade and his host get ting into the trap which had brought them up, madeihe best of their way home to breakfast. A very merrv mea^ r^l'morn^n'g! ^^° "^^^ ^^'^ ^^^^ ^"^^^^^ ^^ ^^^--1 "You are quite right, Mr. Slade ; that colt is a ?ond deal beyond the common. The horse will have a chfnce or any one of the big races that could beat the Knight at a stone I could not only have beaten him this mo?„W but had a lot in hand besides." morning, <^]^^^.^?°u ^"°"^'' ^^°"* Belisarius now," rejoined Oiade. "at all pvpnto *0 '»n«-i--" .— , ' • . J, V"^" with th^ r^tu'^JV" e -^-^^^ y^iii iioi parting wuh him with the other two for five hundred pounds. Now no- body suspects you of owning a good hoVse at present & ulb :i: If' Ih 1 B t il ^, i! J' ' V ' IK 134 SADDLE AND SABRfi. you can back him to win you a good stake for a very trifling outlay. You stick to the colt and leave the com- mission to be worked by Radcliffe and myself. The horse is very forward, so 1 suppose you'll run him for the Two Thousand ? " " Certainly, if all goes well," rejoined the jockey. " It's a big stake, and the opposition don't threaten to be strong. It's never any use keeping a good horse in the stable when he is fit to ride." The next day was passed in much talk of bygone racing- lore. Bill Smith was highly elated at discovering that amongst what he had deemed his worthless string there was probably one very high-class racer. Money was scarce with him at the present moment, but it may be doubted whether five thousand would have induced him to part with the horse just now ; and both he and Slade knew well that there were many men in England who would gladly give that sum for Belisarius on hearing the result of that morning's gallop. Everything was arranged between the jockey and his guest during that last evenmg. Bill Smith had settled how much he could afford to trust his horse with for the Two Thousand Guineas, and either Slade or Radcliffe was to do that commission for him on the former's return to town. To those three the secret of Belisarius's prowess was as yet, if possible, to be confined. On the Monday Bill Smith drove his guest to the nearest station, and Slade, to use his own expression, returned to town with the winner of the Derby in his pocket. There was not a little curiosity at Tattersall's the suc- ceeding Monday, when Sir Ronald Radcliffe loimged in a little before five, and asked, in his languid way, what they were betting on the Two Thousand. " Three to one on the field," exclaimed one of the leading speculators. " What do you want to do. Sir Ronald — do you want it to money ? " " Thank you, Cookson," was the reply. " I don't want to back the favourite. What is Chelmsford's price ? " " Six to one," rejoined the bookmaker promptly. " What shall I put it down to ? " TRIAL OF CELISARIUS. 135 "You needn't put it down at all," rejoined Sir Ronald, carelessly -Who'll make me a bid against one not men- tioned m the bettmg ? " "What is it, Sir Ronald ? " inquired two or three book- makers eagerly. '• BeHsarius,'" replied the baronet. " Beh, what ? " cried Cookson. " How do vou spell it ? " "Theres the name," rejoined the baronet,"'as he showed a page m his betting-book upon which Behsarius was clearly written. " What will any one lay me to a hundred ? " "Never heard the name before," rejoined Cookson, sharp y. "And it s not a very good betting-race, but if you like to have three thousand to a hundred, Sir Ronald you can put it down." ' "All right ! " replied the baronet. " Does any one want to do It again ? -^ There was some little sparring, but eventually the same odds were laid to the same amount twice more. Then one of the speculators produced a "turf guide" from his pocket, and exclaimed, " Why, its a dark colt of old Bill u?u ^-1, u^'^'' I'Tf "*y *° °"*'' I^elisarius, to a hundred. Who will have k ? Sir Ronald simply shook his head, and, saying " that he had got quite sufficient," sauntered out of the subscription- room in his usual indolent manner. The sudden appearance of Behsarius in the betting was much talked of for a day or two in racing-circles ; and all sorts of wild rumours were current concerning old Bill Smith's dark three-year-old. But as no authentic infor- mation regarding him came to hand, and, in spite of the liberal offers of the bookmakers, nobody seemed to have the slightest inclination to back him, Behsarius faded once more out of the betting. And it was only now and again at intervals that here and there a very crafty speculator dribbled a httle bit on him at long shots, on the sole ground as he explained that Sir Ronald Radcliffe wasn't a fool, and that there might be something in this dark colt after alh Still, at the rare intervals that the name of Behsarius cropped up in the betting, it was always at very long odds. As for Sir Ronald, he was a reticent man f »1 i I 'U fJlr 1 f\ * !i.. , 1 B' m 136 SADDLE AND SABRE. concerning his turf transactions; and with a few intimates, who felt entitled to question him on the subject, he simply replied " that he had never seen the colt in his Hfe, but that he believed those connected with him considered that he had a good chance for the Two Thousand." In the meantime Belisarius strides away over the York- shire Wold in grand style ; and old Bill Smith, who has entirely shaken off" his gout, grows " sweeter " day by day. XIX. — In the Gazette. • th Hussars. Charles Devereux, gent., to be Cornet, vice Laugiey, promoted. October 14th." I WONDER if there is any man who has once worn Her Majesty's uniform who cannot recall the exultation with which he once read a similar notice in the Gazette. It is, in all probability, the first time he has ever seen his name ia pri-^^ , and, lightly though he may affect to take it, he still, whenever he can possess himself of the paper, reads th?.l announcement furtively for the next day or two. If he does not carry his head a trifle higher, and feel inclined to put on some slight amount of swagger amongst his youthful acquaintance, then most assuredly he is not of the clay of which soldiers should be kneaded. Most of us, I should think, could remember the fever-heat of those few days after our first appearance in the Gazette; how anxiously we made ourselves acquainted with all the braveries of our regiment ; and, for the matter of that, dedicated much time to the costumes of the British army generally. What special designation our corps might be known by in the slang of the service was also the subject of much delight and congratulation. Whether we were in the Slashers, the Springers, the Red Lancers, or the Dirty half-hundred, whether Black Watch or Cameron High- landers, was a distinction which it was maddening that our civilian friends (we had begun to call them so by this time) failed to comprehend the importance of. Then IN THE GAZETTE. 137 to be Cornet, vice came all the fun of the outfit — the trying-on of our uniforms (that fi, St experience of the pom^p ?nd drcum stance of glorious war); and, though we^ have a dSi ecollect.on of getting our sword between our legs S feeling exquisitely uncomfortable in the unaccustomed of'te'^tanor'^ '"^ °^ " *'"^^"7 *° ^"'^S-' °« the pa' t hLIpH -n ^ ^°""^, ""u "• ^t ^^^ awkwardness we dis- fe : " °"' ""^ ^^°th. ^"d broideries, still, upon the whole it was a joyous time, with life and the career of our choice all opening before us thfA^oifi ^Tlf"'' ^vas delighted with the official letter that confirmed his appearance in the Gazette, and further hlTs't o/ dI^'* k' ^'^ ^?"l^^. ^^^^^ <^f absence unt'l the 31st of December, on which day he was requested to ItCk ™Am t '^''^^''' commanding the -th Hu' arl' hi cnn- ^^^.^^"^ Dev«-eux had been much pleased with his son s appointment. He authorised him to draw for a very l,beral sum on account of his outfit, and further promised to make him a present of Pole Star for firsJ charger, as soon as that gallant animal had fulfilled his engagement in the Autumn Steeplechase at Lincoln. Abou? his latter there was considerable excitement at North i^ol ^' .^h^y°""& one had no doubt come on a good fh.i t'u^ K ' y'"'' u^"^ ^"« ^ -"^'y '""ch better h^orse n r^^ n h"^ ^^'" '" ^^"^ 'P^'"^- Ch^^he ^^-as once more to ride, and was sanguine about turning the tables on his successful antagonist of last March J'hl """^^ "'^'ysreen then," he cried, "and allowed myself to be gamnioned out of the race. Whether I could have neter'^rni^"" ' ^"^ ' ^'f \ -^"^^^ *« ^^^^ ^een much I 'n .u ^"'■^•- ^ "^^^ ^°°^'"g after George Fletcher when^all the time it was Jim I ought to have been stick "Given the^same animals and you ought to have the best of them this time," said John Devereux, <'but there's no knowing what, those Fletchers will run and remem- ber, thev are as full nf dorl^es -- "r -,H "__"_' ..^"^: time, Master Charlie, ride your own race, trust your own judgment, and don't hang upon them " To fight the spring battle of the Carholme over again ^t., 138 SADDLE AND SABRE. would be to weary the reader. Suffice it to say that Pole Star fully justified the improvement claimed for him by his friends, and that Charlie, when they turned into the straight, having satisfactorily disposed of Jim Fletcher, felt like sailing in an easy' winner, but half way up the dis- tance, George Fletcher, who seemed to Charlie to have dropped from the clouds, as he had seen nothing of him after the first half-mile, challenged, and a desperate race home ensued between the pair, but Charlie this time had ridden his horse carefully, and Pole Star had a good bit left in him to finish with. Holding George Fletcher's riding in great respect, Charlie determined to let him get no nearer than he could help , he was a length to the good when the final struggle began, and in spite of all George Fletcher's efforts he could never quite get up, and Charlie was returned the winner by a good neck, to the great glory and jubilation of North Leach. New Year's Day saw Charlie Devereux installed in his new quarters in the barracks at York ; his baggage had been sent on in advance, and Bertie Slade had duly seen to the fit- ting-upof the two rooms destined to become his domicile for the present. He was in high spirits, disposed to like every- thing, and to make light of such disagreeables as are the inevitable portion ,of a soldier's novitiate. Recruit drill and the riding-school are necessities, but he must be a very enthusiastic soldier who can describe them as pleasures. He had been a little dashed by the confidences of a brother cornet who was still undergoing the discipline of the school. •' I shan't mind the riding-school," remarked Charhe, confidently; " I've been more or less on the top of a horse from my childhood, and was good enough to just win a steeplechase this autumn." " So much the v,'orse for you," rejoined his new chum. " Our riding-master will tell you that it's the fellows who think they can ride give all the trouble. Same way dis- mounted drill ; the sergeant alwavs savs it's the •Gentlemen who thought they learnt it at their private tutor's that there's no getting it mto. I thought that it would be a good thing to learn as much as I could before joining, and IN THE GAZETTE. 139 now my persecutor says, ' You see, Mr. Robertnn, there's so much to knock out of you before we can properly set to work on you.' " " Well," replied Charlie, laughing, " I'm ignorant of everything, except having learnt to ride, well, we'll say, in my own fashion." Charlie Devereux commenced his military career about three months before Norman Slade made that remarkable discovery on Bellaton Moor, but neither Bertie Slade nor himself were even aware of Norman's presence in Yorkshire. Amongst many other people who had seen Charlie's name in the Gazette were the Kynastons. They were both, of course, aware that it was impending, and they both regarded it as a point to be utilised in their respective games of Ufe. The Major had again taken on " The Firs " as a hunting-box; it suited him 'n some respects: first and foremost, he got the place chea^ It was not every one who cared to take a hunting-box in North Lincolnshire, where neighbours ran scarce, and there was little but the sheer sport to rely upon for amusement. Dick Kynaston was undoubtedly very fond of hunting in his own way ; he took his pleasure leisurely in this respect now, but he gave the idea of a man who had been able to " ride a bit " m his youth. He was a constant attendant at the cover- side, and, though he always laughingly said his riding days were over, yet now and again, when fortune favoured him and the country was not too stiff, he could hold his own with the best in a fast thing. As lor Mrs. Kynaston, as before said, she rode in a somewhat similar fashion, taking the role of a mere spectator for the most part, but some two or three times in the season showing that when she chose the best lady in the hunt would have to do all she knew to beat Kate Kynaston. In these country quarters the Major always looked for- ward to doing a bit of horse-dealing, and though, whether in the Wolds of Lincolnshire or those of Yorkshire, experi- ence had shown him how difficult it is to get the better of the natives in the matter of horseflesh, the Major was still keen as eyer about picking up bargains in that way; then, i i : ' 1 ! : i . ' i« 140 SADDLE AND SABRE. again, there were always TaUy Ho Stakes and Gone Away Plates to be compassed, and it afforded the Major infinite amusement, if no profit, as witness his disappointment at Lincoln Sprinfj Meeting, to pick up a horse that he fancied capable of carrying off such races. In spite of his resolutions in the early part of the year he had supported Charlie once more in'the Autumn Hunt Steeple Chase, and won a very nice little stake upon Pole Star. Young Devereux in a Hussar regiment quartered at York he considered would be decidedly worth culti- vating. His far-seeing eye looked out upon a very pleasant billet for the York Races in the ensuing August. There was sure to be plenty of card-playing and billiards, besides the opportunities offered by the Knavesmire, and it was on these varied opportunities that the Major depended upon in great part for a living. The Firs also suited Mrs. Kynaston for this winter; not only did it allow her to retain Charlie Devereux within her thrall, for whose devotion she honestly cared but little, but it also offered the best possible chance she ki.ew of seeing something of Gilbert Slade, and in Gilbert Blade, between pique and caprice, Mrs, Kynaston was much interested. It had been a mere whim in the first instance, but the indifference Slade had shown to her charms, and, latterly, his evident preference for Lettice herself, had aroused a very tornado in this wayward woman's breast. She had dwelt upon it, brooded upon it, what you will ; but ended by conceiving herself passionately in love with the good- looking Hussar. Bertie Slade had run down for the day to Lincoln to see Charlie ride Pole Star, but he had so far put in no appearance at North Leach ; and, now that Charlie had joined the regiment, it was not very likely that he would do so. Mrs. Kynaston had quite enough knowledge of things military to know that it was not very likely young Devereux would get le^ve for the first few months, until he had passed his no it \te, in fact ; and it was hardly likely that Bertie would come to North Leach, unless he accompanied his friend. Gilbert Slade, indeed, w^hen young Devereux suggested IN THE GAZETTE. X4I AsLJor depended reux suggested a run home to North Leach for a few days' huntini?, laughed as he replied, " I can tell you what the chief^i reply will be before you ask him. He will tell you, ' The York and Ainsty are quite good enough for you to hunt with for the present ; and it will be time enough for you to go further a-field when you are through the school and have learned your drill.' No, no, the chief is a rare good sort for leave, but, as for your wanting it just after you have joined, he will regard that as unmitigated cheek." I Charlie accepted his comrade's dictum; in reahty he had no great desire to go back to North Leach. As far as hunting went, the sport around York would satisfy any man not wedded to the shires, and the new life was full of pleasure and amusement to a young fellow like himself But then there were Mrs. Kynaston's instructions, that he was to be sure and come back, bring Mr. Slade with him ■ A j^ ^ ^^^^ ^" ^^^ °^" country, if he could co.-npass It. And Lettice, too, as she bade him good-bye, had said '• It would be awfully jolly, Charlie, if you and Mr. Slade can run down and have a good gallop or two with us before the season closes." Well, he had done his best • and, as it couldn't be managed, there was no help for it. Dunng the latter part of her stay in London Mrs Kynaston had seen a good deal of Ralph Furzedon. It had been, m the first instance, because her husband had wished her to do so. Their intimacy had increased, be- cause Furzedon eagerly cultivated her acquaintance; and latterly, because she had seen her way into making use of him. To say that she had easily detected Furzedon 's besetting ambition would hardly describe the case. The man had made a confidant of her from the first ; she knew how anxipus he was to push him, <^lf into society— the higher the better; but, at all events, into society of some sort to start with. She had one him more than one good turn in that respect, and Furzedon clung tenaciously to her^ skirts in consequence. Mrs. Kynaston had of late mauc up her irund that he should marry Lettie Dt vereux. Furzedon had thought Lettie a very pretty girl to start with; but it hfid never entered into his mind to make her his wife until Mrs. Kynaston not only planted the idea if ( • f ■ ■m i : r i 142 SADDLE AND SAIiKP:. I there, but tendered it and ministered to it as a delicate flower requiring careful cultivation. She was always chanting Lettie s praises. "That girl,'' she would say, " only requires to be seen to have half London at her feet. She is thrown awax aniongs that dowdy set of Mrs. Connop's ; and she is sb dreadfully loyal to her aunt that I can't induce her to come about a little under my chaperonage." "I should have thought," Furzedon had rejoined, "that her family was hardly good enough to give ber much chance in the matrimonial market." "No chance!" replied Mrs. Kynaston, with a shrug of her shoulders. " Much you know about it. The bluest blood in the peerage in these democratic days mates either with beauty or, money-bags, if it doesn't do worse than go to the coulisses for its countess. If Lettie Devereux only marries a man with a tolerably good fortune she will speedily be in what society she likes in London " r ..° V" *^'^' '^ "°* ^^"^''^^y ^"""e' '"^as so in great part. Lettie Devereux was a very pretty girl, quite likely to make a good match, and whose antecedents were little likely to stand in her way should a man fall in love with her. Dax- by day all this sank deeper and deeper into Mr. Furzedon's mind. Mrs. Kynaston was far too clever ever to suggest hat Lettie would suit him-she spoke of the girl always in he abstract, as one whom nature had so richly endowed that she must have a brilliant future before her, always accompanied by regret that that future was being muddled away by the bad start she had at Mrs. Connop's. Mrs Kynaston dilated upon Lettie's charms in a manner that her own estimate of them hardly warranted. Lettice Devereux was undoubtedly a pretty girl, but she was not such a striking beauty as it suited her friend to make out Anyway, the idea that it would be a good thing for him to h^^J[^ Lettice Devereux was beginning to take a strong hold on Furzedon s mind. He was a considerably wealthier man than people had any idea of. Not only had his father left him very well oil, but. recently an uncle had died who had bequeathed to him considerable business of the same nature as the lat^ lamented Fur^jedon's. fie had turned IN THE GAZETTE. U3 up his nose at his father's calhng, but that was when he was young and foohsh. A shrewd, grasping, hard man, devoted to money-making, he had determined to carry on this latter, under an assumed name, of course ; but then most usury is conducted on such principles, and the person with whom a loan is contracted is apt to be a mere man of straw acting for a principal in the background. Now one of the first negotiations that had fallen to Furzedon's lot after taking up his uncle's business had tickled that gentleman immensely. It may be remembered that Charlie Devereux, to meet his losses at Newmarket, liad been obliged to borrow money from Ralph Furzedon ; he had given his acceptance in acknowledgment to three bills of various amounts, but the total of which came to a considerable sum. Worried about this, Charlie, it may be borne in mind, had confided his troubles to Major Kynaston, and that gentleman had promptly found him the money with which to redeem those bills from Furzedon, but to do this the Major had simply to raise the money from a professional usurer. His knowledge of the money- lenders in the metropolis was extensive, and amongst others he had been in the habit of doing business with Ralph Furzedon's uncle, who traded, as before said, under an assumed name. It is easy to conceive how Mr. F'urze- don chuckled upon discovering that the acceptances that were redeemed had only been rescued for acceptances of the same description bearing usurious interest instead of the modest five per cent, with which as a friend he had contented himself. In short, poor Charlie's bills had simply been transferred from one pocket to the other. Major Kynaston was in profound ignorance of this, he was aware of the death of the principal, but was informed when he called that the business was carried on as usual, and, Iiaving eti'ected his business, had troubled himself no more. '' :1 I ;• l.Vil m <44 SADDLE AND SABkfi. XX. — The Two Thousand. T"?^. ""^l^.t'u^^- '^'^? TJ^°"sand draws near, and, i though the betting thereon is languid in proportion to what ,t usually was ,n those grand old gambling days, still this could not be so much ascribed to the apathy o the sporting public as to the narrow circumscription of the betting. The race was regarded by those conversant in • ^ J J•L^•^*^^ certainty for Glendower. Such a gift indeed did it look to him, that it was rumoured there would be hardly any opposition. And out of the half-dozen pos- sible runners quoted no one can imagine that any of the number had much chance of defeating the favourite colt, whose two-yean old career had consisted of six or seven unbroken victories. Glendower, like the upas-tree, over- shadowed and killed the market. In the teeth of his triumphant career it seemed sheer madness to back anv of his opponents And when there suddenly dawned upon he horizon a dim star like Belisarius, and when men hav- ing given time o collect such facts about him as that he aT^. u° M.^"^'^^' *h^ f^'"^"^ "°rth country jockey ^r.H .?^i5*'n^c^^"u^^''"^ ^>^°"^ «° intimately associ: R.H i'"".^'^-.^'" Smith's former triumphs as Sir Ronald Radcliffe, it was gradually whispered about that the New- market crack Glendower might meet his master in the dark colt from the " north countree." It was not that Bill Smith and his friends had laid out rnuch money on Belisarius, indeed they were in no position Wn°fK°~'°T.^l^^r* hundred pounds at long odds had been the surn-total of their collective outlay ; true they had also secured various long shots about the colt for the Derby ; but none of them were in a position to risk much money on a race of any kind, let them fancy it ever so dearly. Sir Ronald, as bold a plunger as ever was seen had from such reckless speculation so crippled his resources ti^rli :"' u'''' ."^''i ^'"'"' ''"d Norman >^lade; and therefore it was sheerly the money of the people and a few tHE TWO tHOUSAKD. 145 astute Turfites that forced Belisariusinto a prominent place in the betting. '^ If there isone thing the speculative public are specially fond of in connection with a race-horse it is a dark colt in the hands of a well-known man at long odds. And this was just the year to foment such a fancy. It was all very well to say Glendower must win, bat to back Glendower meant the taking of a very short price about that noble animal s chance. Amongst the others it was impossible to make out w.th anv due regard to their previous perfor- mances that any of them could have the slightest chance of beating the favourite. There is no telling how good a horse may be that has never run ; it is equally true that the converse of the proposition holds good. " Bill Smith is a clever man," argued the public, "and is a great horseman still, if he chooses to take care of him- self; it is quite evident that he fancies this colt of his, and there is no better judge than he, surely he will keep steady to ride his own horse, and if he only does that old Bill- good enough to tackle the very best of 'em yet." An ' ms reasoning the ever-sanguine army of backers began, with hat heroic constancy that ever characterises them, to stake their money freely on Belisarius. In vain did bookmakers ?nrfW^\°pT- '''^•^* *'"' "'•^^^ "^^^"- The cry had gone A !r.u ^^^'^^'■'"s "was good goods for The Guineas." And those who went down tothehsts and staked, and their number was numerous as those who go down to the sea in ships, with one accord invested their money on the dark colt of the North And thus it came *o pass, that as the race drew nigh Belisanus was installed a second favourite it was rumoured indeed that, though quoted at two or three points longer odds in the betting, he for all that carried more money than the hitnerto unbeaten Glendower. Norman Slade and his brother conspirator. Sir Ronald ' were in as hi^h a state of excitement as it was possible for r T.^ m" ^"'^ of ^° ^"'''^ ^*- Every two or three days brought Norman Slade a mysterious telegram from Bella- cnI!,"'T'': ''°"™ !" fgncuiturai language that must have somewhat mystified the clerks on the transmission of the message. Such intelligence as " Sheep doing well," " Mut- r 146 SADDLE AND SABkE. ton still commands a good price," etc., etc., seemed hardly worth flashmg through the wires, but all such messages conveyed to Slade the assurance that Belisarius was pro- gressing favourably and was in the best of health. There are two more of our acquaintances who are also much in- terested in the coming result of the Two Thousand, and these are Bertie Slade and young Devereux. Norman, as was his custom, had written to his favourite nephew some three or four weeks back, and informed him that if he would like to have a bet upon The Guineas he could stand a tenner in his, Norman's, book. Now it so happened that when he received this letter Charlie Devereux was sitting in his quarters, and had just been unbosoming himself of his troubles with regard to those bills. The Major's friendly assistance had of course proved only temporary ; the ques- tion had, as it inevitably must, reopened itself once more, with the unpleasant addition that, like the snowball, these bills had gathered bulk as time rolled on. Charlie had taken very much to Slade almost from the very first ; to begin with, he might have been said to almost owe his com- mission to Gilbert ; then, again, he had all the admiration that a facile disposition always has for a hard reticent char- acter so exactly its antithesis. The trouble of these bills weighed heavy on the young man as it is wont to do with young men who are so free with their autograph in the dawn of pecuniary difficulties. He had just made a clean breast of it to Gilbert. " I can't go to the governor about it. You see, he has just had to shell out an awful lot of money for the outfit, horses, etc., to say nothing of his having had to pay up a good bit for me when I was at Cambridge." " Well, you see, Master Charlie, this is rather a stiff order ; to get you out of your scrape requires a thousand pounds, and I tell you honestly, unless your father will assist you, I don't see to whom you can apply. Very few of us are blest with a relation whom we can ask to help-us over such a shocking tall stile as this. Let me think," and for a few minutes Gilbert Slade stared into the fir'c, and seemed wrapped in thought. To do Charlie justice, no idea of seeking any other aid THE TWO THOUSAND. 147 J any other aid than advice had ever crossed his brain when he confided his troubles to his new friend. As for Gilbert, if only half- a-dozen years older in age, he was many years older in knowledge of the world than his comrade. " A deuced bad start," he thought, " for a young one to join hampefed in this way ; of course he must come to his governor in the end, but, as lie says, it is rather an inopportune moment to bring his necessities before him just now." " Now, Devereux," he said, at last, " I've thought it all over, and I'll tell you what you must do. It is clear as noonday that your father will have to pay those bills sooner or later You. ought to have made a clean breast of it when you were gazetted, and told him then and there, that, unless he wsm prepared to pay that sum for you, your join- ing the regiment was an impossibility No use talking any more about that, you didn't do it. The question is, What you had better do now? First of all, you must write to Kynaston, and ask him on what terms he can make arrangements for carrying over those bills for another six months ; secondly, I can put you in the way of a chance of winning as much money as might suffice for that pur- pose. It won't pay them, but it will possibly obviate the necessity of going to the home authorities for another six months." " That would be a great point," replied Charlie, ever willing to postpone the unpleasant explanation if possible, and at the same time keen to learn what it was his friend was about to recommend, for he already conjectured that the opportunity of winning money Gilbert spoke of was in some way connected with the Turf. " I've just heard from my Uncle Norman," replied the other, " and he has offered to let me stand in ten pounds with him about a horse he has backed for The Guineas. Now, if you like, this time to, I'll ask him to let me have a pony, and we will go halves in it. It won't make much difference to you if you do lose those few pounds." " What's the horse ?" exclaimed Charlie. Gilbert Slade laughed as he replied, " When my Uncle Gilbert dis- tributes his benefits he takes very good care there shall be no idle babbling. I can't tell you, because I don't know, kM m _ } ifl \^ i II I \ 1 1 :' i ; .J ■ 1 14$ SADDLE AND SABRE. He makes me that offer, and all he says is, • The horse will run well, and stands at very much longer odds at present than he has any business to do.' Those who know Nor- man 51ade will tell you that's a good deal for him to say, and I put much more faith in it than I should in the most glowmg account of any one else." " It's very good of you, and I'm only too glad of the chance. I hope we shall have the excitement of knowing what the horse is before the race is won." " Never fear," replied Bertie , " there's no more business- like man than my uncle. Two or three days before the race I shall get a line containing the exact note of the bet • but Uncle Norman is always mute as the grave about stable secrets till it is too late for their disclosure to be of any consequenqe." It is the morning of the Two Thousand, and the furore for Behsanus had somewhat cooled down. The horse had arrived at Newmarket all right a couple of days previous and had duly galloped and been looked over on the Heath! But he failed to please the cognoscenti. Newmarket, ever prejudiced against a horse not trained in their midst picked all sorts of holes in Belisarius. His action was lumbering ; he was coachy; he looked like a non-stayer • he would tire to nothing in the last two hundred yards' Such were the verdicts of the horse-watchers, and al^o of others who ought to have been better judges of the northern colt's powers. "Well," said Sir Ronald, with just the faintest shade of anxiety perceptible in his tone, as stepping from the " special " he was met on the platform by Norman Slade " how's the colt ? They've been rather knocking him about m the London market the last twenty-four hours." •• Fit to run for his life," rejoined Slade ; " and, what's equally to the point, old Bill is very fit too. He is keeping himself wonderfully quiet, sticking to his horse ; and is not to be drawn into sitting up and conviviality. He is in real earnest this time ; but, if it comes off, I'm sadly afraid he Vr'ul make ap for his present self-restraint. If he wins on Belisarius to-day I'm afrgid he'U make a royal night OX ICa ' I THE TWO THOUSAND, 149 ■ jX^*^5L<^°°'* *^*"^ ™"^^ °^ Belisarius here, I suppose ?" said Sir Ronald, as they got into the fly which was to con- vey them to Norman SJade's lodgings, so that the baronet might get something to eat before starting for the course. " No, rephed Slade ; •• Newmarket never believed in a north-country horse till it has well beaten all they hav« got to bring against it." On the Heath, from the very beginning of the racing, i- was matter of universal comment what a dull affair th. greaf race of the meeting was likely to prove. It was now known that the field had dwindled down to half-a-dozer runners; and, though all of these were backed in som. fashion, still it was only Glendower p.~:^ iJelisarius whi were backed in anything like earner,!, /.s a well-knowi member of the Jockey Club observ ■, ' if it hadn't bee? tor the advent of this dark colt from the North the Twc Thousand would have been for all practical purposes a walk-over." Belisarius, although he might not find favour with the Newmarket people and the majority of racing- men, yet had lost none of his attraction for the public The dark horse who had never yet been seen on a race- course, and against whom five and six to one could be obtained, had a fascination for them that outbalanced all Glendower's victories, and they steadily supported their champion m defiance of the sums that went down upon the favourite at a price that had gradually shortened to seven to four. However, the saddling-bell has rung, the competitors are arranged in the birdcage, and in a few minutes more make their way down to the starting-post. For a moment Bill Smith checks his horse and bends over his shoulder as he passes Norman on his way out. •' It's all right, Mr. Slade," he murmurs. " I shall just come straight away from the Dip and strangle them." Norman simply nodded in reply, and then went oflFwith Sir Ronald to witness the race. The tale of that Two Thousand is soon told. The hand- ful of horses were easilv HpsnatrhpH Kv tV"^ ''♦art'>' a-J at a muddling pace for a good half the distance. Descend- ing the hill Glendower assumed the lead and improved the pace. At the Buslies he came right away from his field, "h\ ' ; i'.i :" ^' f- IJiili 1 • i I50 SADI -E AND SABRE. m ^ with the exception of Behsarius, who was going strong a bare two lengths in rear on the whip hand. As they breasted the ascent the north-country colt ran up to his antagonist and challenged, and for the next hundred yards it was a ding-dong struggle between them. Then Belisarius got the best of it, and, wearing down his antagonist, Bill Smith came right away in the last fifty yards and won easily by a couple of lengths. A great cheer rent the air as the numbers went up ; but in the Jockey Club stand, and amongst the gentlemen generally, there was a portentous silence. Neither was there much exultation shown by the bookmakers ; it was the general public that had won the money, and it was the lungs of the general public that boisterously proclaimed iheir satisfaction at the result of the race. " A great coup," said Slade ; " but nothing to what we will bring off at Epsom." " It is a coup," replied the baronet ; " and we ought to I have a good chance of winning the Derby, and our double- event money as well. Behsarius appears to me as sound a | colt as ever I looked over." "Yes," rejoined Slade, " he is sound enough wind and! limb. I'm not afraid of the horse, it's the man. Belisarius will stand the training all right. I wish I felt as certain! about Bill Smith." " I should think he might be trusted to keep steady now] till after the Derby," replied the baronet. "I don't know," replied Norman Slade; "you see, he I was short of money and shaky of reputation ; and the | bringing off this Two Thousand meant a good deal to him. Men like Bill don't thrive upon success." XXI.— "You Shall Never Marrv Him." GREAT was Charlie Devereux's exultation when thai tclegraui reached York containing the news of Beiii sarins 's victory. A formal line had been received by Bertie from his uncle a couple of days before, in which he '. i\ "YOU SHALL NEVER MARRY HIM.' 15t hing to what we keep steady now Cood deal to him. notified the fact that Bertie had an excessively nice bet of six hundred to twenty-five against Belisarius for The Guineas, and now this comforta^^la stake wa'i satisfactorily landed. As for young Devereux, with the sanguine nature of youth, he at once saw himself clear of ail his financial difficulties. " It's all your doing, old fellow," he cried, as he clasped Bertie's hand warmly. " I'm awfully grateful ; it was a great inspiration of mine to come and bore you with all my troubles." " Never mind about that, but just bear in mind. Master Charlie, you're a long way off being out of the wood at present. You've won three hundred pouods, but you don't suppose the holder of those bills will let you renew with- out a bonus, do you ? You are in the hands of the money- lenders now. I'm happy to say I've never been driven to seek their services myself; but I've had something to do with them on behalf of a great pal of mine, and am toler- ably well versed in the ways of those gentlemen. The holder of those bills, in the first place, will make you pay pretty smartly for their renewal. I should guess about a hundred pounds. How are you going to pay off a thousand pounds with the remaining two hundred ? " " Don't you see ? " replied Charlie, with a look of preter- natural sagacity ; " of course I immediately put that two hundred on Belisarius for the Derby — he's at three to one now — providing your uncle fancies his chance. Well, if that comes off, I shall have got eight hundred together towards clearing myself." '• Good ! " replied Bertie ; " how about the remainder ? Remember, there'll be another six months' interest on, which, at the price you are paying, will have added a hundred and fifty to the original debt." " I forgot that," replied young Devereux, as his counte- nance fell somewhat; "I suppose there'll be nothing for it, then, but to make a clean breast of it to the governor." ••That's right," said Slade ; "you do that. Wait till after the Derby ; and then, win or lose, let them know the worst at liome. It's better, anyhow, that you should be lot in for one month's interest rather than six." U - i; ' i! i't' . •HI J 'I .'I L '-H i: r. 1S2 SADDLE AND SABRE, awtft^th^ r7lf Tfu '^ ^^^'^^^^ *^^"^ *^^* Charlie should !L1 "^^"r"'^ °f ^^® S'"'^^* struggle on Epsom Downs and Bpr^,V« b^^' ^'2"^^* f ¥*"" ^-°™ M^i°^ Kynaston ; and Bertie s knowledge of the ways of moneylenders proved only too accurate. The Major wrote,- " My dear Devereux, lord n * Cn^ h^''?J"'^ Tu^ ^^3 ^^^* ^^"^^ I c^" >vith inow R KK 7 Will have their pound of flesh, you know. Rubbers, rank robbers, every one of them • but pray bear in mind that when I first suggested your aoDlv ing to them you Were dreadfully opprfs^sed byX S of your obligatK^ns to Furzedon. I agreed with yTu as any man m the World would, that, bad^ as was the^neces- ZL ^""^.,^^^^'1^ assistance from a professional money- lender, It was better than remaining under such an oS- tion to a friend The rascals insist on having a hundfed down, and m consideration of that will let the bills run on tI-°^!'u'u'' T^"**^'.' ^' ^f*^^" per <=ent. for thaM?me This IS he best I can do for you. Give me your consem' and enclose a cheque for the hundred, and you wiU h"ar no more of Jordan & Co. for six months. ^ " Fver yours, "Richard Kynaston." J*J^VvT''^'^^f [" .^'^^^^i^ed Bertie, after reading this letter. 'You must s ick to your resolution, Devereux ; ^Sn or ose at Epsom, mmd These vultures are charging Z just forty per cent, for the accommodation." ^ ^ Bertie Slade could have only guessed the state of the case ; scoundrels would'have been not half a strong enough word to have applied to the robbers into whose^cfutchls young Devereux had fallen. In the first place half he bonus went into Kynaston's pocket, for havrngTnt?oduced Mr. Devereux to Jordan & Co. Secondlv, af wJ .ir"^^ Know, Jordan dc Co. was no other than Ralph FuriedoV Consequently, poor Charlie in reality was being shamelessly Charlie should Spsom Downs, to to old Tom ijor Kynaston ; moneylenders ms I can with d of flesh, you of them ; but 2d your apply- by the weight i with you, as was the neces- Jional money- uch an obliga- ing a hundred le bills run on for thaf time, your consent, )u will hear no Kynaston." T reading this evereux ; win charging you ■ state of the itrong enough hose clutches lace, half the ig introduced IS we already 3h Furzedon. I shamelessly "YOU SHALL NEVER MARRY HIM." 1 53 stripped and plundered by a couple of men whom he looked upon as mtimate friends. The foUowmg week brought a most satisfactory letter from Norman Slade, intimating that he had paid six hun- dred pounds into Bertie's account at Cox's, and saying that he fan'^ied Belisarius's chance for the Derby very much. " The Two Thouc-nd Guineas," he went on to say, " was a good public trial ; and I can only say, he Seat Glendower a good deal more easily than we expected. He is as well now as one could wish him ; and, should he only continue so, it will take a right good colt to beat him at Epsom." It need scarcely be said that this letter goroughly confirmed Charlie Devereux in his resolution. He sent off the required cheque to Kynaston, and forth- with proceeded to put the remainder of his winnings on Behsarius for the Epsom race ; and that done, as he said to Bertie Slade, " There is nothing now for me to do but to sit down and wait. I feel like a man who has insured himself to tie extent of his ability." "Yes," re'oined Slade, laughing, "we can only tnist that the insurance office may not prove a bogus concern. Such insurance as yours is hardly recommended by our grave and reverend signors." " What a disagreeable beast you are, Bertie," .-vied young Devereux, laughing; " I don't see why you should always take such a gloomy view cf my affairs." "Not at all," rejoined Slade, "you'll pull through all "f f °?VS" ; I was only laughing at the queer view vou take of things. You speak as if you had done a highly vir- tuous action in endeavouring to extricate yourself from your difficulties by putting every shilling you can lay vnur hands on on this race. I doubt, for instance, it your father would quite view it in that light." "Don't preach, Bertie; I cannot work, and to beg 1 am ashamed.. If I only knew how to make this money by work, you'd see I wouldn't flinch from it. This is my sole chance; and I don't see much harm in dashing down my "Nor is there," rejoined Bertie, still laughing, "only don t take quite such a high moral tone about it. Hut- i:| i 1 I * 1 1 154 SADDLE AND SABRE. rah for Behsarius ! I shall irust him with a porlv myself just to pay expenses ; and, if all's well, in the Derby week we 11 run up and see the race. A week's leaye is always given to all who wish to assist in that festival." Mr. Furzedon, during the autumn months, had been turnmg over Mrs. Kynaston's advice in his own mind. He had at last come to the conclusion, considerably stayed in his judgment, be it borne in mind, by the aforesaid Mrs Kynaston, that Lettice Devereux would make him a very suitable wife. Shrewd, quick-witted, and cynical, the man judged for himself, and pretty accurately, in that world he knew— the world of the race-course, of club, smoking- rooms of the stage, the demi-monde; but of that social world to which he aspired Ralph Furzedon was not only very ignorant, but credulous in the extreme to those whom he believed to have its entrie. The Kynastons he thoroughly believed to possess this passport. That Dick Kynaston was what he was did not m the least surprise Furzedon ; he was quite prepared for lax morality in high places. • The papers unfortunately bear pretty constant evidence that the cream of society is no better than its humbler brethren on those points. What did tickle Ralph Furzedon amazingly was, that while he as a tacit partner with Kynaston was, when opportunity served, introducing young men with expectations to the Major, that worthy— all unconscious— was bringing them back to Jordan & Co., alias Ralph Furzedon, for relief of tneir necessities. But in Mrs. Kynaston Mr. Furzedon believed immensely. He looked upon her as a clever woman, moving in the very tJtst society and, to use 1 . own expression, " Knowin- the ropes, able to hold her own with the best ; little likel? to make any mistake in hei judgment of things.' " And '' said Ralph Furzedon to himself, - this woman looks upon It that Lettice Devereux will give any man with a little money, who marries her, a great social start." In almost any other groove of life the man would have depended upon his own judgment, but upon this point he was not only crazud but conscious of his ignorance. We n^ve all our ambitions ; and Ralph Furzedon's was to fprce "YOU SHALL NEVER MARRY IIIM. I5S his way into the best society. He had always admired Lettice, but had never dreamt of her as a wife till the idea 'iad been distilled into his mind by Mrs. Kynaston. He had plenty of assurance, and perhaps rated his personal appearance as high as most people. He was a good-look- ing man, but there was that indefinable something which the moment he came amongst experts would be certain to arouse curiosity as to his antecedents. Still, with all his self-confidence, though he hardly liked to admit it, he had a hazy idea that Lettice Devereux was not quite the girl to be had for the asking ; that vshe was a young lady upon whom the revelation of his wealth might produce but little impression ; and, moreover, that she was quite capable of not beir\g properly impressed with all the advantages — personal and otherwise — that he was prepared to lay at her feet. Like the astute calculator he was, Mr. Furzedon at once began to reckon what trumps he held in his hand. He thought he could depend upon Mrs. Kynaston to forward his interests, and he looked upon lier as a very tower of strength could he but prevail upon her to espouse his cause. "Then," he thought, with an evil smile, "there are those bills of Charlie's ; a cornet in a fast Dragoon regiment is not likely to get much nearer liquidating them, and they grow, they grow. I wonder, by the way, how the deuce he found that last hundred to renew witli ! Well, well, sisters before now have been known to wed to help a favourite brother out of a scrape ; when the time comes, I trust Lettice Devereux will be too entangled to escape. I wish that fellow Slade didn't hang about her quite so much. Unlucky for me, Charlie getting into the same regiment ; she is likely .to see more of him on that account ; and, from all I can make out, it strikes me he has no idea of neglecting such opportunities as fall in his way. If he ever wants to borrow money I'd make it easy for him. I'd risk a good deal to get him upon my books." " I suppose 5'ou haye given up all hope of seeing Charlie down again this season ? " said Mrs. Kynaston, one after- noon that Lettie had ridden over to call upon her. ♦' Yes ; he declares that he cannot get away, and raveg i n ' 'U r i i "■ ' i' / 1,'< 156 SADDLE AND SABRE. ft'' about the sport he is having with the York and Ainstv and how splendidly Pole Star carries him. Brothers arj knew I had so reckoned upon his coming down and our having a few more gallops together." chL.Jl' ^^"'". rejoined Mrs. Kynaston, '• mci, are fond of a5 thf il^"* T ^* P'^'^l* y°"^ b^^th^^ is dazzled with general!! S^^^^ %"'f '' ^"^^ the swagger of a military life generally. St 11, I do wonder he has not com( home I should have thought he would have been unable to resis , the pressure put upon him." " '• i'h'-T.inin?/ m"^ ^ V '^"'" "^^P"^ Miss Devereux. ^^ tV hfm^— '^ '^^ '-^ - --^ ^" --" " You have no right to say we," interrupted Lettie hotly I am sure I never thought " i'""y , tum^"aTlThou£i"''"KlM'^^' ^y"^^ton in her mIT'^ / XT "^J^t ^™' ^^^ *^ave made Charlie brine him down to North Lfeach before now." ^ •• There is nothiiig to prevent Mr. Slade coming here on his own account, if he pleases. Father gave him a general invitation to come and have a few days with th^BrocWes by any time he liked this winter." i^rockies- nast^.^^*' "^^^^ ^^'^ ""^'^ ^* ^'°^°^ '" ^^P^i^'i Mrs. Ky- Lettie nodded. '' He can hardly be said to have shown himself keen to take advantage of the invitation." «™seir Keen to fin^J r^P^"^ he waited to come with Charlie, and now he finds Charlie can't come it is getting too late." I don t believe in that ' can't come.' I know too much of soldiering for that. A man may not be able to get Twav a certain week, but don't tell me he can't get awav In v week m the course of the winter. Depend uponT Mr^ Slade has not been half a dozen years in Ae army w ihout Now out of ber military lore Mrs. Kynaston did know 'YOU SHALL NEVER MARRY HIM." IS7 that Charlie would have most likely some difficulty in ob- tainmg 1 .ave just at present, but she was anxious for her own purposes to make Miss Devereux believe that Gilbert Slade was not m earnest in his attentions. He had no doubt shown much devotion to Lettice during the latter part of his stay in town. Mrs. Kynaston had not been present at the Lincoln autumn races ; but she had gathered that Gilbert had hardly left Lettie's side the whole day and had heartily accepted old Tom Devereux's cordial invitation to " come and bite a bit with us, Mr. Slade, and have a look at the hunt in our country." But many such invitations are given every year, and, though both sides are thoroughly in earnest in the contract' arcumstances forbid their ever coming to pass. Mrs' Kynaston was too wise to say more, but she had attained her object m some measure. Lettie's pride had taken fire at the thought that she was beginning to think seriously about a man who was simply indulging himself in an idle flirtation with her. "Have you seen anything of your other admirer?" asked Mrs. Kynaston, after a rather prolonged pause. •• My other admirer ? ' replied Lettie ; " I'm sure I don't know who you mean— I certainly can count perhaps half- a-score men who were very civil to me, and liked to dance with me, but I really couldn't single out one with any ap- parent desire for anything more." " How innocent we are," replied Mrs. Kynaston, laugh- Vi^* J' ^^ ^^^^ Lettie, you don't require to be told that Mr. Furzedon adores the very ground you walk on." "Nonsense," replied Miss Devereux, "he has always been civil, as an intimate friend of Charlie's naturally would be, but I'm sure he has never said a word of the kind you suggest to me— and what's more I don't think I much like Mr. Furzedon." " I wouldn't be in too great a hurry to make up my mind about that," said Mrs. Kynaston, " he is a good-looking man, and Dick tells me he has lots of money. I assure you many girls would think twice before they would sa- Ralph Furzedon nay." " ' ^ ""-^ "WeU, it doesn't matter," rejoined Lsttie. •«You are h I ■■ i: r .. i; ■■HI ir.M t58 SADDLE AND I^: ABRE. quite mistaken ; it is not likely I shall be called upon to decide that question ; and now I must scamper home, if you will allow ne to rinpf for my horse." A few minutes more, and Miss Devereux had said "good-bye." Mrs. Kynaston stood watching her as she mounted. " Yes," she muttered, " I like you better than any girl I ever met ; and I'd have been loyal to you, too, Lettie, if Gilbert Slade had not come between us ; but I cannot give him up to you. You shall never marry him, if it is within my power to prevent it." XXII.— Mr. Black's Tip. THE winter presses hard upon the poorer clashes gener- ally ; work becomes scarce, and days become short, just as we seem to require more light, more food, more fire, more clothes, more everything. Our wants expand as the means to supply them shorten ; or, sad to say, in some cases disappear altogether. The sole trade that seems to thrive in this dark time is that of the burglar, who finds the season propitious ; and, if he has the good fortune to evade the emissaries of the law, easily acquires the where- withal to indulge in the riotous living in which his soul delighteth. Upon no class, perhaps, does a hard winter press more heavily than the hangers-on of the Turf: men who, while racing is going on, pick up a mysterious living as small bookmakers, as horse-watchers, as turf-advisers to young (can't be too young) gentlemen. I am speaking of those who are " indifferent honest." As for the scum, who are a disgrace to our racecourses, it is more than pro- bable that they take *o burglary during the winter months ; having spent the summer in robbery, there would be no- thing repugnant to their feelings in housebreaking during the close term. But, to see these small betting-men, who in the summer season are so blatant, boisterous, and self-assured, habited in white hat, and the remarkable coats thev aflt cy icui. and then to see the limp, luckless individuals, who with dilapi- MR. HI,ACK'S TIP. 159 dated hat, scanty raiment, and broken boots, who in hoarse tones, more graphically designated a " gin-and-fo-r voice " murmur mto your ears a hope that you can sparse half-a- crown, or peradventure half-a-sovereign, to assist a broken- down sportsman. To see Ihem, I repeat, in the chrysalis form. It IS hard to believe them to be the same uidividuals 1 he brazen self-assurance is all out of them now ; and th' v really are as hard put to it for a livmg as any class in n-dern Babylon. J hey are to he met with, for the m >st part, anywhere between Charing Cross and St, Paul Cathedral ; they gravitate princi})ally towards the Ludcate Circus. Among these men. Sam Prance was a good typical specimen of his class; he had begun life as assistant to a pawnbroker, and that pawnbroker had been Ralph Furze- don s uncle ; lience had arisen a connection between them What had produced the undying enmity which Prance bore to the man who now stood in his dead master's shoes is about to be explained. From his boyish days Ralph turzedon was precocious, vicious, and cunning; and even at fifteen began to gamble on the turf. He was liberally supplied ^ylth money by his guardians, and the Jewish in- stmct in his veins led him even then to turn over such capital as he possessed by speculating in the unredeemed pledges in his uncles shop. He would often, with the assistance of Prance invest money, say in the purchase of a rintr. This would be left exposed for sale in the shop window In the course of two or three weeks a pound or two profit would usually be realised by the sale of it. Such profits young Furzedon, again through Prance, invested on the turt ; he was shrewd, he was fortunate, and the result of nis betting was decidedly profitable. The first thing fatal to Prance in his connection Mas T t u?° ^°* ^'**^" ^'*h a taste for turf speculation' Like all beginners, he was lucky at first, and this led to too great intimacy between young Ralph and himself J-urzedon became an habitual visitor at Prance's house" Mrs. Prance was a pretty and extremely vain younff woman; the compliments and attentions of ''.^r visi"- turned her head; don't mistake me. and thTnk'therVwas anything as yet further than the most o^jen flirtatiQQ I.* l^ : . m ! ■3 ' ' •'1 , i In i ■ ! 1 i. 1 i ! i i ; 4f. h fi i6o SADDLE AND SABRE. between them, but Furzedon's flatteries sank deeo into "JvF'f^r'^L' "^^"^- "^hat she was a very pretty woman fh^ '^V^ fl^ %"' ""l^y P^°P^^ly dressed she wo^uM S the world at her feet, became part of Mrs. Prance's creed bam was making money; it was ridiculous, he must allow her more for dress. They must live in better style and so Prance was gradually worried into giving up the modest and comfortable tenement in which he hid dwdt Sr the vIllV H ^^^'^ '3 u ^°"'' ?i ^"^''^y' comfortless, suburban he Lk^t ^ ""^ ^^"'"^ ^'' ^"'' ^'^^ ^" t^^t. Mrs. Prance was not an atom in love with her bovish admirer, but for all that she was veryproud of hercap^fve he belonged to a class superior to her own, at all events in her eyes, and the lady had a halcyon dream of being surrounded by a knot of admirers-^.«^/.,„.„_andTo? mere tradesmen, hke most of her husband's friends. Well ' ^e sequel was not long in coming. Luck turned, and Prance, who had been very far from confining his specula tions to such as were deemed advisable by his voun^ patron, got into difficulties, the usual result wa^s the consequence. Sam Prance, if he did not actually, meta^ phoncally '• put his hand in the till ; " he was detected in dishonest practices by his master, and though old Nicholas Furzedon declined to prosecute, yet Mr Prance was ^ promptly turned out of his situation, and told that he nied look for no recommendation from his employer to assist him in procuring another, that he might consider himself fortunate to have escaped the inside of a prison. And now came slow and grinding misery for Sam Prance his goods were sold and he had to move into shabby w1?i Sf ' fi^'T"! "^l^^ i'^^J" P^^^'^'^' discontented wife ^^^ u'^u^ catastmphe Furzedon dire tly had nothing -.uL'^^t^^'' ^'^ relations latterly had been as innocent with Mrs Prance as the lady protested, her husband had many jealous misgivings, but certain it was. that when alter months of wrangling he finally left her home _-e, . ^^ ga^^cu x^urzedon as the orig nator of all his troubles; despairing of ei^^jloyment. he had sunk into MR. black's tip. i6i a mere jackal of the racecourse, and when times erew hard with him appealed to Furzedon for assistance thS^nfh. first instance, had been somewhat grudg?ngl'y eSended but no sooner did that gentleman dltect^ an obvious dl' position on Prance's part to live upon him than hrrenellS man with his bad luck, and declared that his w[fe had been right to leave so pitiful a creature. The fdeTthat at first possessed Prance's morbid mind seethed and fetered He traced every ill that had befallen him to Furzedon's be°en lllT f"' T°^^^ *^^*' ^" ^^^^ fa^hfon ft had been Ralph Furzedon's precocious devilry that had wrought his undoing, but, for all that, his own weakness and cupidity had not a little to say to i . FurTher apphca tions for assistance were met with still more^b ter [him fin'lf" ^r"'^°".'^ P.^^^' »"ti^ the quarTeTbetween them finally culminated when, flushed by drink. Prance had attempted to rob Furzedon that night in the S market, and been stricken to the ground. A r^hteou^s weTiSed' n7f ^'^'-Y;;^-'' - Wow such as a^man" hHm fhi . f^o''''^ ?f ^'' property, but it filled to the brim the cup of Sam Prance's animosity, and his own prayer was that the day might come when the oppo LnUv would be given him to settle accounts with Ralph iPurzedo/ He was quite aware that he held many secrets of that fhn, iT- "' ^"^ '"f°r.«^?tion as to his mode of 1 fe, which though m no way inimical to him in a legal sense S' deftly promu gated at the proper moment, be his sS ru in, and no Indian on the war-trail bided his opportunl^tv with more vengeful vigilance than did Sam PraJce ^ t« and might as well have been shooting bTg game In Indfa as quartered ai York for all she heard of hirf Mr FurzL pS'-5' '^TP' Y '""'''' ""^^^ some raJSer fl^sy Kr 1 'u- '*'^ ^^-^"^ ^"^^ *wo or three days. Plaus^blJ hough his account had been of how he had hannlnoH . )•<• in th.a ne-ghbo.uhood, there Is a rfng ofuntmth a;. out It which gave Miss Devereux the ide^a th^t Mrs Kynaston was right, and that she herself was the attract on that drew him into North Lincolnshire. Let?iS more over could but see that, without venturing to proS hmiself.an admirer, he paid her considerablf attention and with no undue vanity felt that he onlv wanted a S her b St to make his bnef visit ti North LiLhTjrteif''^ but, c.r all that, she did not care abou h^L heSf fc say that she disliked him would be ?oo sS^ng a phrase but she was certainly indifferent to him anH Kr i ' though she tried to Tnaster it, was c^Siou" of an ut^ grounded prejudice against him. It was probabH ?h«' ingrained cynicism of Furzedon's character fW; I he^ wafll^S^Shat "^ '''^'^ -XTto^LtdSl and, in spite of all his caie, his bitter vLwl of men^^^^^^^^ things would occasionallv escape his lipr Stin R.^^? Furzedon thought that he was making faTrprogrLS nn? t',r i'^"'"' ^''- ^y^^^'^on to aid h^mTfnddidSe not hold that tremendous card of Charlie's difficulti^ to launch whenever he thouL^ht fittest? ^^\^l S^ J little thought as he left Nor'th Leach /„ t^elSy firsTdlvs B ' Charlie Devereux could find no time t- -o - ?" . -r^oT'f '^" "°"^^ "^"""^^ *° set a week's leav^f^;? I . : urpose of running up to London. And hither he hIh -^wen h«„s.i( m Obedience to the express Ts^ of Mrt *f.U i68 SADDLE AND SABRE. Kynaston. She and Charlie corresponded pretty fre- quently—a correspondence which they did not think it necessary to mention to other people. Even at The Firs Kate could often have given Lettie Devereux later news of her brother than she herself possessed ; but Mrs. Kynaston never thought fit to mention it. She was a lady much given to philandering correspondence, and usually had two or three what she denominated •' special friends " of the male sex, with whom she kept up much sentimental letter- writing. No very great harm, perhaps, in the epistles ; and yet they always contained a certain amount of love- making, such as were hardly befitting a married woman to receive. A prompt, energetic woman, as well as a capri- cious one, was Mrs. Kynaston, accustomed to subdue men easily. Her first feeling on discovering Gilbert Slade's insensibility to her fascinations had been astonishment, then came pique, and finally she had framed herself into a mad passion for this Dragoon, who declined to put his neck beneath her foot. But Mrs. Kynaston was not easily beaten when she had set her mind upon a thing. She had determined that the first thing it behoved her to put an end to was Slade's growing admiration for Lettie Devereux. Secondly, to marry that young lady to Furzedon as soon as she could compass it. Most women would have deemed these two things beyond their power to bring about, but Mrs. Kynas- ton had implicit reliance in her own abilities, and was wonderfully adroit in making the most of such weapons as came to her hand. Already she had put into Furzedon's head the idea that Lettie would make him an excellent wife. Already she had implanted in Miss Devereux's breast mistrust of Bertie Slade's intentions, that it was the sort of conventional flirtation these soldiers always thought proper to indulge in with any pretty girl they came across. But she wanted to do more than that, she wanted to effec- tually sever Lettie from her lover. It was in furtherance of these purposes that she had urged Charlie to run up to town ; " she had so many things to say to him," she wrote. ** She wanted to see him now he had had a few months' military training, whether he was improved or the reverse ; I CtlARLIE*S SUMMONED TO TOWN. i$q obevinff her beh^^t hI ^°"?°"' and he lost no time in Tho'^xsfnXrnnbg; and sZZZf '^' ^"^^ °^ ^^« ^wo of all that he hoped from his success at Fn. ^°'''^' ^"? story of his difficulties how th.f h?^ 5°"" ^™ ^^^ ^^^^^ .'X„°^c ;S"wlr4 '- S5 r «ve tt. Sad- how that the Major had bo?ro».H Z "" '"^H" ' ""^ elsewhere. borrowed the money for him li i i^ ! d> ,1; llevereux's vision had been a little enlarged since he had joined the th Hussars ; he probably drew a more correct estimate of h* "^Uows than when he was an undergraduate, ami was conscious now that his comrades would pronounce turzedon not . lite "the right thing." " Don't be foolish, Charlie, rephed Mrs. Kynaston, your sister is doing very well for he elf. Ralph Furze- don is a very rising young man, muc! her, I have some reason to know, than he is usually supposed. A shrewd man too, not a genius — they, poor things, rarely get on in this life — but a clear-headed, practical man. Ralph Furze- don will push his way in this world, he will get into Parlia- ment, and has, no doubt about it, a future before him. Lettice, like any prudent girl, knows which side her bread is buttered, and is not likely to throw on one side a good parti for poetical visions of love or perchance strawberry- leaves." "You know best," said young Devereux, " and I suppose Let' >e is doing .1 good thing for herself. Furzedon has alwc/s been a pa! of mine, but for all that, let him be as rich as may be, I wish he were not going to marry my siste* "You f-^oiish boy," rejoined Mrs. Kynaston, "you are confusing love and setthng in life ; it is given to few of u > ri I/a SADDLE AND SABRE. H M to marry the man we really care for. Oh dear ! how little giving in marriage there would be if that was an essential part of it." And then Kate Kynaston plunged into one of those charming little dissertations in which she was such a proficient, in which she demonstrated that it was the duty or three-fourths of womank'nd to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their families, aiid that it was their misfortune to come across those they could have loved later on in life ; they were less to be blamed than wept over. What the sacrifice had been in her own case was left most misty and undefined, but Mrs. Kynaston always contrived to send her admirers away with the idea that she was a woman wrestling with a heavy burden, that her hearer was the one man that had ever touched her heart, and that, had they met earlier, life would have been so very different. As for Charlie, he went back to York uncomfortable about Lettice s engagement, and with a hazy idea that he had added to poor Mrs. Kynaston 's troubles by his own fatal fascinations, and yet a less conceited man than Charlie Devereux probably never trod shoe-leather. " Well, young 'un," exclaimed Gilbert Slade, as Charlie burst into his quarters a few minutes before the trumpet sounded for dress — "had a good time? Whom did you see, and what have you been doing? You didn't forget to call upon my Uncle Bob, did you ?" "No," rejoined Charlie, " I called twice on him, but I didn't see him, I was most anxious to thank him for all he had done for me , but the porter said he had not been at the Thermopolium for three or four days, and he thought that he must be out of town." " Pick up any news ? " inquired Bertie, lazily. " I did," rejoined Charlie. " I saw Mrs. Kynaston, and heard a very strange bit of news from her ; rather a queer thing," continued Charlie, "to hear of your own sister going to be married from any one but herself, but I did. She told me that Lettice was engaged to be married." " What ! " exclaimed Gilbert Slade, springing to his feet. " Miss Devereux Charlie. Who to ? " feing to going to be married ? Nonsense, SAM PRANCE AT HOME. '73 " To Ralph Furzcdon, of all people in the world," replied young Devereux " What, that cad ! " exclaimed Bertie. *• Well, I'm d d. Vo, I beg your pardon, Charlie, of course I don't mean that. I mean I congratulate you, old fellow. I trust Miss Devereux will be happy. Pray forgive me that slip of the tongue, and consider I've said all the pro- per things usual under the circumstances." Charlie said no more, but, as he walked away to his own quarters to dress, felt less reconciled than ever to this engagement of his sister. Bertie's involuntary exclama- tion had strengthened his own conviction. Stripped of his fine feathers Furzedon was a cad. Could Mrs. Kynas- ton be right, and was Lettice really engaged to this man ? " Ah," he muttered, " women are so much clearer sighted than ourselves in these matters. It is little likely that a clever woman like Kate," — and his face slightly flushed as he murmured her Christian name — "would make a mis- take in such a matter." if\ XXIV. — Sam Prance at Home. MAJOR KYNASTON had been not a little puzzled at Sam Prance's reference to young Devereux last year; he had wondered then whether Prance had the slightest idea that there were business relations between himself and Furzedon. They had now several Turf tran- sactions in common, and moreover, Furzedon, as the young man about town, when he had the chance, invari- ably brought young gentlemen in difficulties to the Major for advice. He would observe with a geniality which sat ill upon him, on becoming the confidant of such troubles, " Let me introduce you to Dick Kynaston, he'll pull you through. He knows all these sort of fellows, and can always tell you what to do, and who to go to." And then Mr. Furzedon would chuckle to himself at what was to him an P.Xnilisifp ipst^. fO \V\t fViaf tllioc<:» xronnrr ir>pr>/^on4'o would shortly be brougl.t round to his pen to be shorn ; i f • 174 SADDLE AND SABRE. and that Kynaston was in complete ignorance that he t urzedon, was in reality the shearer. Kynaston had not seen Prance for some months after their interview, and had pretty well dismissed the subject irom his mmd ; he thought it was impossible that Prance could know anything more of his connection with Furze- don than that they were to some extent Turf confederates, btill, when the succeeding spring in London Prance once more made his appearance at the little house in Mayfair, fw^if^°f 'fT*^^ f°,*^^ '"^j^^*- B"t he soon Lnd that the tout knew httle more than that Furzedon and himself were acquainted; that he had small knowledge of the Devereuxes; and that his main motive was a rabid hos- tility and distrust of Ralph Furzedon. Prance had indeed no particular object in rescuing Charlie Devereux from Furzedon s clutches other than the hatred he bore the latter, and, although he considered his patron well able to take care of himself, yet he thought it was bette- to give him an insight into Furzedon's real character. Dick hiSlttJ^o r ^"^u^S? ^"^ ^°*^ °^ *h^ c^"tion, and said to himself, «' I ye had to do with some queer customers in my time, but It is always a great advantage to know when you h'.dln^^nH^PK^'^''^ ^^ ?^"'"' '^^^^ h^d beenall Prance had intended by his warning, and he had thought no more of the matter until he saw Furzedon call at the house in Mayfair just after he had left it. But now all Prance's curiosity was aroused. Two strong passions urged him on to discover what was the connection between the two men— his enmity to Furzedon and his gratitude to Kynaston. Blunted and seared as aU his better feelings were, he still held a dogged fidelity towards the Major. He had always been liberal to S Li?^ "niortunate man felt very grateful to him for the assistance he had rendered in the bitter need of last wmter. Still Mr. Prance, as he sits alone in his modes apartment in Great Coram Street, does not exactly see his way to arriving at what he wants. '' What can havi brought these two men together ? " and as he turns this knotty point over in his mind the man Fufis vigorously at hn, short clay pipe. Sam Prance's SAM tkAKcte At Home. m ranee that he, ; months after led the subject lethat Prance n with Furze- f confederates. 1 Prance onee se in Mavfair, le soon found Furzedon and knowledge of as a rabid hos- ce had indeed •evereux from he bore the n well able to better to give acter. Dick !, and said to itoniers in my ow when you sen all Prance light no more the house in ►used. Two /hat was the to Furzedon seared as all gged fidelity 3eral to him, him for the leed of last 1 his modest actly see his together ? " ind the man m Prance's domicile was by no means luxuriously furnished, A bed ; a washstand; a chair, by courtesy called easy; and a table or two, comprised its contents, but it was clean, and the proprietor regarded it as princely compared to some of the lodgings he had flitted in and out of during the past few months. One of the tables was littered with a few old turf guides, a blotting-pad, pens, ink, and paper, and at length, by way of penetrating the mystery. Prance sat himself down, and, taking up his pen, determined to, what he called, «' Run off Ralph Furzedon s performances," as he would have gone through those of a racehorse with a view to getting a line through him of some other horse. •' Yes," he muttered, after scribbling fast for ten minutes or more, " it's a very nice sheet, it reads well, it's a pity his swell friends can't see it. His sire, a pawnbroker; two-yeai old performances: trafficking in the sale of unredeemed pledges; backing horses on the turf; making love to his friend's wife and urging that friend to neglect an honest occupation for gambling and horse-races ; pretty well that for a young 'un who had not reached his eighteenth year. Three-year-old performances : laughing at his friend when he was kicked out of his situation ; mocking at him and remarking it was his own own fault when his wife ran away ; refissing him assistance when he was in difficulties ; gibing at him ; and, finally, knocking him down because, in his extremity, he asked him in pity's sake for a sovereign." There was no doubt a basis of truth underlying Prance's summary, but the man's morbid antipathy to Furzedon must be allowed for ; the colouring was more bold and vivid than the facts warranted ; and that Prance should attribute every evil that had" befallen him to Furzedon 's malign influence must be taken very much cum grano sails. He had contributed a fair share himself to his own undoing ; and the defalcations which cost him his situation and blasted his character were in nowise due to any suggestion of Ralph Furzedon. However, painting his enemy in the darkest tints did not serve to elucidate the problem he had sat down to consider. That the Major was fond of a game of cards he thought was likely; that the Major ! * 1 1 176 SAbDLfe AND SABRE. preferred wmning to losing had no doubt ; he never knew anybody who did not. That the Major was capable of assisting fortune he deemed probable and thought none ^L^S''t °^ ^'? i^'u *^^*- ^" ^'« °^n easy code of morality he regarded cheating and all games of chance as cleverness; and he was the best player who concealed most cards up his sleeve without detection. Horse-racinf^ the same he saw no harm in a robbery, provided you if publicly discovered, there was always the chance of CSl'^'r"^^'^""'-^"^ not being paid the mone? But then there it was again ; clever people were not dis- covered. It was the bunglers that were found out. Now whatever Furzedon had done-and remember, there wis ?nn!"°ri*^ u ^u'^ '°'^ *^^^ P'^^"^^ believed he had not committed-he had never been found out. Surely Maior Kynaston could not have fallen into the mistake that this was a young gentleman from whom there was money to be won No, no; the Major was far too 'cute not to have found ou for himself long ago that there was nobody about better able to take care of his money than Mr! ^Pn"?"^ M- .K^^^i "°"i^ ^" '^^ ^^"^ that bound the two men ? Nothing but chance is likely to throw light upon one face of their connection ; but of their confederac/on the Turf It would be odd if Mr. Prance is not speedily acquainted with ; and when that comes to pass there w U be slight doubt of Sam unbosoming himself. Of such partnership he will feel certain thit his patron must eventually get the worst. ^ -Because he is young." muttered Mr. Prance to him- self, even now in all ignorapce of the facts, " the Maior hinks he IS green. He Httle^guesses he is dealing wiS foxiest devil he ev^r met; who makes capital Sut of his youth and inexperience. The Major is wary, up to trap no doubt ; thinks, I dare say, that he is not £ be had TJ any one alive. It's a queer world, and it seems a farce to suppose that, sitting here in a room like this, my exDer° ence can be good for much; but, for all that I've learnt this, that the biggest sharper in a skittle-all^^v i. .Jerlul ihe young and innocent-looking yokel. I must"gerto 'the SAM t>RANCE AT ttOMfi. ty? bottom of this; for cleaned out by such a robber as Furzedon I'm blessed if I see the Major." Dick Kynaston was in no very great danger- he wa^ much too wise not to have taken a pretty accurfte'estlmate of his new partner bj^ this time ; he was quite aware That j^oung hough he might be, Furzedon was already con nHf[n\/^-r'f-'°°^-*t^VP^S^°"' ^"d. whatever Ts original intention might have been, had thorou£rhlv abandoned any idea of a snatch at his quill-feathers ffi revelation that Furzedon was practically Jordan & Co vTv lit'tln^f ^ ^^T ^"'■P"^^^ him, but wou^ld have made very little other difference to him. save in one resoert • ,> Shif n"'%*° ^'^ .^^J°^ *° ^^^^ moneJ-S:; 'he took his young friends, his profits in the transaction were hill""" the same in any case. But Dick Kyna.ston had been born, and however shady his avocation might now be ?nl ""^ lu *^' ^'^'"'f °^' ^ gentleman. He w!s ready to mterview the money-lender in his own den, but, let him once recogmze that Furzedon was numbered of the usurer? and the Major would take good care that he never crossed the hreshold of Mrs. Kynaston's drawing-room again Although Sam Prance was not aware, as yet, 'that Furzedon had mherited and taken up his uncle's business It stands to reason that his old connection with the pawn b okmg business might throw that knowledge in his way at any moment. Should anything prompt him to inquire. It would, of course, be as easy as possible for him to ascertain who was really at the present moment Jordan & Co. His former apprenticeship had taught him the freemasonry of the trade; and what that means we all know, let the trade or profession be what it may. Revenge upon Furzedon was interwoven into Sam Prances very being. It might slumber for a time, but it never died. He would brood, in his morbid way, over a tn't^^^J^/ ^' "'•^"i ^^"^ "u°'i^™ *^" h^ ^°""d himself up o that state of mind in which men contemplate taking the ife of their felfows. But Prance had considerable regard tor his own neck, an annrehpnQmp rn'^*-- — --- " Ll ^^K^'r '"'^^v^' ^"*' "'■"^'^ f°^- To say that he had hardly the tigerish temi^erament of which murderers aw I ^Sil t;8 SAbDLE ANt) SABkfi. |.i> in I '\ composed would be absurd. Murderers seem composed of ?very possible fibre, from the ruffian who slays his fellow from sheer brutality down to the cringing reptile who does away with his foe simply from terror. No ; Mr. Prance in his soHtary musings had often muttered to himself with passionate execrations, " How I should like to kill him !" But he had never seriously contemplated anything of the kir 1. He would have liked to drag Furzedon down to his own level, but of that he felt there was small prospect. His foe was Avealthy, and a man likely to keep a strong hand on his gear, let it be well gotten or ill. There was little likelihood of his being able to menace Furzedon's ruin in that wise. In one way only did Mr. Prance see an opportunity of gratifying his hatred, and that was in socially exposing him. He did not quite know as yet even how that was to be brought about, but he was conscious that he knew a good many shady transactions of Fur- zedon's, and he had iittle doubt that eventually others would come to his knowledge if he only kept ceaseless watch upon his quondam friend. Not such transactions as would place Mr. Furzedon within reach of the law- Prance considered him too cunning for that ; but it might be in his power to proclaim to the world things that would cause Ralph Furzedon's swell acquaintances to turn their backs upon him. And Prance had somehow divined his enemy's weakness in this respect. It was so. A desire to rub shoulders with the limit monde was the aim of Ralph Furzedon's life. With this object he had gone to the University. The furtherance of this design had a good deal to say to his going on the Turf. It was something to know a Lord, if it was only on a racecourse ; to pass the time-of-day to a real swell, even if it was at Tattersall's. Furzedon had tact, was pachy- dermatous, and, though pushing, not obtrusively so. He did not force an acquaintance, but he wriggled into one with all the sinuous twistings of an eel. Men found them- selves gradually committed to a bowing recognition with Ralph Furzedon, while at the same time they wondered how the deuce they came to know him, Instinct had Prance how to strike his enemy ; it wanted only that SAM PRANCE AT HOME. 179 n cdmpbsed oi lays his fellow ptile who does Mr. Prance in ) himself with 2 to kill him !" nything of the >n down to his mail prospect, keep a strong 1. There was :e Furzedon's Prance see an . that was in )w as yet even was conscious :tions of Fur- ntually others kept ceaseless 1 transactions of the law — ; but it might gs that would s to turn their w divined his vith the haut e. With this furtherance of going on the it was only on :al swell, even :, was pachy- iively so. He gled into one 1 found them- ;ognition with bey wondered ft>->y.<- 1 4 *<->'! tSiiv-L nciu tOiU ed only that fortune or his own exertions should give the weapons to his ,?i f "''^^^0° too, and with some reason, flattered him- self that he was makmg his way slowly but surely in the path he had marked out, and should Mr. Prance ever compass his projected exposS he will have the satisfaction bhterer'^bW ''°''^'^ ^^""^ "'^^^^ ^'^ adversary no As for Ralph Furzedon he was very well contented with the way thmgs were going with him. Most especially was he well pleased witii his new allies the Kynastons The Major promised to prove profitable to him all round It was trom hmi that the inspiration came concerning Beli- sanus for the Two Thousand, and Furzedon had won a very nice httle stake over that race; then, as for Mrs. Kynaston, she looked hke being of much value to him from a social point of view. She had procured him invitations in more than one direction that he coveted, and, cunning and suspicious as he was by nature, he placed unlimited rehance on Mrs. Kynaston's advice concerning this un- known country which he was now entering. It was at her instigation that he had determined to woo Lettice Dev ereux, and he had resolved to be guided by hec advice in every stage of the matter. It must be observed in Kate Kynaston's defence that she knew nothing of Furzedon's antecedents, and believed him to be no more than a racing confederate of her husband's. In spite of that indescrihl able something about him which, as beforesaid, was apt to produce inquiry concerning his forbears— a point which none of Furzedon's acquaintance had as yet succeeded in penetrating— Mrs. Kynaston regarded him as by no means an ineligible match. He was young, tolerably good- looking— those who admire the Semitic type in man would say very— and undoubtedly well-oflF. If Lettie Devereux could make up her mind to fancy him she might consider herself well married. There was, of course, the po -^^bn'- that she might do better ; but it is safer to gather t;.- arclr ^ylthln our reach than to set our affections uoon Uio^l an the topmost bough. And so Mrs. Kynaston went to work to bring about a match between these two with a. clear conscience. u> i8o SADDLE AND SABRE. XXV.— Kate Kynaston Reconnoitres. " \\J^^^' ^^' ^"'^zedon, when am I to congratulate V V you ? " exclaimed Mrs. Kynaston, as she welcomed that gentleman to her pretty little drawing-room. " Am I to do so to-day ? Am I to congratulate you on having stormed the citadel, or to chide you for your want of enter- prise in still delaying the final assault ? " " It's all very well," replied Furzedon ; " but it is possi- ble to speak prematurely in these cases. I don't feel quite sure of my ground with Miss Devereux." " Surely you made her understand that you're pavintr your addresses to her ? " replied Mrs. Kynaston. ^ "^ ^ ;'0h, yes; I don't think there could be any possible mistake about that, but I can't say that I get much encour- agement. She is polite enough, and all that, but you know what I mean, she don't encourage me to open my " Dear me, what has that got to do with it in these days ? Dont you know that the basis of matrimonial arrange- ments m these times is— are you able and willing to open your pockets ? Don't be faint-hearted, a girl can't say you ' No 'till you have asked her the question, and, if she does, tell her you won't take that for an answer ; a little dasn and resolution and you will be engaged to Lettie Deveieux before the season's over, and a very sweet, prettv lady-like wife she will make you." "I wish' I quite thought so," rejoined Furzedon; "but her manner rather gives me warning to go no further than I have done." " Never fear to put your fortune to the test," rejoined Mrs. Kynaston gaily, •' and don't take thrice ' No ' for an answer. I have got a hint to give you : Charlie Devereux is in grievous difficulties, and trusting to his Derby book to pull him through them. It never does, you know. He is sure, poor boy, to be in worse trouble than ever after the race. Now, there's an opening for you. A few hundreds is not much object to vou, if you are in erjrrip^t a'-..".-Tf ^'-i- thing. Save your friend from" the results of his folly— you uon t :i i ^ ii lOITRES. to congratulate as she welcomed j-room. " Am I you on having ir want of enter- " but it is possi- [ don't feel quite it you're paying aston. be any possible et much encour- l that, but you me to open my t in these days ? nonial arrange- willing to open L girl can't say ion, and, if she answer ; a little :aged to Lettie :y sweet, pretty, urzedon ; •« but no further than test," rejoined ce 'No ' for an larlie Devereux Derby book to i know. He is n ever after the ^ few hundreds "• -!. at^-i^uL mis : his folly — you KATE KYN ASTON RECONNOITRES. l8r enlist hini at once on your side; and as for Lettice, she can hardly refuse to listen to her brother's benefactor." ea ed ^ ^°" ^^'^^^ ^^^ *^^^ ^ " ^^^^^^^d Furzedon, " From Charlie himself," replied Kate Kynaston. «' He was up in town for two or three days last week, and told me if Behsanus didn't get him out of the scrape there was notl-ong for it but a full confession to his father " r.l'.i!^ 1°^^^ ^r *^'' r' ^t'^ Furzedon, as his quick brain rapidly turned over the chances of the situation. " Yes, 'he continued at length, " that would give me an opportunity. I am not given to throwing my money away much, but you are quite right. I should have a quid hro quo m this case and I would willingly risk a few hundreds tow^foonl''-' ^^^^'^"^ "^y ^^^^- Is she likely to be in ;• That's just what I can't make out. but I mean knowing this afternoon. She is dying to come, but that tiresomi old aunt of hers hasn't written as yet ; however, I'm goinff out to see her to-day, ai,d if she has not sent that invita? tion I fancy she will after l\e had a talk with her " " You won't niention my hopes to Mrs. Connop ? " said Furzedon, a little anxiously. ^ " No," responded Mrs. Kynaston, with a somewhat queer expression on her face - I shall not. I don't think you are quite the nephew that old woman would be disposed to welcome ; she is a foolish, romantic old thing, and has T suspect, nursed the idea of marrying Lettie to Mr. Slade " -Not quite so foolish, my dear Mrs. Kynaston, as you hink, rejoined Furzedon, as he rose to take his departure • I ve a strong idea that those two were very good friends before they parted last year." "^ ^ menas "That matters little," replied the lady, coolly; -Mr Slade is in no position to marry, and any slight flirtation there might have been between them is not a thing worth your consideration. Good-bye ; don't forget my Idvice • ask Lettie Devereux to be your wife the first time voil have an opportunity, and, should she say 'No '—which I jaont ue.ieves-nc Will -well, ask her again when she has had a few weeks to think about it." l82 SADDLE AND SABRE. «n^ ^o^^ 5 ^-^ ^^\^ '1° T'""' ^""^ ^^^« '"■« hostess adieu, and walked leisurely back to his own rooms, pondering deeply on the advice that had been given him ^ Interested though her motives might be, Mrs. Kynaston could hardly be accused of not working energetically to brmg about the marriage she had planned! It had become essential for her purpose that Miss Devereux should now make her appearance in town, and she drove off that after- Sf K T", M'-l: Connop, and ascertain when Lettie m ght be expected. She found that lady at home and very fuU of grievances ; to begin with, she was suffering from a sfStnf '^' '"^ *^^* ^i^ ^"^" '"^y^'^ pronounced quite sufficient grievance without going into any others that may possiblv affect our friends; moreover, she had been SS^i?' ^""T u^"'^ °^ °^^^^''' t° ^a^-e the workmen mto the house ; and what Londoner, that has had experi- ence of him, does not know what a terrible old man of the sea IS the British workman when he once gets within your lot fi V^ ' l^'?u^'^' C?"n°P' " it has never been your Rr,>?cK V^^* u ^"1"^ *^^. work-people in means. The British workman has been often abused and deserves every bit of It. He breaks my rest with hideous regularity. He dawdles about all day; shows great capacity for beer; is FhP 1h '°f ?r"'^"f^' that he shall have finished the job by t h?,fr,° ^^ "^^^^'i ^^ ^J'^^ ^* ^*' ^ ^"PPose thinks over A u I % ^^^'' ^o'^^s, and he never goes." thin^ wf K "^^^Ij" "^l^^^^ °? experience of that sort of thing. We haven't a house of our own, but always rent nSs'hv fofthT^H*'^' "'""y^^^ ^^^^*^^* the^eTas no nearj that the work-people are very trying. Do vou expect Lettie to visit you this year ? She was rather look ing forward to it, I think, the fast time I 'rw her!" . • -i »T ^"X always very glad to have her with me " rejomed Mrs. Connop, " but it's impossible while the house IS in such a muddle as it is now. If I had had an idea fn^*i^ ^f« going to be I'd have slipped down to Brjhton for a month, and got out of the wa^ nf if .n d:.?"u " assured me it wouicj take less'tha"p a'week; and I was Ill's hostess adieu, ■oonis, pondering him. e, Mrs. Kynaston energetically to It had become reux should now 3ve off that after- tain when Lettie it home and very suffering from a •renounced quite any others that r, she had been ive the workmen has had experi- 2 old man of the gets within your never been your in means. The i deserves every j regularity. He city for beer ; is ished the job by 30se thinks over B of that sort of but always rent at there was no ut I've always ying. Do you i^as rather look- w her." her with me," ivhile the house id had an idea wn to Brighton oil t3..* i1 ek, and I was KATE KYNAStON RECONNOITRES. 183 foolish enough to believe them. However, they vow that it really is very nearly finished now, and, forsworn as they liave often proved themselves, I try to believe them this time. I shall write for Lettie as soon as ever I am rid of them. How was she looking when you saw her last ?" " Oh ! she was well enough when we left The Firs, but she finds North Leach rather dull now the hunting is over. She gets a glimpse of the world with you ; and, as is only natural, she longs for the fun and gaiety of London in preference to the monotony of her life in the Wolds ; besides, sh'>. made rather a sensation last year — she had quite a tran of admirers." " Yes," rejoined Mrs. Connop, " she is pretty, and she was no doubt popular, and got on well at all the dances 1 took her to. But Mr. Slade was the only pronounced admirer that I saw. He, I think, was a good deal struck with her." " Oh ! she had others besides him, and more profitable ones to boot." " I like Mr. Slade," replied Mrs. Connop, sharply. " I think most people do," said Kate ; " he is very good- looking and a most agreeable cavalier. I was only speak- ing from a matrimonial point of view ; but, from what I hear about him, Mr. Slade is in no position to take unto him a wife at present." " Lettie has plenty of time before her to think about that." '* No doubt," rejoined Mrs. Kynaston. " But it is a thing that naturally crosses a girl's mind as soon as she is introduced. Mr. Furzedon, I should say, was quite as much struck with Lettie as Mr. Slade, and only wanted a little encouragement to declare himself." " I don't like him as well as the other," said Mrs. Connop, sententiously. '' Perhaps not," replied Kate Kynaston ; " but, when it comes to an eligible parti, Mr. Furzedon is preferable. He is a man very well off, and perfectly independent." "Ah, v/e!l ! as ! said before, Lettie has no cause to hurry herself as yet." ♦' No, indeed," rejoined Mrs. Kynaston, rising. " I am H 'A • n 184 SADDLE ANti SABkE. so very glad to have been fortunate enough to set in t trust your cold will soon be better, and that you will brin^ Lettie round to see me before many days are over Do come, ,f ,t IS only to show that you are delivered from this tncubns that besets you. Good-bye." And as Mr? Kynaston descended to her carriage she murmured! '.Ye " my dear friend, I want these workmen out of the house quite as much as you do." ^ Furzedon, after duly thinking over Mrs. Kynaston's advice, and what she had told him about Charlie's diffi culties, had fully made up his mind as to the plan of hi^ ZZr^T T^^i^ ^""'^. *^^ ^*°^y °^ Charlie's difficultiee better than he did; but it was news to him that youn^ Devereux contemplated a "plunge" on Belisarius as f means of extrication from his embarrassments. He ro- solved he would boldly ask Lettice to marry him as soon as she appeared in London. He had a verv tolerihT. share of self-esteem, but he hard.y expected Vt'su! .vnln ."P?^ '^''- °^^^^T' '^ P-^^ible. he determined to avoid positive rejection, hvA w withdraw his pretensions discreetly as soon as he saw v; imminent: then, onlyTe Behsarms be beaten for the Derby, and he would make another attempt. Charlie would be then deeper in ?he mire than ever. And he might urge upon Miss Devereux a^lVa^s ',Ts. "^^'^ '' '""'-'''^ '- ^^- ^° P^^ ^- ..?vT'k''. ?^^^fn't troubled his head much as yet o think about that colt's prospects for the Derby, but now It dawned upon him that as far as he was concerned the siiccess of Behsarms would be inimical to his interests He must make inquiries ; the horse was not going very well m the market; he wondered whether there wal any thmg wrong with him, he had had no hint of such a thin^j himself; perhaps Dick Kynaston might have heard some thing about It ; he must ask him. Now it so haDoened that his visit to Mrs. Kynaston had been made theTf er h^/. ,^u-^ ^'^"f f^^^^J^'^ *° *^^ M^J°^ what Mr. Black had told him ; and when Prance espied Furzedon knocking at tnc Kynastons door that genik lan was caUinjj there expressly to learn what his Turf confederate thought of the inquiries favourite, "All r " There the cours( Ralph ] although seen that he the sli^ person in Suspici( been at o: Prance's e him no po him whicl in oblivio because a m*de to t 'It' KATE KYNASTON RECONNOITRES. 185 in favourite's chance at Epsom, md was speedily put possession of the Major's newly-acquired information. " Wants inquiring into a bit, you know ; but that fellow Black has the eye of a gled for the market and the nose of a bloodhound for a dead 'un. I should be very sorry to back a horse of which he held this opinion." "Then," said Furzedon, "we had better lay against Behsanus this time, instead of backing him. It's safer as a rule, and at his pi .sent price there is a good bit of money to be made. Moreover, if Black is right, he will go back in the betti-jr before the race, and there will be no diffi- culty about overing our money ; besides, it jumps with my own inclinations; not that I'm such a fool as ever to be swayed by them in matters of business ; but it's pleasant when they happen to run hand in hand. I've private reasons of my own for hoping Belisarius will not win." "Would it be indiscreet," rejoined Kynaston, "to ask those reasons ? " "Very, Major," said Furzedon, laughing; "say I don't know how to pronounce his confounded name, dislike his colour, the cut of his tail— anything." " That's settled, then," rejoined Kynaston ; " if my inquiries are satisfactory, we decide to ' pepper the favourite,' to what extent depends upon what I hea' " "All right," replied the other, as he took his "leave. " There's no hurry, I think. I shall see you again in the course of a day or two." Ralph Furzedon had not overlooked Prance in the street, although he had taken no notice of him ; but he had not seen that he came out of the Kynastons' house, nor had he the slightest idea that the Major even knew of such a person in existence. Suspicious by nature, had he known this he would have been at once on his guard. He was thoroughly aware of Prance's enmity, and knew, that, though the man could do him no positive harm, yet he could tell stories concerning him which he, Furzedon, would just as soon were buried in oblivion. He regarded Prance as inocuo--3 simply because any disclosures he choose to make could only be made to that scum of the Turf with which he habitually I •! IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) / I/. :/. 1.0 I.I «* lii mil 2.2 Hi Uk Its L25 i 1.4 ^ IIIIIM IIIIIM ill 1.6 V <^ A Photographic Sdences Corporation 33 V*fEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 k '^ ^<^ V^" ^°>,^^ C/. ^ t86 SADDLE AND SABRE. •a ;.*1 m consorted. He was utterly unaware that in his character as tout Sam Prance was acquainted with many men like Kynaston who held a fair status in society. To say that Gilbert Slade had been astonished at the news young Devereux had brought back from London would feebly express his feelings. He was thunderstruck, he had never thought of that, he barely knew Furzedon haa ceen very little of him, and felt very indisposed to see more. He knew that he was intimate with the Devereuxes had been at Cambridge with Charlie, had stayed at North Leach, and all that, but he never pictured him as a possible pretender to Lettice's hand. It might be said that h( never pictured himself in that capacity ; he had admired Miss Devereux very much, he thought her a very nice girl would be delighted to meet her again, and was quite in earnest in accepting old Tom Devereux 's invitation to North Leach. It had been no fault of his the visit had not been paid His answer to Charlie, when the latter suggested it, haii been perfectly straightforward ; he did not think the colonel was hkely to look favourably upon an application for leave from the new recruit at present, unless he could advance some very serious cause for requiring it. He did not quite see his way into going to North Leach by himself, and so that visit had never been paid ; but now that he heard Miss Devereux was engaged to be married to somebod\ else he discovered that his feelings towards her were verv much stronger than admiration. It was true that he had never thought of marrying her but then he had never thought of marrying anybody Marriage was a thing that had taken no definite shape in his mind— a ceremony that he might or might not go through in years to come. Even if he had ever contem- plated It, he knew it was a thing that would be warmly opposed by, at all events, one of his relations. It was only the other day that his Uncle Bob, when joking him about Miss Devereux, had reminded him that he would give no consent to his marriage before he got his troop; and. although he was within very measurable distanGe of thsi Jonged for piece of promotion, still there was no immediate ii in his character many men like • stonished at the k from London s thunderstruck, snew Furzedon, ndisposed to see the Devereuxes, stayed at Nortli lim as a possible )e said that he lie had admired a very nice girl, id was quite in 's invitation to not been paid, iggested it, had [link the colonel cation for leave could advance le did not quite liimself, and so that he heard i to somebod} her were very marrying her, ying anybody, finite shape in might not go 1 ever contem- uld be warmly s. It was only ing him about would give no J troop; and. stance q€ ths*' no immediate FURZEDON PROlOSEfi. 18; prospect of its taking place, and two or three years might elapse before he saw himself in the Gazette. He couldn't understand it ; well, he supposed money was everything now-a-days; and yet he had thought Lettice not a girl of that sort either. He was not likely ever to be a man of more than moderate means himself; and, though he would probably inherit his Uncle Braddock's property eventu- ally, yet, in the ordinary course of things, that was not likely to take place for many years. Well, if the thing was done, there was an end of it. Charlie was not likely to be misinformed en such ii subject as this. However, they were both going up to London at the end of the month to see Belisarius win ; Miss Devereux would, no doubt, be in town about that time. He would see her then, and judge for himself; he would, at all events, dis- cover whether it was true that she was engagod to Furzedon. ' \\l i: XXVL — FuRzEUON Proposes. rrO hap so hard but cometh to an end," as the old J poet sings, he workmen are out of the house at last, the Ion ,'- looked-for invitation has been despatched, and Let tie Devereux responds to it, has made her curtsey in Onslow Gardens— little knowing how anxiously her appearance in town was looked forward to by well-nigh half-a-dozen people. Her arrival \^as speedily notified to Mrs. Kynas- ton, and through her— directly or indirectly— Furzedon, Charlie, Slade, etc., were quickly aware that Miss Deve- reux was once more residing under the shelter of her aunt's wing. Animated was the conversation between Mrs. Ky- naston and Furzedon when, upon receipt of the news, the latter called in to see the lady who was kind enough to manage the tangled skein of his lo^e-affair. •• And you think I'm right, Mrs. Kynaston ? " said Furze- don, at the close of the t;onference of some half-hour s duration. " You would strike at once ? " [I' I 1 88 SADDLE AND SABRE. admirable. Come to the pomt without loss of time Bark out of It ,f you findit going against you; say yrwill not venture to press for an ansv/er Is yet; that when Miss Dev^ reux knows ymi better she will be perhaprbetter able to recognise your devotion. Pshaw! Any man omof his teens oSois' tnt fr"* ;;"""y ^"" "P -^ down on Ihe bv one rehnff T 'f,'""'"^^''' y°" T'* "°^ ^'^ disheartened by one rebuff. Lettice is country-bred, and the provincial mmd does not expand quite so early as that of f London young lady. Still I think she is rapidly awakening and '"Th^.n^f '''''"^' the insipidity of fife It North Kch" Thanks, very much," rejoined Furzedon. " I shall do precisely what you recommend ; and, acting further on what you tell me, return to the charge should Belislrius lose the Derby ; pleading that the help Charlie could acceo from a brother-in-law he would feel compelled to dedine wnrb^'y^utor^.^^ ^°°' ^-'^' Mrs.?Cynasto°n.':^^cS"! "All success to you," replied the lady; "don't be too abrupt this time; and should it not besuccessful-ah, well? I shall see you before it is judicious to d^'" -er the se^on.i assault. It may not be necessary , but. t ,d t be so wiU advise you once more. May good foriu... attend you' " When a man's feehngs are deeply interested, the askinjr dheure, at least a very nervous one; but in Furzedon 's case It was not so. He admired Lettice Devereux he liked Lettice Devereux, and Mrs. Kynaston had Dersuaded him that she would make him a good wife He had made up his mind to marry her, and wis very resolute to aUa^n his end but, as for saying he whs in love wUh her tha" was quite another thing; he would feel no despa irTn case of rejection ; he would still sap steadily forward to attain his object as he would to attain any other object that he consid^ered essential to his success in life; but, ethm once be convinced that this thing was beyond his reach ?nd he was not likely to either break his heart, about it or to dlV play any great animosity !n tlosc who should thwart ins purpose. At the present moment he would have "rcr ficed FURZEDON PROPOSES. r plan of action is ss of time. Back say you will not when Miss Deve- ips better able to mout of his teens id down on these be disheartened id the provincial at of a London awakening, and t North Leach." 3n. '• I shall do ting further on hould Belisarius rlie could accept elled to decline Cynaston, and I ; "don't be too ssful — ah, well ! '■■•er the secon.i d it be so, I -'- attend you ! " 5ted, the asking a mauvais quart in Furzedon's ! Devereux, he had persuaded He had made Jolute to attain with her,, that despair in case rward to attain object that he ut, let him once i reach, and he Jt it or to dis" uld thwart his have sacrificed 189 ruthlessly any one who stood in his way ; but, the game once given against him, he would trouble his head no further about his successful rival. A strong hater and vindictive man, when he took it into his head to feel aggrieved, but feeling no resentment towards those who got the best of him on any point, the thing once over. Proposing with tht expectation of being refused is, to borrow a phrase from the hunting-field, like " riding for a fall." It requires nerve, and is not exhilarating, but in both cases there must remain a feeling of much satisfaction when the thing is safely done with. Furzedon by no means liKed che business before him ; but he had made uphis mind to do this thing, and do it he would. And in this frame of mind he wended his way to Onslow Gardens as soon as he heard of Miss Devereux's arrival there, ii he could rriake the opportunity, he would ask the question without further delay. The knotty question that puzzled him on his way there was, how he was to get Mrs. Connop out of the way ; and that at last he wa' fain to confess was beyond him. He repented now that he had not besought his con- fidante's aid; Mrs. Kynaston, he felt sure, could have managed that matter for him had he but asked her. Now he could only trust to the chapter of accidents. When he arrived at Onslow Gardens, he found both ladies in the drawing-room ; and the thoroughly unembarrassed manner in which Lettie welcomed him would have convinced a far less shrewd man than Furzedon that, whatever her answer might be, her feelings would have very little to do with it. At all events, guided by Mrs. Kynaston 's revelation and her own observation, Mrs. Connop came to the conclusion that Furzedon had no chance ; " and," mused the old lady, •• if he IS fool enough to think so, the sooner that bit of nonsense is knockeo out of his head the better." So, after a quarter of an hour's desultory conversation, she rose, and, under some frivolous pretext about finishing a letter, left the room, and gave Ralph Furzedon the opportunity he desired. He had one point in his favour^ and that v/as that he was oppressed by no nervousness. He had got his c'hrnce, and determined to come to the point as quickly as possible. tdd SaDdlis and sabre. •• I have been most anxious to see you, Miss Devercux," he commenced. "Very good of you to say so, " replied Lettie. "You can't have been more anxious to see me. than I have been to see London." " I have got something to ask of you— a great favour to beg of you." •• Stop, Mr. Furzedon," interrupted the girl. " Remem- ber, it IS unwise to ask favours, unless you've good grounds for supposing they will be granted." ." ^Jiaye very fair grounds for supposing that my request will be listened to, at all events. No man can lay claim to more. I am a great friend of your brother's; well known to all your people ; well-to-do. I might go further, and say wealthy." -^ " It is quite unnecessary, Mr. Furzedon, to go through a catalogue of your social advantages," replied Lettie, with just a tinge of bitterness. She made no pretext of not understanding what her companion was driving at, but was a little nettled that he so peristently ignored the hint that she had given him. " To a friend of Charhe's," she continued, " I would grant any request that I had given him reasonable grounds for supposing I would say ' Yes' to." •' It is difficult for a man to interpret that phrase. We are not as quick as you to read what are reasonable grounds. Some of your sex — and they are those best worth winning— will give a man scant encouragement until he has put such request in formal words. It is natural. A sensitive girl is afraid of committing herself before a man has spoken." " But if a girl has not only given the man no encourage- ment to speak, but has done her best to warn him that he is about to ask a foolish question — what then ? " He was clever to fence and fought his up-hill battle doggedly and with tact. •' I think," he replied, gravely, " it should deserve better than to be called a foolish ques- tion. When a man lays his life and fortune at a woman's feet he is paying her the greatest compliment that lies within hifi rtrtwe^r at all oironfc. '• "I beg your pardon, Mr. Furzedon,' rejoined Lettie, [iss Devereux/' Lettie. " You an I have been great favour to irl. " Remem- e good grotinds hat my request can ]ay claim :'s; well known urther, and say to go through ed Lettie, with pretext of not Iriving at, but nored the hint Charlie's," she t I had given i say* Yes' to." phrase. We ire reasonable ire those best ragement until is natural. A before a man no encourage- n him that he 1?" up-hill battle jlied, gravely, t foolish ques- at a woman's tent that lies Dined Lettie, FURZEDON I'KOPOSES. 191 quickly. •• I don't pretend to misunderstand you, but you must know his thing cannot be. I welcomed you as my that I had any further feelings towards you. Let us tTen pkc'e""'' ^^'^'^ '^'^' '^'' conversation has ever "I shall never forget it," he replied, brusquely; "and I nnt o ^"f ""^ devotion to plead for me ; but as long as no one else has won your hand I shall ever be a pretender to It. I am answered for the present, and am not jd ad.eux to Mrs. Connop, • he said, with a low bow h^^vinH Tu- * u^^T '^^^y S°°^-^y^ ' " ^»d as he spoke .^A^l l^ ,^ u ^^"''' ^^^'^ P^^"^s <^rossed for a mordent and then Ralph Furzedon descended into the street and began to reflect on the result of the battle "That's the end of the first round," he muttered, "to use the language of the prize-ring. Well • I exnecteH In CJ't "°'t' Sf '^'k^"^ ' ^'^ ' b"^ I --- hardly be safd to have been badly beaten. No; I don't think I threw a chance away. I am now a declared pretender to her hand ftin^^f^'Pu' '* '' 7"^V ^^« ^^" PJ^^d no ignorance o the state of the case for the future. Moreover, I have had ItTJ"" "° ^f t^-^f^g^^. but the very denial oAe of saying ^hn u^'v ^^^' [!° r^°'^ °^ ™y ^^que^t for some time tablv h!''''f '"' ^" ^"^'"" ^' ^P^^'" I «hall most cer- tainly have to vrge the same request again, with the additional argument that a wealthy brother-in-law" ould represent the good genii that would assist Master Charlie out of his scrape. I only trust that he may still further complicate matters at Epsom. I'm not given to throwin ' money away, but I should not grud;re a /ood ronnHTm"n u Drought me Miss Devereux's hand." " It IS characteristic of the contradictions pf ow nature 1 > i - ' ! ' ' 1 193 SADDLE AND SABRE. that Ralph Furredon had never felt such admiration for Lettice as m the moment of his rejection. He was struck with her spint. and at the same time the womanly wav in which she strove to soften her refusal. He had wanted her for his wife ; that was nothing. He thought she wo ,M further his ambition once placed in that positfon ; but now for the first time, the feeling of love was aro.i^pH «,ff k^' his breast, and he resolved fhat he^wSd not relg'^'^^hi^^ Kr^h^:^^-^--^ .n5r?i: ^°"?°P "^^'i^^* ""*'^ ^^^ ^^^'^ the front door close and then a once descended to the arawmg-room She Tn'd Tjt'-^^ anxious to hear the result of tlieTnTerview sTr'aighrto'the-yrtrnce'^^^^"^ ^'°"* *^^ ^-^' -" him^'^'p ^^"'1:'',^'^u ^'^^.'^'nied, -what did you say to him ? Pooh ! child, there is no need to make any mysferv tTfh ^^"°^ ""^'^ ^"" *^^* Mr. Furzedon camTdowJ here to-day to ask you to marry him. and I went out of the room to give him a chance of doing so " said—"^' ^""*' ^°" ^"""'^ *^*"^ *^^* ^ °"ght to fiave "Ah ! you've said 'No.' then. T thought you would ?^k' ^\\Yu^' *°^^ ^^.^^« determined to ale the qursUon I thought the sooner it was over the better. Qu?te r S' ^. T'd':./,iH" *?^ ""J^^' °P^ .b^^^' ^^^r so much •• ^ ' .. OM Ic '^^""^ y^,"' '^J°'"^^ Lettie, a little stiffly. Oh I yes, you do, and agree with me, also," retorted Mrs Connop laughfng. " However, in th; meantime run up-stairs, and get your bonnet on ; you will only K fust time for a cup of tea before the carriage comes Tound '' Miss Devereux thought it wisest to close the discussion She did not want to explain that Gilbert Slade had made no sign since last November, and that, though he had cer tainly given her cause to suppose he cared a good deal about her, he had not quite gone the length thatkstified the girl m calling^him her lover. It was, indeed rather a «ore subject witu M155 P^vereux at present, 'and any ought to have . FURZEDON PROPOSES. j^, resTntlafpw" "^"^ ^''^^ ^'^^-^ '^^^de she was sure to y^ru'Z'':t:^^^^^^^^ ran high. Ali more carried off bVa north r.^^/^*^5 °^ ^^e South once ham was on Belisarius to iLn ^*7 ^°i^^- ^he land of latest bulletin concSn^ RTr^^".!.^* *^^ ^^^ ^^"b t^e promulgated anTcJ;:Sd^'Lm;"oAKd h'^^^^^l^^' had witnessed Bill Smith's career fmm if- i ^/"'''' ^^^^ stable-boy to the triumphs of h,s zenith .n? T\^' ^ present at the mistakp^ nf Ui i "'^/^"'tn. and also been and said, '• Yes he ho °!^L'i^^*''" ^^ys. shook their heads how about ^e man ? Yon l^'""^ splendidly no doubt- BelisariuswilldTwelltorenJnr^.P?*l^"^^" ^^° back difficult to brinrf^r^^tTortt^^ ser^X^t^lIl^l^;;^:^ BelisanL'^^Sned. «. Non- not a fool He Ian take himsHf ^V^'°T^' ^"* ^^'^ worth his while He was a^lLh? I?'m '^^ ^^^" »* '« %'" ^n^ "i" ^^ ^" "^^t'at E^som''' ^^"^^''^-^ ^nd Now, though this doubt was in f hi «,« .1, r many people in his own counTrv ;:t the ^v ie'hfd " f ^^ his horse in the Two Thou«?an/v,o^ ,^. ."^d ridden misgivings concern?ni BHl 9i>v ^^"^^^"y wiped out all It was bllieved that L hin f ^ 5 '""^"^^^ '" ^^^^ South. that the discover n?h?4e?f to bTltr' ^ "T^^^' ^"'^ as Belisarius had lorkef a coml' e re?^^^^^^^^ character-at least for the vrltent rlf '''' '" ^'' view of the case was undoS^i ^^•^"^O'^e sanguine Turf circles in the metrSDohclS P^^^^lent among the like Mr. Black, noted that t&^ shrewd observers. lators who seemeTunremi ufnl Tn 'th^f sarius. Clever men too In^ 1 ^"^ hostility to Beli- . foolishly; and/^ow that D^U^ "° T^"" ^^^" *° ^et been calkd to t hrJas L^i^^i ^^"aston's attention had what Prancrhad'tol7h r fc"^^^^^^^^^^^ *^"^'^ «^ these men, not to ba beguiled ^Snio- "/^ "^"y '^^''^ but always prepared to^stw tSl'Kf,,v%^?3?.Pi-' xnuusand winner whpnpvor n«,.K^ J •'■ «.nc iv.o point less than .he^'SSr wSte^tre' tol^\l'''^. m 194 SADDLE AND SABRE. Major did not know, and that was a riddle he was verv anxious to arrive at. " Curiously, the first hint of the danger that threatened Belisanus came to Kynaston from his wife. " I got a leUer thrM?^'^f ?T'""^ '}}'' "^or"i"S." she remarked, as the Major looked m to the drawing-room for a moment previous to marching oflF to lunch at his club, "and he says that some of the old racing-nien at York are rather mcredulous about Bill Smith's riding a Derby winner once more. They say the horse is all right, but that the man T""?}.^ *'"'*"^ *.° ^^^P ^^°"^ drinking; rather aTore should thev prove right, for, as you know. I have backed th?JnMf ?^ J^P'-^^y stiffly ; however, I don't suppose r 1, , • " °'^''^. ^"°7 """^^ ^^°"* 't- I am . ery sorry for Charlie continued Mrs. Kynaston, "for as we know fnJ'^; u ^" '* comes to Turf matters, the • old fossils ' a7e apt to know a good deal more than young people who are ddnk^f "'"'"^ *° '^"^^ '^'"'' ^°^* ^^'^ jockey. Smith! n^y^T^'.^^^T'*.?^ ^''^°'"' "^ ^^g'" *o understand it now. That s why those fellows are so keen to lay against bu heTn\ ""'" ^'"/'^ ^^ ""T °f '^' «"^^* horse^mef rt .nii^-.K Ji °'^'^"f^>;^ ^^ depended upon to keep sober,'' and with these words the Major left the room. XXVII.— News from Bellaton Wold. ^■'^IJ^TP*^?' ^* wanted just one fortnight to the . .^ Derby. The mails from the North conveyed a letter that morning of much inteiest to most of the characters in this narrative. It was addressed to Sir Ronald Radcliffe Bart., and ran as follows ;— tucane, "Dear Radcliffe, "There is rarely smoke without fire, and the rumours that reached us from the North were by no rneans unfounded, although not so bad as report- Th° wl «^P-^*-" to l?y against •' Well. Bellaton is a pretty close borough. Old Bill ic pn?^f rxi-ur «a -rthSe ?S ii be no harm in having a second string." ' ^ " •• By gad vou're right." replied Slade ; " I'll see about it at once ancf engage the best available jockey fn cas^ Bi is— well— too unwell to ride." Jo^Key, in case BiU " Rather dull of us not to think of it before " reolipH *h^ Baronet, "it will be difficult to pick ouPa goid man „ow all the best are enffap-erl A. "ood i-^pi— - --^5 ' point but over thf Deriy course ilsTnessiS! ' ¥Sf 198 SADDLE AND SABRE. << . Quite right ! we must do the best we can • an(1 if R.n IS only himself I'd ask no better jocke^/; bu" 'iH lose no time in seeing about somebody to take h.s place ' It may be perhaps because it is the greatest race in England, because it is the greatest race in the world tha whenever the finish of the Derby is a very dose thm. there is invariably much discussion as ^o whSher S another jockey the second horse ought not To have been ftrst In 52 It was said that Frank Butler, the victor could have won upon any one of the first four li '66 when Lord Lyon defeated Savernake by a head dissatiS' faction was expressed by the supporters of the fatter at hs caster ^d 7hT F '"' J^'^ ^^""^^ '^' J^^^ey at Don caster, and the Epsom form was confirmed to an eve-lasl ?!l.^" l^'^^^^ '.^'" ^^^'^gl^ i" club smoking-rooms as o whether Macaroni did beat Lord Clifton, Ind whether Pero Gomez or Pretender really won the Derby These are thngs to which we can only appeal to the iud/e"^ dlfnH ,??' '^^'^ '' P'^'^^^^y "° race more calculated to demand all tne resources of a fine horseman-nerve head fe"ptm Down^s^'^^' ^^^-^^^^ *^^ ^-^* -^--» -tesrjl' r^r^X^^^ ^^^ "^""T "^^"^ ^^^"^"e became feverishly anxious ronh '"''J"'^ ' ^^ "^'^"^^ ^^^'^y for every rumour he could hear concerning it ; and, as may be supposed Tth^ sporting neighbourhood in which he was qSartSd " he shaves were numerous. Fresh horses cropped "p in he betting who were reported to have won trial^ that if^r.P must have placed the race at their mercy. ' ' ^ ^'"'• Charlie was very anxious that Gilbert should write to his uncle and once more inquire what he thought of f^oS:" '^'"''' ^"' *^^ °^^^^ -- decided fnh^ "You don't know my uncle, or you would never surr^^cf such a thing. If I began to bother him X^rac nf he not only would never tell me anything again but fi^ht very shy of me to boot. No. when w^ tet v^L lVh Hi just ask him then, and have no doul^ thaf he'll telte what he knows. I vote we are off Saturday and make a good long week of it." ^ '^^ * i can ; and if Bill ; but I'll lose no s place." greatest race in n the world, that very close thin^^ to whether with lot to have been utler, the victor, rst four. In '66, a head, dissatis- f the latter at his jockey at Don- d to an eye-lash, king-rooms as to n, and whether ■ Derby. These I to the judge's ore calculated to in— nerve, head, ional contest on verishly anxious very rumour he mpposed, in the quartered " the opped up in the lis, that, if true, should write to he thought of decided in his I never suggest 'Out racing, he ?aiii, but fight up to London at he'll tell me /, and make a NEWS FROM BELLATON WOLD. 19c, c^,*lf^"u'''^''*'" '■^P^'^'^ y°""^ Devereux, "I'm eood to start whenever you give the word." And accoTdin^h/fh^ niornmg of that day the pair took their places in \hl express for town, Charlie aln^ost smothereTin he L"^ '^ papers that he had bought with which t^begut th^wL^^^ The vaticmations of the various writer^; on fL^ • ' race afforded him considerable comTotL most oTJh^ prophets predicted the success of Beli'sarius anH VK Charhe the victory of that colt rneant extr katTon ^rom a very unpleasant scrape. As for Bertie Slade, he was v^rv silent ; except for his companion's sake? he fek raS indifferent as to the result of the Derh H?c • I^'^ Wast^/" '^' °"^ questi^n.'couMth. thingTt^e^^ don ? Hp'" ^ m'I'"'^ 'T^^y "'^^^^^^ *° that felfow Furze don? He would know for certain this week-ave knnl from her own hps. And yet, when he thought of tha" k did no seem quite so easy as he had first pictured it He did not feel that he could ask her the question unless ht could plead his own love, and the hope that he had no? old h,s own tale too late. To offer her formal contra^u lations and so get at the truth that way, would he fflt 1; a mockery-almost an insult. Was it likely hat eitW d in; rrrv°"p ^'m^^Y"! ^°"^^ b^ misinforUd Ibou? a hing like this ? No ; he had been a fool • he mi^ht hi known that a girl like Lettice Devereux would noJ be Je'ft h.S ^""".^^ ^^^ th^&fthering. He had flattered him ef he had a chance, and he thought he had stood highTw good graces ; but then he had not declared himseff Stifl to be cut out by a fellow like Furzedon-a bru e whn! ' only redeeming point was, apparently, that he had m^nev' He knew next to nothing of Furzedon, and had no know* edge whatever of the many objectionable points connec^S with that gentleman's career ;' but a rejected sn.W !? .f this story of Charlie's was true, he r^ St re^ar^^^^^^^ .n that^light-rarely forms a- just^stimafe VfX'sSS-' this race, that he had travelled alT the ^Tom ^^^^^ J" see; mterested. but m just the contrary way Chiefly Is \ < 200 SADDLE AND SABRE. re"x!TurldorSata?H^^^ ^^^"^ Miss Deve- defeat of BeHsarTus H^ °^ "^'^^ "° ^']^^^ impatience the little lengfh to compass ir^hS'irif^ *°,^°' '"^eed. no without |uch riskTde"cHon'°Hi turnedVe^h ''^ "^^ again and again in his mind and a? Vcf f if u! l^'"^ °^^'" way to assist at that condu^inn ^V 1!^°"^^* ^^ ^^^ his Smith would be use es^thXrU ° ^^^'"P* *° ''""^^ Bill supposing he cou^rbe bou|MTw?uId nr^^^^^^^^ '"^' ^^^" large sum to make it better worthT,c fi°*'/^/>' '^'^^'''e ' win. Then, tdo Bill Sm,T ^ "^^'^^ *° ^°^e ^han to tempered ^^n! d^iffifuU to\"ppLXn%o"d^^^^^^ T'"' and quite likelv to dpnnnni^ru-.^^"^^*^* subject, of th? meeting'af open scanda?wh,Vh T' *^ '^' ^^^^^^^^ to think of. But he^S be i^t L. .f "'^^^^J^ shuddered weakness, and the LSsSrip. hf ^'■°!J^^ ^'^ besetting tangible evidence Sdthe^" Y.T? ^°V^^ ^^^^^ "° be m no condition to nH«:> o«^ liT ? !^ , ^ bmith would the securing of even a decent ?nr^' ^* the eleventh hour Ralph Furzedon and the S J !^ "^""'^ ^^ impossible, had followed su"t and howTm T""^ ^" *^'^ inspiration, pronounced opponents of B^ hW' ""™^^S^^ ^'"^"g^t the victorywould^ostthembLh A* "5' '"u/^^*' ^hat coifs FurzeSon had very liuTedoub? S th?f ^' '"'"u^^ "^°"«y- makers who so oersSenHu iL!? • ^'^°, °'' ^hree book- endeavour to"as'sLrtSr^^ol"^o\^^^^^^^^^^^ of^'r^^.".^.' probable state on the WoX,!.!? . ^"^ Smith's th.;.ight that itwould\e^5^e?';^llTfTT .?i'"u^^ htth he could to contrib?tTto hTifeat o 'fif^f ^•'^"* There was no necessity for taking the £orL«i-^^""'- fidence ; on the contr/rv if «,^ / ^"e Major into his con- nothing' whateverabS i FuTz'edon'kn' ^'^"^ ^"°7 where to lay his hand among.t hrr^,,?^^!"^^:^^^^ ^f of the sort he wanted ; rollic&ng me"n X'wouFd go dot^ If'- 1? time wit there wa ivent. ' ielisariu latter h( there was itable cot small Stat md his fi loney th< he great efore the larket ; a w it from Miss Deve- tie impatience the to go, indeed, no only see his way ried the thing over hought he saw his empt to bribe Bill s own ; and, even •robably require a ile to lose than to atoriously queer- delicate a subject, e to the stewards •zedon shuddered ugh his besetting d would leave no i souls only too with the famous ' motives ? ivourite's defeat, rewd speculators ere acting upon iill Smith would le eleventh hour d be impossible, this inspiration, ed amongst the [act, that coh's i sum of money. > or three book- he horse would f Bill Smith's Jing. Still he 2 also did what of Belisarius. >r into his con- le shouftl know lew very well ns on a couple rould go down, Tiikt: MtsGtviNcs. flatter the great northern iock^^v f« *u swear that there never ,,^L s^eh I L^''^' ^ never such a colt as BeTrsariu. X ^°I^^"^^" as he. and verv shirts on him. '« And Tow Mr c? ^-^f^ ^^^ ^^^ their a glass to drink luck on Wednesdlv "'"1?;^ ^^ J"^* ^ave enemies were only taking lfke?..nr. ^^ *^^ ^°^*'« ^t^er , then, thought FurzpH^n -1 ^^^^ *° ^"^ure his defeat Bill Smith^may ITshl^t'^nVh^^^^^ ^'""^' "wherever' takes care of hfs o Jn A^d then' Mil': ?"!''' '^' ^^^'^ whether you're too proud to give m. JJ'^^Le«ie, we'll see brother out of his scrape " ^ ^ *^^ ''^^^ '° ^^Ip your XXVIll.__DiRE Misgivings. ,r?om^p7tts^%:^ ^^:,TjrV't ^'^ '-'^^^ Epsom, and the papers teem with ^^^ ^""^ ^^^^^y to k. gallops, and coSenrfree^^onTw '..°^ ?^ "^°^"- heir respective work. AH are uLn" ^ ■^'^ ^^''^^^ ^^ favourite, pronounced to have ^mnr°;i' '" P.'^'^'"^ '^^ won the Two Thousand °,n!?r ''"P'^?ved much since he the whole course rra;estyleTnt'h^ -having galloped Tattersall's is in a great bustle thJ^ ^^'"'iS^y "corning. here all the business^of comTarin^ tn h ^^ .^f °"^y ^^^ his checking off of the'r vadous^deh^.' f ^ ^^'^"^^ ' ^"^ t>me with extensive speculates bnf l*^^!f ^T^ "*"« here was some rather smart i^cr. *°^a^ds the finish ^vent. There was DlentT^f ^^'V"^ °" the coming belisarius ; but.Ts ftack hT/J'''!'h ^"^ ^^^'"" * jatter how much money the pubhc^^' '* ^'^ "°' '^^^'^ ^o there was still always plenty tSbeLMP^- "P?? *^^ ^^^^ itable commission had^been lon^i^^ 1^^'""^ ^'"'- The small stable. Mr. WUliam VS ^ ^^^^^^sted-it was a 'nd his friends had ve ^Toon^'.^cc'IS^^^^^^^ "^^"' ^"^ ^e joney they could afford'on ^a'! Slvl."!" ¥^1-"^ -^"- *^^ ' -ket; and, though they'la'cl^^rh^elSed^l-f iji . f 202 SADDLE AND SABRE. hi Ronald — to put down a considerable portion of their win nings in support of the colt's Epsom .chance, yet thatl soon came to an end, and it was the public now who were) backing Belisarius. Outside the subscription-room, walking up and down ini earnest conference, were Furzedon and Dick Kynaston. " It's true. Major. I can thoroughly depend upon myl man. Those fellows who got the hint were quite right to! never leave Belisarius, and we were quite right to followf their lead. Old Bill Smith is located at the ' Red Lion I at Epsom, and well upon the drink. If the secret leaks! out, the horse will be at double his present price before thej flag drops." " They can't get anybody else to ride," rejoined the! Major, " at this time of day. And, if Bill Smith gets up inl that state, it will be all the odds against his being in theT first tliree, much less winning. I suppose there is not! much chance of his pulling himself together between this] and then ? " " No," replied Furzedon, glancing sharply around, to sure that there was nobody within earshot. " My inforJ mant says that he is surrounded by a little knot whj wouldn't give him the cbance,even if he were so minded." " I can't think what his friends are about," replied Kyi naston, moodily. " Norman Slade and RadclifFe are hisl two chief supporters, and there are no two keener hands! on the Turf. They know Bill Smith better than any of usJ and Radcliffe we know, at all events, is standing to win a! lot of money over it. Are you sure they have not a second| string?" " Such a thing has never been hinted at," replied Furzel don ; " besides, my good fellow, the bill of the play is cut! now. We know what every one rides — what all the lead! ing jockeys are booked for. Of course, there is always thel stable-boy ; but we know what a muddle A^ usually makesT of it." ** I'll tell you what it is, Furzedon," said the Major.! 1 vc oCcn some ^iiccr ooogc^ r«KC piscc Sv t.ii€ l3.Si ixiorric There is such a thing, remember, as a friendly resignation! of claim upon a jockey's services. I can't help thinkingl DIRE MISGIVINGS. 203 rtioii of their win 1 .chance, yet that 3hc now who were g up and down in Dick Kynaston. depend upon my .rere quite right toi ite right to follow t the 'Red Lion f the secret leaks It price before thej ide," rejoined thej 1 Smith gets up in| St his being in th( pose there is not| sther between this rply around, to bej shot. " My inforl a little knot who| ivere so minded. >out," replied Kyj Radcliffe are hisl two keener handsl er than any of usJ standing to win a| lave not a second! it," replied P^urzel of the play is outl what all the lead! lere is always the he usually makes! said the Major] L iiic last niumclitl endly resignation! m't help thinking! men like Slade and Radcliffe would be prepared for such a probable contmgency as Bill Smith's inebriety. If the horse looks well, and I see anybody else upon "it, I shall take back the money I have laid against him at the last moment. " That you rnust do as you like about," replied his com- P^°m"; ^"l^ ve done here. Are you going westwards .? " " Not yet, replied Kynaston. "Then for the present adieu," said Furzedon ; and as he strolled homewards through the park he wondered whether there was a chance of such a trap as the Major hinted at having been set for the opponents of Belisarius ci i^Pi,'*/°"H "°* ^^ ^'^^^^^^ I^ Sir Ronald Radcliffe or blade had made some such arrangement with another jockey, they were only doing their best for owner, trainer horse, and the public. ' Charlie Devereux, incited by a lot of youthful acquaint- ance at Limmer s, to which hostelrie Bertie and himself had betaken themselves on their arrival in the metropolis, had backed the favourite for a good deal more money: He had been further moved to do this by Norman Slade's aconic reply to Bertie's inquiry as to how Belisarius was. "Never was better" had been his uncle's rejoinder : but he was not disposed to be diffuse on the subject, and Bertie knew him too well to ask further questions, i ^ ,r^u ^^^vereux had persuaded himself that he might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, and therefore it woud be his best policy to thoroughly clear himself : he would go for the gloves; in fact, he ran through all the gamut of such phrases applicable to the situation. If it came off It would be all right ; if it did not, well then the smash had come ; and if his friends would not rescue him there must be an end of his soldiering, and he would have f ^^.^^ ^."^ l?""^ "^^^'^ P^*^ "^ "^«^- He had said nothing pt all this to Bertie, and determined that he should be left m Ignorance, at all events until the race was over ; and iJertie, immersed in his own worries, took little heed of the doings of his mercurial brother-officer. The Derbv morninor hrop-e /^loor "n-' was barely well above the horizon when the vast horde of b-:_i-i. Tl ae sun i1' • if ^1 I !i ill! 204 SADDLE AND SABRE. pleasure-seekers began to pour out of London on their way to the Downs. There were those who came to gamble; those who came for an outing ; those who came because it was the proper thmg to do ; those who came because other people were going; those who came because they always did ; and that vast crowd who yearly travelled down on the chance of pickmg up a little money during the w«ek in . ways of which even themselves have as yet but hazy con- ception. Could the racing pubHc have looked that morn- !h!'.tp°"i break .ast-time, into the private sitting-room of the 'Red Lion " at Epsom they would have been sore bewildered. Seated at the table whereon still stood the debris of breakfast was Sir Ronald RadclifiFe ; whilst pacing restlessly up and down the room was Norman Slade, with that ghnt in his eyes and half snarl about his mouth which those who knew him well were aware presaged bitter humour on his part*. " Yes," he said, in evident pursuance of their conversa- tion, he is just about his very worst humour this morninfr lie can be, as you know, as obstinate as a pig ; and there [s a certain stage he arrives at when he is in this way when he ,s neither to drive nor to lead, and that is just where Bill has got to this morning. He is sulky drunk, and, whatever we want him to do, that above all others is the thing he has set his face against." RJr^*l^* ^.?t' °^ ^*^*^ '?/.^ '"^ ^* P''^^^"^ ? " inquired the iJaronet. •• I mean, could he ride now ? " "Yes," r^oined Sl.Je, "that is the provoking thinir about it. He could; but you don't suppose he'll stay where he is. Just insinuate to him that he had better touch nothing tul the race is over, and he'd ring for more drmk that minute. Leave him to himself " " And he'll drink all the same," chimed in the Baronet Yes ; I know my friend Bill, and \Yhen he is fairiy off oii the booze it would take chain-cables to hold him. Have you ventured to suggest that Tom Shaddock should ride in his place ? tH,il!^°i ^t* ;. ^ ^^l^ succeeded in managing the whole thing capitally. Abrahams, who owns Hobbyhorse is ^uite prepared to \ti us have Shaddock, providing we give DIRE MISGIVINGS. don on their way :ame to gamble; came because it ne because other luse they always lied down on the ing the weejc in et but hazy con- oked that morn- ; sitting-room of have been sore I still stood the ; ; whilst pacing nan Slade, with lis mouth which presaged bitter their conversa- ir this morning. pig ; and there 1 this way when at is just where ky drunk, and, ill others is the " inquired the revoking thing pose he'll stay he had better i ring for more n the Baronet. is fairly off on Id him. Have should ride in ing the whole [obbyhorse, is viding we give 205 qiTte'S^^iJ^n1r"'""^' -"d Shaddock will be Nothing '' ' ^' "'""""'■' ^*^"'^ five hundred io Ba';o'ne^ '^^^a^VBif b'e broSt f ^'^^^ ^^^''^^ ^^e rangement ? " brought to accede to that ar- temp'^r%''am a^fra^'VoT-'h"^-^ ^''''' ".^"^ ^ ^- P^-nt He looks uplhmself as seven nn' Tk^"°^ '''^'' ^^ '« else. They are alTSvertoilb^Z".^ ^'""'' *^^" ^"^ °"^ him in his room." ^ *° *^^ bedpost, and lock Norman Slade gave vent to a »r;r« 1 u , " I wish we could • and hv iLt ^ ^^"If ^ ^^ ^^ ^^Pl'^d, a trainer and^ockeV but ,,n?n^^' ^^.T"^^' '^^^ ^^^ ^"^7 the horse and^ tSs no ^ ^yrng ^t^^'^ Z\T' '^ T"^ do what he likes with his own. ^Sf 's iust fn fh ^ k^^^ I° emper in which he would say that he on vL^?^* ^^^^^^^ the sport of the thino- • and tLf if ht ^J^^.P^ ''.^''^'■s ^o^ himself he didn't care to Lrt tV/r" 1?"^,^^" ' ,''^^ ^^em there'd be a pretty row He anH "^1 .J ^ ^'IP-^^* ^°t beat would say th^t it LHil our fLlt- fhluf ^m' k'- "^*^. t™ been up he would have won eaJily '' '^ ^'^^ hmiself had thrrJ^uldte^^'/oyfl ?|>^w^°a":^' rf'^'^- " ' ^PP^- mind to chanLit-h4 n-^off^ 't^"^'*'^'^^^^^^ such a con;, as'his •' ^ ''^''" °"^ ^^^ ^^e chance of ^^^^^^e':i^^^^^^^^^^^ the fool him. he is never likely 7o get much mol^'^^"^ ^^ ^^"^« it; Hkely, in his smdli wa^y to ntk ,?n ."1'"^' u^^ ^'^ "^^ Belisarius. To fool Tway this^chance wn^??.^'l^°^^ ^« away, probably, of his la^t '' ^ ^^^ throwing , Ro;dd:"/.a:fl^caronlyhortS'^'^n-"^ ^^^ Sir In the meantime. I shall sfron into ttr^ ^''''!J ^° ^^^«°°- doing. It was a; awfu/ bit o Cluck Lh^t" f co Z' ^'^'^ your place at Bellaton Moor." ^'^'^^'^" ^ ^^e f • 1 li 2o6 SADDLE AND SABRE. Left to himself, Norman Slade pondered deeply over the situation. He could see no way out of it. He knew frlfnl^n^" ^^' M'^'^f^ '° '"PP"^^ Bill Smith's sobriety would improve as the day wore on, nor was there the sLhtest chance of his getting quite hors de combat. He nevfr d?d he WW ^^^'"'./he combined vanity and obstinacy of the jockey made it more improbable that he would ever consent to Tom Shaddock's"^ taking his place Norman ^f^'^Tu^r^^ hmself extremely fortunate in havingTon eluded that negotiation successfully Shaddock wasl fine horseman, and qu.te capable of doing the colt every justice but m his exultation he had quite overlooked the vinity of is vet^ a'^bd/' ^n ^f ^''- '■°°"^' ""^ *^^^^ -- "o "'e He^s mlln on? .^^",i"^^' '" ^^g^ing further with him. and S^ T' '"*° ^^ ^'''^'l; ^"^ ^g*^'" saw Shaddock and Shaddocks employer. Both professed themselves Jh ^? "^n K "°T, ^^^f-^n-hour before the numbers go up, Toi Lr ^^ ^" u^^*' '^^■- My ^°^«^ ^^o"'t start, an^d 1 om here very much at your service " bemm*^n liT *^! '^'''^' °^ ^i" ^'"^*"'^ indiscretions had J^SlVl ^ °."* amongst those sporting men who had elected Epsom for their headquarters. That the dehn S*r' I lT""t: ^P."""^' ^^^y "^^"' ^« they well knew made It probable that he would be able to ride the wS.' But a jockey who got up to ride in a big race rather the worse for drink was no more to be relied on than in anv other calhng in life; and there was a mani?es?tendenc? to bet against Belisanus in consequence. Slade strolled up to the course ; and, though the day was still young the aboJt thTl"r''/'°" V"^*^" "^^^ already "^spriK about the betting-lawn. A very enjoyable time this : you have a chance of seeing old friends, bf hearing the latest JSXT'' iM.^' betting-market. Later on Ihe crowd toss-up. It It is anybody you particularly want to see the Wv mtfir^?^"/ that meeting taking place seem Lcalcula! bly multiplied. In that stroll Norman encountered his tN d deeply over it. He knew sobriety would 2 the slightest He never did d obstinacy of le would ever ice. Norman in having con- ock was a fine every justice; 1 the vanity of temper. The ;re was no use her with him. aw Shaddock d themselves > the very last imbers go up, n't start, and scretions had nen who had at the delin- ;y well knew, le the weight, ce rather the 1 than in any fest tendency Jlade strolled ill young, the iy sprinkled ne this : you ng the latest 1 the crowd omes a mere nt to see the m incalcula- mntered his t)lRE; MISGIVINGS. ao; I I nephew; and to Bertie's inquiry as to whether he fancied Behsanus, replied curtly, •' No; the horse is all right, but the man s all wrong. Hedge, my boy, especially if you J^l ° l?^^ anything to make you feel uncomfortable • " and then Norman jumped into his fly and drove back aga n to Epsom, to look after the recreant jockey. Bill Smith was having a nondescript meal, which con- sisted of a sandwich and a tankard of bitter beer, and was surrounded by three or four blatant flatterers, who had apparently breakfasted more largely in similar fashion. wortlt ^^u^ ^ '^^' ^'- ^'"^*^'" e^clain^ed one of these worthies, "when you come across a good horse, with a good man on the top of him, back him. That's where it is fn'??nli r ^^^- ^'^ ^°i' i? England, and the best man ui England a-goin to ride him; it's good enough to go your shirt on, that's what it is ; and I've gone it '' It was possible that he had ; at all events there was not much appearance of his having it on. Norman Slade pushed his way through the raffish crew and clutching the jockey by the arm, exclaimed sternly.' Come here. Bill, no nonsense. I want to speak to you/' And without more ado he led Smith into his own bedroom. Now, he continued, "you've just thrown the Derby away. Sir Ronald and I, as well as yourself, have backed Behsanus to win us a hatful of money. The colt is fit to run fora kingdom, and>'o«--do you caU yourself fit to ride him ? " Yes I do, Mr Slade," replied Bill Smith, doggedly; \t ^" ''^y^^"'. ^'V""^ °" *^^ ^"d toast, and goini long walks muffled up m flannels when you're a fleshy man— I am t^ Don t you be afraid. I'll weigh in all right— don't you be afraid I'm over weight." & «" i "I'm not a bit afraid of that," said Norman sharply; what I fear is, that you won't know where the winnine- post IS. You ve been drinking for the last three days, and you ve got the ' sun m your eyes ' this morning." "Dont talk nonsense, Mr. Slade," rejoined the jockey. "I m just as fit to ride as I ever was in my life." ^ anHYni' ".Tvif'""* *^^*'" -^P"^ S'^^- "Sir Ronald and I don t think you qmte your old self. We want vou to hand your mount over to " If ! mm^ 2o8 SADDLE AND SABRE likToufd'-!!!!d"cS.^^ interrupted Bill. «. Ifs to put up in my ptce ? " °' P'"^' """^ >-^" P'-^P-^inK secu^TiinliriSdoJ-''^' " ''^^ ^-" ^-^y enough to th;'r^ghl; ^^^^^:^^i:^^^^ cried the now to — !^ ^nd he'n: fedTpirc n^oT usuaH^'^^'^ '"^^ ^" Muttered siade.^ ? ' h^avl onirJj^^'*:?^"^ last chance." I know his beastlv brall.H ^- ^^'^^ *^'"^' ^ ^'^ worse, incumbent on hfrn^to Ske . ° ^^^^f'" ' ^^'H think it between this and the saddlinrh u '^T '*^°"& ^""ks persuade him when he ha. £. "' ,f "'^' ""^^^^ ^^ ^an Corner to come rS awav HpI T" '°""^ Tattenham of it at the finish. Har7fu'ck. '• conH^^^^^x?'^^ ^ "^"^^'^ rarely men have a chance to sandT"^^"^ ^°''"'.^"' "^f^ as we do this time and ff thff ? ,*° "^'.".^^ "^"^h money sober until it w^s over i ver^v tu '°v^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ kepit landed." ^ ^^"^^ '^^heve it»would have been XXIX.-The Great Epsom Race. J ''f'o difv^aro'cTr; tr 'i^d'o^i'^^^h^ ^^^^^^^ *^^ --^ Sir R^S! ^DSi^/S^^^ made his way rrr/S'L^cl^^^^^^ ^- ^^^ P-ser.t, Norman <^ornZfU%f'Jr;i,^r^^^^^ "you have Belisarius; you don't wantTnJh ^°'"' t^*"^' ^'^ *« "de there," and he jerked Hs^J^m^^f'^ri^^" ^ betting-ring, "to tell von%h.^^T?„V^^^/'^^*''^" °f the bad he\da?hethis morr. 'li'i^.^T'^^:? ^-^ ,- P-tty Nora^an wath a most expr^ssrve-w^kr^f.^l^TgiraTw The GkEAT EFSOM RACE. ptedBill. "It's e you proposing Jcky enough to cried the now could give him ^ink about ten ddocks may go y mentioned in i room. ir last chance," gs a bit worse, he'll think it strong drinks unless we can »d Tattenham nake a muddle Norman, " it's ) much money >nly have kept uld have been ^0$ :e. lered the man as arranged, laddock, and ent, Norman -. " you have re, is to ride n the market ction of the got a pretty ms favoured e got a few m with you"^'' """^ ' ^"'' ^'''' ^'''' ^'^ " '^''^ '^'^'' «t^"^J •'You must do the best you can with Reflector, I shan't ""t^y^^^.^^f^'*^^^ ^°day. Tom," said Norman, grimly "wh^^v'n^P ""^ ^.'- S^"^^'" ^''Claimed Abrahams whv It sail over the ring; they say Bill Smith has S drunk ever since he's been here! and that it will take hfm about a month to get sober now!" Sm'itYwiil"r77 tT',""^ ""^^^ ^^r-y ^^y- Mr. Abrahams. Bill know!" I^^l'sanus to-day, that's enough for yiu to "No go, I see," said Sir Ronald, joinin? Slade as ho wa ked away ; "can't do anything wi't^ him.^I Suppose ? ' ' No, rejoined Norman, " I always knew it would be a delicate point. You see it is touching a man o^he point could fill his place simply drove him wild." It s an awful sell," replied the Baronet, " such a £rood stake we stand on it. and. by Jove, old man. I really want BelisafiCs ^' ^^'' '''°"'^ °^ *° ^^^^ ^ l°°k aJ .h Jl!^'i?^S'^f ?^'''"^ "P ^"^ <^°wn at the bottom end of he paddock, looking cool and collected, and quite prenared o take his part in the struggle that lay before him ^ The time was getting on. and already the saddling-belTfor The great race clanged out upon the ear. There were a crowd Doi^n'tF^^'^^r^. "'"'^"^ ^^^^^^"^« ^"d «-aTn?ng Zlhfs nZrlL. ""u^' i-" "''""*^^' ^"^ ^ l^«Je man in a light throng -F^'^"' t' "^^y. somewhat rudely through fhe Ipll l?n*n ^^^, ^^^' V^ t'" *^™' f°^ *he silken cap in he well-known CO ours. tells them that it is the colt's jockev and owner, with a face flushed with drink. Bill Smith sullenly superintended the saddling of his horsf anoThlr minute or two and he casts off his overcoat an dTs prompUv thrown into the saddle. As he moves off with his horse Slade walks alongside of him and says : " Trust to the condition you've ffot under vnn n.n The colt can't be fitter; don't waif 4o i-r' H t ' right away, and stand no humbugging '^ ^ ^' "-'"""^ " Ail right, Mr. Slade," growled the jockey, sulkily, " I'll ! ¥'! Ill 2tO Paddle and saure. few mJing-lessoiis when I've got this rome to you for gallop over." "Pig-headed brute!" exclaimed Sir RonaM, "neither you nor any one else can do anything with h m o dav thats^oodl'^ll^^'^'.^ ^'' ^°"f P"^^ *^^ drinking.hoo*' tnat stood near the entrance to the paddock, a small lot ot wel -dressed men issued from it. They had aU Masses in their hands, and two of them bore bottles ^ •• Here you are. Bill," exclaimed the first speaker filling luck, Bill and he handed a brimming goblet up to Smith who bending oyer h-s saddle, took it, Ld sang out^ 111 right, lads, you'll see what a mess I'll make of 'fm after wt get round Tattenham Corner! " and, tossing off ^^lelinurr he^threw the glass back to the man'who h!d handefe If at first sight it seems odd that nobody interfered to prevent this tampering with the jockey on his way o the post, It must be borne in mind that Bill Smith stood n the .irgular position of being owner, trainer, and jockey How ever, even as it was. there was an attempt to stop 7t Norman Slade and Sir Ronald, following in the rear ot^the horse, caught sight of this httle crowd^. .nd at the last moment grasped their design. They bo 1. vu he a forward to interfere but it wa. too late; the cuo .va. o ■ ned anc tossed back to its giver before Slade cchuu huerceptU But he turned quick as lightning upon the dono and ?Iid "I want your name, sir; this loiks to me very like an ai .mpt to hocus the jockey of the favourite " ^ uon ^rK ^^T ' '' ^^P^'^d the other, " what the deuce have you got to do with my name, and who are vou to dare lo ^:i.:^^;:isr;;^f7^^^ ^ ^^-^ of.w,„etbagent:i° B a Normpr: Slade had not lived all his life about town lien I'vefiot this ioiiaM, •' neither vith him to-day. the other side of e drinking-bootli ck, a small lot ot tad all glasses in d one of them e others. ♦♦ The ; we'll drink his t speaker, filling glass of fizz for let up to Smith, sang out, "All : of 'em after we ig off the liquor, lad handed it to dy interfered to his way to the ith stood in the i jockey. How- npt to stop it. the rear ot the nd, at the last vushc-.i forward ao U" i'ned anc 'iu intercept it. onor, and said, e very like an the deuce have you to dare to o a gentleman ife about town THE GREAT EPSOM RACE. 211 in the days when pugilism was patronised by the greatest in the land, without having learnt to use his bauds. He advanced .Jeterminedly on his foe, exclaiming as he did so "Qu-nk, K :d.;lifTe, call the police; I'll keep this gentleman employed till they come." Jiut these two things produced a decided change in the blustering demeanour of the dark, florid-looking gentleman who still held the bottle of champagne in his hand. He knew Sir Ronald Radcliffe was well-known amongst all leading gentlemen of the turf. He knew also that the interference of the police would at once create a great public scandal, and that was the last thing Ralph Furzedon desired. Suddenly changing his manner, he exclaimed— "You have thought proper to accuse me of hocussing a' jockey. Will you have a glass of champagne ? Get a couple of clean glasses there, one of you." " Yes," said Norman, quickly, " I will, and a full one. I shall know then what it is you have put down Bill Smith's throat." " Quite right," replied the other, with a mocking smile- "ah! here come the glasses." And from the self-same bottle he proceeded to fill them to the very brim. Handing one to Norman, he took the other himself, and said-- " Now, sir, we will drink to the success of Belisarius," and with a low bow he drained his glass to the dregs as also did Slade. * " Well, sir," he continued, " I hope you found the wine to your liking ? " " Far from it," rejoined Slade, " race-course champagne, and bad at that, but I withdraw my accusation. Good- day, sir." " Come and see it, RadcHffe," he continued taking the Baronet's arm, " I can swear he never changed the bottle, for I never took my eye off him. I believe it to be only what I said; but at all events," he concluded laughing, " I shall know in less than half an hour." They walked up the course until they arrived at the Grand Stand, and, looking into the betting-lawn for a few moments, found that a reaction had set in in favour of Behsarius. The colt had gone badly in the m.arket durin"- the morning, but when he came out/looking fine as a gtVr' ¥4-H- 1 212 SADDLE AND SABRE. and with the redoubtable Bill Smith on his back th^r^ was a rush to back him, both on the part of the puWic and wi^°'' who thinking that he would have a ve?y inferior Bilfcr^,^'' ^^^^' ^1'^ J^'d against him. Drunk o^ sober Bill Smith was equally at home in the saddle and achJ gripped h s horse and brought him rattling down the course sitting straight and square in his saddlf few would have dreamt that the drink was already seethinriiT^hi? resolute horseman's brain. That canterpast ?he StanH strrtinrnoW*'' lot proceed quietly acro^s'toward^rhe starting-post, and here at once Bill Smith's irritah!^ use of his well-garnished vocabulary to attain thTem? and more than one of his fellow-jockeys wouM yi^ld the point sooner than encounter the ksh of Bill Smit^h's scm- rilous tongue He was worse than usual on th"s occasion and. inflamed by drink, ventured to favour ?he starter S some of his choice observations. He was too preoccuSd n railing at those around him to attend strfctiv Jn^th^ CL flol^ ? J r ' ," Smith's favour, suddenly droooed h.s flag, instead of making the best use of his opportXv the be-mused jockey hesitated, not quite belieWne k wa.' an actual start. Even when he awoke to the Sct^he Sfl further complicated matters by waiting to hurl a ^orrlf J abuse at the starter before setfing his Lrse going ''"' °^ Fasl'?ta"tr'wr1h*''^'^°"'' ';P°°^-' "-^^nse! raise start! was the cry immediately afterward*; succeeded quickly by the shout, "It's a go. by heaven » and the favourite's left at the post." Yes there trni enough, were the horses sweeping up the h'i in a cluster and the favourite at least a hundrld yards in their rear '' I s all over, Norman I " exclaimed the Baronet as he wearily dropped h.s glasses ; " and the best thing we Ve been - .1. -^ ^ ^a.^ i„ dwCKea aWay iiy a drunKeu fool," THE GREAT EPSOM RACE. 213 Norman Slade made no reply, he was busied straining his eyes to catch sight of the horses, and even as they went through " the furzes " he fancied that Belisarius had made up a Httle of his ground. Then the lot were all out of sight, and when next he caught sight of them, the dark blue jacket and scarlet cap of Bill Smith were still toiling far m the rear. As they came down the hill it was evident that the Bellaton horse had closed the portentous gap that separated him from his field considerably. Then they came round Tattenham Corner, and if ever a' jockey shaved the rails there it was Bill Smith upon this occasion. ' Muddled though he was, he knew he was so far behind them that he could not afford to throw away an inch of ground, and a bit of his old skill was exhibited in the way he crept up to his horses. But it was a long gap to make up, and the old patience and coolness began to fail him. Half way up the straight he began to get nervous at the distance he was still behind ; if the race was to be won at all it could only be done inch by inch, with one determined rush on the very post. Bill Smith began to bustle his horse, and Belisarius, who had been engaged in a -veary stern-chase from the commencement, soon showed signs that the struggle had told upon him. The fierce excite- ment of the gallop, tHe nervous anxiety to win such a valuable stake for himself and friends, were too much for Bill Smith, on the top of the drink that he had consumed before starting; he lost his head, and instead of waiting till the last moment with that consummate coolness which had often electrified the Southerners, and brought many a roar from Yorkshire throats on Don caster Moor, he sat down just before reaching the Stand, and commenced ndmg his horse in earnest. Gamely did Belisarius respond to the call, and the colt's final flash was brilliant in the extreme. For one second he threatened to overhaul the leaders, and a cry went up, «' The favourite wins I The favourite wins 1 " but in the next half-dozen strides his bolt was shot, he died away to nothing; and when the numbers went up Belisarius was not amongst the first three. The race is over, and Harold by The Confessor, out of Dauntless, is hailed the winner of the Derby of 18—. i :M!i -■ t k 1' ♦ ■ . 1 I 214 •SADDLE AND SABRE. Norman Slade greeted the hoisting of the victor's number with a "splendid groan." hke unto that with which Mr Disraeli tells us Lord George Bentinck received the news of buiphce's triumph As for Sir Ronald he said nothing fl i \!]^ "^^^ ^ ^°?? J°'^'' ^"'^ '^ was seldom the way the battle went could be traced in his calm, passionless features ; but upon this occasion I think there was a muttered imprecation against Bill Smith, and a resolution to depend upon that unstable reed no more. As for that worthy he was half mad with rage and disappointment- his language in the weighing-room was what Bret Harte describes as—" Frequent and painful and free " He poured forth a torrent of abuse on the starter he vowed It was no race, he objected to everything in the et cetera cetera race, he wanted to lodge ai objection, he wanted to appeal to the stewards, and it wasn't until he had received a peremptory intimation that, if he didn't quit the weighing-room without more words the authorities would be compel ed to have him removed, the discomfited jockey could be induced to retire. As far as the general public goes their sympathies were with Bill Smith • thev fUu l"T ^°\^* happened, but they did unde;.tand that he had somehow been left bejiind, and were very much inclined, like Bill Smith himself, to lay the blame upon the starter. But the regular racing-men knew be teT they knew very well whose fault it was, and that the SmseTf ^ -'' ^°'*^ ^^^ "° °"^ *° ^^^"'^ t.ut However it is little use to argue upon how the milk was spilt upon how It all happened on this occasion. The fiat of the judge has gone forth, and is irrevocable. Some rumours there were of an " objection " in the first few minutes after the race, the consequence these of Bill Smith's wild ravings. But such report met with but little credence to begin with, and was speedily contradicted. On the ton of the drag opposite the Grand Stand, with some half-a dozen other men consoling themselves for their disappoint- ment with a capital Junch, was Charlie Devereux "Rather a^ facer, old man," remarked, one of his mm- panions. " ihnyvQ gjot m§ for four hundred. I thought ictor's number th which Mr. ived the news 5 said nothing dom the way n, passionless there was a d a resolution As for that appointment ; t Bret Harte 3." le starter, he ling in the et objection, he asn't until he if he didn't le authorities 3 discomfited 3 the general Smith; they i understand d were very y the blame knew better ; nd that the 3 blame but :he milk was n. The fiat ible. Some he first few Bill Smith's tie credence On the top iome half-a- disappoint- LIX. Df his com- I thought RAISING tttE WIND. ili Belisarius couldn't lose ; but he got such an awful bad start." •' I don't know how it happened," replied Charlie. " But I feel quite sure that he had no business to be left behind like that." " The starter ought to be had up before the stewards," said another. " If he had only got off he must have won. Look at the ground he made up towards the finish." " Struck me," rejomed Charlie, " that he was in rather too great a hurry to get home. If he'd had a little more patience he iaust have been very near winning. The horse ran game as a bulldog ; but I know what that foUow- my-leader game is. I was taught the lesson the first time I rode in public, and just as I caught my horses found I had come to the end of my own." " Yes," replied one of his companions. " It stands to reason that after making up all that leeway there can be but a very brief flash left in your horse when you call upon him for his supreme effort." Charlie nodded assent ; but the discussion was idle ; the one fact remained that he had lost a lot of money, and that it had to be paid by the following Monday. XXX.— Raising the Wind. IN one of Disraeli's earlier novels he tells us of a certain marquis and his spouse, who, finding themselves incon- venienced by the simple process of spending two years' income in one, determined to economise, and, abandoning the delights of London, betake themselves to the country with a view to that laudable sacrifice. But as they con- sider that the mere fact of such retirement of itself consti- tutes economy, and that the country is unendurable without a fashionable mob to inhabit their country-seat, Wiiicn uistinguisnecl xxxOu must uS regaleu upon an tne ucst there is to eat and drink in the land, they awake to the fact that their scheme of retrenchment is a failure, and, as the ii . i k II 'm I i a tr 11 El'! 2i6 SAt)t)LE Aiii) SABRE. scrapes are always aot to th^tfi. * r'\ ''^'^y gambling difference. cS eTevereu^s ^n unt' ' '"^'"^ "^t^-« "f has been already rather uDontL Jo, kF "P°" Belisarius And that he should feel SnmKw^^^' ?"^*-' principle, the Oaks, with a^itwl'Ve^vering^^^^^ back Madtana^for strictly in accord with all rarp^o nS -^^^ ^°^^^S' was Maritana should occunv he ^r,5r^ experience ; and that that of unplaced, at "he term^W ^"°.^t P°'^*'°"' "^mely. was only the customary reiS"^„'j°'^ ^l^^^* ^^^^«'<^ <=ontest his losses. ChS fel7a ?ftt i «f i,""? ^^^^'"P* *° '•Btrieve collapse hopeleL ly jus befo e th^ r Jl I".?" '^ ^^"^^"^ and as he travelled back to tn^ "^^^^ fitter finish began ; wher. he was trobtam the necTssf °"f ''S^ ^^°°u™^^>^ ^' to settle his accounts on^he Monday ""^'"^ *° sho'it^^lrce^tTsVveni^tiir °^- T°-^ ^* -h afternoon, there is no rehance to hi T "'!^* *° ^°"day the children of Israel A We su- -? '"P"'' ^"^ ^"* to be regarded with due resect a^ to"in"'^ ''' ?^ "°"^^^^' securities ; but, given these hnth , ^°''' P.°''t'°" ^^^ usually to the moSvTenderth.f "n^^peachable. it is in time. The Srm7natur«n! ^°" ""'* ^° *° ^^^^in it risk to be run. rTa man^^itr'^ !? accordance with the perty, who only requfre'a ^ wee"^^^^^^^^^^ J-^^^le pro- sum, his charges will be comDrr?f?li ^ -^ *^^ necessary case of a customer lkeCharh?h-,i ^ '^"'l"^ ' ^"^ i" the to be paid in proport^rto he dsk "Atlf'''^^^'^^'"^"^ of London usurers was LnnJK, r -r^"^^'.^ ^ ^^P^rience been better for hfm Tad it^h^Z "^u^^ ' '* ^^^^^ ^ave withnolittlepertur^atfononq!? f ^^ """'^ ^'"^^ed; but into a cab, and drove down t^h''^"'^'""^ he jumped dan & Co.. finance age^s who ebn!^n'' °^ ^^^'''- J°^- in Northumberland IS Strand Th' ^'l"^'^^' ^^^^ representative of that shadowy firm and w^^^^^ ^" '^^ l^^ master's views with regard to Mr A ,' ^"^wing his paper, informed him thirhe'th.'f/.ht ^^^ " '''"^•^?"'^ rniyiit be done; that monev x^'^^ .Zl ^'^^^ Possible it nave .0 payh.gh for Tb?. TSe l^f^o^.^^''^ --jj^ RAISING TIIE WIND. 2i; expense is no arJy gambling nore makes no pon Belisarijus uits principle. '< Maritana for by losses, was ice ; and that ition, nanjely, lassie contest, ipt to retrieve saw Maritana finish began ; loomily as to ;^ith which to 3ney at such to Monday ipon any but is, of course, position and hable, it is ' to obtain it ice with the ingible pro- le necessary ; but in the dly demand ' experience would have imited; but he jumped ilessrs. Jor- mises were le saw the nowing his Devereux's possible it he would ty nothing positively until he had consulted his partner from the citv twef;;orMondr"^^ '•'" "P^" ^'^ between Seven and his father "" mcumbent upon him to unfold to mopol „m, but Charlie Is yet had not Sained en.ranceTo hadtetTS?--^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ :fftfffnorr„xs^^^^^^^^^ and who had now joined Her Majestv's servlrP ir ^' and before carpets desecrated the sanded floor of tf; famous coffee-room-scene of so many mad cap revels of Stf^irna[-dor"LTa&^^^^^^^ the e«ent of his Wses at Epsom to aSy one AUhonJh t i^ than" ^^T l^etafefHeTjS wIsBer?ie%r/'''t,° "'t ''.'J"'"- Very iich asSunded was Bertie Slade when he discovered that afternoon that have ffot it Th^^f . "'',5" ^^° '^'■y^' ■""= ''"e, and nave got it. The fact is, old man, I'm in a deuce nf = scrape, much worse than jou know if," 2l8 SADDLE AND SABRE. "I see," interrupted Bertie, hastily, "you were enough to pile a lot more money on Belisarius " fool T j]"u ^^°' ""^P^'^^ Devereux. '« and I've had to go where I did before to find the money to settle with. There's no doubt about it now, I shall have to tell the storv at North Leach." " I am afraid so," said Slade ; " the sooner the better Vi'^ *i"™^ ^ ^^^ °^- ^ suppose we shall see you down on Monday night," and with a nod of adieu Bertie Slade took his departure He had had a most unsatisfactory week. I don't mean in the way of racing, for he had lost but very little money, and cared less about it. His main object in London had been to see Lettice, and in that he had been grievously disappointed. He had called twice and upon both occasions found neither Miss Devereux nor Mrs. Connop at home. He had been mc.e fortunate with Mrs. Kynaston, but had derived scant comfort from his visit there. That lady, without actually committing her- self to the unvarnished statement that Lettice and Mr Furzedon were engaged, sent him away quite under that impression. "It's not announced, you ^now, but nobody has the slightest doubt that it is so. Mr. Furzedon has for months made no secret of his admiration for Miss Devereux. I am sure, Mr. Slade, he has bored me to death with it She has only had to hold up her finger any time the last SIX morths to bring him to his knees, and— well— I sup- pose at last she has done it." " And I suppose there's nothing more to be said now but to offer our congratulations," replied Bertie. " Furze- don is a man I don't much fancy myself— he is not auite my sort." ^ '•You are quite right, Mr. Slade," said the lady, with a slight curl of her lip. «« I should not think he was ; but he is an excellent match, and that is more to the purpose to a young lady on promotion. I hope you were more for- tunate than Mr. Devereux, who told me he had a very bad race. My husband was in luck. He heard— I don't know how— that there was something wrong about Belisarius ; that his jockey couldn't be trusted, or something of that 'you were fool lUS." lad to go where h. There's no story at North ner the better, see you down u Bertie Slade unsatisfactory for he had lost it. His main ind in that he i called twice, 1 Devereux nor fortunate with nfort from his >mmitting her- ttice and Mr. ite under that >body has the las for months Devereux. I death with it. / time the last -well — I sup- be said now tie. " Furze- le is not quite 5 lady, with a 2 was ; but he be purpose to sre mo;:e for- id a very bad -I don't know t Belisarius ; thing of that RAISING THE WIND. 2t9 s^ahloTerit."^ ^' '""^ ^'' ^"'''^°" ^°" ^ "'^^ ^'"le fhri"'^^'^i: " ^^'^^^i'^ed Bertie, with some interest. " Then Ihoff Yf' ' something in a wild report that there is flying about. It s rumoured that Smith, the jockey who rod! Behsanus, was hocussed as he was leaving the paddock JfwTrTc^ *° '^'"'' ^"' wasinducedihav^e f^ as's \.Z^^^IV ^^'^^'^- Kynaston, " this is the first I have heard of It. Dick says there's generally a ca«arrf of t hit sort when the favourite for a big%ace gets beaten/' I dare say he is right," replied Slade, " and that this KVl^^'^t""^^^ unfounded," and then Bertie rose and wished Mrs. Kynaston " Good-bye,'" receiving strict injunc tions from that lady to be sure to come and see herS when he was next in town. ^ A very clever woman was Mrs. Kynaston, but, in such delicate scheming as she was at present perpetrating "he destroy the entire web. From her lips had just fallen 7Zt" *^' 'S:P°?, °^ ^^^^^ '' ^^^ irnpossible-'she couM orsee In the idlest way she had told Bertie Slade ?hat BeSv ° n^^f P^^fi^^d by the defeat of Belisarius. Now Bertie s Uncle Norman was noi only a considerable suf ferer from that result, but he had also seen who it was that handed the wine to- Bill Smith. He did not know who Furzedon was but was not likely now to forget his flee A haro, esolute man, no one was more likely to persever- ingly unmask a rubbery than Norman Slade! And if he should happen to hear .m his nephew that the giver of that glass of wine had .. direct interest in Bill Smith's no winning the race, he was likely to investigate the mat"e thoroughly; and, as we know Furzedon had by no means clean hands in the whole business, such a cha^ as that substantiated against him would mean social bankruptcy as for as Mr. Furzedon was concernpd ^ ^ 1 he weak place in the web that Mrs. Kynaston had taken such pains to weave-and she was painfully aware of .t-was the fact that her fib about Lettice's engage nient was in hourly danger of exposure. It was hardly f 1 N'i mmm wmm 220 Saddle and sabrr possible, she thought, that Charlie Devereux could see his sister without congratulating her upon her engagement. He had not seen her yet, but she knew that he was bound to call in Onslow Gardens before he went back to York. It IS true she had sworn him to secresy, that she had told him it was not yet announced, vowed that she ought never to have told him, pointed out that he would get her into a most awful scrape if he divulged it. " You'll promise me," she had said, " not to open your mouth about it ; Lettie would never forgive me if you didn't hear it first from her own lips." And Charlie had sworn to keep silence on the subject. But Mrs. Kynaston doubted whether he would find It possible. Then again Lettice herself might allude to It as an absurd rumour which she requested him to con- tradict. She did not think she would do so ; still it was a thing quite likely to happen. Mrs. Kynaston knew that Mr. Slade had called at Onslow Gardens, but she had also ascertained unsuccessfully, and that had been a great piece of luck, as far as she was concerned, and she now hoped that both he and Charlie were well on their wav back to York. ^ That, as far as the latter was concerned, we know was not the case. But he proved loyal to his trust. He went down to Onslow Gardens on the Sunday, and saw both his aunt and his sister. They thought him rather absent and dtstratt, and, taking advantage of their being left alone for a few minutes, Lettie pressed him pretty closely as tawhat was the matter, and then Charlie disburdened his soul. He told her he had lost a terrible lot of money on racing, and that there was nothing for it but to go to his father. " If he won't see me through it my military career must come to an abrupt termination. I've been an awful fool I know, and if the governor don't stand to me I'm likely to be sharply putiished for my folly. I like my profession, and It will be bitter grief to me to have to give it up." "Is it very big, Charlie? How much money do you suppose would clear you ? " " I hardly know, but it would take a lot." " Father will scold," rejoined Lettie, " and you can't be much surprised at that. 1 think it is possible that Aunt mx could see his ler engagement, at he was bound It back to York, hat she had told she ought never Id get her into a I'U promise me," about it ; Lettie it first from her ip silence on the lether he would elf might allude sted him to con- o; still it was a LSton knew that is, but she had ad been a great d, and she now 11 on their way !, we know was rust. He went ad saw both his ther absent and ig left alone for )sely as to what id his soul. He on racing, and is father, ry career must n an awful fool ne I 'm likely to my profession, :ive it up." money do you id you can't be ;ible that Aunt RAISING THE WIND. 22 1 " ^^i Charlie," exclaimed the girl, " this is a had h„Q,' "' • No^he ^""""y^r I" ''':' "°"^y immediately ?' '" .u ?' J'^ '^^P^'^'^ • ^»»t I must find it in a few weeks ^t the out^sxde. At all events it has got to be foundToone'r '' will%^!?" n° ^?" ' r*^"^ *° 'P^^^ t<^ father about it ? " NortYli.h If^* f ^^^ ?^y'' ^^^^^' a'^d come down to North J .each. How long shall you be in town ? " hone B„t rr/''^''*y' ^"V\° ^^^ ^"^ °f the season, I caTbeofanyuse?"' '""'' ""'"^^J^' '' ^^^ ^^^-^ ^^at I he^^°LlZshT W^"'^' ^T'' ' c ^^ ^^J°'"^^' ^'^«'"g ner, out, hush ! here comes Aunt Sarah. Not a word a/"^ °"e, mmd, till I tell you to speak." ^ and 'fnir?>r°P T^' extremely pleased with her nephew, and full of questions concerning his military life She expressed her mtention of giving Harrogate a turn when he real hot weather set in. - Then," she comiiTued "well come over to York, and review the regiment or whatever you call it." And after a little desultory S«?. of this description, Charlie took his departure ^ badinage Jordan &'ror'H"^f^°"J'!u^"^"'^""^ "^^^^ ^^^ "^ay to Jordan & Co. s. He found the representative of that firm quite ready to receive him. ^^ " I hive conferred with my partners, Mr. Deverenv " h^ observed; '«and they wish me to poi'nt out tiat we are holding a good deal of paper of yours. I'll a dJt that your getting into the army renders us a httle morTsecure han we were, but we don't very much care about advandnff any further money. Still, we don't wish to leave an dd customer in the lurch ; and, therefore, if you wfn write your name across this bill, we arc prepared toTetTou hive It at once; but you will observe that'^this bill sTthfrlv days sigh ; m short, our advance is only mean to enable you to ook round and procure the money elsewhere " Charlie thought for a moment ; " I must go to 'the gov- H~ 222 SADDLE AND SABRE. hi ernor, he muttered, "and the sooner the better Mv racing account must be settled to-day, but a month will be ample time m which to come to an explanation at home." T'm^ '^^V ^^'^'1';'^ '^^'1 "°t ^^"t it for longer. iZ ?h{/ f^ f.!^' f "°"^^ ^"^^ 'H^' '^ i^' ^"^ ^^^e "o wish to pay still further for accommodation." J! 9"^*^ 'i^\ ^'.\ Deyereux," replied the usur.v. , as he counted out a bundle of notes. " The dearest llvrg vou can buy in the world is money, with the exception of burtTeTriner." ^°"'''' ^°' '^^ ^''''^'' ^'^^ ^''' "^^'^^ "Come, I say," replied Charlie, «' I don't see what you've got to complain about. ^^u vt. in." \^U'^ complain," rejoined the money-lender, laugh- ing " It s my trade and though it's by no nifcans ;o good as It looks- as we have to run gre.f risks, and at tLes incur frightful losses.-still, I often wonde^ we have so many customers as we do. I think you'll find that right ChLrlir ^' ^^ncluded he pushed the notes acrosi to hl,>hi?"'*^'>^^' ^ *^^"^ y°"'" ""^J^'^ed Devereux, and, blithely nodding a good morning to Jordan & Co., he sho out of the dingy office. XXXI.— FuRZEDON Returns to the Charge. THE exultation of Furzedon at the results of the Derby week was unbounded. It was not merely that he sZ:.ld n^'^ ^'' ?^ 1"°"^^' ^^"^ '^'^' Charlie ^Deve eux hk dfffi""u"'''''"^^y ^'^^^ "°'"" *° him for assistance in his difficulties was a piece of rare good fortune. Find he' ^ouS^'t'^ for Devereux to settle with, of cour he would, he would '^ave found double the amount ir in m. hand^; ihc worst of those bills he held wai ime"h,n'''?T"°"^^ ^ '^^''' "P°" them for some time, but he had purposely instructed his agent that this very those woul fathe last e doub end V could Devei only t hand. fice in likely forsoo were f too gla offer tl his des He^ tion mi marria, so dext Mrs. K being ( appro V( still fai would f Deverei was res( The ov necessit once, an Devereu to recor possibly the Belis to scorn offences to simph ii the better. My Jt a month will be anation at home. " ant it for longer, d have no wish to the usur.i., as he dearest ih.irg you the exception of er, you will never 't see what you've ley-lender, laugh- lo mbans so good isks, and at times ider we have so li find that right, e notes across to Devereux, and, in & Co., he shot IE Charge. Its of tlie Derby merely that he larlie Devereux or assistance in fortune. Find with, of course !e the amount, ed and placing s he held was them for some lis agent that FURZEDON RETURNS TO THE CHARGE. 2^3 ''^rV'^^ln^^^^^^^^^ -nth; he knew those circumstance 7 Lkn^wverv'PP',? ^'^^ ""^^^ would have the grektest dkl^^i ? "^^^ ^^""^ Charlie father..andhefelt?,ret; u?f ha"hi'°" u '^^'-^ *° ^'^ last extremity; that he wn M ^ ."^^"'"^ ""^ ""^il the doubted, any^^ore han he d^d th^? T ^^^^^'^'-^^^on never end would pay the monev /.. Tom Devereux in the could use this as an engTn; with'' ,^"""'"S."° "«k if he Devereux to marry him Wefji^' ^J" u^"^^ L^^^'^ only too glad to wme off ■rh!rr-?l^°°^' ^e would be hand. I^ on he contrfrv ^h , ' f'^'i ^' ^^^ P"^^ of her fice in her' broth^r^^nS^: jr^,t":t III T^'V'''' ''''''■ likely to be any loser hv \Lh^, u \ \, \ ^^^nts, was not forsooth I There was not m^^ ' ^^^ ^°"^- Sacrifice, were plenty of g?rirfn Letti^i n 'f ''^"! ^"^^^^ ** ' there too glad to shar?tLcomforf.Ki^-''''°" ^^° ^°"ld only be offefthem. ButUe'dl'uU est hT:::tTT'- ''' -"'^ his desire to make Lettice h!s '^/fe' ^^^ ^^^ °"Jy '"creased tion mreV^timlllJe? how t'h t^^^'^'^"^ ^^^^ opposi- marriage he would hav^ bee^ iol'^'r ^ '°, ^'^^ ^^'^ this so dexterously had thI1d4 be° "n^^*/"""^^^ t° ^^^PJ^in. Mrs. Kynaston tha he w?= i. "„P°"'^^ '"to his miid bv^ being the originator ofTt Shf ^ '°"f'°"^ °^ that lady approved of it and encouLJl T^ ^'^ confidant, shi still failed to recignrseThft bJ^ would probably nevi rave emeredhsheYd";o^^"l??°"'- '' Devereux in marriage Now hi ^ to seek Lettice was resolved to K no stone , T' committed to it, and The overthrow of Belisarius TnTrt ' r '^""^ 't about, necessities, would eVab e him to eP"'^'" ' '°"'^^"^"t once, and he determined before tI! '''^ P'^'^"''^ ^t Devereux should be strondv nr Jh ? "?" r^"" that Miss to reconsider herlate decLon^ T^^^^^ possibly accrue to him from the km^^^ !"/ ^^'"^ ^«"ld the Belisarius Derby Ra?D^ F.^rtTn " ^^'^ i\^^^ taken in to scorn. Poiooni?; T """^^^^^n would have laimhed offences that come SfarlvvS^hlnTh P°''°^ ^ "^^"^ "re to .mply encouraget^jlrd in^^his^SriLV^^^^^ 224 SADDLE AND SABRE. there is no penalty against that. But, though a man may escape all legal consequences of his acts, there sometimes follows a social crucifixion, which, with Furzedon's aims and ambitions, is pretty well as bitter; and, little as he T?'V , ^ ^*' Jy^* ^"^^ ^ ^^°^^ '3 slowly gathering round Ralph Furzedon's head. Miss Devereux was not a little put out at missing Mr. blade. It was most provoking ; his calling twice showed that he was undoubtedly anxious to see her, and if they could but have met she thought that at all events that one question would have been solved, which she was so anxious to determine— whether he was in earnest in his intentions to herself or not. Mrs. Kynaston had warned her against giving much credence to the soft speeches of " those Dra- goons." She had dwelt upon the fact that he had never thought It worth while to come down to North Leach for that week's hunting ; she had ridiculed the idea that Charlie could not get leave, though Charlie protested him- self such was the case ; but let Mrs. Kynaston laugh as she pleased, there was no getting over the fact that during a week like the last, a wtfek in which men's hands are generally full of engagements, Mr. Slade had twice endea- voured to see her. She talked matters over a little with her aunt, and that lady, who in her quiet undemonstrative way would have been as much pleased with the girl's engagement to Bertie Slade as she had been the reverse at theidea of her marrying Ralph Furzedon, laughed merrily, and said : • o j> "It will be time enough to think what you will do with him when he is an avowed pretender to your hand. In the meantime, nothing will persuade me that he is not thoroughly honest in his admiration. It may be that he don't quite see the ways and means. I think, for the present, it IS a case for suspending judgment, my dear. It is very unlucky our being out upon each occasion that he called." So IVtiss Devereux took much comfort from her aunt's counsel. Gilbert Slade would no doubt contrive to see her before the season was over. York was no distance from London, and h leave, if be wished for it he would find little difiiculty in obtaining •ugh a man may there sometimes Furzedon's aims ind, httle as he gathering round at missing Mr. g twice showed ber, and if they events that one e was so anxious n his intentions rrred her against of " those Dra- t he had never forth Leach for the idea that ! protested him- laston laugh as fact that during en's hands are ad twice endea- er a httle with ndemonstrative with the girl's n the reverse at lughed merrily, ou will do with ^our hand. In that he is not nay be that he for the present, jar. It is very :hat he called." rom her aunt's trive to see her distance from y in obtaining FURZEDON RETURNS TO TIIK CIIARCJF:. 225 L^^ '^^^:^C'^:;::^:''l^^: -v. occasioned ton's malicious tongue the retmrt n *° ^^"- ^y"^^' been spread prettv w delt ^n?. [ ^ ^"F'^i^'^'ment had quaintance. She was c^, " taX'^ ^ '''"''' ^"^ "^- rassing remark" fTo'/CfreJ^P"";;' '° Tl ''^^''■ instance, would whis.rnL. ^^'"^ ''^ ^''f-«^> for tions. .: I am so S "? ""^'/^*' ^'^"g^^tula- -torted .. Con^fl^llit;!;,: :_,,^-',;;:^-, ^- ^-ereux don t understand you," the other ion,: ' ^pj^ ..7, 1";!^/ '^as^S'^!^;:^- -:!\- '- i-.natu;e^ut\^h^.!;;i:; it was'useless ^1!^'' "■^' ^° "^"^'^^'^ ^^^ ''^'^ felicitations- denvmc it '« <<,„^u ^^ 1 ., 'h iiuki ner back for •• Why«ca"-„ot shrie"™':;:::^ ,ri"f ' u'-H^ '"""'^- can she want to make •< L.r ^ . ^ ^^ ^^^ °" ^^^^'^ if he could r„'aget waTMn'f-ole, too, perfectlv on c^K / ,^ played his obtrusive i? h si fen tions a to .Iv.Th' ^' ^^^ "°^ ^° tunity of sharply dec t^"n. thcMn^ R ^ ^''^ ^"^ ^PP^'"" pohte-rather tol forma K so oe^^ Tf ^^^"P^l^^^'y lover ; but he was ah ^ v. fit; ^ ^ 1^'^' ^^'^^ affianced idea ti.at he w^s nttcn dan^^^^^^ T^"i''' ^"'^ ^'^'"^^ '^- chafed terribly un er wlS X . ,'' ^^y^^eux. Lettie but she was pL^el'st'^ 'L ^1^' 1 ''f P-^-^ion. np society altogether. Mr CryrHnn ' ^ ''''' ""^^ ^^^^ to allow her to ront .. .!! V • " "^^^ ^^^ too cunning he occ^sSly enTountcre'f.^H?^-^ ""^ 1'°^^ ^'^^ ^^^"^f' In the meinHmo M n '^'' ""Perturbable serenity. in her mind'afrifc^^rLgS '''Vr'' '^""^''-' I.jno -^H-n-'l i-- ",^f '"g t^om Charlie. As the month ^^f eicbts don. pay .hen.seKc, anj cSfJ S to^'^l^ I 1: M ■ n 226 SADDLE AND SABRE. to except his father, or Mrs. Connop, and in either case Lettice felt sure that she would have heard of it. What was he doing ? He had told her himself that the settle- ment of his habilities admitted of little delay, and still, oddly enough, she had heard nothing whatever of him. He had promised to write ; and, bad correspondent though he was, yet, upon this occasion, she did think he would have kept his word. She had no idea that Charlie or Mr. Slade had heard anything of this silly report about her engagement. It had never crossed her mind that this rumour had reached York. Charlie never mentioned that he corresponded with Mrs. Kynaston ; nor had he seen fit to tetl her of that visit to town some few weeks back. Lettie's fric^ndship with Mrs. Kynaston had rather cooled of late, and, indeed, would have cooled considerably more still if that lady would have allowed it to do so, but Mrs. Kynaston had no idea of that. It did not suit her at all to have any breach with the Devereuxes ; and when accused of the mischief she had done by her foolish speaking— for Lettie indignantly taxed her with having originated this report concerning herself and Mr. Furzedon— she was full of apologies for the mischief she had unwittingly done. She denied emphatically that she was the founder of the story ; she had heard it— well, she really could not say where, how, or from whom ; and she admitted that she had been indiscreet enough to mention it to two or three people. Lettie k-^ew that she had always told her that she might be Mrs. Furzedon if she willed ; she really thought It would come about ; and that, though not an- nounced, it was quite an open secret. She was sorry if she had done wrong ; but she honestly believed that a more harmless bit of news she had never passed on in soci- ety ; and, more than that, she was only sorry to hear it was not true. In short, Mrs. Kynaston would not quarrel, and therefore Lettie was compelled to some extent to con- tinue the old friendship. Mr. Furzedon had never made his appearance in Onslow Gardens since his failure ; but one morning towards the end of May Lettie received a note from him to say that Ue would call about three in the atternoou, and most; FtmZEDON RETURNS TO THK ( ].AK,;K. ^j; engaSd^ ' When "^ '^^ n° ''^' ^""^ ^^°"'^' '^ "«* o^hnrwisl down hereTo ask o^the saZ'' *^! "^'" ^^ ^'^'"'"'^ Mr Furzedon was announced ^ ^"'' "^'""''^ ^^^^'^ '^^'^ " exceDMi"^ th? i^f" ?''''?^^ "P°" y^"'" he observed cSSs'vtVdtr'fSnlrn.'^ '^""^- ^°"^ ^-'^- vouSt'downr'- "" "'"'^^'" ^^P^^^^ ^^"^-' "but wont l^an'dbralc^dttn^^^- ^-TielttV^-?^ embarrassed at Cambridge b,7h. if ^^' T ^.^^^ '^^^vily deal of money on this £t' Derbv i^T^'l ^°'* ^ ^^"^t money at short notir^ trf ..o 1^* t. ^u ^f^ ^rowed the money he S have to fin^ f ^""'^y ^°'^"^' ^nd this further has tt ShWd^.^'l; l^'i^^^^^ immediately. He head, and the who^ thinf Mk ' nf ^""^^"^. °^^^ his torily settled by somebodv^'in, T ^^/^'■e"^. unless satis- his career. mL I atk ^^' h^h "^^ '^^ complete ruin of things to his father P-' ^'' '^"^"'^"^ *^^ ^^^te of l- 'r^^" h« wondered wliat verv much ?nH i""''"' t*° ^u"* ' ^" ^^^ ^°t to like the boy very much, and knew that he must be hovering on the Jf5'slTAH^f "-r "^^""^ ^^^^'^"^ ^^d saiShTng to hrni^T. ^^* ^'c ^^P^f «^tion at Limnier's. What did he mean to do ? Surely it must be getting high time that he consulted with his father about how his^dS^s were ^o^Sl Z^V ^"lu^' ^^Pointedly avoided all conversa! TZn ^^^^^ °" *^^ ^"^^^t, and to any inquiries about «at Sidn't'^^'tr?^ 1° ^''''\ ^^^^^ ^^j^^"^d carelessly It didn t matter for two or three weeks yet," and Bertie t±?rK^'f- \ ^T^ ^^ confidence. How or upon whS "•. ^e argued had become due. *® ^'"^ ^^^t his acceptances Furzedon He anxiously counhi ''^^^T'^ ^^^^ Mr. between him and the next^ten n hi. T'^ ^°"^ ^^^t lay no t me was lost when the Zm / '^'^"^^ wooing, and motion the machinery of t^e I^t' "'r'^"^ ^^'^ ^^ttin^t ?ga.nst Charlie DeverL^foJiLlT ^^"^'^^ Proceedil^s mtimation that his bijrwas prSed^S^^^ ?" *^^ ^"^ a promptitude that ChariirSfi J ^^"''wed indeed with written in reply to the notice 1 e h.^''^'"'^ °^- "^ ^ad he would make all arr,.. "*^ received to sav th^l course of a Lw Savs U fr'';'' '^ '^''^^ '^^ affafrfn the J^on to this epistlZi'ut^ooidlhe" t'^^''"^ scant att'? without more ado. ^^^ bloodhounds of the law -e S^h^t wa"SSSJJ"* f ^^^ -^^--o- special cronies, a precocioL "*'"'^'^ ^^ one of his keenly awake to wh£ was ,m ^'°""^' ^^"tleman, alwav! "Hold on, Charlie -£^''"'r''''^'^°"'"d him. ^ suspicious-loklnTgeits a. e^^^ " ^^ere are two as mqujringfor you4hel\r: ZlrJ\'yf «" anxious?; and have got sheriff's officers wn>^ ''°"* >°"^ quarters, 'igly faces. Stay where von .7 "m '" ^""^'Y bne of theiV cause to be afraid of su5? cattle 1 ""^I'J^ >'^"'^^ any rT'd'aTt"' r'r^^ tiiru-otetc^^VfiV^°"^ ^^---'^-^ ou.d at t..c back door in ten minutes"" If u '"^' t'°ny kL^ °'^ >'°"11 catch the rvenin^" f ^'°" ^"^"^^^ him Slade will make it all ri^rhV f^. ^ ,*^^'" easy. Bertie can just keep out of thf wav for°? T'V^" ^^^^^ -"d you are^arranged. " "^ "^^^ ^^"^ ^ ^^w days while matters l-P^nSlrb^t ^^li^^'r^L--ething of the kind ^^-<^-l.p at ,., He h^<1 ttThr ;j-i; tr- if;-' 1 532 SADDLE AND SABRE. «Hn''rl K^^^ never dreamed of its being all so sudden • still, Charlie could think of nothing bette? than what ik Young Sparshot was back within the time he mentioned 'There s no mistake about it, Charlie," he crie -X e fellows are thirsting for blood. The pony will be ^ound h! he^sttl^H^tel'^T";;^^^^^^^^ t"'"- "o-an^eavTh m a Ah I hi K • ^^^y ^^ ^^^'^'^ ^^^'^ of 'I'm there for me Ah I here he is ; now, ol apprehension, ^ him. And at carriage, and is arrangements." comprehensive ulties ; it seems ements, though is disgusting to cans so easy to it once showed ut you make ill find these r we do get that I have clnVelp't^^' ^^'""^ "^^"••^"y ''o»'t wa,u to fij,'ht if they "I suppose," rejoined Charlie Devereux, "this is the chrome state of India, and that our principal employment IS the suppression of dacoits, suer.llas. or by whatever fancy selves •' ^^^ '^'^hway robbers think fit to honour them'- S^.f" rejoined Hobson. lan-hin-, " I won't sav b.,t not more than the police are able to cope with WiiV makes them very bad in these parts is this: ft is some few years now since the Mutiny, but these fellows are il,e dregs of that revolt. You see. these are sepoys who wen- forced to the jun-le at that time; their leaders are men we should undoubtedly have hung if we could have laid hands on thenri at the time, and they no doubt believe we shall do so still ; but you need never be afraid in India that you won t see fighting-we have always a little row going on somewhere. e>"'"6 "Oh! I'm not grumbl.n-" rejoined Charlie; "I only thf le r '^ °"'" '" ^''''"* ""'^ '° confoundedly long in " Well," rejoined Hobson, " I have got one bit of good news for you : In consequence of my strong representation that we were marching our men to death, and are still unable to come up with these fellows, we have made an application to mount a company. If it is only granted, I am to have the command and organizing of it ; and, on he s rengthof your havmg been through the riding-school, 1 will take you as one of my subalterns if you like " "Only too much obliged to you," rejoined Charlie. "Bv Jove ! if we only get leave, we will deuced soon bring these beggars to book then." ^ "Yes," rejoined Hobson, "it would take a very little whiletoorganise them; we have only got to pick out the fel- lows who can ride a bit, and they would be fit to go any- where m a month. We don't want them drilled^ up t^o Dragoon pattern. Ah ! here come the ponies ; and Sow for our afternoon canter. ' » ^ uuvs Some months have elapsed since Charlie Devereux 238 Saddle and sabrel escaped from his native country. The term "escape " is used advisedly, for escape it was in the most rigid sense of the word. When Major Braddock took a thing in hand lie was wont to go into it very thoroughly. He had inter- ested himself about young Devereux in the first instance at Bertie's request, but he took to the boy kindly on his own account : a young gentleman who thus early displayed such delicate perception of the art of dining was sure to will his way to the Major's heart. Major Braddock not only interested himself very much about Charlie's exchange but he also interposed with some sound advice regarding his affairs. The Major was a man of the world, and had more than once, in his soldiering days, intervened between the usurer and his prey. "You are very good, I dare say, Bertie; anybody, of course, can manage the young idiot's affairs better than himself ; but I understand all this sort of thing better than you do. The first thing is to get him out of the country • when he is safe in India, Jordan & Co. will be very glad to come to terms ; of course they must have back the money he actually borrowed, but we will cut down the percentage pretty extensively. Where is he now ?" " In hiding, out at Harnpstead," replied Bertie. " Well, impress on his mind that he must keep very close, and the sooner he is off the better. He ought to be well on to his way to India before he appears in the Garjette. The minute they see thar, Jordan & Co. will understand our little game, and they are safe to ferret him out if he remains in this country." In good truth the pursuit of Charlie waxed very hot. 1' urzedon was ceaseless in urging on his emissaries to effect his arrest. He thought that, armed with this engine he niighl be able to carry his point with Lettie. She knew that her brother was in sore trouble, but it would come much more home to her if she learnt that he was actually arrested. Surely, then, she would not hesitate to rescue her favourite brother from the toils of his creditors. Half her world at^this minute believed that she was going to marry !ii:;; Furzedon. Let her only promise to do so, anti he would tear up all these habilities of Charlie's at once. SHERE AM THE GACOIt. 239 Surely, 'when she heard that he was actually imprisoned, that his future as a soldier would be ruined unless he was speedily released, she would not hesitate. But to put extreme pressure upon her it was absolutely necessary that he should jay Charlie Devereux by the heels, and so far us emissaries had failed to trace him ever since his escape from the barracks at York. Still Furzedon looked upon it as a mere matter of time. Devereux's friends apparently had no intention of coming to his assistance. Not the shgh est overture had been made to Jordan & Co. on his R^.^nh F°'" r d^ T, , Devereux when he first sought her hand hradmiredTe: but' w!,'nt' 5?^;z„i"h' ya^^ .-erfunnd"u*^?n!?':i;';;-?:s «of o'ut :?t's '°c.^p/S'fa';'L"sten t'Ef ^° ^ - ?^\^;Tlrl^ti■s,s^^^^^^ fc: i%e";n-:;x^,rth-^T>-"^^ fellows, and frankly admitted thut they were so "bltim his sympathies were all with the re-imenrhp h^A if. } soldier should always believe his own corps to t/hf ^ best in the service, and however he ma;Tande aboutTS Army List he usually retains a strong leJtnlfnrfh^ nient in which he first bore the coloufs. ^ °' '^^ '^^'^ Ihen again, there was no doubt that Charlie found hi. ew corps engaged in a most monotonou^td dl^'tn" Uutv . for th^ suppression of these dacoits the corps wal had set himself tns by which he to Charlie after le view of bend- f losing money, was in the fact f what he con- i he felt assured Miss Devereux' as curious that er, but was not the knowledge he was wild to le will that he )ut, but he was was now with- h a sad heart ers. He knew unate to have had—to have thing, and as ir affairs have lange back to ;, although he ) accomplish, his old com- 2 had donned i was young, nake the best It good lot of so ; but still had left. A 3 be the very ler about the for the regi- lie found his 1 depressing e corps was SUtekl.: ALI tilK DAColt. i4t broken up into small divisions. It was reallv ardno„«, pohce duty from which there was no honour to Llwd hut of which there was a good deal of roughing i( and wc^arv marching, and nothing is more irksome than Ue u suit o^f such hght-footed marauders, as the troops enS in stampmg out the embers of the great Mutiny found to the?^ sorrow Charlie's soldiering at home had been of the sun niest description. Quartered in one of the pkasantes cities in England, with excellent hunting close by! and the metropolis within an easy distance, his experiences had been very different from the monotonous life he was now living; not that he cared about the hard work, bTittS was a want of excitement about it all that he felt so terribTv " Never mind, young 'un," said Hobson, when his sub-* altern indulged in a hearty growl at the dulness of the^ present existence, '/it won't last for ever; these felows are either getting used up or dispersed, though ou^etach nZ stir""!'"^ '^' ^r' ^°^^""^ '^ ^on^up with hem , still, you know, we hunt them into other peoole's hands, and if you have any luck you will throw Wr a very pre ty scrimmage yet before it is all over. F^om what my scouts tell me-, we have got a stag royal in fronTof usJ a fellow who was a man of mark in thb Mutiny times-one w1^'\^°5'^> ^^^^'^ heutenants. and what is more he IS at the head of a pretty strong band; now thaTfellow don t want to fight, but you may depend upon it that who ever^does come up with him Jill Ld hL a stiff nut to "By Jove, this is getting rather exciting," said the other • " of course we shall beat him." ' Ja ^^ Tw'" ^^J°'P^^ Hobson, " we always do, odds or no odds ; all I mean is it won't be a walk over " " So much the better," rejoined Charli;, who like all young so diers was just a little bloodthirsty ; ^ I am keen to see a httle bit of fighting in earnest." ^ ^° '' Well, if we chance to come up with Share Ali he is c^doned, yet he has be™ g„[u fof1oo™\ 'r^.Sl t the dacoit way since, to hope for pardon." ^ ' 'I i! W 242 SADDLE! AND SABW8. They rode on now for some time in silence, eac*- im- mersed m his own thoughts ; Hobson gravely consider SI how he IS to get the best of this ubiquf^ous robber ShSf Ah^ upon whose trail you had no sooner got than he St^ . * M ?"*"''*• Gov^i-nment had decreed that this man should be stamped out like any other vermin, and the LTs'.T^V^"^?'?'V"'=i^^^u^^^^^^^^i^- Since he had proved i St c of th. ic'%^-^'^ '^^'? "" '^^' tiger ferocity charac er St c of the Asiatic when he gets the upper hand. He nad been one of the most ruthless lieutenants of Tanda ropee, and since he had become a leader of dacoits had distrnguished himself by the most unrelenting host Hty^o the Fenngce; such Englishmen, and it wal wh spered even Enghshwomen, who had the misfortune to faKo his hands had met with scant mercy. This man's haids It was known, were as deeply imbGed in blood as Nana Sahib s, or any of the other savage chiefs who sprane^o the front at the time of the .^aeat Mutiny. He was ouite aware that there was small i.ope for him should he faH into the hands of the English, and had v^wed ?o wai a war of impltcahle hostility agamst the white men ^ C.liarhes thoughts,' on the contrary, reverted to the old country and the life he had left behind him. Wha a fool he had been ! What a pleasant career was opened be ore him but for those miserable gambling debts of his old ?s'he h.H^' ^^^'i ^^' ^!f^^ "°^^^^^d «° °ft«n from home as he had expected ; and, strangest thing of all, Lettiehad never said a word of her approaching marriage S 11 he had also heard from Mrs. Kynaston, Ind th^tTady, though idia thft^S,'' '°"''^^"' ^^"^"^^y' ^^'" q^it- conTeyed tge Idea that the engagement yet existed; and Charlie, who RaToh F;rrl".H ^f^.7^^°"y 'g^o^-nt of the seamy side of Kalph Furzedon s life, saw no reason v/hy, if Lettie fancied heTr'd but°^rlfl °\'." J^^-'". ?-^- Sl'ade he had afso neard but briefly, though satisfactorily : " In the end be thoroughly arranged ; but your father places i n >l?c rehance on my Uncle Boh. Now the Major*^ you k u w • bit of a martinet, and contends that a decent dose of X silence, eac*- im- ravely considering ous robber, Shere •oner got than he :ain in some other decreed that this ir vermin, and the nee he had proved ir ferocity charac- upper hand. He tenants of Tantia sr of dacoits had anting hostility to t was whispered rtune to fall into his man's hands, 1 blood as Nana fs who sprang to '. He was auite m should he fall i^owed to wage a lite men. /erted to the old m. What a fool as opened before debts of his old often from home 3f all, Lettie had •riage. Still, he hat lady, thougli te conveyed the d Charlie, who, i seamy side of if Lettie fancied de he had also "In the end, e no douDt, will places implicit Mr t^ to enjoy the sport of clacoi^huntrnrout of wH.STi?'*'"^' notalaurei to be gathered, but which invorvest^^^^^^^^ work and hard knocks. Besides, it will make .^ ?n^fh eas:er to arrange matters with Jordan & Co H thev^hink you are ready to settle all yoir son's liabUities S "^ hey will insist en a settlement in full. If. on the roSr.r, on^idrrabW^xi," T^ '""^' ^^^^ -" aCe'thdr" ^m's considerably. The 1 iger we wait the less they will tak- Let him stay ot India until he gets his ipXTol,? active service, still I can g^T^it? rat^nirvoulf^i for them when you do catch them " ^°" " ^"^ By this time they had reached the edge of the olain anH h!rt nru^^^r'^'^y ""^^^'"^ ^ woodid country "ttSe back of which lay the regular jungle. They were about m dismount froni their horses, when '« crack - went three or n^J/n'^'w"^ ^' "^^">- "^""^^^ whistled part their ea.s Ins antlv Hob^on, wheeling his horse about w5h a cr'v •Ride for it, Charlie," set spurs to his hor«;P v^ ^^' Devereux followed his example- thoutrh ac hf h ,4 "^"u^ felt something like . hot ir^n^^st S ^' he had gone three or four hundred^ ardsHobsin ^ I'd up his horse and, turning round, deliberatelv surveve^^^ pot from whence the fire Jiad come. •• By fove cf adie •• he exclaimed, " we rode right into the MfLi7ll.t ^\ Jhem^'S't^'j; ?^ "f ' ' ^^"^^' that ^eTafher"? r^nld ^hn^lA u 7 ^^^- ?"ly/'^ercised their usual eunnir J we r.nr^ Au^ r^^" ^'}^'^' ^^^^ ^'^ prisoners by this" ' .^ir^^ replied Charlie, -there are about a dozen of the be^^a^s Ho?r'?1.f. 1^1.^-i^-^-f ^l -" " Yes/' rSd come upon iVem;r;:Td;^thtw1l^t^^^^^^^ we have soldiers with us, ind S we can g^^bail^^f^ I 44 SADDLE AND SABRE. camp, or even start, that fellow Sherp Aii ,,„ii u u . sticks and decamped m some othrditeitTon IMs ^^-"^^ Iny con J S„^e«"J.VSS?, ^t^:j?^ "^if^ XXXIV.-DOINGS ON THE KnAVESMIRE. UTE niust now go back a little bit in this history to see oVbert'sra/eTad beS:^ vlTylit^f inT^^H^ '"^ "^^^ famous Derby, whicrLrStertbTok^Si^/errr 'h^ had run up for a week to help Charlie w,>hh?e?' • ^^ the arrangement of h.s affairi^nd^e ^ad'^ ^com^^^^^^ for a few days to see him off and bid him God-soeed on ' his departure for India, wh.ch had -takerplace abon^^hp I end of July ; otherwise Gilbert Slade had Sen no^hL „ those brief"vi4T- ^P ^^^ ^^"^^ "P°" noboSy during tnose brief visits. He was up strictly on business ann' had no wish to advertise his presence^in the rielooohs He had never made his anoearanrp in n^lil 7- ? nor. sorely to the Hisappoi^ST^VMr^'^X^o'la^^^ she ever set eyes upon him since that brie^S h^'nllH her in May. With every reason to be iev" n M Ls Devf leux's engagement with Furzedon, Bertie had tl^ouSfr-i; useless to call on Mrs. Connop Twice hphJ^^ ^ - -"'•■ -y • a vii.-,wnci intmianon that thev wicli^^i i to see no more of h.m. While he was making up h^is n,1S! anotl only bette could Berti( sent, thoroi One 1 races, which of nig throw ment i well, £ me aft to put "Gi so," ir would to do £ just m natiira week i might 1 city of be a n< should stay; a could p Norma sars, an membe; of all T make w present. Normal this oc( particul the gre; especial li will have had up iction. It is thun- :e to come no with they have barked " but nothing of low?" "Oh! we we can, and then ' hope is that, by Shere Ali straight i out in pursuit of 3rse nito a gallop, mp as speedily as VESMIRE. his history to see ►pie in England. 3ndon since that I Devereux. He ith his advice in id also come upj m God-speed on place about the I seen nothing of j I nobody during j n business, and, the metropolis. )nslow Gardens, . Kynaston, had I ief visit he paid e m Miss Deve- 1 had thought itj le had done so| :asion had been e to the conclu- lat they wished j ng up his mind, DOING.S ON THE KNA VESMIRE. 245 another had stepped in and carried oflF the prize If if h.ri only been any other than Furzedon he coufd have borne ^ bet er, but that, even with all his money. Miss Devereux which he sa d, " 1 shall be at V^rl- ^u,. f i^°^"^^^> ^ of nig,„s I shall stay ^ tl°'^,^^ W^°;„TZa'^ throw myself upon vour ho^nii^lif,, f«r ,. "^'*"' **"" ^"a'i men. hajthe 4„tar„;i7oh,7.'hIrs^;?XL,^^^^^^ to put m on an evening alone " ^'^^^ would p„,h,m up for a whole week, and bS on^y too riad might be Norman Slade's oh'iect in turni™ f.^fA ", " I'lV ''•%"-*, his neph.,; tooC cae Thatch" re'hS be a note for him at tho " BJark- ciwa,-, " Z\ ^«oiiirj Normrn s/i^H."? ^^"^^ ^'^"^'^"^tably to 'boot. In due course c!rl 1 ^^ ^"'"^"^ "P ^t the mess of th- — tb Hnf sars^and was re,^u-ded with due reverence by the v^un^er' members of that sportinEr re^?imp^^ as a =r.Jf - ""^^"^ of all Turf knowledge, alrf'"" ",:, i?be choi'T'dd make wondrous revelations on the subiect of f ^1 . present, and to come. When he chose L'Z V^^^' ' tws™oc«ri'h"t:i"^^^^ ^''•■^=-'> P'-^^^^ Darti°?l,r ?"" .nch,,-^ l"',""'"'"'- ^^"^ Colonel" in ihe«.aiest'7os1ble'i?;.trt'nUheSL;;;?"'S^ especally was he curious in, and that w^'luld ifehrvl i i rl ; !l if 246 SADDLE AND SABRB. an opportunity of seeing the regiment out ? Did they not exercise on the Knavesmire in the early mornings at times ' "Yes, rephed the Colonel, "but we are out so very early— during this hot weather we begin at seven, and so get our drill over before the heat of the day." Then," rejoined Norman, " if I am on the Knavesmire sharp seven, I shall be in time to see your fellows exercise " In plenty of time, Mr Slade," said the Colonel: indeed, a quarter past will be quite time enough. If you will allow me I will have a horse there all ready for you " "You are very good. " rejoined Norman, " but I have no doubt Bertie can manage all that for me"— to which speech Bertie returned a somewhat bewildered assent. "Very good, then," replied the Colonel; "and now,* Mr. blade, if you won't take arv more wine, what do yoa sav to a rubber and a cigar ? " " I should like It of all things," replied the othe-, rising. Norman blade, indeed, had astonished Her Majesty's — th Hussars not a little. Although Bertie had given a hint to the chief and some of his "wn immediate •Imms that his uncle was not given to racing talk, they could not believe that a man occupied in such a leading position of the Turf should absolutely abstain ' om the slightest allusion to that sport, eiti^r in the past or in the present; while Bertie on his part was just as much astonished at the extraordinary interest his uncle had suddenly developed m military matters. " I can understand," said Bertiefto one of his chums, " his not talking Turf— he never does— I can understand his preferring a dinner with us and a rubber afterwards to the solitude of the « Black Swan,' but his wanting to see the regiment out beats me altogether. 1 never knew my uncle before take the faintest interest in soldiering, and should have just as soon thought of asking him to the regimental ball as to a regimental field-day." However, after a couple of partts at whist, Norman Slade rose to take his departure, simply remarking, "These early hours m the morning, Colonel, require several earlier hours at night." and then, thankine- his hn=t fo«- a pleasant evening, Norman Sl^d? stepped into his Hy and was driven back to his hotel. ^ it ? Did they not lornings at times ? J are out so very at seven, and so ay." n the Knavesmire fellows exercise." lid the Colonel; i enough. If you 11 ready for you." 1, '* but I have no me " — to which dered assent. ; " and now, Mr, what do yo'j say the othe-, rising, sr Majest 7's — th d given a! hint to e diums that his :ould not believe 5ition of the Turf I itest allusion to I present ; while stonished at the denly developed " said Bertie, to •he never does — r with us and a Jlack Swan,' but s me altogether, ntest interest in ought of asking ental field-day." Norman Slade arking. " These e several earlier bost for a very into his fly and bOINOS ON THK KNAVRSMIRfi. 247 ^The morning came, and seven o'clock saw the — th Hussars filmg through the gate that led on to the Knaves- mire; that passed they formed up, and at once commenced he njornmgs drill. Bertie's servant with a horse was lett at the gale, with instructions to await the arrival of Mr. blade, who was to drive out from York in a fly. Soon the Hussars were skirmishing, cnarging, and going through all manner of evolutions, and more than once both the Colone s and Bertie's eyes wandered about in search of their pleasant guest of the night before. But there was not a sign of Norman Slade, and as they once more filed through the gate-their morning's work over-on their way back to barracks, Bertie's servant assured them that the gentleman had never put in an appearance. It was incom- prehensible. It seemed impossible that there could have ^n any mistake--and yet what could liave become of Norman Slade ? He was, apparently, most anxious last night to see the regiment out in the morning, and vet although a horse had been brought there expressly for him, although he had been told the exact time and every- thing e se, he had never put in an appearance; neither the (.olonel nor Bertie could perceive how it was possible that a mistake could have occurred. In the course of the morning a note was brought to Bertie in^which his uncle said that he was unfortunately prevented coming out to the Knavesmire that morning, and, more unlucky stiH that business reqmred him to leave York that morning for the north by the eleven train. -Make my apologies to the Colonel for not turning up this morning, and, if you can meet me at the station a little before the train starts " It was all very mysterious ; however, Bertie at once deter- mined that there was only one thing to be done, and that was to meet his uncle as suggested, and say good-bye to At a quarter before eleven Bertie Slade made his appearance at the York station, where he found his uncle already pacing up and down the platform. " Whv what on earth Decame of you. Uncle Norman, this morning? we were all on the look-out for you on the Knavesmire 'and never saw you." Normans-eyes twinkled at his nephew's i ' X 248 SAnnLE AND SAimE, wish.ng to know exactly when you wou?d be Lre '' {don't understand," said Bertie. Well, my dear boy, / tried Bdisarius for the Leser this mornmg, and I didn't want the whole of Her mSv'^^ 7ow BeXV.^ ""Tr^' ^' ^^^ t"-J-do you unde' tiL now, Bertie ? Bertie's answer was simply a roar of laughter, and then he exclaimed, "Sold us all bv Tove 1 T hope it was satisfactory ? " • ' ^ J^^^ ' ^ st^;/ ila P^nrwrSe-lheygof^t'tr^"^' f ^^-^ ^° but I will tLe^deucedTood'^aatlhtdon" hi ""^' "Yes, I heard something about this in London an^ what IS more, happened to |et at the names of^wo^f the ^ "wPifl'^'""^' °^"' *^^ d^^^at of Belisarius." What are their names ? " inquired Slade sharply Major Kynaston and a Mr. Furzedon-both mpn I have met and don't think much of T?Mn'f i™ " ^ o the n -.n that gave it. I know ad about Kynas on he s rather a shy card, but I don't think that hrw'lUo'the lengu. of hocussinga jockey; besides, I will swear he was not the man who handed the glass to Bill. As for FW zedon, I never saw him-but here is my train_we must' D^ncarr''""" *^^' ^^°"^ "^-^^ you ^0^^ "All right, uncle, I will come up to see Belisarius hav^ anoher shy. Furredon will most hkely be there Ld^^^^ so, I will point him out to you." ' ' " Do," said Norman, " and if I can work the thin? out T will bring the whole case before the Io<-kev Club Onl. more, good-bye." and the two cordialirsliS hands. IT ittle late for me. 1 aculated the other n. "I had ascer- early drills on the •ossible reasons for d be there." sfor theLeger this of Her Majesty's do you understand simply a roar of is all, by Jove I I enough for you to he man last time, iy don't this." in London, and, mes of two of the larius." ade sharply. Ion — both men I •idn't you hear a rged glass of wine n Slade excitedly, him, could swear ut Kynaslon ; he lat he will go the vill swear he was Jill. As for Fur- ' train — we must id you come to i Belisarius have be there, and, if t the thing out I ;ey Club. Once ook hands. DOINGS ON THE KNAVESMIRE. 249 Norman Slade as he sped rapidly back t , Bellaton Wold pondered a good over what Bertie had just told h m True he had seen that atal f,dass given to Bill Smith in the Pad dock at Epsom; had he not interfered and in isted upon cirmkmg a glass out of the same bottle.? That wim was not drugged, or he also must have felt the effecfs ^fTt and, If Sm.th in accordance with his besettLg weakness had been unable to withstand the temptation ofl gbss too much, lien there would be no call for the interference of tailed to keep sober m order to ride his own horse in th ^'reat race ol the year, and there was no more t^ be "a ^ nJ"' °/ ""^l'" '"°'"""* ^° '^^"^' Bill Smith, than any one ?al on fn'^^'"''^"!^"^ P"'^^^^ ^^ho chose to pi ^S fai h on a drunken jockey trainer they had only themse vel to blame for their exceeding folly tnem selves n JI"^i *;T u°J"?^" ^^^^^ ^"d Sir Ronald had determined not to let the bibulous Bill out of their guard iaLhinThev knew from bitter exper^nce that when once he had'broke^ out and given way to drink he got beyond all confrnl S S^rVs ra^^^S "^If^^ over fro^the^hi-:! ?t waT potit^ keep guard over him that Bill Smith got so co Stelv om of hand before Epsom, but this tim? there' laSeeJ no relaxation of vigilance. Norman Slade had taken up his abode at Bel aton immediately after Goodwood ad S Ronald had also been a frequent visitor. BiirSmith had never been left by himself for some weeks past, and though aSe'ri: m^^hrS ^f '" ""'T' *^ be^eaped at Do'n Sfj a]^ \ ^""^ '',^^" gathered at Epsom, still both Slade and the baronet had managed to back Be is^ri^s fo the St. Leger,to win themselves a nice stake alfhnnnTv, f^ t"e"?fe/hf "'^^ '"^^^' ^^'^^' - far Ls'stm/'sto °^^^^^^^^^ the Derby running was not to be relied on, yet the eeneml public only knew that Belisarius had bee^ well beE h ' d te-V k^r^T °' ^°""^ *^^^^ wereThat his rn" n=c{ been diimk, bur then excuses were always made inr'u prominent favourite when he failed to reahse hi? expe? a tion. and so. though the bookmakers would off^r no^^reJi m , ! r m 250 SADDLE AND SABRE. of V?. Fw- ! north-country Jiorse. still, in consequenco of the public not fancying him. the odds ag.inst him wer. larger than might have been expected Another thing too that still further expanded thepri., at which Behsanus stood for the great Doncaster race was due in part to accident, and in part to a piece of Turf strategy suggested by Norman Slade. Feanng that the horse-watchers who infested Bellaton Wold should get knowledge of their proceedings, Slade had suggested that he trial of Behsanus just previous to the St. Leger shouK take place at York, and this manoeuvre had been attende, with complete success. Belisarius had been tried over th. ^^^mT""' *°d^a^q"!t;ed himself to the entire satisfac tion ot all connected with him, and, what is more, without any of the few spectators being a bit the wiser, they indeed being unaware of what horses they were : whilst therr ZTjffST^u^'^''''^ ''^''^^' Slade haa not foresee,,, namely that the horse-watchcrt, of Bellaton Wold telr- ^(raphed to their employers that Belisarius had not left hi'- stable, which to the racing world meant that there was something amiss with him. When a horse is stopped in his work a week before a big engagement it is usually the fnf.Fi .u u ^f^^\' ^""^ consequently it was not surpris ing that the bookmakers extended their offers against Beli- sarius. Flushed by the successful issue of the trial, Slade and bii Konald took this opportunity of again backintr the horse on more favourable terms, the Baronet in particular laying out a considerable sum of money to— as he said- recoup him for his Epsom disappointment; and a few days later saw the little coterie on the Doncaster Town ^u ' ^/xr'^V^S *° s^^ Belisarius redeem his laurels. Ihe Wednesday dedicated to the great race of the North came at las|t-saw Bertie Slade and several of Jiis brother officers all bound for Doncaster. '< If youlellows want to l^et said Bertie, «' you had better wait till I have seen rav uncle, and, if he says Belisarius and his joekey are aU nght, I think you will find him good enough to have a flutter on! and it was accordinglv settled amrtn"-ct fh^f ijf^i^ Sfr*^ f ^r^n'^' i^t*' '^ ^*^'^"'*" Slade spoke favourablt they shoul4 aU indulge m a joint plunge upon t^a^ noble DOmr;s ON tHK KMAVf'SMlRte. 25' 11, ill consequence agi'inst him wer< panded the pric. >ncaster race was > a piece of Turf Fearing that the Wold should get id suggested that St. Leger should ad been attended en tried over the e entire satisfac- is more, without 'iser, they indeed re ; whilst there in not foreseen, Eiton Wold tele i had not left his that there was se is stopped iti it is usually the was not surpris ers against Beli- tho trial, Slade fain backing the let in particular o — as he said — int ; and a few >oncaster Town 1 laurels. Lcc of the North 4 of his brother fellows want to I have seen my joakey are all to have a flutter ngst that little oke favourably, pen that noble animal. Bertie, indeed, had been unable durinii the rail- 17J^^!a7 *° ?'"* «?*Pl»'"'"gthe cause of his uncle Nor- man s sudden interest m cavalry manoeuvres. '• Couldn't make it out at all " said Bertief " his military know lldgi ^oes no further than just knowi.^g a horse-soldier from an infantry ma. "-and then Bert.e told his story- which elicited roars of laughter. Arrived at the course, Bertie made his Avay straight to the Paddock, where, as he ri-Mit Iv conject ured, he found his uncle. ' ^ " You will have a good run for your money to-day • said Norman, as they shook hands; "both horse and m,,; are thoroughK fit. and I think you will see that the Two Thousand form was right, and not the Derhv." All right! Excuse me, I'll be back in a minute but I BdSus/ ' ' ''^"' °^ °"' ^'"°"^ ^"°^ '^ you finciod ^Tell them I do," rejoined Norman curily. Bertie hurried across the Paddock, and told that little syndicate that liad been formed in the train ha thev ;r>ight commence operations at once: that h^ t,nc?e thought BehsaiMis would about win, that it was the ilV..T A u-^^ ^^^ ^°^^' ^ *h« traditional judge. wnM ? l "'f • ^'''^^^' ^^""^ ^-^"^ he met Furzedon, who would have fain s opped and spoken, but Bertie passed htm with a nonchalant nod, and rejoined his uncle. I told you Furzedon would be at Doncaster. I have ^ rif ^r- ^ rL' Px?"* ^'"^ °"^ *^ y°" presently.- i^ ' ^%u^^^^}^^ Norman Slade. "I should like to see him. Bil Smith still sticks to it that last glass of wine he had was drugged. He admits he was the orse for hquor, but declares that he was hocussed to boot: Now I no?!.?;''^' ?'"?^:, ^"f '^^' '^' ^^'"^ i" that bottle wks no doctored for I drank a glass of it. Of course it does not follow that there was not something dropped into Smith s glass, but I cannot prove it." " Surely some of the gang with the giver of that last glass were privy to it if it was so ? " gel'IJ^them.*^-' ' ^^'^ Norman; "but I don't know how to 252 SAl)r)LK ANM> saIjKR W Ik never a lot of scoundrels have h-i-n en-a-^d in a transaction ol t ns sort one of the.n is safe lo turn Quel" s -Mdence, said Bertie. •• The story is safe to comr U your ears before, long- hut here con4 our man. That Furzedon, Uncle Norman." "' '".in. mats hnn?^ u'n'e"'v'^''? ''^'y ^^■^^''''■'' that's the man who Sock — ' ^"'''^ '^' ^^^'' °f ^^''"^ •" t'^« ^^P«^>'" pa' 1 "And was one of he lar/rest winners over the defeat of Behsanus, ' commented Jiertie. XXXV.-Thk St. Lf.ger. SPURRED on by his liatred of Furzedon, Mr. Prance has hr.-n untiruig in his endeavours to unravel the whole h.story ot Beli^^rius's defeat at Epsom ; or to sneak more prcperly, of the dn.o,ing of Bill Smith,' which iTd to Ji^. f V .^^s cuneni enough amongst the lower some l^ttleT^'Tr""^ racing-men; and Pra,.ce had, wTth some little trouble got at the names of the very men who had been employed to ply thje reckless jockey witl linuor andTrrn.'''"^'"J-/° "'■^P^ "" acqua/ntanc^L with tC and Prance speedily ascertained that they conceived them selves to have been by no means liberallv deaUwi h bv Furzedon, and were quite willing to tell all they knew to any one who would make it worth their while, this aues .on of money, however, put an insurmom table bar to further investigation for the present, although Mr Pram e anticipated no difficulty about procuring thefequiite funds S^i^•'^°"^l^ ^^t"" '' ^/P^^'^"t '^ launch hi mnder bolt against the object of his detestation. He was SuUe aware that he must get hold of somebody of standi and post ion to bring forward such a charge^as this No one would even listen to such a story from 'the lips of a name less vagrant like himself; and hfe thought that whoever he induced to take up the case would make no den^ur to find! THK ST. M;(;kr. «»M) enj^'asfed in a ^ to turn Queen s safe to come to ur man. Tliat's 's the man who the Kpsoni pacl- ver the deleat oi 353 don, Mr. Prance ; to unravel the >m ; or, to speak ith, which led to )ngst the lower •ance liad, with e very men who key with liquor, iuce with them, :onceived them- y dealt with by dl they knew to ile. This ques- >untable bar to igh Mr. Prance : requisite funds ch hi.s thunder- He was quite »f standing and i this. No one lips of a name- fiat whoever he demur to find- w^nessVHf S /""^^ t<^,^"''oose the tongur. of his witnesses. He had, ui the hrst instance, h.vtt.i upon Sir Ronald Radchfte as the instrument of his vengeance ]Je l:Z'i"' the Baronet had lost a considerable'^^ by the overthrow of Behsarnis; and his st.-.n., ,s a racing nan made him a very ht person to takr up th.. ^ase. He had found no difficulty in obtainmg ac ess to S. Ronald for omedTr./"'''":' ''"^ ^H°^^^"'' ^^ '"t'-^"'" was a;:cus: tomed to receive strange visitors : l-. the interview had proved by no means satisfactory. "ucrview naa ''1 don't believe your story,"' rejoined the philosophical and somewhat cynical Baronet. " \oxx say you have Is^hX'^^^T'';^-^^ '>f l-id before thev"^ will tetlf^! As Shakespeare hath it, 'thai makes against you-' but rmat.'rT:!^^'^'^^ '^ ^' true whnt'the de'virdoe'slt' been I lul (v .K 'l.'.f e ''^' ^°'^' ^"^ °"^ '"^"ev has Deen paid. \\ hether Bill Smith was drunk, or dru'^reed or both makes but little difference. PoohT nVy S • fellow. I m not gomg to trouble myself with uneart^hino a dead scandal like this. Your best chance is to try and them fo v"^>" ,r '^ " 'P°^*^"g newspaper; it might suit PpToachin^ TH^f ""'uT ^"^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^°"' "°^v fas approaching. That will do, my good fellow! Your nar- rative has no interest for me.'' Mr. Prance walked dXn n sn r^K '^He .?;, ''""^'''.^ ^^^f, ^^"-derably deprS in spirits He had counted confidently on the Baronet at Had no per.,onal vengeance to gratify, and that the race was, as he says, a thing of the irrevocable past! the which there was no undoing; and now Mr. Prance vvasnin ni^e buttn" *° ^PP^^- "^ ^"^- Norman ILde by name but Norman was a man who was seldom a nro- minent figure on a racecourse. He passed most of h?.; ime in the Paddock, and was given to lookTng on at a race from the trainers' .stand-inner precincts whfch"mpecunT ous vagabonds like Prance are not privileged to enter He had had a tolerably successful year, and, in consequence was in possession of mr^re monev than usual ; S wafa caSierout° at'" "'""^ *^f '^^^ vengeance should be carried out at some one else's expense ; and when Mr. "'54 SADDLE AND SABRl. rowardVthlr'^ '* ^°"'''*''' ^' ^'' "^ "leana.saw his way ,r,.^! was wandering vaguely down the course, trying to make up his mmd as to whether ha should invest hfs "fake on Behsarms, whom two or three of his fraternity ha< I informed him would be sure to reverse the Epsom runn n J More prudent, he thought to wait till he saw Bi I sS m the saddle and could assure himself that the jockey was ficket cios'; 7o^ hi. f^f'^'^Z ^!l ^y^ ^^" -^^ ^ cardhS icket close to his feet Mr. Prance at once pounced on StTnd f ' P^°»^^'^ly' he thought, an admission to th Stand he was not far wrong, hut instead of the Stand it was a ticket for the Paddock. Most racing-men are more or less superstitious and Prance hailed thil bit of luck as a good augury, and without more ado made his way to peni't^d'^ItT'^^^^^ "^''^^°' '^'^ >-^« he had^nJv penetiated. It was the very thing he wanted. He would doubtless see Bill Smith inside, al well as the horse and .^l^lt 5 i"?^1 ^?f himself of their condition. OnceTn side the Paddock Prance had no difficulty in finding what he wanted. Belisarius was walkin- up and down and round him were gathered a little knot two of whom Prance at once recognised. One was the famous norrcoiX jockey, and upon this occasion there could be no doubt that he was in a very different state from that in which he cHffe'^Te":' '^ "'r'^'i '\' °*^^^ ^^^ Sir Ronrid Rad clitte, the remainder of the group were unknown to man" Sl'.H^^"^'^^ '^' ^^""' ^^'^' ^^'^"^"^^^ features of Nor man Slade were not easy to forget by any one who had once seen them. M^ . Prance's mind was at^ once lade up upon one pomt, to wit, that Belisarius was worth backing t.o-day; but, as tue saddling-bell had not ^° rung S t?.^^f'v^°^ ?r ^^'^ '^^'' ^"'^ Mr. Prance took^advan- .lllL. ^' ^°°^ ^?^""" '"^ ^"^"'^^ ^^'^ "^"^^^ of such nota- bilities as^ were unknown to him by sight ; most esneciallv anxic.s, for example, to know all those n that Soup of which Bill Smith was the centre. There were plen"? o people there who could tell him who Normin Slade 4s and .ranee became at once deeply interested intC gentleman. Could this be the man"^ L was 5^kii"g %1 eans-Saw his way course, trying to d invest his stake lis fraternity had ■ Epsom running. 2 saw Bill Smith at the jockey was on a cardboard once pounced on dmission to tlx i of the Stand it ng-men are more lis bit of luck as made his way to ars he had never ated. He would s the horse, and lition. Once in- in finding what and down, and of whom Prance IS north-country lid be no doubt that in which he 5ir Ronald Rad- re unknown to features of Nor- iiy one who had It once made up ! worth backing yet rung, there lice took ad van - lesof such nota- most especially n that group of : were plenty of nan Slade was, erested in that 'as looking for ? THE ST. LEGER. 255 ^^^Vt^'^^^,^^\ P-ce ; .. a man detriment.'' He niver recoHprt^M "^""^ ^V-^* *° ^is ■nit he had hefrd hl^spotn^f ; hrSfewlL^'T '^'°^^' ,^eat stjpporter of Bill Smith, and he fuXr knew Zf h^ was a loser over thp n*>rK., v) ? , ^^ *"^* "e this Mr. Slade to take un Jhro.^'^^^' ^^ ^°"^^ induce all events lie mus try L he fntlH^f/^'l^^^^^^^"' At now that Sir Ronald £rfaU,dh^ H.^ "^ "° °"^ ^^^^ 'h 'Tr""^^ to think of ^11 this Xr fcf' v:r''' should be no onnorfiinifTr ^c me race, it tliere Mr. Slade the XT sto ^V Don^asTe?^ l^^ss be enabled to obtain access to ifn," 7°"^ ^°"^t- all events, he would find out where hv-id ^^.^T ..^^ of the Paddocl^Tnrm^kTng h^' 'r trti;J" f^^'"" '^"^ once made his investment on BeSius tc^T ""^' t' -me CO.V,. of vantage from whth S>\';e the racV'^^^^^^ ?aHu';To;1h if Jo^/ytiS llZt^o ''' ''^'^^'^^^ ^^^ and the story of The race m. IT /?J" ^"^^^^Z* ^P^^^' BiJl Smith orhis taxourit^h^^^. 'V^'^ ^^^ ^°'^^- occasion strictly sober occunLdf^^^ ^"^ "P°" ^^'^ the way up to the Red Hous^ turn ^J.^ZT' P°'''^°" ^" round that than he took his horse to th^f? ''f"^' "^^^ ^'^ again reached, and landed Belisarh,! ! "*' ""'l' ""^^^ three lengths. J^elisanus a wmner by good "Ah!" exclaimed Mr. Pranrp ac i,» • j ^ rough stand, for the occuDatron^f 'o f ?l J,"J"P^^ ^^ ^he had been nialcted of f h? c / ^ot-hold on which he don't mak^ir Ronald anSMr 5?'/^"^?!' " ^^ '^^^ don't know what wu" When fh^v^l^'^t ^el heavenly, I that ought to have r/nnp inf« fl ^ ^'"'"i^ ^'^^^ t^'«^ money remember that it wen ou? tsteTd ^m'^'^' ^''' ^^y^ ^"^ rather wolfish about "t and be hnf; / "'"'* f"''^^y ^^^^ who hocussed thdr jockey Mr sS? 1? Pn""'^ *^" "^^" look one of the forghnn^ sort^ ' ^* ^" ^^^°*'' ^^"'*- >■ ■ i 'f'f- 256 SADDLE AND SABRE. !!■ getting speech with Norman Slade, which he thought, the big race being satisfactorily got through with, would be now easy to accomplish. The racecourse, as Mr. Punch orice observed of the hunting field, " brings people together who would not otherwise meet," and certainly affords on portunity to such men as Prance to address their betters if they can only come across them, aud this the fortunate finding of the Paddock ticket had placed within that worthy's power. Bill Smith's triumph had been received with very moderate cheering, and not with that" York, shire roar " with which the big county was won't to pro claim the victory of the North over the South country horses. Too many of the Tykes had suffered over the Epsom business to feel much enthusiasm about the success of Belisarius on the Town Moor, and Bill Smith was not a little nettled at missing the ovation which usually greeted his winning the St. Leger. Even the impassive Sir Ronald could not suppress a groan as he thought of that lost opportunity on Epsom Downs. The baronet, however, having congratulated Bill Smith on his victory, speedily returned to the Grand Stand to chat over the race with his friends, and speculate on the following events, and this gave Prance the opening he wanted. He did not wish to speak before Sir Ronald, but no sooner was the baronet's hack turned than he walked up to Norman, and touching his hat said, " Can I have a word with you, Mt. Slade ? " Accustomed to be addressed on a racecourse not unfrc- quently by persons of whom he had no knowledge, Nor- man replied curtly, " All right, what is it ? " " Yoi aw what won to-day, sir. You know what ought to have won at Epsom." " If you have merely to tell me that Belisarius ought to have won the Derby, but didn't, because his jockey was drunk, you are a little behind-hand with a well-known ?tory. All the world's known that for some time." "Bill Smith was more tiian drunk, sir ; he was drugged You know the man that did it, for I'm told you saw it done." •• I saw him give that last glass of wine in the Paddocl< THE ST. LEGER. :h He thought, tht fh witli, would be rse, as Mr. Punch gs people together tainly affords op- dress their betters this the fortunate aced within that lad been received with that" York, was won't to pro le South country suffered over the about the success ill Smith was not :h usually greeted lassive Sir Ronald ight of that lost ulated Bill Smith Grand Stand to speculate on the the openuig he fore Sir Ronald, turned than he hat said, " Can I icourse not unfre- knowledge, Nor- ? " know what ought ilisarius ought to e his jockey was th a well-known me time." he was drugged, told you saw it 5 in the Paddoclsl 257 wine was not drug<'ed ' " ^ ^ "—that "You know that ? You can prove what you assert ? " I can prove it, sir," replied Prance " Th\ Fnr^L dX' °/ct' ^^^^^^ ^V agS BelSdu^TrlS: ^e horse wmninf . He ordered them to drug him besides but they were afraid to do that, and so at the lasT mom.rf; A queer smile flitted around Blade's mouth as he renlf^H JL^A m""^ don't speak unless they are paid for it " in-er rupted Norman, sharplv. •■ Now c.v 1 ^,c* ^ u' , t™'J° ""S"" *"•'"• ""y """= 's Prance, ana secondlv it m:/.'°"^"""' '" '""'" '"^ proofs oFXr'o'nly " Good I " rejoined Slade, " it looks a llttl*. m ^o -c J.ng yorem^C."''' "P'"«-='°"' ™ ^-^ "Ilany by "I. give you my word, Mr. Slade. tl,=t t ha^ —,i-; I 2S8 SADDLE AND SABRE. I !i "Then what the deuce is your object in coming to me ? " said Norman, sharply. For a second Prance hesitated, then, as an almost demoniacal expression spread across his countenance, he hissed between his teeth : " I hate Furzedon ! " Slade looked at him for a moment, and then exclaijned, almost involuntarily, •' By heaven, he is speaking the truth now." " Yes ! " continued Prance, in a voice hoarse with pas- sion, " you gentlemen think that we poor devils care for nothing but money ; but there's one thing that comes far before money to most men — revenge ! Furzedon has ruined me 1 struck me ! desolated my hotie ! and for years I have lived only to be revenged upon him ! " " That will do for the present," replied Slade, quietly ; '* if you can prove what you say, and I take this case up, I think, socially speaking, you will about attain your end." " Yes," replied Prance, " and I have a good deal more to tell you about hint than that. He passes fn the world as a wealthy, well-to-do gentleman ; in reality he is only a money-lender." "Give me your address," rejoined Slade, and as he spoke, Norman took his betting-book from his pocket, and careiuUy noted down Mr. Prance's town residence. "I have no time to go into the matter here, but I will write to you in London, and if I am satisfied with the proofs you produce, and that your story is bona fide, I think I can at all events promise you that Mr. Furzedon will be warned off the Turf, and be no longer received in decent society," " Thank, you, sir," and touching his hat, Mr. Prance accepted his dismissal, and with an exultant heart vanished into the crowd. As for Norman Slade he paced up and down in the Pad- dock, revolving the whole story in his min i for some minutes. He had vowed if he could get p.oof of thiii thing to follow up the matter to its bitter end, and Jaere was proof ready to his hand, if Prance's tale was to be trusted. This scoundrel Furzedon, moreover, was figuring in society, and had actually forced an acquaintance upon Bertie C" Tiing to me ? " SINISTER RUMOURS. - ^CO open to the judgment of the TnrfQ^'"^'^ ^^^' ^^ ^^^ ^til facts were broul^t before th.m.h'"^'u' ^"^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^e pass sentence, MrFurzeln ^^^^ should think fit to malpractices in racing th°?ordn«fK^ '^^' '^^'^ ^^^^ impunity. ^ ^ ^°"^^ "°^ be committed with XXXVI.—SiNisTER Rumours. They both, perhaps, undufy" exuUe°d a^th^? '° ""'' ^""^• grace's appointment to the -th Hussar. tA°"u^ fu^P^" so proud of their young DraJt-nn" t ^^^^ ^^^ ^^en over! He was in a fa? countrv "^ "r. *^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ apparently little better th^n^ 7' engaged in what was indeed, had been so melted hv^l'tT'^" ^''- Connop! tunes of her favourit^nephew th.f '»f^l"^"f^ '^^ '"isfor-' contribute very handLmeJvTo! /^^ ^^^ ^^^"^ ready to his difficultiesf f her b^o Lr M f ^ricatiug him from the requisite money, she w^^^^^ S i^"'"'"^- *^°-thirds S Tom DevereuK, tak nTconnSi f ^^e remainder ; but old Major Braddockwaf Senate Ch'.r^l "."^ ^^^^^^^ own bed, and must he on ^ Ma^or Rr ^f ^^"^^ ^"^ no means averse to welcoming a retZ of h'^"'^ ^^' ^^ due season ; but what he did obLct ?« / ^ ^'^'''^^^ ^" mmcmg of veal in his behalf ^^ ^ premature of position his folly has cosrhTr? ^^^t h'imT '^' '^""^^ slow work chevying dacoit<, Jc ^V^ J^ . discover what the York and AiLf 'rd?U^.„rffif 1° t_P"°P with the difference of li mess of his old regiment So Lettie had to make up her mind ^d.bytheLord!s;rJerhrk g yii h.s rations and di rtrwi nner at the that a long time ..lj#fj m 260 SADDLE AND fiABRF. would pass before she should see her fivourite brother again. That he was dis atisfied vni h his lot sha felt certain, although there was not le sliglucsi complaint in any one of his letters ; but there was a want of " pro " in his corre- spondence very different from the bv^'^ht, cheery epistles of yore ; very diff<*rent from tne letters he had writteii from the University, or those he penned when he lost joi-ed his regiro'at at York. Once only had he been hatrayf-i into impau-^ r;ce cf his present life, and that was when he said "that he on I; v/ished .hat he had better work to do than that he h.:A heeu employed in." Another thing, too, which considerably discoujposed Miss Devereux was that Gilbert Slad*-^ see.'.ied to have totally disappeared from her ken. She not only never met him, she never even heard of him npw. She was back again at North Leach, ana . indeed, had been for some time ; but how different it all was from the winter before ! when Charlie was looking forward to join- ing his regiment at York, and bringing back Bei-tie Slade with him to wind up the season by a last fortnight with the Brocklesby ; and then Lettie thought the world was getting very dull, as we all do when things don't run quite in accordance with our desires, and finally resolved that she would ride across and see Kate Kynaston, for the Kynastons had once more taken The Firs for the hunting season ; and, though there had been a relaxing of that great friendship which had suddenly sprung up between that lady and herself, still, strange to say, a coirtmon trouble had once more drawn them tpgether. Mrs. Kynaston had schemed and plotted successfully- — she had succeeded in detaching Gilbert Slade altogether from Miss Devereux but she had also unluckily lost touch of him herself. She had failed to realise that both she and Lettie owed in great measure their intimacy with Bertie Slade chiefly to his being a brother officer of Charlie's, and that now that youthful cornet had disappeared from the see' o hey heard no more of Gilbert's movements. Both lad ■ -lought— and Lettie with good reason— that she for '•/ jwn'sake would have i y'ed sufficiently attractA'5 tt> jMsure seem- and hearing ■ ood deal of him, whil- Ko.:^. Kynaston's vanity enabled ner to take a similar vit.v '^ the situatioa. uritd brother J felt certain, it in any one in his corre- :ry epistles of writtei"; ivom i'st joined his :etr,.iyf.J. into when he said k to do than g, too, which ? that Gilbert om her ken. heard of him I. indeed, had was from the w<'rd to join- Bertie Slade Drtnight with e world was gs don't run ally resolved iston, for the : the hunting of that great jet ween that imon trouble [ynaston had succeeded in ss Devereux hierself. She >wed in great hiefiy to his lat now that 'vi^they heard ii- . bought — v'^r jwn sake visure seeing Kynaston's :he situation. SINISTER RUMOURS. 261 ^t^S!7JV:r.?^^^^^^ she was say tl Gilbert SI^S p'rsi^ent avoidZ ^'f ?"^*^'"^ ^° ance was perhaps hardlv f J?! ^Y°'^,^"ce of her-avoid- certainly tried twfcetolie W ?^^* *!!'"' J*''" ^« ^^^ Still, he could have manated fom".T^ the Derby week, he wished it; hHo^M hfv tfn !f* ^'^^^'^^^^^^^g^ had writing to her -but no fro^ 5;?""'' P/^"^^ °^ excules for two bootless visits to Onsrwr.T^ he had paid those given no sign of his very 1x7ste?ce Sh^f'^' ?"^^ ^^^ sistently the storv of hpr o^i ,^"^ ^"^^ how Ler- of the sLmeful7ersecution^TrT' ^"^ ^^^" ^^^^"^^^ed ; had been subjected to byl^r F^^T'""^ to that-she possible this infamous falsehood" h.^ f ^°"u ^^^ ^* "ot edly to Gilbert SladeV.ars and *^ ^,T ^"^^^^^ ^^^^Sn- for his never coming near h;r? '"''"^^ "°* *^^^ ^^^°'nt upon her that in aflfairs of the iTeart soM w" ^^ '^pressing Slade that might be lurking in M "^ ^^^^'"^ ^°'' ^'^^^^^t True, Mrs., Kynaston wa. n?.f f ^^^^P^^ereux's bosom, tion in any way And wLf ^°'^^^d»"& her own fiirta- had not i/the^feast abaTed h^' ""^ •^' f ^'^^"^^ ^^at lady she was utterly nonplussed a^r-?'"'? - ^"^''* ^^^^"' It was not hke^y n t^e fictbnffi' r''^'' P"^^"'* °^'*' Mr. Fuizedon could he mTrh 1 ^^"^^ ^ e"&agement to Kynaston had on^v the otW di F' ^^P* "P ' ^"^ Mrs. th^t gentleman a s'^inglngrebuSirwhr'^Pf'^ *° ^^^*« his ill-advised audaci?y^ PersliennS 1?^/'"°""'""'"^ to marry Miss Devereux Fnr J!?, u i^^ determmation to her father, and^X^Jer^Srvli? to No^t^ l"^ Ttf*^" upon hearing this. Lettie blazedTu ndSnt^v ' ''"*' It can't be, father ! it mustn't he r f^"u--^~ ^ . hTh^s^^p^d-^aS^^^^^^^^^^ H. proposing this viSt^ X^^^^t ^.? ^^sS^ It w ! I 262 SADDLE AND SABRE. i: 11 would give an air of truth to the rumour. If he were a gentleman he would cease from persecuting me My 'No'' was not only said clearly and distinctly to start with, but has been quite as decisively repeated."" • ',' ^^^ V° ,"^°'^^' ^^"^^ ' ^^ he is distasteful to you, my girl, he sha n t come to North Leach. But as he is an old triend ot Charlie we must make some civil excuse " Although in the first instance Mrs. Kynaston had oeen the suggester and promoter of Furzedon's suit, yet now that she had attained her end she had become a very half- hearted ally She began to see now that nothing was hkely to shake Lettie's determination ; and, though such a marriage would have suited her very well she was getting very doubtful of its ever being brought about. Mrs Kynaston had always a shrewd eye to the future. She hked wealthy friends, and Mr. and Mrs. Furzedon would have been always sure to have a pleasant house where she could claim a welcome. She had seen so many youne women say - No" in the first instance to wealthy wooers, and afterwards change their minds, that she thought it might be so with Miss Devereux; but she thought so no longer, and considered that any such decided step on Mr Ji'urzedon s part— as volunteering himself to Norf^i Leach —might rend aside that flimsy fiction of his engagement, c£ I ' aI *m%?'^'^^' ^";*^^ ^'^- Kynaston to maintain. She had told Mr. Furzedon that perseverance is all very well, but that it must be accompanied by tact. Given that, as long as a woman is unwed no man need despair of winning her for a wife; and then Mrs. Kynaston. her platitudes got done with, relieved her own disappointment by administering as many pin-pricks to the rather pachy- dermatous Furzedon as she could compass. In pursuance of her resolution Miss Devereux cantered over to The Firs, and found Kate Kynaston both at home and a prey to that unmitigated boredom which is apt to steal over sparsely-populated country neighbourhoods with the last days of the hunting spason ; when the hot sun and bleak nor'-easter have so dried up the ground that there is no scent'; when those on one side The cover are shivering while those on the other are mopping the per- If he were a e. My 'No!' art with, but il to you, my IS he is an old cuse." ton had oeen iuit, yet now e a very half- nothing was though such ell, she was : about. Mrs. future. She zedon would se where she many young ilthy wooers, e thought it lought so no \ step on Mr. ^ortS Leach engagement, to maintain, ce is all very act. Given id despair of maston, her appointment ither pachy- ux cantered 3th at home hich is apt hbourhoods len the hot ground that e cover are ng the per- SINISTER RUMOURS. 36- even the app^aran ^ ol oS « t'Z'T" '""1 "^^"^^ J2-.„g, so .hat she was Z^V^^ ^^St^'^l jry^^has grown so >nsU. and I a^'^po^Jit:!';, p?„^"t re;;/ned°My Deve^:„"x'.To,Tu? Tf? '°' '"""P'^'"'" you that it is a du™ time wrth „= ^'if ' ''"'" ^8''*= with wiil see you out of it •' ' "'"' ^^'° " 'h^ee weeks Di;>Js";Ltrtt\s::i'XivfXf,r„^^^^ r"aSeTs.t^i-t/-£f-r'^^'^^^^^ there two years ago ^^ ^ J°"^ P^^^y ^e were wallrbL'gila^tfsiid'Pr ^^^'•li^. how mortified he the Walkerf. I wL a bmf r niU T'^v "*u°^ '^'^ '^'^ by the -th Hussar^ but I vln-L^K 1-°' ^^ -^^^^"^ *« '^^vi Pole Star caused hi'm'as^ ^l^^^,^^- a^nTh^"^^^^ ^^^^^^ fancJ?he^f:;e\L^,el';h1?^ °'' -^ ^-' ^"t I rather humiliating- * ^^ "^^^ ^"'*»"e^ ^^out. It is •Something nearer than his dog Not so dear, quite, as his horse • h^a"rV rfdeS^^ wlTn Mr? M? '"*' ^*™ ^^-^' -'••^- ^^ese last year th;y sYv her^usba^rw^°' -'"^^.^ ^^^^>- ^^« • Is the mare much hurt" •" '"' ^"^'°"" '"^"'^> ^^s, MorJisT'* s'afd'l^i i'"l "°?P^''^^ *° ^ brute liJce Mr arpvpry^^ellmft ! Tf^^^^ "besides, that m.^J fancyte; miSnt'the hke'Sa'^L'^'sTir '^ ^^"'^^-' coin with the Mljor ?" ^ ^* ^^^" ^^^ &° *<> Lin- ft* ';■ fit!' -i Iri' 264 SADDLE AND SABRE. ' No ; it's no fun by myself in that way. I wish you would come. " " We've none of lis any neart for it this year," replied Lett^e. " Mother is quite convinced that she will never see Charlie again, and he was her favourite, you know ; and even father, I believe, is sorry now that he didn't pay all that money, sooner than Charlie should have had to exchange." "The old story," said Mrs. Kynaston, meditatively. •* Fathers are so fond of playing the relentless parent to .s'.art with, forgetting they are usually unfitted for the role,- besidesv ' the cutting off with a shilling ' is quite out oi fashion uow-a-days. Do you ever hear anything of Mr. Slade, or any of Charlie's old friends ? " " I know nothing of Mi. Slade, and haven't seen V -for more than a year. Of Mr. Furzedon— who, I suppose, must be included in that list — I have seen a good deal too much, though not lately. I have come to detest that man." " Which i.^ hard," rejoined Mrs. Kynaston, " considering how he has striven to produce an opposite result. No," she continued, as Miss Devereux made ai impatient ges- ture of dissent, " I pm going to advocate his cause no longer; but what you call hi- persecution many women would regard as a proof of the sincerity of his love. There's mucl. utH ii. the old lage, anr! 'faint heart never did win fair lady.' I suppose there are women who from very weariness yield at last to man's pertinacity." " Poor veak crealures ! But I am madr of sterner stuff. I don't like Mr. Furzedon, and I never shall. And vou may call it what you like, but his still pursuing me with his addresses I regard as perse- .:on" "Well it's a persecution- "^hat rrost girls look upon with a lenient eye," retorted s. ynaston, wh although declaring that she could 1 er advocate . urzedon's cau e, and who in her hca. t wa; quite convinced that it was hopeless, still never could resist giving him ich sup- port as came to her hand. " Do you know," said Lettie, " that there has rather a curious thing happened about Mr. Furzedon lately." " No," replied her companion, " and if anything of im- SINISTER RUMOURS. . I wish you year," replied he will never e, you know ; he didn't pay have had to meditatively, 'ess parent to i for the role; quite out of thing of Mr. ; seen V i for 0, I suppose, 3^ood deal too st that man." " considering result. No," npatient ges- iiis cause no nany women of his love, t heart never en who from ty." sterner stuff. 1. And you ling me with )k upon with bi although I Furzedon's need that it im ich sup- has rather a ately." thing of im- 265 K-^fif."" '^P'""''' •" >>'•■"• I f»"=y Dick would have whether he has told h^r^f \ ! ^ ^"°"^ scrape; know,shea.allVv°ms''does'„our me'^t^a^?"' ' ?°"'' make out, the gist of Mr Slarl.'c .i. ' *^ '"' ^^ ' "^^n the less w'e see'of Mr. FurfedoVthe"b:t?f;'^"^ '° "^ ">« ■■ .ha\°L"'rar°dS "^s^^v^ "^sT^^t- Si'S^r „tf^"?. »-• '"-3e\rr?''^',a&t.t is pretty Cc7whi""l '"^t^'^rfl P-I'^l'^. b"' Aa. m' -la^denodoubt magnesthat Mr r' ^T^> ''=""• stam visitor in Onslow GaTdeis" ^""'^''on ,s a con- that, ,utyo° osumri ™f J!,"'''." ""'^''"detoall &1=i^i..,;5i£L?rf-^^^^^^^^ tinued Mrs. Kyna'sttS'SuL'.'" '°"' ^"'^'y'" ■=» would call acrirne" a^dZetS .^^' u ^-^^^ ^^^^ -^'^^l'^ Furzedon had pTopostd to Durch.l ^'^ ^''fT^>' ^^ *^"^^ meat c-r her broK's deb^s.^ ^'' ^^""'^ ^- ^'^^ ^^^y thn?lv!fi'."",tT--Ti^''^''''°^ ^^^"'V. The s.n,. shr ■'■TaTudge of hunrrn^.^ ""' '' ^^ ^.^^''''^^f' «'^^' ^vas too a.o.h.t^rS!.t^~---:-ti^^^ ( 266 SADDLE AND SABKfi. dismissed the thought as soon as it occurred to her with the reflection that after all this was an acquaintance of her husband. She had been told to be civil to him, and that Dick Kynaston was quite competent to take care of himself ; she felt very curious to know what this cloud was that was hanging over Furzedon ; but it was quite evident that Lettie knew no more whatever Mrs. Connop might do. In the meantime it was possible that the Major would be able to solve the mystery when she should ask him about it. " I will ring for my horse now, if you will allow me," said Miss Devereux, " and 1 will let you know whenever the Furzedon mystery clears up ; for the present, good-bye ! and remember, you have only two or three weeks' dulness before you, while, as for poor me, I am planted here till it pleases Aunt Sarah to send for me 1 " and with a shrug of her shoulders, indicative of much disgust, Lettie Devereux took her departure. XXXVII. — Major Kynaston's Visitor. WHEN Major Kynaston came home that evening, his wife at once informed him of what Miss Devereux had told her ; but the Major was even more astonished than his wife, and. professed himself perfectly unable to guess what scrape Furzedon had possibly got into. He quite agreed with his wife that Furzedon was about the last man he should have expected to come to grief in any way. '• He is as sharp as a needle, Kate, has plenty of money, and knows how to take care of it. He don't overrate his game at anything, and there is no man in London better able to take care of himself on the racecourse or at the card-table ; he's not likely to come to harm ; and, though it's going rather far to say that a man of his age is proof against the fascination of your sex, I can only think Furze- don's a fish that would take a deal of catching." " But think, Dick, is there no Turf tra:nsaction in which he was engaged this year, in which his conduct might be called — well, shady ? " MAJOR K YN ASTON 'S VISITOR. d to her with intance of her him, and that ire of himself; was that was evident that op might do. ajor would be : him about it. How me," said whenever the nt, good-bye ! i^eeks' dulness ted here till it ith a shrug of ttie Devereux I TOR. . t evening, his [iss Devereux re astonished tly unable to ;ot into. He ibout the last f in any way. ity of money, t overrate his ondon better rse or at the and, though age is proof think Furze- :ion in which ict might be ' None that I know of, 367 [oc; .„. , .o„, think k.7ST4Xn,J:,^',;r°, broadly-that could be laid hold of." ^ ^ * I d.dn t dare, and got rather nervous about it." I ^ A ^V ,^"^ wasn't there some story about the jockev who rode Behsarius being drugged ' " JocKey '' Yes; there always are all sorts of canards about when DrCaston'^'w n ' ""f ''''' ,1^-^^-^." contmueS iJick Kynaston "well, as far as taking about a bottle of brandy before he got up, I suppose Bill Smith was He had been on the dnnk ever since he won the < Two Thmi sand, and it was the knowledge of that led us to bet aga:nst ,wA V^A-fl' :r^°' ^' ^ ^^'d before, went deepef i^^i^to It han I did, had a tout down at Epsom to watch hfm that B.11 Smith was never sober induced him to lav s? heavily against the horse." ^ ^° .h'7^^"'J°",'^^"u* b^l^^^^ *h^ ^^""'y of this drugged irlass Kyna't'on ^^ ^^ ^'" '" *^' Paddock?" rema?Ld llrs! "Certainly not," rejoined the Major. " Don't think Bill fnr^n. hi ^"'''^. ""^'^'"^ ^^ '^^' ^°^^ ^^ rendered h^se incapable in a legitimate way. There are plenty of o^he" ways a man may come to grief, Kate " ^ y' °t"er " Quite so," rejoined Mrs. Kynaston • •' and I :- Mr. Furzedon has?ot in?o \f M^"' ^Sf i^^-^^P^' ''^-' racing-man, is he not ? " ' ^^°™^" ^^^^^ '^ ^ g^ea: The Major nodded assent. ma^depend uronl.'L'wemT'rod d^f f "L"^'' -<> ^o" know of about that Derbv Tl ^^''' '""''" '"" .™" man Slade wanhTto see me abl?,' ""'^,1 d™ ' believe Nor- racing. More likely s'leyounfeiwL"/ <=°""«'o<' '""• about bills, and he';vants ^y ad-ici abSu TT ' "/'""■'^ the Hussar, I shouldn't wonder " nephew Beni|-sfaK°ttbtr„irn,rnrt':PH" f ^ •^«''' °' assistance. That wouM ^ff^rT ^ *°i^^"? ^^^^ ^^^^'ice and ties of prosecuttngthf mr^tl^'^l del^htful opi ortuni- which she had so patientll ^rh ^S' '\ ^o'-warding of complete the sul^ug^atrof'^ha^^^^^^ '"•■^^'^. ^^^ ^- J?iven sufficient opportun^ v If ^'■^^^''" ' ^^'^ ''-->' • fascinations was an Serthn; n^ ""^^ ^°V'^' '"^^^''^f ''^r ton's mind. She had a ti 5 .-?''^^'''°''^^ Kate Kynas- as chief cavalier-in waitTnl ^^ITl"" ',?'*^" ^^^^ie Slade to run riot as IV^ he'wt^'nc^fned"°^^l^f ^^ capnce was now daneeronslv ^„=; , j ■ , "' ^^^ been Mrs. Kynaston had neXrtv" for he^l 'h'"'?"™' ^"^ prmciple to stand tr, h„r X°7^^°\ ?°' husband nor murh Uay or two later, and Norman Slade'wa"; d" l^u^rSf •i„.'^ ' if rv(f I 2;o SADDLE AND SABRE. illi &ipr'' ""''"" ^^ "^^^^'"^^ -^th g^eat cordiality by gIad^to''see'';ou'^\'ni'''^"^' ^°" ^^'■^' ^^'^'' but I'm very althoughTisTour 'first TwiFbe'r' ^"""' "^' ^ ^°P- visit." ^ ' ^^" '^^ b>' "o means your last a ^i^ili i^^S'c^r with very unpleasant circumstaS ;hich as^M^Hi ^'h"''^ " * cerns you, ought to be made known to you M FvLT' «s your racmg partner, I believe " Furzcdon ;; He is," replied the Major shortly. Are you aware what his business is ?" asked 9'^H« ou;;^ofirdo^°yife";,eT/i::fr'''* '"°"'"« "^^ -- »« tes'iil™" *"'' •*'^' «=°' '° 'i" "* "'" replied the Major under the name of Jordan I Co " ''"" ''""'"'^^ m:tta RaiphFu;z"^?o„'?s%S:n'&'coT "'^^,f "> '^" brokers ? " Jordan & Co., the swell pawn- "Just so," replied Slade. SS bSt'htZS^h ■;;e";;JsiS ?L"d"^ ^'^^'•cha'Jat ....=. to joraan 6c Co., a/ia. Fur.edon. anT'howthai t at cordiality by e, but I'm very id us, I hope, cans your last Norman, with aint you with a indirpctiy con- Mr. Furzcdon ked Slade. ■yiiaston with r the ins and ied the Major ended scale," iocs business mean to teJl swell pawn- eal to aston- is time," and Major burst it sure that Js ignorance ^ Co. Nor- tady charac- sry that one ;y-lender by maston was 2 man about ow that he Major kynaston's visitor. ^^j gemS-Lntet" "h"^^'^---^^ ^^^^^ to serve that DlacrTnH ^'"^'-'^f ts. However, a revulsion speedily took at this si^iipfmn K„«. f P ^ "'"^- N° '"an arrived FurzedoT, ,^'" ""^^'"' 'S'''- S'''*' *° help laughin'- at notice of it." ^ ""^'^' " ^^ "^ht you should have early The Major was listening with the greatest attention 2£5.e;r.n?-s:a-af/i-u for Mr. Fu°zS .ol!^^„'^re^,:f "^ '„\^ '"4""f Ad I can and shall prove. I suspertedTt ,t Th^ , ■ ' h>">e learnt it as a fact last year at DoTcaster." "' ^""^ sa,d Kynlstl™' "'° "'"«^ "<" '"■°"S'" f°™« u ^ ^ . the Jockey Club will hsten^to hi^ ^ TliS ^ounfsc'uiX?! I have not the slightest doubt he's guilty. Slade wo,'^ never have spoken so confidently as he did if Hp h.T . got chapter and verse for it ; he is auite riLh/ =^ r "u°* mud of th.s transaction is sure to Iti'k fo m ' ? l^t Nobody will ever believe that rwas.i't' i;^h'e%wfm -teJ will probably suggest that it was all my ^/.,«„/„l'o%V t la^ ^wo:s:?wur?^Sa^t^7if;St!il ^fv^y the chief offender has gone scatheless. Think of tha? young vagabond turning out to be Jordan & Co 1 '« The Majors very high tone about money-lenders mav seem somewhat preposterous, considering that he wasTuI a money-lender's jackal himself; but he regarded all tha as a strictly business transaction, and upon the rare occa dZ'.jf"^ °/ '^^f ^'t'''''l'y ^^^^ P^^'^'tted to pass hS door they go no further than into his own immediate den As he walked away Norman Slade came to Jhl ? elusion that Major KyLston had bfen gufl^yo no conn^J' ance with his partner in the matter of tL Eosom rnhhp! It had evidently been done without iis knoS.I^^.^'iY: was quite evident to Slade that be was in'con^Hetable H connection with ideed I think I n the meantime notice of your oined Norman, ally the racing n will probably ■ partner's ne- ink best to take 2 only to warn •zedon. Good somewhat stiff Major as the ide is just the , what's more, ng scoundrel I Slade would if he had not t, some of the o my skirts! e swim ; they ifig, only tha't Quite likely probably say It of it, while hink of that :o. I " ■lenders may t he was but rded all that le rare occa- to pass his mediate den. to the con- f no conniv- om robbery. Jonsiderable SttEkfe ALt VA^Jlsttfeg. ^^^ Kynaston thinks himself beinTbamboLt?^^ "^^ u"^ ^^'^ ^' blackguard as Furzedon. However onim^ '"?^ ^ >°""S early to hold one's o^yn ^ZT^^^^^T ^^^ ""^ F'^^^y suppose, and this one certarn^^^LreL'^pto^^^^^^^^^^^ XXXVIH.-Shere Ali Vanishes. HOBSON and Charlie Devereux roH^ ho.i, * o^ders^!;?tfik-Ste&^ri?^^^^^^^^ In less than a couple oho--'^ '" as quickly as possible, the shade of ?he grate?^^^ soldiers^had abandoned across thesandy p a n thatscDaiffH^ ^"^ were tramping country. The soldiers ^u\.^^ ?u "^ u^^"" ^""^"^ ^^^ wooded upon the enemy and ,ti^^^^ the,r officers had come that at las they were aEt tn ""'''' ^ ^^^^'J° ^^e hope fleet-footed foe^^nrsettirl t^h^TuT fo? The^m''"^ T^ wearisome- marches he had caused Thim *^;!, '"f^y long ^ "si'^x SIS ?r- '- '^" about it. ^"^ ^^ "^y "° 'neans hopeful know whe^ werff S/^-f''^' .'f^--^ P-dS T^^y good guess arhowtng we sfouTd be iT """^ " ^'--^ h.m, and I do no, belieUa wUl wa' fort " "" "'^""^ that the enemy's carap wirde:". vrf =P«<'>'y ""-""need were still smoilderin/ Tnd ft v = ■?" '=°?'""8 fires signs, that he had been ep-r,.o^,r"'°-'' ''°'" °">^"- but Shere Ali had now vanisi.e:^.",l'!lf;i'°a-'°"'.?.'^^^=' snow m what direction l^ «-,,• J ♦ "i"~ " , " "^ "uui;ng to but Hobsou was^rUri'thT^Ll^e^^et^-Lt*: fS^ Fj I i ■' 'ki m SAt)Di,£ AND SABkfi. pi l! : through the jungle perfectly well known and not infre- quently used by the natives, and it was more probable that the famous dacoit chief would sooner trust to the track- ess forest to baffle the pursuit of the Feringee than rely upon the legs of his followers on the main road. This was rather a tangled knot to unravel, and Charlie chafed and iretted a good deal, because his captain halted instead fuoSiJ ^ "^^'" ^°^^ rapidly in pursuit of the " Surely we are losing time," he remarked at length, no longer able to control his impatience. ^ "pon;t cackle about what you don't understand, younij iVu"' "aT, , Hobson, good-humouredly. "If I knew Shere Ah had gone that road ; if I really had some grounds for supposmg he had taken it, I would push on at once As It IS, I am not gomg to march my men off their leers in pursuit of a WiU-o'-the-Wisp. You, no doubt, thSk Eng hshmen can beat these Pandies at anything. When it comes to running away, I tell you they're not m. it with these fellows. Charlie thought there was a lamentable want of dash about his leader ; but Hobson had not hunted down the broken sepoy army in the great Mutiny time without learning how very hard they were to come up with when they did not deem it expedient to fight, and how they were served by their intimate knowledge of the by-ways of the "It's weary work," continued Hobson, "but there is nothing for It but to make such inquiries as one can, and if we can make out nothing about Shere AH and his band patrol the main road." " Like pohcemen on their beats," said Charlie, with a face of extreme disgust. "Just so," rejoined Hobson. " However, you needn't be down on your luck. I don't know why, but I have an Idea that you are destined to be face to face with Shere All one of these days." !! y^^?* "^^^^^ y°" *^^"^ ^hfit ? " asked Charlie. " i teu you I don't know. Pshaw ! that's not quite true. 1 m not much given to dreaming, but I had a confused n and not infre- ore probable that ust to the track- jringee than rely 1 road. This was larlle chafed and n halted instead in pursuit of the ked at length, no iderstand, young y. "If I knew ad some grounds jush on at once. » off their legs in oubt, think Eng- hing. When it e not ID' it with le want of dash unted down the y time without e up with when 1 how they were by-ways of the , •' but there is 5 one can, and if li and his band Charlie, with a sr, you needn't , but I have an "ace with Shere Iharlie. J not quite true. lad a confused SHERE ALT VANISHES. 275 dream the other night, in which you and a tall Pandie figured prominently." •' And what were we doing ? " '* Well, your best to kill each other," replied Hobson. "And how did it finish ?" " That is just what I can't tell you. It was most annoy- ing. I awoke in the middle of it, and I was most anxious to see the finish of that fight." "But who was getting the best of it ? " said Charlie, with great mterest. " It was anybody's battle," replied Hobson. laughing " Don't think me bloodthirsty, but I did want to see it fought out." " Well," returned Charlie, " I need scarcely say I should have preferred your being able to say it was six to four on me when you left. Sorry, too, he is so big. Have you ever seen him ? " "No; but I've seen lots of his sort. They run tall, these Bengalee sepoys. I had our old bugbear Shere Ali and you in my head, which, with that remarkably tough mutton we dined on yesterday, would quite account for my vision." " And where were you ? " asked Charlie. " Oh, you seldom see yourself. Don't you recollect that when you do, according to Scott's 'Legend,' you sleep in a ' bluidy plaid ' ere long ? But, holloa ! what's this ? It looks like a runner from headquarters." And as Hobson spoke a peon was seen coming along the road at the sling trot with which the native usually accomplishes the task of letter-bearing. When he reached Hobson he stopped, made a low salaam, and handed him a letter. The Captain tore it open, and, as he glanced hastily over it, exclaimed, "My dream is about to come true. Hurrah ! No more of this tiresome game of ' catch who catch can.' We are recalled, and are to be mounted. The chief says the fiat has goi.e forth that Shere Ali is to be suppressed at anv price. It seems he has been throat-cutting on a somewhat f.xieiK-ive scalp of iate, and the Government are determiucd to wkc him dead or alive," ■h 276 SADDLE AND SABRE. << it ' Only give us horses, and we will soon account for him " cried Charlie, who, as an ex-Dragoon, believed imphcitl'v in mounted men, and held that a regiment of Hussars could go anywhere and do anything. " But it will take a long while to make ihem." " Put your cavalry ideas on one side, young 'un. Re- member we are only mounted infantry, and our horses are hacks, not chargers." Charlie made no reply. He comprehended but one idea of a soldier on horseback, and that was evidently not Hob- son's. Still, if they only did get at Shere Ali, i^ wouldn't he thought, much matter how. Charlie was hurnin'r for that fight of which Hobson had dreamt. " When shaU we march ? " he said at length. •• A httle before daybreak to-morrcw ; and we will get back to headquarters as quicklv as possible." On their arrival at the cantonment, Charlie and Hobson found their work cut out for them, and for the next month were busily engaged in organizing the mounted infantry The regiment was picked for men who could ride; and they found no lack of volunteers. The only difficulty lay in the selection, for the British soldier, in his anxiety to vary the monotony of his life, in some cases over-estimated his equestrian capabilities. The authorities were urgent for the departure of Hobson's command as soon as possible • and there was therefore no time to teach those to ride who had not some knowledge 01 it. Shcre Ali was increasing m audacity week by week, and seemed ubiquitous in the Deccan. He had of late taken means to ensure there being no evidence against him by the wholesale murder of those he had robbed, after the manner of the Thugs ; and there was, consequently, no actual proof of his being the author of some Qf the atrocities laid to his charge. He was said to be at the head of a numerous band of desperadoes, and to boast openly that he would not be taken alive,' and neither asked nor gave quarter. The question of Shere All had become that of the apprehension of a great mar- auder; the laying hold of a Rob Roy or Schinderhannes «iius ...._. ,,,,.„ ^,„ ..,.^T,.txje<^ III in-.cnsity vviiii inc constanily- recurring stories of the dacoit's temerity and ferocity. account for him," •elieved implicitly nent of Hussars But it will take a young 'un. Re- nd our horses are ided but one idea adentlynot Hob- : Ali, !«• wouldn't, was burning for " When shall we and we will get le." she and Hobson r the next month ounted infantry, d ride; and they difficulty lay in anxiety to vary er-estimated his were urgent for )on as possible ; bose to ride who was increasing )iquitous in the sure there being nurder of those ugs; and there •eing the author !. He was said isperadoes, and ken alive, and jstion of Sliere of a great mar- chinderhannes, the constantly, d ferocity. SHERE ALI VANISHES. 277 But a Nemesis attends these human tigers, and thev mostly die violent deaths. The buccaneer chiefs, who made their victims walk the plank, chiefly •• found a roue on It before their course was run. Sooner or later some one revolts at the doings of these blood-stained monsters and either betrays them to the powers or rids the world of them ; and it is the conviction that this awaits them, and can only be averted by the terror they inspire, that makes them, once launched on their career, insatiable in their lust of blood. Shere Ah knew that his life was forfeit, and said grimly that when his time came his spirit would de- part well attended. Hobson's men at last satisfy the Colonel's critical eve • I and, with young Devereux as his subaltern, the Captain is once more despatched in pursuit of his wily foe. There has grown up ifi the breasts of Hobson, and such of his men as were with him on his former expedition, a feverish thirst to settle accounts with Shere Ali, such as a keen shekarn might feel to come face to face with a "man- eater, such as some years previously pervaded the Central Indian Field Force on the subject of Tantia Topee. That sagacious chieftain was always dodging backwards and forwards across the Nerbudda, in a perfectly maddening manner, determined to fight only on his own terms, which as a good strategist, meant when the chances were much '" ^f. [^vour. Again and again did one or other of the bnghsh leaders think themselves certain of his capture only after two or three forced .narches to find the wilv Asiatic had once more slipped across the river. Shere Ali was enacting the great drama over again on a small scale, but with no abatement of the murder and outrage th^' characterised the great rebellion. -There, Hobson." said the Colonel, as he bade the detachment farewell " I hope you will have the luck to capture the scoundrel ; there are so many parties out on the sarne errand that it is impossible he can evade vou all Depend upon it, Shere AH's career is about run." " My fellows are keen enouo-h, sir. H many long tramps not to make us eager* book, and this time he won't beat us for speed. '4-' v-o-si 2/8 SADDLE AND SAHRE. EBB = ^'^^^^zd^ him nobody knew. Vague rumours there were that he w.t h°^'"/P,^\-^^"^ ^"^ fl^^ '"to Bengal Wr^k proving' u^lsf h.^^'^ '° '^^'"^ ^"^^^'"^ corfce;ning l.n but rnf K^f 111 ^ Pu^iiers were reluctantly recalled f«^ :, ! ¥°'^ *^^ ^^^^^^s of the various parti, had con fessed to bemg unable to discover any trace ohun se to'htcM^f' '''C ^"? "°^^-' -hen he repor ;d him- ct%%f/lAf him fled whU' to it'^i's'^ossib^l-o lower ' M^ ?r^ ^^'"^'^ swallowed him Tnd his fol lower:. Uy could not have more utterly vanished." fee- -P''™'' boast before the terrible outbre^lnf "if'. IndSn P ■■'" ,'^"«'"'" lady could travel all throush the Indtan Pen.nsula wuh no farther «cort than her „a«ve servani vengea the pr demanc thirsty but a gi from tl tered f; had ch< to see t "Th{ •Some sooner crime, Ali to \ forth th more p; spatche "Ren Chief at you will wanderi "Gad I his ears, lay hold his won once mo searchec that mig mysteric was to had dis! present, to his sti apparent its where to the bu aware of blood -st a But tl SHERE ALI VANISHES. 279 o his enemies than s of cavalry and , closing in upon mous d.icoit van- its possible to be it had become of ere were that he Bengal. Wer^ks g concerning hini actantlv recalled, partit had con- ice of hun, he reported him- for certain that I Did it in fifteen t is impossible to him and his fol- ■anished." efore long," said lim before we've e a month had veen Tubbulpore 5 exploits of the 1 English officer ambuscade and le great Mutiny, raise his hand as regarded as a that he should that he was the igh none of the disaster. Even ;s of Bohwanee rummel around he dacoits pre- it race. It had 'brpak nf FiffTr. all through the han her native servants m perfect safety. No wonder that a cry for vengeance went torth against this wholesale murderer, and Z.^V' ''°t^, English and native, was unanimous in demandmg the hfe of Shere Ah. For once the bK d hirsty dacoit had committed not only an atrocious but a grave blunder. The massacred sepoys were rec d rom the Presidency and had friends and relatives .cat- ered far and wide through the country which Shere Ah had chosen for the scene of his operation s-none quicker to see this than the Colonel of the Rifles quicKer ^liJ^%\l?^^' has overreached himself this time.Hobson. Some of the dead men's relatives are sure to betray him cnme' ?LI^T' ^' ^""^ '^'''^ ^''""^ "° ^'^^^^^ ^o hfs la^ A , * ' u ^* ?P^^" * matter— we've enough against Shere th^t^?^^'"^ '\T '''^'' °^^^-" And^ so fhe fiat we^t forth that Shere Ah was to be hunted down, and once more patrols of mounted infantry and cavalry were de- spatched to scour the country j' c uc Chiv^trM ^^^''" u^"''^,^^^ *^^ ^^'y °^d Commander-in- Chief a Madras, «' I will have that man dead or ahve, and you will march to and fro through the land hke so ^any wandering Jews till you get him.'' ^ hJf ^'^' .?v^'^'^'" ^^'^ Hobson, when that speech reached ^ f S cV^ ^r?"*^y *° ^^ hoped that some of us will lay hold of him before long, for Sir Timothy is a maiTof his word, and that means dacoit-hunting for life" So once more the roads were scoured in all directions, villages searched and heavy rewards offered for any intelligence that might lead to the arrest of Shere Ali, but again^tha! mysterious personage had disappeared. One thing only ^H A- • ^"j=^^*^^'"^d concerning him, namely, that he had d smissed the main body of his followers lor the present and retired with only a few of the most trusted to his stronghold ;. but where that stronghold was no man apparently could tell ; it was rumoured%ha? tre secreTof ts whereabouts was jealously guarded and utterly unknown lit: ^f^:^''^^J^^^-^-^^ retainers betg blood^sUin^d astSi^^If""-^"^ "'^ '^^ "^"^^ P^^* ^' ^^^P^^ But the patrolling and vigilant search for Shere Ali 11 ^> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I UiUlQ |2.5 IL25 ill 1.4 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 i-V ^^ <\ % '^ v^\ <* \ 280 SAt>t)Lfi AND SABRfi. lU ceased nowhere upon that account. «• Sooner or later h s necessities w.U compel the tiger to leave his lair/' argue. the Commander-in-Chief of the Presidency, -and then wi come the hunter's opportunity." XXXIX.— An Enemy Hath Done this Thing. niCK KYN ASTON was not the man to await the tide U of events upon finding himself involved in an Vwk ward scandal. Innocent thoujrh he was Hp «-,«,;? that it would be difficult to mate the SdtS that": had no knowledge of his partner's practices. One thin, however was quite clear to him, that there was no time "0 be lost in publicly repudiating all partnership with Fur° zedon in racing matters. No one would believe that he was not implicated in the affair unless he broke off all rela ^ons with Furzedon. Indeed, as the Major pondered over ?.°T'' M^i^"^" V'°'">*' '^^ "^^^^ i"d'&na"t he became tha he should have been such a mere pupj.et in the hands of his clever young friend. What, hef the knowing D.cf Kynaston, the shrewd man about town, who knew he h??' ^t'^A'T "P'° ^^^^y "^^^^ °n the board-he to be hoodwinked by this young pawnbroker, and find himself mixed up ,n one of the most shameful Turf robberiS he had ever heard of! He would ask Mr. Furzedon to call upon him for the last time, give him a piece of h^ mind and tell him that m future they would be^stranglrs to each The Major gradually churned himself up to a verv orettv state of indignation. Although by no me^ns particular he was honestly angry that he should have unwitting ybecorne involved m such an ugly scrape as this promised to^become He was quite aware that his own racing career had nnt* been of that blameless chivalric nature a1 Xch no Ion can be hrown. He was reputed a sharp prrtittner and araw tfte line, strasght -going humdrum ioiks fail to see [much jpickir moral haps, blow 1 com pi certai Dick playir help s he sai call th of bus The read q only k modif) ously 1 exclair can't s as he r in it." Now read th in an < a glanc deuce where, I don't with th in a sc ductior game o advice me un< pretty 1 wrong ; evident his wa) fi. " Sooner or later h s ave his lair," argued ncy, •« and then will E THIS Thing. in to await the tide ivolved in an awk- as, he saw at once odd believe that he LCtices. One thing lere was no time to tnsiship with Fur- ild believe that he le broke off all rela- ajor pondered over int he became that et in the hands of the knowing Dick 'n, who knew the le board — he to be f, and find himself Turf robberies he '. Furzedon to call piece of his mind, i strangers to each Lip to a very pretty 2ans particular, hef nwittingly become omised to become.) ig career had not at which no stonej > practitioner, and e such gentlemen} 1 ibiks fail to see AN ENEMY HATH DONE THIS THINa 381 much difference between what is termed " picking people |up, by which is meant taking advantage of them, and picking pockets, and the Major, although his code of morality was otherwise, recognised this feeling. But, per- ihaps, what moved his wrath more than anything was the blow to his selt-love the idea that he should hav? been so comple ely overreached by a young gentleman whom he certainly deemed astute, but no sort of match for knowing Dick Kynaston, and yet he had been bamboozled into playing jackal to this young money-lender. He could not help showing his indignation in his letter, although when he sat down to pen his note to Furzedon, asking him to caU the next morning, as he wanted to see him on a matter ot business, nothing was further from his intention. Thesfi temperate epistles we pen in our hot wrath are not read quite in the same light by their recipients, and if we on.y keep them till the next morning we should usually modify them considerably. I recollect submitting a studi- ous y worded missive of this description to a friend, and excla.ming triumphantly with reference to the offender. " he can t say anything about that." My friend's eye twinkled as herephed, " Only that tiiere's a good deal o? ea^t S , ^°I ^ti^."^^^ exactly what struck Furzedon when he read the Majors note. Dick Kynaston was wont to write m an off-hand jovial fashion, but this time Ralph saw at a glance that the language was iced. " I wonder what the deuce IS up he muttered, '• there is a screw loose some- where, and Kynaston evidently thinks I am to blame for it. ifZLT",* ^""ll^u "^'a" t'^^Kynastons, more especially with the lady. She has been of some service to me already in a social way. She has given me several useful intro- ductions, to say nothing of hints. She understands the game of society so thoroughly, I would sooner trust to her advice than that of any one in England. She first made me understand that to a man with money, tact, and a pretty wife, all society is attainable. What can have gone wrong ; for that the Major thinks I've • upset the coach ' is evident in every line of his letter ?" Ralph Furzedon made his way to the Major's house next day, and was promptly ;.l *» ii 282 SADDLE AND SABRR gentleman was serhnsirdiTufLd^ 'a"^ ^^ ^ ^^^^''^ M the po.nt with scant pr4mb e .. ' vu"^ ?^^"^ '^^"'■ng to man he was. Furzedon a^ed ^^^^^^^^ ^^*»*^ younJ companion to open the baJl "* ^"^^tions. but Jeft h J I have sent for vou \r'r v j, Kynaston with consideVHe'-;,!^™ — " '=°'""'™«-i - will kno^w in five mi?u°el""r?!'h"''' "',''>'«™P' me yo. - In the first place lZore7blXT^'^r'^''P'<'i°'"^' being an idle man-about-town I "1°™''' """"■ ''"'e^l 4 >'°?|;t'".r"'"yamo„e;°:ndir/"«°" >"»"• o*" means,' fancy ^^.H tl nTlTin^in^Jre" ' "t""'' =<"""• ' ^"ould tenders i„ l!o'n"do„. buT/ do 'ttL''"^ '■"F ">- ""'"ey you understand?- ' "^ ' """""'e with thein. I)o ap^lf/slr:;;!'.."'""^'' ' <•» -^ - how your rc.art hin.. " And whrdte's" oX thafl°a°' f^r^ ^^ '"" One who seems to hai-a a rn^A j "? J"''" * Co. ?■• allege against you-Norr^an sSde " '"°''" """ ">>' «" the P°S!{1;s;m^r^"„{^'jd Fur.edo„. as the scene i„ Kynaston sternly. » He ifnn! .u^^' ^'^^ are," replied S-H„a. Bpsomfand „"et.^Z: aite^rfeS -i^s^s!s.i:t^e?^?s--- you ( reme "A for^e drunl ••I again bring: "A angri] "I nothir spoke bow o For and h but m; his he< host's Wh< serious had bli but, fo that th being ] him so( would against jockey good d< he had knew w BRE. ^^as a little surprised atl id sawat a glance that and meant coming toi like the astute yoSn? uestions, but left hisi ^" " commenced] ^hat the devil do yo to interrupt me you ually sharp rejoinder, ■med that, instead of| >n your own means, [n't admit, I should ion to shock Major ally. •^ 'ow half the money ife with them. Do How your remark Then I will put it did not as yet fail Jordan & Co. ?" more than that to 5n. as the scene in brain. " What the e ? you are," replied ou hocussed Bill world shall know ?e against me," U prosecute him AN ENEMY HATH DONE THIS THING. 283 hp will fifJ Vu\ L ^ *°'^ Norman Slade and his threat^• •■ ni sav,'„^o ^^"^' '"."'Sr difficult ,0 substa,, ia.e •■ ' you due Warning „rwh«" 1^' P,™°' f°' "• ' 'l"'' ?^''" angrtly^^ ■"°" ™^"" *° ^^>' '^^^ ^ ^o ?" exclaimed Furzedon nolhl^furte ^to' add bn^" "h"^ °'" ^"'^*^'-' ^"^ ^-^ spoke Kyn"stoJran^th.hoir"^T^ morning;" and as he bow of disr^S ^ ''"• ^"^ ™^^^ ^'^ ^^«i^°^ a formal andr^eiratrce'^in'Stb^^f ^" ^"^^^^^"'^ ^-P^-' but mastermg his passbn hv " *°,'P""I "P^ ^y^^ston ; his heel, and abrup^t?yl^^^^^ '^^ ^"'■"^d on host's salutation ^ ''°'" '"^^°"* recognising his serl'sTy ITZ ^cfi^S tttT?'.'^. ^^" ^° ^^-^< had bluLred and detefeverythinf to S\'" "^ but, for ail that, the chargelwere tfue «?h S ^^"f/^" • that the Major believed them tnV.' -n ^^ '''^"'^ ^^'^ being proclaimed a mo^e^TenSer would t T'' ^T *^^ him socially; nor was h^ /f oii . • , ' "^ '^"^^' damn would fail ii proWnl thf I ''^'^l'" *.''^* ^'^'"'"=" Slado against W h^ hof f'^^T ^^ intended to brin- Jo'ckeTto S; dltru'ctioT'^R^alnhT '"'l^'^Vl' ^-"'^ gooddealofthedirtvsSeofhJifitlar °"-''- ''''' ^ ' he had used lie naa used men as tools knew what such confederat en as tools to eff< cCi purposes es were worth ~ " ' not the fust time ■Ik- and he to do the 2S4 SADDLE AND SABRE and sufficiently, but he was afS htl^^ ^^^'' ^°^^^«1J against Belisarius that his heart failJ?^ 'u™"^^ "^^^^y o make Assurance doubly sure lusf /k™' *^f ^^t^rmined the last glass would effec LnJ m J!^ * ^^°^ ^^^ drops in heated brain, and desfrov ai ll'^^"'; 't^ ™^"'« ^^^eadj Furzedon-terriblyin th^e haid/of ;■' "* '* P"t himi dexterously as it was done coufd nof f '. "?>^"^'^°"^' ^^o, had this ail come against Mm if ^^'} *° ^^ it. How months back, that hlTad thS, At ^aJl'd ^ ^' ""f '° '"^"y was over. Then, again? how H^^ ii^"^^"" °^ ^^scoverJ that he traded in money inde^thenam^/^? ^>^^ ^^^^^ That was a secret he had [p«Jn.f^ °^ J^^^^n & Co.? thought thaf icnown only to^The"l^,/"",'^^d. He had acted as his representat ve and f^°f ^^"t'?^l clerk who certain about tny one. he v/as of tLl *^h^,<^°"W feel discretion. ' ^'^^ °* ^hat man's fidelity and Where had Slade acnmr^^ fu- ■ r myrmidons of his might^haJ^ been K^°k™/*'°"? ^hose T'^u^J^^ great Epfom race but oft'^ *° ^"^''^^^ ^^e they had no knowledge. How had t hi ' money-dealing come to light ? Andffor the present R.^k'?^^ ^"P' '^"^' u terly at a loss to even L/itrf ' ^^^^^^ ^"^^^^O" was divulged the mysteryofhrsoccS-'^^° 4* ^^« *^at had loss to recognise the^antr of h^f i^"'.. ^"* ^! ^^« at no was already busily scher£ ic to h^ 1°''' ^1"^ ^'^ hrain was possible, to meet tSe fnplea^^^^^^^ ^°^ '^ no risk of being entrapped hvtht ^^^^elations. He ran his social ostracism Sm„,^Lnt it'' °^ 't ^^^' ^ut perpetrator of an infamouT Turf rohhl Pu^'^"^'^^^^' ^nd coveted to mix with woSkl h^ve nonf ^'/u?^ ^°'^^^ ^« «« Furzedon meant the loss of all LT °^ ^r* ^"^ this to for--the end of his ambit^n tofif™ 't ^""'^^ "ving at the same time to b ome'wise p^uTth" *^' ^°^^^' ^"^ on tletl^e: ^^^r^X^^ at^k^^y ^lly^ than usurers ancT^olS^Ll^S^i^r^^S^ ^J^ Fun supp abro and. or t^ Siad. ness a ma that : of a that not SI On not c Co. 1 suspe traye( that \ encou all th< of ver that 1 disco^ Norm Pranc soonei and tl: exacti He over a cilled that tl at the what c for Mr repress rooms must 1 him to "Sh 3 soil his own fingers > to any one who will nis nerve failed him aone their work well tood so much money n»m ; he determined those few drops in 1 the man's already [ ; but it put him-i 's myrmidons, who, ail to see it. How I ' It was so many 'anger of discovery >rman Slade learn e of Jordan* Co.? guarded. He had •dential clerk who ^r as he could fed man's fidehty and prmation? Those 'bed to betray the his money-dealing closely kept secret ipn Furzedon was It was that had But he was at no on, and his brain was best, how it I'elations. He ran 5s of the law, but pawnbroker, and that world he so) him, and this to I I life worth living 1 that world, and j 2 strings of it, to I a look cytiically lore of these last •d have delighted AN ENEMY HATH DONE THIS THING 285 Slade, too, would be checkmated aboufthat EnsomT^" ness; it would be little use bringing such a '^hff- " a man who had crossed thp rK 1 ^ charge agamst that he should ge^oTof the scral""^^^^^^^^^ ^T"^°" ^•^^ of a few months' absenci L^T . ^^^^^ ^^^ expense that the charge shoST be droDoed^i'h"- k^'"\^ ^^^ '^'"^ not substantiated. ^^^^^ *^^" brought, even if One thing, however, puzzled Furzedon much- he rn„lH not conceive how it was that h;^, .-^ /-i. • . ', could Co. had leaked out ; there was no n"i'^ T^ l^'^^" * suspect, for, strange to say That PranP. "" T. ?^ '°i^^^ trayed him never entered his hlaH??- ""^'^'^^^^ ^^• that worthy had been so loSg\?ropt^ ^'!^ encountered him. that he haf forgot^ten tW Pranr/r^^ all the history of his Das^ lif^ • k, . u Prance knew rooms was stric/l^lmerd.Sed'" Ar^h'^'V".^ Furzedon's " Show h,n, up," said Furzedon; and' ^"nother .ninut. rf fv, 2S6 SADDLE AND SABRE. Mr. Sturgeon entered tho prosperous man of businesr""""^ ^^""'P' q"'"etly-dressed. 1 am sorry to intrude sir • h..f 't IS a matter of imDortann- *^ *^ ^°" ""*" ^^^''V g"ess order^a circumsE rtho'.h. ^'^^ ""t"^^ "^« ^ifobey acqu^amted with without L^o7?!;:;e5^" should be mad^e what ,s it ? •• '^'^ Furzedon. impatiently. " Get on • '' WeU, sir," replied Mr Qf. awkward scene up at the offic^'^^A";;' ^^'^^ ^^^ rather a„ >n about those bills of voun^n ^ ^^J°^ Braddock called that Mr. Devereurwa^sKdT'"!5'\"^P°'"^^^^^^^^^ y^^lJ;P°.---oterm"s"b:t^^^^^^^^^^ tn^yUfX-^ ?ld %' y-tCt'f^/^^on^^^^^^^ " I told them the Mr. Devefeux's was we Zi P?" "^''^ ^° no security as heavy interest; tS Ih^re were 'i '?^ t^^^^*^^ '^s'u I would submit what he sai^ m ^ ° ^?^^.^ expenses; tha could hold forth no hope of^hei^^^PI'^^'P^^^; but 'that that we could affijrd to wait ^h.ffKTl^S^ their claims- been unfortunate, we knew h m to h°"^^ ^r Devereux had perfect confidence in h.s e^em^X^^,^ p"tleman, and felt BrLS,"'^f "^^^'" replied Fur" edon ." ?'5^ t" ^'abilities." .f W°M ^^^ *° *bat ? •• '^"'^^^^n ' and what did Major ofcou^siSVoS^^^^^^^ sir As a matter best terms on either side bnf M^ • ^^ «^*^ ^^"C'"& ^r the interrupted me with « Stop all th^^^?' ^''^^dock Suddenly we happen to know who v^f • ^.^^P'trap of your -las? 't is that trades"n usur^u'Sl?^;"''^"^ ^^l -^e^no^lto we kno^ all about th^^awn broker 'sTo' • ^ 1°^^^" * ^t! and are quite prepared toTof,?* ^'^^P '" the next street foir terms with us ' t 1 -^^ '".*° ''^"^t if you don't mill didn't suppose th"at Jy ^Tncttl^i''' li '^^^^^^ to"",' of commg by their own?' ^^^' "^^"^^ object to that w^y shai havi witr left Ralj acqu leth the I "J Furz "f politt briefl table, "Q "You knov/] "N shop excepi "T] Major Don't necess to Mr. your m exclaim " I've that's a mp, quietly-dressed, ou can easily guess, 5 made me disobey u should be made ently. •« Get A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. on; we've had rather an lor Braddock called s. He pointed out therefore, for the at his friends were ' that he was em- position." ought they would Lnd you, what did " I told them the to no security, as expected to get, al expenses; that :ipals ; but that I ing their claims ; Vlr.Devereuxhad i'Jtleman, and felt )g his liabilities." ' what did Major T. As a matter e fencing for the tddock suddenly ^P of your class ; ; we know who f Jordan & Co. ; 1 the next street you don't make "Tipelled to it, I ject to that way 287 do^'lUeHy/^^* ^'^ ^« -y to that?" inquired Furze- shi;^'^ ' Vo^m^tt; h^^^^^^ ?:r^-.' '\^ooU me up have only one-would be vJrv y°"';,P"nc>Pal-for you witness-box ; he s a ton?! ^ ""W'">ng to go into the left should icnow whafhfsS^"''. '"".^-^^^^ *hat his Ralph Furzedon don" wish to tr„^"l^ i^ ^°JP&- No, no I acquaintances in his real chlracfer M^°'^?'' fiends and let h.m know that we are auf/rt If , ^o ; the sooner you the better.' " ""^ ^"^^"^^ ^^ who we are dealing with FurzlSon!"""' ^'' "" *^^* P-^^^ between you?" asked pohtj75fe wa"' mlstakeT "but iT'T ' " ' '^'^ ^'"^ briefly than civilly, ' S'much ' .hr"^^ J^J°'"^^' "^^^e table, and left the place " ' ""^"^ ^'^ ^^-^^ <>« the "Yo^'hLe^of c^o^rrnrfd*^"^"^'; ^'^ ^--don. knowledge?" ^' "° '^^^ ^^w he came by his shop"":; tl offi^f h'aTa^n7ir 'wloT'?,'^ 1^^.^^ ^^ ^'^ except myself, and the sern.^ l.? J"'"^^" * ^o. were, " Thank you "that wiM J - "^"^f" P^^^^*^ "^X I'Ps." Major BraddU^Xag'a i.s'ti^kt^T ?ht^^ " '' Dont come here again t,nl!.«c It^^^e is mistaken, necessary," and. mthTcZtll ^^2 1^'"^ '* absolutely to Mr. Sturgeon\^at^4L^^etSw"°wt'a;T:'^^^^^ fp^'a ^^ XL._A MuTUAt Understanding. f''S 288 SADDLE AND SABRE. Slade, as he took a chair in the me«5q mn^, — j to assuage the hunger that his L^n^rw^kha/c^^^^^^^^^^^^^ " Then you've heard nothing about Tom HendlSln- letter although it specially concerns you °^ Henderson s say Not a word." replied Bertie ; " kai has Tom got to his' Fi?e^*'lnd'''arhi".'i^.°"!;^ ^P""^°^' " Tom has met •but promotion is promotion, and in this case w7hJ 1' of in the autumn." ' instead ,u'y°'' ^°^'^ "^^!." that ! " exclaimed Slade : '« unless they ve good grounds, it is rather rough upon us all T?! always, a bad business having to disWe'of hJrt in^' are likely, I am afraid, to have a bad sale " ""ssars *i, j^ ^^^^^. '^^^ "°* * ^'"1« t^J^en aback by the news of the sudden order for India. He knew very well what th^' meant. That for the few weeks left to them theTe wn„M b« P^^"ty of work to be done; that every office's hands "^".""l^ ^l/'f^ ^^'^ '""^^ °f ^b«^"<=e difficuh to obtain and yet he felt that it was absolutely necessary for h^ ti oav a short visit to London. He had written, as we know to Mrs. Connop, and in his letter had vagueW Told her ?hL't a very serious charge was likely to be advanced against Ralph Furzedon and delicately hinted that she would do tier suir^Se'dM ''J 1"^*"^^^ "'J^ '^''" -'u she t^^d ttie result. He did not like to speak more plainly • but his meaning was that Miss Devereux, to whom he fir ml v uniting herself to a man whom a few weeks miVhf =!« sooally blasted. He had ao. liked to ^cH^ ^ Berti Spar," out of t] to Char No, I'v, and I'm saying I " Yes, " there ii Connop, let her n him, I ca to Lettie om, and prepared work had created, rom Henderson's ?" it has Tom got to t, " Tom has met be possessed of of, he is going to aptain Slade." ion," said Bertie, lis case we have int; but what is ;ems the authori- at once, instead Slade; "unless pon us all. It's ! of horses in a of the hunting s — th Hussars : by the news of r well what this 5m there would ■ officer's hands to obtain ; and for him to pay as we know, to told her that a vanced against t she would do intil she heard ilainly ; but his hom he firmly 1 pause before :eks might see irticularise the A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. 389 i^^^'rZ^^^^^^^ ^"ty. and to attempt matrimonial intentions va he7eh''n\'^''' Devereux's vince; and yet. know.nir as L^m f ^"[^'^ °"* °^ '"» Pro- the story of'^FurzeSon's^lffe he 1 T ^'"-^"^'^ ^"^'^^^^ I'e could look on and see ihe Jm hn n ' '"^P^^sihie that married to such a scoundrel V '.in ^^'^'''"^^^h' loved fear about him ; he mi "ht be dr.Hnl ''''''^"'' "'^^"^ "^ver »»s wife, but for all tS surelvh^r i?^^^' ^° ^'" ^^' ^r tract this marriage i ignorance^^^^^ "°* ^° ^^' ^^' <^0"- compensate for the uttefTncc r ' "'^^>' "° '"oney could Ralph Furzedon Hrhad^^/,P°^'^I°3 ^^'^'^ ^^^^'^-^1 plainly. A very little, and the ac^uLlt'^^^^^ '^..T"'^ "'^re proclaimed in the press hfiru""'""'^ ^« P^bl'cK India. U might not beToughtfo'rwTrdtm r\?°'"^' ^' ture. There was delav^mlf- ^ "^ ^^^^^ ^'s depar and it was possible tLf.Tl""^" .^^°"* these things • Miss Devereu^too late ' '" knowledge might come'^to ^ol'pV^fcZl:^^^^^^^ r ^ '-tt^e chafl was the only man who annarpnH?^ Sparshot said, Slade of the situation. "HeT chili fh/^''"^'^'^ '^^ ^r^^^'^^y ^»;te/:-"-^-'i-S^-E-j-^ Spar^'t'^a^'r' t1fat'th"nerr;;S"^ T^? ^-^ ^^^-ght, out of the sepoy during the K^//^"^' J"^''^ thrashed to Charlie Devereux "here are so2 TX' ' ^"^' ^^^ording No. I've got a few things rwanTtosltfi? fl^ ""J""^'^^ and I'm rather bothered abon?L !^"i® before I start, saying Bertie left the room ° ^°^ *** ^° '^" And so :tLe"^;'o%etetT'rmus't ^ '^' !"'' ^^ ^"-^-s. Connop, and tell her he whole sZv P f^ 1°''^'. ''^ ^rs. let her niece marry a man with such 7c'hlrf! "''">'' ^' *° Inm, I can do no more 1 1 il ^m,^ uf "^^^ hanging over to Lettie herself; thZlu uJ,^ ,'i"Poss.ble for me to sneak 'k.'l •:• I though how. in eitifA of h IS moi speak ley, she S90 SADDLE AND SABRE. could accept such a cad as Furzedon I" And here Bertie Str''"f ^"P.-^'" *''^'" °^ *''""^h* ^y discharging a volley of maledictions against that gentlenian. to «fk'fi m''\'''^ obiamed the short leave he ventured o ask for. He had a good many things to do in town totrh^T/"*rM ^ ^'^^ ^"' Connop. He was anxfous to see his Uncle Norman, to ascertain when this business ?I aTI^I""^ .'"""^"^ ^^ ^""^''^'''t forward. And Major Braddock he also wanted to talk with, partly on his own account and partly concerning Charlie Devereux's. Major Bra.idock however, he felt certain of seeing before he tnhLl 7^^ ^"J°r '"'T^'^ *^^ ^''^'''' P»««>ble interest Jor .1^ f'T'^^Iu' ^""^ ^^? ^'"'* ^'^^^y to J^^t them sail tor the East without coming down to Portsmouth to witness their embarkation. The settlement of Charlie's debts had been left to the discretion of Bob Braddock- folfi rl'^ "^l^ '" iffnorance of what steps the Major had hl^X if '"v^r;* . i^r f "J^"i«"t. The last time he had heard from his Uncle Bob that gentleman had assured him there was no hurry, that the less they troubled about it the more likely an advantageous offer was to come from the other side But the Major was now acquainted w^t^ the "^^k'I^ of Jordan & Co., and Bertie thought that would probably change his tactics. However, the day after his arrival in town, at the earliest canonical hour permissible for calling, Gilbert Slade made his way into Onslow Gardens. •• Mrs. Connop was a? home, he was told, in answer to his inquiry. And with- out more ado he was ushered up into the drawing-room, where, to his great astonishment, he found himself face to WK 71^ if?*'^ Devereux. The situation was awkward What he had to say he could neither say to Miss Devereux nor before her. And yet that say it he would he was doggedly determined. Lettie rose to receive him: and though taken by surprise as well as liimself, yet she masked her feelings well. Her heart beat quickly'. Lt her chance had come ; and come what might it should go hard if before he left she had not disabused Mr. Slade's mind o any idea that she was engaged to Mr. Furzedon. Mrs. gpnn )j> had not destroyed Bertie's; note, and Miss Deve- And here Bertie 5y discharging a nan. eave he ventured [s to do in town He was anxious len this business rd. And Major >artly on his own vereux's. Major leeing before he possible interest to let them sail Portsmouth to ent of Charlie's Bob Braddock; •s the Major had last time he had bad assured him sled about it the come from the iainted with the ght that would n, at the earliest )ert Slade made 3onnop was at iry. And with- drawing-room, himself face to I was awkward. Miss Devereux would he was 2ive him; and, yet she masked but her chance Lild go hard if Blade's mind of irzedon. Mrs. nd Miss DevQ' A MUTUAL UNOERSTANDING. ;^'"3 letter was nu'in mon f *"'' "} ^^'"^' Auntie dJar^ heen uT.tten, I h..; noTouht un"!' '''^" ^°^ >«"• -nd has And Mrs. Connop was fo ;''"»'''' T^' "^'«^^^<«" i ''ea.' thmk her niece was takinnf. '^^^''''^^ ^ woman not to *• Charmed to see youMr'TS' - ^^.^^ the subj^c . rose to receive her v.S . 'q^^^^^' '^'^ Nettie. L she we have never set evei .L. ^'"'''-' P°°'" Charlie's ' ^rief' '" a few minutes ••i-Misf Vvo!?- ^^ """^ ^'" ^^ down would not-., and I am sure kT"" ^"^°"'^>' ''oP^d she r^^'^'f mST V^-1^|-^^^^ ^" ^° 'here was nothing for itCtdfj^.P"'''. "■" J""" know 'heiifeShef^'^ifr^^uT^ ""•" ' ^ ^f-'' he find, Ah keeps them tramptag c^tim,»P^'' '■°^'^'- This Shere Presidency, and seems as dXM?,"!">i X ""<" <'<'«'> the Will-o'-the-Wisp. We sLllr^ L '° '"^ '"'"'•s "Pon as a set a turn at him too." ' '^'''"P' «« 'here in «me ,o for India ; andf as luck lU tj"" ""'''' e« o« orders S^ur-^e^.^'-'^ '^ '^ We-LfT/i-.t-h?P^; £^r^''^°P~",„ earth could have pue'.hat into CharS held ? "1 TrnV " ■ h 394 SADDLE AND SABRE. fectly sure it never occurred to himself; " but here their conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mrs. Con- nop, who was unfeignedly glad to see her old favourite again, and gave Gilbert Slade a most cordial welcome. '• How long are you up in town for ? " she asked-, as she settled herself in her chair. " Mr. Slade has come to say good-bye. Auntie," inter- posed Miss Devereux. " Good-bye, child ! why, he has hardly said how d'ye do, and we haven't seen him for months. I've got lots to say to you, Mr. Slade. I am dying for a long gossip with you. What day will it suit you to come out and dine with us ? " •' I am very sorry, but I hardly think that is possible. I have only to-night and to-morrow night in town, and shall be so busy all day that dinner will have to be a very movable feast with me. There is, of course, a great deal to do, and we really are off at once, and at very short notice." Then the conversation became general, and Mrs. Con- nop was deeply interested in the fact that the — th Hussars were going to the same Presidency that Charlie was in, and that there was a possibility 'of that young scapegrace coming across his old comrades once more. Then Mrs. Connop, ever sanguine, began to speculate on the chances of Charlie getting back to his old corps, which she thought might be effected soon after the — th Hussars got out there, and Gilbert Slade had to explain to her that the War Office people wouldn't stand quite such a rapid shuffling of the cards as that ; then Charlie's affairs were discussed, and Mrs. Connop was very anxious to know if any progress had been made in their settlement, and was loud in her expressions of gratitude to Major Braddock for all he had done for him. " It really is very good of him to trouble himself about Charlie's business at all, remarked the good lady; "in fact he don't deserve help or pity from any one." "Uncle Bob is a real good sort," interposed Slade. " He took a fancy to your brother, you see, Miss Devereux, at first start, and although I own he was awfull" dip^usted at his having to leave the regiment, yet he is always sUunch ' but here their ice of Mrs. Con- jr old favourite lial welcome, he asked, as she , Auntie," inter- f said how d'ye ve got lots to say jossip with you. dine with us ? " hat is possible. It in town, and ive to be a very se, a great deal d at very short and Mrs. Con le — th Hussars Charlie was in, ung scapegrace ■e. Then Mrs on the chances ich she thought rs got out there, that the War rapid shuffling were discussed, if any progress as loud in her : for all he had himself about ood lady ; " in one." srposed Slade. iliss Devereux, •fully disgusted ilways staunch CHARLIE'S BAPTISM OF FIRE. 395 tTs^don^tbou^^^^^^^^ to-night, and will comri^ business, but I shall see him "I•veSL''d^tae^o asfc' T"; l"^'' Mrs. Connop: Furadon." ^ 5'°" ^''°'" "iis business of Mr. -re Z: I'tve'done'.^ rS.'^^d^sf'/ '"' T '° ^^ »y fflance at Lettice • " f£ ^^^"^^ .?>de, with a meaning Sefore a few weeks are ovT'^oA" ^^".^^^ ^^^"^ ^ good-bye, Miss Devereux°^^nH ^°?^-Jy^' Mrs. Connop, hesaid^n a low ton"" Vu ca^'t 1^^^^^^ h?ivemade me." and fh^n vu S.™"^ how happy you Mrs. Conno^to come to lunch^n^n f ^^^''^ invitation from took »s departure Not iSf, ^"'"^''r^' ^'^^^^^ Lettice Dev^ereux Leemed qu e as c'o^VnV'"'^^ f ^^^^ received a more explicit dedaration ^ ^' '^ '^'" ^^^ ■"■■■ ''.^^ XLI.— Charlie's Baptism of Fire ra^Tan^A^I^S^^^^^ ^ war-path ; itrst-ri^T^attf^"^ some hundreds at hi back sK'^1f'°'''^f^^" ^^^^'"ble known to the authorities bu^ h.^V° ^'1^ ^^' "^^ ^^H the Deccan is a thin? that' r.n h ^f influence through a fact thoroughly record I^i."?r^°"P '^^^"^ ^^^^ i« together his followers! such" number, f ,^^ "^'^^^ ^^^^^^^ but that he can put himself J T^t f ^^ ''^^ command ; able band at two or Three daW notf. ° • " °^°^* ^^^-^^^d' understood. His tactics ar^S. ftu^ °°^ perfectly veterans in our ov^nVoTntrT .^trsatdL^l^ '''^'l^"^ roving expeditions, sped homlwof-^ ?u '^*,^ ."P°" their and th^r^ ronid!" ,7_/_P^^ .^omeward with their nlnn^er Shere AU mates similar outbursts i« unexpected locali- r ^ SADDLE AND SABRE. ties, and then, in like manner, disappears with his booty and IS apparently swallowed up in adjacent jungles. The marauder, too, has acquired a strange notoriety through «! f i u°"?*,7' I"fo^"i^t'o" .?iven detrimental to him- self and his followers has several times been punished with swift and singular barbarity. The villagers are shy of any allusion to his whereabouts or p"oceedings ; and his bri- gandage has attained such an extensive scale as to au- - ^ ^ -^ • • vith his booty. : jungles. The onety through nental to him- punished with are shy of any ' ; and his bri- de as to augur iient that fails Hobson shook of his varied gravating cus- ie," he said, as i of their now houl 1 begin to but he and his ere very close the massacre starthng proof he move ; but vill. We shall w anything of hard to hold. , and heard so his followers, i»* given when will see these id with a like the deuce is And, as he vance guard, 5 horse could id the soldier, e pretty close * pretty sight CHARLIE'S BAPTISM OF FIRE. ig^ ToZZlffn 'rfol^,' '^"^' - ' • -'' ^•^'" ^^P^'^^ cold blood, and torture Jfirst Moo2 ilT T' """"'^^'^^ ^^ "I see," said Hobson '%'. ^^'^^.f^^is fingers, sir." nearly off; thev've hnnnH ,1 ^" °^^ trick of theirs, burnt ' thenL fi're t^Vhli^ Tl!.tT It'^'^e'dt^-rf °\-^' devilry, because thev didn't""!; c;.^' u"^ '* ^^^^ ^^ecr -paced. „, ,.,. Ji^l^ ."^otarni^^'ht i» s* igJi SADDLE AND SABRE. about his property, I don't know. Hal the oth^r f^r^A very httle better ; you can see the mark of tL cord round '. W.^' they half throttled him before they kXd SS " hours ahead of us, perhaps not even so much." Ihe robbers had done their work cleanly. AH the an? •nals belongmg to the murdered party they had carried nff w. h them, and the dead had been sfr ppK eTJrXn^ valuable about their persons. Nothing was lefrSt hf • orpses of the two traders, their servant! and escort to ell I he story of that day's cruel work. By this time he re .iKunder of the troop had come up, and were survevW Z scene with critical eyes. Old soldiers, most of them ^who had been through the fell fighting of the Mutinv^n^. whom the sight of a field streln wfth°L'ad%''af ^Ao^dty tnese. l hese devils give no quarter, and, if ever we do come up with them, by " ^® °° th^I^%''^'''^f''^''''^ f° ^^* ^t- Look at that, too." and he speaker and several of his comrades gazed cur?oislv at ' NoT^ ''""'?' °^*^^-^ ^^P'^^^ ''^^^'^ fingers. ^'^^"' Now, Rivers,' exclaimed Hobson, •' I'm loing to oush forward at once On you go, with ^our advance gu??d keep your eyes skmned, and of course fall back the minute you get touch of the enemy. I suspect Shere AW ITAu head of a strong band this time.'' ^ ^ ^^' '^ ** *^' So httle trouble had the robbers taken to mask thp.V 'ZrZl *^f .f^' ^5^ *^^y ^^^ ^^^-' was pr'etVeS dent. Some of the soldiers, too, by this time had become clever at scouting, and the best of these were pS?intS the adx'unce guard, a bare half-mile from the scene of Ihl massacre, and it was evident that the marauders had left tlie .v^m road and struck across one of the jungle-tr^^Us to thllZT ^"'*^^' P'^".^ apparent, from the horse-prints I tha they were in considerable numbers. Hobson h^a"*c ' duub. diat, according to his wont, Shere Ali, having pta'ced I Keej jungle The m( alert fc man oi far to g chief penaltie due to t invarial by force too long that to ( tactics. Silent] for Hob talking i their mai sible. N the adva Still the : their froi while yoi ently ten CHARLIE'S BAPTISM OF FIRE. the other fared i the cord round they killed him." hing them io^ the ■"''L'V*''l not yet cold. I 'e three or four ich." ly. All the ani- y had carried off 2d of everything vas left but the nd escort, to tell fiis time the re- re surveying the St of them, who Mutiny, and to was no novelty, growled one of I, if ever we do that, too," and zed curiously at ingers. n going to push idvance guard ; ack the minute re Ali is at the to mask their vas pretty evi- ae had become j re put into the ! scene of the] luders had left | jungle-trails tc j ! horse-prints,! obson had no having placed 299 a/rusted few. and then betaSC.l 171 \*^^ exception of place, the whereahn.,/c ^f i, '"'"^elf to his secret lurkinff- fursuers; C ftf Ltet wt'wellV'.^^^'^^^ ""'"^'^ ^^« ^ Feringees had got no hinT of T h^J' ^"f '° ^^^' ^he longas he was close upon the ira.^of'S" ^."'^ '^^' ^o ' Shere Ali kept at the head of . n °^ ^'l ^°^' ^"^ t^^at not be difficult to follow bi^"""^^'^°"\ba"d, ^^ "^ould , rapscallions there wo7d' be Ireat'rn '' M^'^P^^^^d his ,;<^f him. It had happened so' near h^ff"' °i ^°''"^ ^'^^^ patrols who deemed him within fh.ir ^ ^°^^" *'"^^^ ^o had no doubt that upon the on^ tT ^'^T' ^"^ ^o^son afert for t^/'sfc'^?,?L"S ^ '^.''°'\iy^^ -^ e«" man of them kn^wThol fu^ •", °^ ^'^^ robbers. Everv fartogiveTem anv ho^^^^^^^^^ nde must be both fast an J chief ^he immrnSy'r h1d"s?'ffr "^ ^'Vl' ^-"^^ penalties of his crimes had b^Pn J/ ^"J^^^"* ^^°"^ ^^e due to the celeritv- of hi mr. f° ^^1 '" ^^^^^ measure invariablv fled fr^m the TcZZT^' ■ ^" ""i^ ^'^ ^°"°wers Jl-toWureeill^:^^^ for'a^h'JXnTy'oU'r^^^^^^^^^ talking in the rankc /ndlmnl c^h *^^'^ !^°"^^ ^e no their march must be condurS??!^ "?°1 ^^' "^^" ^^^t sible. Mile after mile was thrrwn^K f- ^'^^^^oise as pos- the advance guar? reported -Tn r'^'"^ *J^™' ^"^ ^till Still the footpLts orriarl hZ ^^T'^ °^ *^^ ^"^™y-" their front. Hobson's facfwnr.^ °^ ^°'?'' ^^^^ ^^^^ in while young Devereux rhaf'dTrw"rdl ^TT ^^P^^^^^ion. ently termed - the slownSs of Tircap^a^n "'"' ^^ ^"^^^^' m- 300 SADDLE AND SABRE. hanVgaX ^: r'e U t .^^'^ --"'sed up and irsuers. e sergeant, son. sant;"but CHARLIE'S BAPTISM OF FIRR rpund^he'j^TgTe^'o^ files, creep I m ffomg to attack in front at once h^ /^^^u^'" '" ^^''^■ ises these black fellows like fin^ ' ?"^°o^^^'ng demoral- got round their flank You had betSr'^^'' Tt'^^'^'' ^^^ve One moment, Devereux, get well rnT "^'^^ ^''^' ^'^ers. towards their rear, befo e^you a ack ' '"""r ^\^' ^^'"^^^^ you'll get plenty of fighting '' ' "'^'''''^ ^^^' ^ut what dacoits stood their ground and TT ? ^^°"* ' ^ut the stubborn resistance.^ ' ^""^ evidently meant to offer a . The English soldiers had H-c,« * j ing order, had advanced raodlv .T"*^^'u^"^' ^" skirmish- spread through the jungKn^.^"^ *^^ ^°^*^' «"^ ^°""^1 fold their own strength. ^ '" numbers of four- With a shout of «' p^olJow m^ i " r^ at the dacoits with the ntenHnn P^^^.'"^"'^ hashed straight and then falling of theTaTofl'""'"^ ^.1^ ^^^ *hrou|h^ ance with his instructions R.^/ ^ u'^'P ^°'^>' '^ compli- . the English sold ers back and .h'^^^* ?^ "."'"'^^^^ brought share fighting saw Charl^ stretch^H ''"^' ?^ * ^"^ "^'""tes" cut ^ealt by the grim old so va 'who l!T.t'' ^'"^"^ ^ '"^^'^ »ng party. Sergeant Riverl'l ^ *^^ enemy's flank- mand, made two desnerate S. ° ^^t "°^ ^^^ in corn- carrying Devereux oKhh ^hW\'"/h- ^opes of at le^st robbers were too numerous for him"^nHT '" ^^'"' ^^^ al^^dnven back on the -aiX^wttf t'h^T^^oTKSf i^pltTe^:^:^^^^^^^^ as soon as he fell back and rap7d?y showed JT ^''•^"?^ ^^« *"^ned. his fresh assailants; TnCtThe^^^^^^^^^ the direction of became that of a somewhat irril^ f ^ ^ formation speedily confined himself arpSen to thf/f "'""' ^"^ ^heir leader his men had not foS ?he P.nH?^ ^f"'"'' ."°^^°n and miscalculated the stren Jh of ^ ^' ^^^ "°*^^"ff J hejiad not calculated upon Shere AH''^ antagonists, and had laughed at the z^de" oV' L'^daeoTtf 'L"'"""'""^'^' ^"* ^^ breaking his formation. In va,n d^d ?r^^'Ar"™^^°"«' his men, and exhort them not to ci ^^.f ^ ^^' """^^ on nor to leave a Ferin^ee pI,V. I ^P^'^. *^^ mfidel dogs After one or two hairhea ted atfe^ '.'^%f " ^'° ^^'^^ recognised that the FeSees w.l ^^^ *^^ marauders to crack; the deadly Enfiddssr.Tf. ^T^ ^^'^^'^ ""t ranks, and they eventLlTyrecoL/"^^^^^^^^^^ in their Shere Ah gnashc 1 his te^th Ztu "^^^^^ and discomfited. ous: these two leir adversary's vereux and his suddenly found umbers of four- dashed straight IS way through, )ody in compli- imbers brought a few minutes' 5s from a sabre enemy's flank- V left in com- 'pes of at least s in vain, the e was eventu- le loss of half i, as soon as k was turned, e direction of ation speedily d their leader Hobson and »ng; hejiad ts, and had uvre, but he r numerous, Ali urge on infidel dogs, n go down. marauders tough nut oc in their discomfited. »e, too, was ) of English a couple of 'ff suddenly Charlie's baptism of fire. ., 303 ke a wo.mded tiger baulked of his orcv An^ w k 00k advantage of the lull tr^ r^X ^ ^^' ^^'^ Hobson .md been a sharp brush lnH^?° "? ^'l casualties. It ^^trewn nretty Sy onihe g'/ound't h'fs o '^^^ "^^^ considerable for an affair of^his nature H. ^°'' ^^ concerned to hear that Charlie Dever/ux ^l! fT """"5 no sooner were the robbers fairly m retreat th.nQ'"' ^"^ Rivers and a party were sent onf 7 ^ . .*"an Sergeant It wasppssibirheiTght S have been "j^lilV^'''.°^^^^- events, it was their duty to see th^- '-^^ ' ^* *" bohmdthem. But the dacoi?/h.H ^ ^^^* ''° wounded iailen, the wounded had been h^fpr'^^S '"[^ ^°'^ °^ ^^^ One thing only was'ttrrdiWy-c'ha'r^rD^^^^ ^^^• u father dead or alive, had disappeared ^^^vereux, Hobson looked verv ^ravp whXt,;! that Mr. Devereux wa^s niis^nt ^t was reported to him than this. Shere Ah's ferodous ch.r. ?^^'"^ "^^^ ^^"^'• and even the men felt thath.ir^^^^ and stark in the jungle had met ^^^^^ ^^o lay cold than was probably reserved fnr A ^'°'^ "^^''^•^"1 'ate them, Th?t he had been carrtd off h^'."' J^^° ^^^ ^^^ could be no doubt It was W^i T.?V^! ^^^°^*s there have done this unless ll S b"n I'live'^^n^f .u'e 7 T^^ veterans among them shook theh- leads rlf. n *°"^^t^* sort of mercy that Shere Ah ^11 f 1 '^"efully over the captive in the hour of his defeat H^ *° "^''^ °"* *° ^ soon made ; in half an hour if. H^hson's resolve was the footsteps of h1^ retreat"nAor '"^'-^ Pressing on to Shere Ali's skirts till men or hoUp! """' '^'°^^^'^ ^« '^'^^ track this human tiger Thl stiTnJnH °"'' ^'^^uld ever reaching it. In face of f '°"^'^°^^^' °^ Prevent his possible that Shere Ali would Lll% ^^ P"^'"^* ^^ ^^^ the secret of his^italT^l'^ l\['):^^f -^^ ^° betray understand that once known hTs caoturl h."^"^ "°^ *° matter of a few days. The EntSf .^^u"*?"^ ^ ^''"Ple to overwhelm him in a mafvp^lo^ ? u^"^"^ b""&' "P ^rce knew, moreover that hS own n^^r^°'' ''"^^- ^°bson perfect chain of patrols sent for?h/ "^f ""^^^ °"^ ^^ ^ dacoit chief. " iMvan'dd " hp/l. i ^ -^^^^"'^ ^^ ^^^ capture Shere Ali hm^if,' he vvoum'^^. ! "^'i'^ ^^"^^ "°^ .[■•1 ■ *: succeed in hunting 1 SADDLE AND SABRE. J04 dacoits with untiring ZiS^acUy""^ "^°" '^'^ ^^-^ ^^ the XLII.-Mrs. KvNASTON's Disappointment. B of'^fnl^rorOnf :V"? '" ^ ^^^>' ^'^-ent state had arrived there wKa^afooYi:? '.^ ^'^"^ '" ^'"^'h h' tormenting himself about Le» A ^.^ ^*f " ' •ngenuousjy while no such en-a-emenf « betrothal, when all He light now, and he cCd , ttle' wh'.Tt^^' ^^^'' '* -"« H though he felt pretty .certam Th^f m^''^'"^ ^^ Furzedon take good care that righteous retr N^^^'"^" Slade would him. Then he thou-h" of L« k "I'^^l ^^^ ^^alt out to mistake. He was qu?te ceL n fh". ^^^ ^'*^^^» '"to th s he first heard of it • bff hJ " *^?^ '^ was from CharlL said ..that somebody mus? hal^^nT'^-^^^^ Nettie hid that her brother was -hT^fcf ^"^ '* '"^^ his head for elusion from his own obsirlfT'" '-? ^T'""^ ^^ ^"^h a con across him that he^so hadTea?d"tt f ^"^ ^'^^^ '^ Aashed Kynaston had told him rh. '^ '"^^"^ o^her lips. Mr^ sible that Charhi's CldfeTf h "'^- '^^^ '^ "^^ pos had been denved from ttsfL ource'? 'r !"^^^«™ent over m his n;ind as he wa'kpH^fi ^>.^^ ^"'""ed this thick with Mrs. Kynaston mHn"^: ^'^^'"^'^ was very ;t was just after tlfat flyTn:. ^isk ??'''' '"'^^^-^nbered wej town that he told th - Wt of ni ^""V'" ^^^ -^-reux's to muttered Bertie to hmsef ^T^^'m "^"'^' -^ ^ avenP heard it from Mrs. S^^^^ '!'f'''' ^T' ^^ ^Ifd he was that he should have the' fi-? ^T^'^^"^ ^^^ odd it thought; he had sX^^^^^ J/ ^as early yet. he .*'-^- he didn't seem tohlehT ^'^""'^ ^^nnerVsome ■<>• .?h ae had that morning t^ T """^^ *« <^o as he --^^^isb.K„ess^^n^:^-tl.i^^ M^ I of the cordon." Q the ixud oi the INTME.VT. •y different state 'at in wliich he •" ' ingenuously aJ, when all the Well, it was all e of Furzedon, n Slade would 'as dealt out to at Lettie had > his head, for at such a con- then it flashed lerlips. Mrs. as it not pos- ? engagement e turned this rlie was very pmbered well Mv:_ eux's to •' ' aven!" tic said he I how odd it f his sister's early yet, he nner; some- to do as he 'e important rough t to a 1«RS. KYNASTON'S DISAPPOINtMENT. 305 MtJsfactory conclusion. He ourht f^ n.u ^ • , Ky..sfnn good-bye before he sailed fAl'H^"^^'^*' Mrs. that .,.:s rumour was a hit If I u J ^ ^^^^ any bet What object could she have i°/settin5?^r^^ ^"^ ^^y ? I shouldn't fancy her a rniTrhLf "^ ^"''^ ^ '""P^^^ afloat ? still puzzling over Mrs 7' h™ from und"? Phiianderi,,g, if „7. .0 m-o;-U"s1oSa'J™I„tlXnrC 3o6 SADDLE AND SABRE. there is some one who wi'l mice. Tio u "^® *® *"i"k u V 1 Tr ^^ '*^ miss us when we ar*» imn^ »» and again it w^s Sposs Efe for .n^ ^""^ ^'^^'y ^^"t^^'" challenge held forthThfm ^"^ ""^^ *° "^^^^^^e the ^^orli;!'''t.^^S^^^^^^ a little such an opening thaTsheh^?' u^\ 'i^ "'^""^^ ^^Ply to another wL^n^ marriaL p '« Howl'^''^ ^V? by talki/gof MissDevereux since thfwinteraTd don' ^l "? ^^^" arrived in town as vet • hn/nlJl 7 ? * ^^'"^ ^^^ has about yourself. X^ do voir^o^'''^ ^'''f ' *"" '"^ ^^^ going?'- ^° >^°" S°' and where are you favountes invariably getLn;:ffor4^^ all my huSS ;^etn"e!LTo?p^;"rd";^!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ a-dSs^ ttaf inlinf''^- against her Gi bert llaSe^, T '"'^ .^^" ^°"^d be lai J Kynastonwaso7thesightes^ thc'lwl ^''^'. ^'^^^ inn to touch either carci or ciie and tl l"^ "^'^^'" ^"^^^ed in Charlie's case, Kate had told' Ci , ^"°''^' ^^O' ^ven he must be allowed t^pt^'clfheTes.^^'^"^ °"^^'^^^^^ ^^at _- s ver> good of you to class lue in that category," he said si friend the mi r She ,^^at a counte pettish ments ? Girls o: "Id( " I don making "Anc " I kr know al confider that thr never w; man wh( "I dc replied t desirous better ta formed a " Perh sure you Furzedon only apoli a public what I m Mrs. K^ ignored tli Gilbert w Kynaston room in h( that Berti she could ] It was 1! down to di still it cann as he wholly rs. Kynaston engagement, 1, as he took ke to think B gone." =h. I have iry winter," iiistake the le to make Devereux's i- By the sd before I )efore long, on, a little d reply to 7 talking of e not seen ik she has tell me all e are you t ; further ion." hly. «' It ; all my ed by her service a military 1 be laid th Dick ^r invited too, even ight that ory," he MRS. KYNASTON'S DISAPPOINTMENT. 307 SfoFiSiSKux-s^St^''' '\'^t - - -t-ate the mistake of behevW h ' Jo , ^°" '^°"1^ ^^^^ ^^llen into ,: She felt that ht'J^l^^'^ll^^^^^^^ Furzedon." ' that a woman like MrT Kvnas on ' VJ^ T" ""^^ ^'^ely countenance by a trifle liSthnf ^nu"^. ^^ P"^ °"t of pettishly,., what havf I to do with M.?n ^""'•'" ^^^ ^^^^ «ents ? I know she was ; it'I quife 1 iSf^"',?"^^^ ""^^&^- Girls of her age are quite caLhS -^f i^^^ ^^^ ^^"'^ "ow. "^'^nVp^ra^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^-^ . "i^-o-^/r:pulathy at any was not of a consider, as ti much un- e originator, i'ing finished " so the old i^ast. Good istily down, Jre at once. )hens ? " he ranee. " It gentlemen, iphens ; " I ng with it." etorted the Iways very Stephens there are detected it setter than ably have it had he o interfere ified by a exception. 3 see, and makes it rtt incomft I't like it. "GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART, GOOD-BYE." 305 we shall no doubt be ahU *««,,., , for you." ^ *° manage an exchange home thlt'^fh^l;" 7-P^'"^ ^"'^^^*' " but I shall be home before « TiJ J ^ "" ^^ Sood as enga-ed to be married '' whoTi%tayT-^°" "^•" -P^-d Major BrldTckf ;. and ;; To Miss Devereux, Charlie's only sister." say ;\'ut L^ffi T^ust sh'el^' T' "".^^^ N— talent for gettinT through Lnf '^'" * ^°* ^^' ^^^^^er's broke before a co1.ii!^^o7?Lrrare^ou?^^^ "'" '^ <^^-" ing. •^"musrio'o ", ^''' °^ '"^^ V ^^P^'^d Gilbert, laugh- don't happen toTa^eanHaf'' ^"' "'' l^'' ^ ^onderX '^."^fr ,^^ Hands, there will rejoiredVel^:^^;/.^,^^^^^^^^ -f ^^^^er unmarried." always said you had a r IhVT^^ ^°" ""^ ^°* y^""- t'^oop. I sincerely truTvou wil hi I ^^^^'^ ^^"'■'"^^- ^ <=an only old Devereux's aSrfJi f'^??>'- ^ ^"^^ ^ little about girl willcome int^rc JS a°bt"lfttlf St''? ^°"'^- ^^^^ day." And tJif>n fV,^^ • ""^^ °'^ o^ money some ne£ chiefly bearing 0^,^^""°" """"^ '"to other cha, bearing o„^hTs™f,°r;''■o„1l'r,"'■L" GUh"!" ""^ "° .ar7ha:?ro.W^i~^^^^ abandon aU claims to usurbus in.eres..^'' '^""■'^°'' "'" XLIII.-" Good-bye, Sweetheart, Good-bve " G'Sis f L^o^lrn'ot^^L-^PP^-" > Onslow and Mrs. Connoo 'whX hoJ^i "f I^^ iuncheon hour; niece .<...^^Tij!'^JX^^^^, Ihld^^L^"^ 3IO SADDLE AND SABRE. to Miss Devereux's sole occupation. If Gilbert had been somewhat vacillating yesterday, he came very directly to the point to-day. ' " You know what I have come for, Lettice. I have come to say plainly what I virtually said yesterday, and can only trust that, in my joy at finding you free, I did not read your feelings wrongly. Will you marry me? I love you very dearly, and have done, I believe, ever since I first knew you; but it wasn't until I heard that lying rumour tnat 1 discovered how very much you were to me. Can you like me well enough to say ' Yes ? ' " Miss Devereux hesitated only for a moment, then frankly stretched out her hand, and said simply, '« Yes, I will be your wife. An answer to which the victor at once replied %^^u'^'"ivi*^®T<'P°'^^ °^ ^^^' ^"^ pressing his lips to hers. Ihen Miss Devereux sat demurely down, and motioned him to a seat by her side ; and the conversation became, although extreniely interesting to themselves, one that would read insufferably dull upon paper. There are some things best left to the imagination ; and it is a question whether our own experiences don't suggest more to us than all books can tell. I don't think, beyond the fact that their marriage could not take place for some little time, they gave much heed to future arrangements, which was perhaps, as well, as it is difficult to say what changes a tew months may make in one's plans. When Mrs. Connop came into the room, Gilbert lost no time in telling her of Lettie's promise to be his wife " Of course he said, diplomatically, " there are yourself and her father and mother to be consulted. As far as I am concerned, I am my own master. My parents are both nf ht^" ""^ "" ' ^^J*°'' ^^^dd°ck' about it last " How could you," interrupted Lettice, laughing ; «' what dreadful audacity! You couldn't be sure I should say i-i'u^'f^ ^?"'* ^T^"^ y°" w®"^® compromised," rejoined Gilbert gaily. " I on.ly told him what I intended to do • that I had almost as good as iiskcd you, and that I had hopes of a favourable answer. Well, Mrs. Connop you It's "good-bye, sweetheart, good-bye." 3tl t^Charil'^^ W.^1 'I ^ S°°^«°rt ; you know how he stood mv TWifM ' \'^'^^^'^ "^e joy, and I feel quite sure Sll^o .^^°'"'^"~^\'^^' '^^" y°"' remember. Lettice- wiU say the same m his own way. I only trust. Mrs Connop, you can say the same on your side " fluster of pleasure and excitement, " you have both mv most hearty good wishes, and I shall be^ only too chlrm^d to welcome you as a nephew. I cannot, of course, answer for my brother; but I don't think it is likely thai he wfll "°.. te.^'^l'^^y P]9^^^^ to receive you into the family." Thank you. replied Bertie, quietly, « I always felt I could re y upon you. and I hope I have a satisfactory story to tell to Mr Devereux." =.i*^iury "I have not the slightest doubt of it; but now. young people, do conie to lunch, you may not have time to be hungry, but I both have and am." A very merry party was that in the dining-room that afternoon Mrs. Connop insisted that the occasion re- quired a bottle of champagne; and. let devotees of the Blue Ribbon League rave as they will, that does impart a liveliness to conversation. ^ Things were discussed in a much more business-like way under the auspices of Mrs. Connop than they had been by the young couple in the drawing-room. And that Gilbert should go out to India and return within a year for the wedding was definitely settled. "Stop, I tell you what. Mrs. Connop,' suddenly ex- claimed Bertie. " I've got an idea. I must go back to 7^?'^\^^u^''u^ r^^'^ ' ""^^ ^ ^^"^^ «^f a lot to do. and though the chief is as good as gold about leave, it stands to reason the work must be done. Now I shall see awfully httle of Lettice before I sail ; if you wouldn't mind Tt you would be real good-natured, and if Mr. Devereux says it's all r^ght. you might run down to Portsmouth and see % ! ;iJ sure to come down, and I am sure would be only too Tl* $ti SADDLE AND SABRfi. S ar'i'^ef^' linff °^^°"' ^'^ ^^^e very good carfe care of. as far as eath;f LndTni''^ ^^^"^^>' ^^" '^^^^ under his charge " ^ drinkmg goes, while you're offh'ffe%^et^;tt;s?"norr '°*.^*°°-" — mendation and Mrs Connnn -^ ^^^ ^^ *^'' '■^'^°'"- "she would th„'/,' over and fn"^Kr' '"^"^^^ *« ^^y the last of him." ' '^' '^Possible, run down to see "a' mhe? ^t'ran!e'"iS Mrs Connop," said Gilbert, occasions. IfTomeof th.m ^^ the good-byes on those toast-drinking theieare mh^r. '^ i^ade with laughter and words. Howe S our °o^'k ""^"^^ "^'^^ ^^^^^ and broken sort ; we are not gcang fanltnil"°' f'i'' *° ""' °^ '^^' to prevent our friends Sf!P^' i^"? ^^'^^^ '« "othing By the time th^Ts Tas^LatKn T^ '^^''y God-speed." covered that .t was tfL for h? ^ ^"^"ffed Gilbert dis- three things yetTo arrTn Jh.f /° ?°' "^ ^^^ ^^o or his /^'ncef a^Ssty aS 3hoow\^''i'"^ «° ^^^ bade Connop, dashed down staks .nS' •'^' ^T^-'^^ ^'^^ Mrs. hansom he came across ' "^ ^"'"P^^ ^"^o the first ha"rroul'd^n"Mtte^^^^^^^^^ that Miss Devereux wa^T^ VP^^\ ^* ^^^ possible yet heard it, but Mrs rVh. ?r:^^ '^°^-^ '^^ ^^^ "ot as appoint she'would ose ^o S'^n c7"'"^^ '^^' '^^^ was this ojject the next dav Vp h! clearing up, and with dens to call upon Mrs Conn. °''% "^"^^ *° <^"slow Gar- half-hour afterGilbert had left ^h"^ J'"^"^ *^^^^ ^ ^^^^ surprised to find nansvvpr fii^ *^? ^°"?^- ^^^ was not vereux was in to vn Th.nl ^^^f^'^q^'ries that Miss De- had felt pretly celain lo onlv^th^? f °^" *^'"^ °^^'' ^^e Gilbert had seen heJ and an nnJl^ fhe must be, but that had been arrived a^^^b^twlrthe pt^'Xh^, f '"T ^°^* informed were at home am? oif ^ ?°*^ ^^^'^^ ^he was servant upstairs ' '^^ accordingly followed the Persistent believer as she ^^d ahvs- m, * ^ M.S Devereu... e.,gage,„e„. to lutein ry^Hrtdn'^vS e very good cariB ng his services; i^fuJly l^ell taken >es, while you're 1 too well aware 2 at this recom- s induced to say run down to see " said Gilbert; l-byes on those th laughter and 5ars and broken ly to be of that here is nothing ry God-speed." red Gilbert dis- ^e had two or wn, so he bade rtily with Mrs. into the first Gilbert Slade [t was possible he had not as that that was up, and with > Onslow Gar- there a bare She was not hat Miss De- ling over, she t be, but that of some sort adies she was followed the cted to be in : it had never "GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART, GOOD-BVE." 31 3 occurred to Lettie to suspect Kafe of having industriously set about the rumour, and therefore she was received with great cordiality. Mrs. Connop had never quite liked Mrs Kynaston, but she was so elated by the event of the morn ing that she would have welcomed any one warmly while, as for Lettie, she was only too pleased to feel that It was now in her power to convince her friend of the absurdity of the idea of her ever marrying Mr. Furzedon. have been barely in town a week," said Lettie, in answer to Mrs. Kynaston's reproaches of not acquaiPtin'- her with her own arrival. " I should have been rciud to see you in a day or two, but it was very nice of you to call x?r n^; i. t^.^ always speculating on my marriage. *^i ' i^^^ ^ ^'* °^ "^^^ ^^^ you- I am really enga-red." Mrs. Kynaston paused for a moment before she repiied Although expecting something of the sort, she was not P^ifP^^.^ , ^", °P^" ^^°^^''^^ of the engagement. It was with difficulty she preserved hor composure, as she replied, Fray accept my congratulations, and don't be surprised at my not asking the name of the happy man. He came down to take a sennmental leave of me yesterday after- noon, and I have no doubt was engaged in paying a round of such visits. I pretty well gathered how his leave-taking here had terminated." ^ Lettice started as if she had been stung; she had had her tiflfs with Kate Kynaston, no doubt, but she did regard her as her most intimate friend, and had expected her con- gratulations would be both honest and thorough, but there was no mistaking the half-sneer in Mrs. Kynaston's speech, nor --uld anyone fail to notice the cold half-mocking tones in which the oonventional words were spoken. Mrs. Kyn- aston was a good actress, but for once in her life the blow had been too severe, and for the moment she had involun- tarily dropped the mask. She repented almost as soon as the words had passed her lips, but for the minute she could not for the life of her have said otherwise. " I don't thmk Mr. Slade had .time to pay quite as many calls as you suggest, nor even if he did say good-bye to a few of his friends do I suppose his partings were quite of the character you describe," h "* 314 SADDLE AND SABRE. diately, and it will all do very nicelv Vt^n^. ?^* '™'"^- very pleased with it, are we ifo" St'ie p '' " ''''"''' ^" ^'^ by thtli^'quTe'rire?;^^ 7^0 had with all my heart, Lett^f thou 'h " - hi . °?^'^^"^^*^ ^^^ one in this fashi™ ^' °' °"' = ?=' ^"''""■"= '>k'n from laughing "^"i'tl ^onrT"'^' Leltie,"'said Mrs. Kynaston forS/declared voSr7ro"n:^ ^°" ''"^ ' '»=''3«. h^s him7^a.T.J°rs^°Corp ^Her'at^"^ ^^^ '"%'-' of ite of mine, and as he sav, -ttZ^ ^,^^^ *.«™' f*™""-- for a few months!' and fce is ^o°fiiLf^'"«-8°°''-''y^ weVe no cause to feel anxfous abow hlL •' '^ «°'"« ""• ™ be Koin;rw'""d:odt;:r'LS;re yzt "?-* \™"« every happiness, and ^^u muS^./ bT^rXe mT'IiT having come to say good-bvp tn m» "jsruage Mr Slade of his, you know. ^Good-bve Mrs r„„^„^'" »",<>" Wend her to be jealous, isn't it P S *^™°P- ^arly days for Kynaston sailed „it of the room ' ^^^ '^"Sh Mrs. Le;,fe"^.DM°yfu'everL:ran'".'?y f ,''"?' ' -'='-"'ed congratulations^were a mere mS.l'"'' *? hf- ^"n' ? her not that; but K^e was S T^^ r^-ul'^'?"' ' "<>• I'™ '° "it: ""%^^ if ^heonll^'-ffi ?he'oro«uty ^'^ ^'^ "^^ .heAs::s;X'dt5.T;s'irf^r^^^^^^ "fe^KZl^' T5 engagemennde^en^^on ?f ..'^ ^"-^ self So^^r "wSu^'dfe ha^vet'^elr ^^4".^ -- too angry with the affianied pTfr io 1?-? /?'• ^''^ ""^ men, of their happiness witf;^'." i'^" ¥^^4-°^^ "GOOD-BYE, SWEEtHEART, GOOD-BYE." 3I5 Svedfnrth^f "" measure of her wrath is sure to be or J^^ brief interval soon shps away, and the gallant — th are m all the turmoil that the ofder for forfign service mvanablv evolves The sale of their horses was I^ls always tiie case, the worst ever known. Who c^res to buy hunters at the end of the hunting season ? As voun^ more and it would have been far more graceful to have kennl?' ^^ f the barrack-yard, and sent them ove to the nnif%*°. ^^^^^^^ ^°.""^^ th^y had followed so we 1." Unsatisfied creditors thronged the barrack-yard. e^ces- atTiLf"'''°"' ^""''^^ settlement of their little rccountsror at least some security for tl am, occasioning much care and anxiety to those gay soldiers who had lived up to the ?ra ditional maxim, and " spent half a crown out of skpence a teTvon /w7^^' '° ' ^?^' ^^"". ^'^^' "^^"ta^y authorities tell you that the army is ready for active service to the last a^e^areTv tfk^^^^^ ^ '5""^ '^' °«^<=^^'^ private Sr hftJT^^ u^'' '''*'' consideration. However, all these cai h^lf'^A ^? °^''u^* ^^^*' *h^ ^i^^ly "^en have been cast by the doctors, the dep6t has been formed and i!^i?^ '^'' ^^?T ^'^^^ *^^™' *h^ «^^vice strength of the ^u^I'iu^^ ^^^y ^'^^^'^ d°w° to Portsmouth. ^ thJr fm wl^ .• ^"'^'^ l^ "° particular enthusiasm about their embarkation was but natural. They were not going out to take part in a big fight, nor were bands ring n| iu? the spint-stirring melodies which such occasions in?ariaWv give rise to; but for all that there are always Xv of Kt\:^°h^°'^ \r- °"^ °f °"^ ^"^^^h regim^ntsTmgrk and start them on their voyage with a ringing cheer. ^A^°"^^'"u^^ at Portsmouth the -th marclied to the auav^' Thl^''" *^" ^^'"^■^'^^" ^^^ ^yi"g alongside the quay. The gigantic steamship speedily engulfed them be ween her capacious decks, and then Gilblrt had tim^ to look round for those who had com^ to see him off hI hTs^7n?n ^n^^l^""? V° ^""^" ^"^ her escort as he marchid his troop on board, but as soon as the men had settled 316 SADDLE AND SABRE. Te-^s^^i^af ^LV&i.^' ^i^'^ :?ir;.e°u' the salo^; wfthTan hou"""'"''' ""'' "'" '^^'- P'"« ■" " Yes," said Miss Devereux «« T cI^^^m i-i . , allow i, was •e.Se'?'"''"' = " ""• ^°" ^' '" "^-"'^ ■"- ab:uMhL"Twe""J'a*Lb"Z:v„' ^ff ^^'" ^"""-1' ■arranged before vervC. Si "'' if, "^S" ""y ""' ^ on^S ^c'a-sfo^- f//? ?^/f„"-j3 -y™, good-bye oS;^i'ir';;rd%„^d^i5S^SMa^ murmured, " God for ever bless vou dJLT^ a ,^' -^^ a small parcel in his -^Im TrJ^J u ^b, ^"^ leaving gang^vay. '^™ ^^^^^^ hurriedly across the HOBSON RECOVERS THE TRAIL. it9 s rushed ashore e them off. [ajor, " glad to man. None of hip. They tell come on board ig rourd a ship, U take place in ike to do that, to tel.' me how Ul events must ijor Braddock s they will be ! to pay a good hat he hadn't versation was limed, " I am e-taking very , that, though ', he is going d anchor for the warning smote upon ing good-bye : the " sweet y prolonged, id his uncle, varmly, and write con- > the Major's ) his as she and leaving / across the When Gilbert unfolded his prize a little later it contained a gold locket with the monogram of " L. D.' upon one side, while within was coiled a lock of Lettie's chestnut tresses. XLIV. — HoBsoN Recovers the Trail, WHEN Charlie Devereux came to himself, he found himself bein^r borne along in a rude palanquin, the property of the grim old Rohilla who had cut him down He was dizzy, confused, and his head still swam a good deal from the sabre-stroke, the force of which, luckily for him, had been considerably broken by his helmet. He had lost a good deal of blood, but his head had been bound up tor him roughly in a damp cloth. As soon as he could col- lect his faculties sufficiently he began to wonder what he had been spared for, and with the remembrance of that scene by the roadside he could not but fear that it would have been better for him had he been slain outright. Soon he perceived that there was an animated discussion going on between two men, wlio were mounted on very good horses, and evidently men of note amongst the robbers One he nr-ognised at once ; it was the dacoit chief to whom* he had been opposed, against whom he had stood foot to foot and sabre to sabre, with what dire results we have seen. The other was a little wiry man of middle height and a countenance somewhat striking. You were puzzled at first to kpow what it was repelled you in it; the man was well-favoured enough, but his fellows seldom saw him lor the first time without his producing an uneasy feeling m their mmds ; but at last it dawned upon you, it was the cruel, restless eyes. That his companion paid him con- siderable deference was apparent, but that it was Shere All himself Charlie was not aware until somewhat later Could he but have overheard the tenor of their conversa- tion It would not have done much to comfort him regarded his present position. "You were wrong, Hassam, to spare this dog of as 3i8 SADDLE AND SABRE. our Jives are forfei.e^d'.TevJM'^eyLp "uL"""""" "^^ ''■ „..>, f °"i <:°"nsel tlwt his life should be soared altn there are now many mor? parties of th/p'^-'^^^""^' ^"^ ing the country thaJI there ised to he ' '""^''' ''°"''- " True, and this lot behind us in snitn of t^^ reception we gave them, are by no mean? done wfth ""w"" ought to have eaten them up tJiis mornTng/° ^''^' ^' Irue, rephed the Rohilla, "but these childrpn nf Sheitan are obst mate as pigs, and moreover iVefightTng'' You are right, Hassam, we will make thp JhihTin^' rogati^ely^ "' "'"''' "> ^P^*'' '" ^^i" «>» Rohilla inter- " I« will be the worse for him," retorted ShereAli ..w. have ways to make n,en open .h«r "^o'uX^ile Zl skirmish Shere Ali and h? Mlowlrfwe^e ,Ws Sa^ =.o'uToi-hi^pro;"r-^^^^^^^^ SSlel7^iSmS:-l-'rbfb?o»S Suddenly he began to suspect his prognostications were would save our depend upon it, I be spared alto- van t some infor- 1^ thickened, and ^eringees scour- e of the warm lone with. We :se children of : love fighting." he sahib tell us little recovered Rohilla inter- lere Ali. " We uths he little left Shere Ali hods of ques- long, Hobson Dnsequence of autious in his after a sharp always again t chief endea- leir relentless they behaved ht to face the now endured obson recog- . Both men he one ray of Mi lay in the ng nearly as cations were 1 HOBSON RECOVERS THE TRAIL. scouts pointed out, from'^^'Sta ^offi'?■ """' " ""= evident that the robbers here haH hl.„i, ■ ']°'^^ " was I. was just what Hobson fearel. DelSfo? ^'^^ oflFhis persistent pursuit SherP Ali iT.^^ ^ of shakmg band his followers. The hunfed 1 ^^^ '"""^'^'^ *° ^^^ afraid to divulge the secret of hfc . ^''°'^. T^" evidently after disbanding hiJ men sou J Ifc f' u"^ ^^^^' Probably of the most trusted CouK h f^^^^' ""''^^ ^"^ ^ ^^w now. Hobson thought his canfnr. TI"P "P ^'^^ t^^^n^ had little doubt his own plrtvlr ouThI^'^k'^" ^i""^' ^^ ^^- robber chief; but which of these fh?."^''^ *^^f o^ the had no peculiar niarrby which ',-*'' '' '?*"^^ ? ^^^X of his horse from that of a^y ofhlr T^""''^ *J" footprints and after a brief delay HobLon deci^J ? Y^^^' '°^^-"P' hazard. Two or three hours Lr.i *° -^P^^^^ «^" ^ap- are nodding in their saXs The tit,?"^^^ "^^"li *^^ "^^" m their steady jog-trot, when' suddenly the^em^'""?^^^ the jungle, on a broad highwav whth ^ ^"^e^ged from nised as the main road from%r. ^ "^^f '"^^^"tly recog- and which way the party thevh.S'^fn^^^.*" ^^gP^^e, whether they had gon^e up the^rn... /^"''^^^ ^^^ t^^en down the roid towTds S^ecunderabaH°Tf ^' ^"^P°^^' ^^ to show. It was hopeless to carrv.;^^^''^ "^^^ n<^thi"g a village could be descried nn^/ . ^ P""'"'* ^"^^he^-l there was a village there was sur. ?'^1 ^^^y' ^"^ ^^^ere marched his trooj as far as the ZlJ"". ^^ ^.^^^'' hobson order to his worn-out men to bivn-f^'' '^"^ ^^^' *^^ At daybreak the next morn iWhJ'''" '^' "'^^*- with the news that there were ? J? ^^^ awakened road. He received the rnnounrrn.""'? ^°?^^°^ "P ^^e interest; it was not likely that^Krv "^'^^ but little any length of time in any'^nu^bers aw'th^^^'.^^"^ ^^^ guessed at once that it was onlvLr.?u^ ^* '■?^^' ^"^ he his own A glance thro^^h hl'^fieH^l" £t''°/ '''"'^^^ *« firmed this, with the trifling exceDtlonfi f !t ^* °"^^ ^O"" were evidently regular cav^alrv'?nd°nof m--^^.'^-'-^"^^^^ vVhen they had arrived within "a very shoT^lff'"'^"*?' P«icer cpmmandmg them rode forwSdf'n^' a^;! 320 SADDLE AND SABRE. to join in the hunt." '^"S'^""' and have been packed off twenty.four hours ago • ' '' '"" "'°™' ^"oss you corns', Vimers.*'' "'"^ °f '"■»^" '"luired the new- ' I've brought him®trbiv but hif'™,,''^^?- F™"- times from destruction, and after ».l,"r'i'" '■"? ^^"^^ him bolted again." " " ^'">" sk'raish he always g-l^t'^sawThe neVlcrmer i°t " '' '"^^ ''^<' ''^'i => stained, way-worn aDOMr^^' */ 'l^""Pared the travel- own trim-lookTng troopers °' "°'''°" = ^'"'^ '^"h h'^ each of^which foUowed a diC, roil"'" •^.f,*"^!™^, by our losing all trace of him " ' "'^ " '"''= "«*«d "iwiyrhervensllH"^'"" ^"'^'™'l *e Dragoon. By the way.lr^ou knot a7;.ht„"°?f ^°" ^ "'' .-™- 'i/Jd o?',ail-Lg — f'^"'^ ^''°''' ''°--' poor Charlie never ^^^' --'^-i worse th^u that has happened to him. I e the pleasure of mmand of one of Shere Ali. We 5 been packed off 've been hunting- come across you tiquired the new- IVe been at his lys. Four times 5 just saved him mish he always they had had a 5a red the travel- s band with his 1 rny horses and Tlie worst is trick on us to three divisions, id it has ended I the Dragoon, u a bit sooner, great friend of ?ame for some ubaltern," and r perfectly well stake not, you ' Charlie never Tupted Slade, ed to him. I HOBSON RECOVERS THE TRAIL. 321 mstructions from the officer commanding "^'" *° *"^" "^^ breaS ^°? mil t ^'"? *^"" ^^^' ^our men here, and scoundrel has created such a reign of terror hat t k %«' viUage includrng its khotwal or headman. ^ °^ *^^ geanT '^but "''he^onF l^"ow nothing, sir," said the ser- 322 SADDLE AND SABRE. ca^S"' "^■''^ ^°" "''■^ «>-'. Rivers/" i„-». "I-U Jh"„Tin.woor " Smart fellow that seteeant i " remart.j ci j „ you think he is right in hif conjecture ?■■"' ^^^'- °° thor^gVhe speaK?t^„Strt'o:'ft^.''S '"^ natives ^on'^'bVgS? S tTL ta"f^ar ^ °"^ "^'-^ "°^- formed that Shere Ali had been Wed t T" ■'"'•'"? '- vcinity, that there were a thou an'd r^pee^^'^rtlTe''''"' whose information led to his caotni; th,f I . ™^" pretend that thev had nn S™ i !i ," .'V^^ "'^«'<=ss to ha?ro teld^^^f JSr^^^^^^^^ that they very name, that he sprfad Sat ^^ on i^I^^^ round, and that they^only hoped Ms F-^^U ''°""*'"y speedily deliyer. them from^ thSVild beS who"^^ ''^"^^ them. One by one thev w^r^ tiit JT- j • , ^"° devoured ation to makeVheir wa^brck tT t^^^ ^^f " recommend- menace that they would hve to nl .v,^" ""'l'^^^' ^"^ a obstinate silence ^ *° ^^^ *^^ P^^^lty of their ••X>o^s ye are, and do^s' deaths ye shall die/' thunc|^r^4 inquired his ^m all together, 3w's little eyes would be given 2 of Shere Ali. nothing about 3 I came out of ' What would I answered at hiis head and s,' so I said to ' man." him in two or Slade. «« Do has been for is the natives »» e before Hob- as sternly in- eir immediate ibr the man vas useless to lim, that the sample of the I, and that he guilty of this ds that they y loathed his the country lency would ho devoured recommend- iliage, and a ilty of their ' thynder^cj HOBSON RECOVERS l^HE TRAIL. 33- Hobson in eastern hyperbole «« v the truth, and you know that* vo.f.?' *?"§"•"' ^^^^ ^^^^ed Away, back to your vJla^f 1°^ ^^""^ ^'f^ ^» y^^^ beards. - ;eT^iS;n^fS - 's'luntr '*^^"^^^-. having • vino- fnii ^i„-- . "*^part, slunk down thp h,ii ./.._.. ^^^ to talk to th4;be "rT%" h. ^^^"^^ " ^*'^ '^^ only way fectly well where Shere AH h.? u1 f ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^oi per^ are afraid to tell Sr J betaken himself, but thev ^1 1 have done,buMhoU"ghl"^^^^^^^^ threl^el ^^i^^^^^ ^-n't got a bit of with this last man ? " ^ ^^^* ^^^ yo" going to do flot^lVS'^^^^^^^^ S tnti «°^-' " a good You see he has been almost withTn/ J"' ^P^^^^^l benefit, has been purposely Sv^n Ul ^^""^^^^ ^11 the time, and hisfellows after I?av?u?ke5 to ?r''""\\^ °^ speaking to now. and if I don't ^ringsometW ^^/^l ^.^^^ ^^^ "P fairly own I'm beat an^ fu^ ,, ^"^ °"t of him I musf become a mer^ Sr^f^hanc^"°^^> °^ ^^^^^^ Ah^^ lowermg his voice, ' there nev-w. ^'V' ^^ <=ontinued should follow fast ipon his trark" '"'^ '"^^°" ^^^t we The bunnea or netfv Ltf Hobson, and replied t7thelatTerWv"°7 ^^1"^^* before protestations of^orance as hk f!n°''^'""' ^^^ *^« same was ,f possible, even more nrnf.'/ ""'^^S^^'^^P^ ^hat he Hobson listened unmoved unt^LV"/^""^ .asseverations, said " Your lies are useless Vn, t"^ ^"\'^^^' ^nd then give to know where I ran i.,! J^"^^ ^'^^^ ^hat will I don't ask what you wi 1 ^ve uJlesTtt " K ^^'^^ ^^^- ^^n sell. You haggled at the nrf..r™r *^^y ^^ve something to $H SADDLE AND SABRE. w\t^'?Lta??i„^L U l\' ^^^^^• y- shall need never dread his venS'ancf TfT^'M^^^ ^'P""'^ y^" sternly. « I'll leave you ?ntKnie ir^^^^^^ '^^^ ^^^^^'^ upon/' -^ "^"^ jungle for the crows tp .fpe<^ . son" fei^wLrthtl^^r P"!J-*«1 himself at'HoB. absolute te™r "^^^ streamed down his brow from be^Se'l^^^aS' ■^^^^Vtr':rS S^r.-^^ '^ "'- XLV—FuRZEDON Leaves England. ,;; more especially when it cam^ o l"^ "'•^"'' °^ ^"^^n^^' justice, and that ordinal reJhn ^,"5^^"^ a criminal to erable sum of money No soonlLA^ '°'f ^'"^ ^ ^°°«id- Furzedon complete^* than he exerted .T/l^^ '^f ^^^'"^* possessed amongst the leading m^n of thl T^ fl^'^'^ ^^ them to make the Tockev rinK * L i^^ ^"""^ ^^ '"^uce averse th ...h that Iu^/.Jk S *^^® *^^ "^^"e'" "P. and, of an affair tLt had S^^^^^^^ taking cognisance about which their verdfc^^ whlfl v"y '"5*"*^^ ^g^' and reality make no^^o Silence 'Vhl"';?^' ^"'^""^^ ^ stakes and bets had all been naid J^ .^ "^ T^^ ^°"6' possibly do could un^the franle"i^^^^^^^^ so great a fraud, let it be nev^r S ?.' ?/* ^^ "^^^^^ nevertheless it wks a thimr .r!. ^? ^shameful a robbery, the past; ^ndtZeVh^^rv^^^f'-^''^' ^ ^^^^ ^^ gains, and those that had lost mn!f 1-^/ I* '""'* ^^^P ^^^ Quite true, argued tWwLh^^ ^l ^ ^^'^'^ ^°''^^- 9n the same princTple wS cr^m^^^^^ L^^"/P *^f ^^^^' but to justice ? The murder sd^^tl^-'J^f ^""^^ ^^ ^'°"S^* the life cannot be restored nor ?A ?°"y <^°™itted ; recovered ! but that fL^^'unted n"°'' "*'""- '^^ ^^^^^ petrators of either shoW g^ :fhelis?^^^Ltl^^^^^^^^^ ere Ali you shall iafely promise you >n't," said Hobson the crows tpfpe^. d himself at Hoij- 'n his brow from ily, " and let him lour." 3LAND. ^e man to let the tter of business, g a criminal to 'St him a consid- ot a case against the interest he Turf to induce matter up, and, king cognisance lonths ago, and :ht be— could in 'ing was don6, ling they could Let it be never eful a robbery, t w^s a fact of must keep the y their losses. ! p the case, but iver be brought ly committed ; ses the goods I why the per- fien, again, the PURZEDON LEAVES ENGLAND. 335 tem^t'^rffi^g^ert!^^^^^^ "^r.-- ^--r of Mr. tongue and inebriarhSs Ta ' con^.t«''.r"'^">^^^-^^^t oflFence and using the erossesM.n^ ^^^^^^.^'^"^^ S^eat except to those lecuniSfni .^!1^^^ ^° their officials ; was matter of much"gTat^ a" S^' But^^^^^^^ ^' ^^'^^ Norman Slade's friends nrpJl?! '^ J ^^^ Persistency of cided that the case shoSd £ h' f " K '^ ^^^ ^* ^^^^ de- Jockey Club at the second Id" ^& ^^^°^« '^^ ^^^::rSteZ^^^:'i^^ assembled his the charges intenVdlrbrp^f S^ ^^-^P^ Furzedon of ^ mtimation that if he did no/ if ^ ^^^^°^* ^^"^' ^nd an Club would have no other courd f ""^^ *^""^ *^^ J^^W such misdeeds to ?he extent "? l^ ^"''"^ ^"^ ^° P""^^^ came back from his solid?or tn fu *^l-'' P°^^^' ^" answer don had been suXdeXTrXerlV^l^^Tf "l^"* ^^- F"^^*^" there was no chance of hisrlitT"^ ^°' ^'' ^^^^^^ ' ^^^^ .that he must request that all nrn.^ S^' '°"l^ "^^^^^S'' ^nd until his client's return • h?. £ "*J'?^' ^^°"^d be stayed Furzedon's ability to rebn/^if \^^^^- "° ^°"bt of Mr. of his health it wJuld S SpossSle^f '^ '^' P^^^^"* ^^^t^ This was conclusive ; in a case of .l^- ',!-T-*° England." to proceed against a crfnSn.1 u^'' ^'"^ '* ^^^ useless plead, but waf Ses ?™oSd tlTe ho"'. °"^ '^^^''^ *° Even Norman Slade-thoCh . fi ""'^' ,°^. J""^d^ct^*o«- from his lips as h^ dtd so-adrnftt.H S ^^^^^[^'^^'^ broke proceed against a man to whom It ^^^^ '^ ^^^ "^^^^ss to must be a mere form ^ *^^ '^"*^"^^ ^^ the court Farzedon calculated on thi^ • if u^ 1 ^ way, the prosecution LaUt him ^"^^ "^^^ °"t ^^ the dropped.*^ Even Normfn sLi ',°, °u'P^^^~^o"id be when he found there wa. "o^ "^^"/"^ ^^''^^ "P bis brief Another year and thTlhoirr"^^ *° ?^^'^^ ^" tbe dock, forgotten f he St return f ^^^"&,^<>."W be thoroughly felt for a time he must eschew t^"?""^* ^"^ *^°"gb h^ loved it, yet there woufd be 1 nnK?''"''''"'""/',"'"^*^ *« be have been a little TalkidaVc::,/'?,'^!^.^^^^^^ '' -ight omy to a limited extent Thr,r„'o rTi.^ ^^' "^^ proDably few d.,. .„„de. ^r^n feL^U'^^ ^ ^J 326 SADDLE AND SABRE. '"B:t^^zr^^^ 'eft- — - The hatred of Ss was rni'. f ^.^'i'- "^ '"^^^^^ ^^^^^ That thirst for vCeance a2ains"t ?.'^ '" ^^^"^^'« "''"d wrongly he accused of the rSfn o1 Jtf ^^^ ^^° I'^^^^y °^ had looked upon as abon/?^ k f-^^""^ ^"^ ^»s ^'fe he again, after all his pa^rence ^^f^*'^^^^' ^nd now once enemy proved too Sever f^r him 'r l'^"^^^' ^^^ ^^^ man Slade with his entreaties tha^'h^"'!^ ^ff ""^^ ^or- with the case; it was in vain I a^ f^,^"^^ persevere hopeless to think thltlheSVciuh^ *°u ^^'^ ^* ^^« a bygone matter, unles^f I^i^ J^7 "^ ^°"^d 8^° ^to such before them. Prance wis wfld^'??" -5* *^°?^^ ^^ brought of his vengeance! and Norman co>^M '"^^k^^ ^'"'^ ^^^^^^d wrongs he had received at Fur:.p?w T ^^^ Y^"^^^ what voked such undying enmitvH. ' ^^"?' *^^* ^^^ pro- fierce outburst in^thf Pad& ? nr/'".*'''"'!*^" "'^"'^ questioned him about what he efnerlT/ ""^"".^^ ^^^ information he proffered and at th?f f"^ *° ^^^ ^^^ ^^e with the half frenziBd LJI ,?^ ^^®* interview he had should not cou.S\t'own hfe^r's a?e ""''' '1^^"' *^^* ^^ walkmg about bearingluch deSf -^^^ *^^^^ ^ man One point Mr SfJ^ deadly enmity towards him calculator's The hSorv^of^tJ ^T^f^^^y out in kis ings was known to far too 1? ^"^ecedents and misdo- widely bruited abroad ThrZh^c?.?^^^" T *° ^^ P^^^y West End drawing-rioms The storv ^'^^'^^"g-rooms and Derby had been lolt was free^v r^n^ ^ 5°"^ ^^'* year's chiefactorinthataiid^TLMo S^"X^^^^d, and that the who had actually contriteS?n.^''^'^°"^^A^^^ been one society tickled so^cSy not 1 1nle^^'v °" ^^^ ^^t^'kirts of themselves lifted intoat?mrK,rIr ' " J^"."^ ""^^ ^^° ^^'-^"d . that they happened to know Fnr.^^P°'*^"^^ from the fact as to his personal appearance anHf""; ""T ^ ^^-examined did not detect fromTs mann'er ft f J° Y^^^^^" *^^y ^-^ally shocking you know. ^T^^t^^^^^t^;,, ^s] use] ligh con< proj M thai wenl man, bear tiveh Furz very it. an Turf. Slade thisd tions discoA Furze again Mise] she wi now? The report somew a chan men cc than G sets, ar but the is not amongs time, w Turf it served neither rumour- in sociel ciiat€ cii ■n, and what he had ry story concerninff le left. ^ y disappointed at fingers, there was ictly morbid effect, m Prance's mind, nan who rightly or >me and his life he ed, and now once trouble, had his uite pestered Nor- should persevere told him it was 'ould go into such could be brought of being baulked but wonder what nds that had pro- nbered the man's ster when he had ? to get for the interview he had '-t think that he are there a man ' towards him. ^ably out in his snts andmisdo- not to be pretty )king.rooms and low last year's i, and that the 1 have been one thd outskirts of men who found ce from the fact cross-examined ther they really t a shop. «« So iop too!" that FURZEDON LEAVES ENGLAND. 32; — j^7 co.,.^chie% of the r:^:^^^^'^^^^^^^^ ^^^^osfTsl'^h^'^^^^^^ at once made went about posing afa pfrfect mfr/ '"*° ^^' ^"^- She man. whose burden 4ralmocf ^5' ^ ^°^ely-tried wo- bear. '' It's terrible, my dei?°1hr^'"',;''"" '^' ^°"ld ^vely to her intimatTs^ .f S' thtk t'S? "^'^t'"^ P^^'"" Furzedon at all, but I ^m ashlS f ^ "^^ ^"^^ Mr. very well ; that's the worS of raaW n'^i,'^-^ ^"^^ ^'"^ It, and he does nick nn c,,^?. racmg. Dick is so fond of Turf. The first^n^'mTtioTwe\\Tof1?T'^"T °" '^^ SJade; we didn't know him b.ff L V ".I^^' ^"^"^ Mr. this dreadful man wer^Sd un fn c ^^"^ ^^^* ^'^^ ^"^ tipns together, and so L called fni. iTu'^'^^S ^^^"^ac- discovered. I need scarce vc.^*""* ^'"^ ^^^t he had Furzedon he neeTnever ex^ '?.?''^. f °""^ *°^d Mr. again ; but if it is terrible for m? I ?* ^°°^ ^" O"'" bouse Mi« Devereux ? My heana^if; h^*^ TV^ ^^ ^^' P^^r she was engaged to hln'you W f c.m ^''"'P^"^ ^^'^ ' now ? Poor Lettie. it i^ ve?y sad for her ^^°'' '' '' "" ^^ rep?rr o^tL^ 's^^ga^~ r^f was that the somewhat died away, wa^^Jafn ^.vT^T"^"^' • ^^^^^ ^ad a chance of having fhe effectTat fpTn' ^"^ ^^ ''^^"^ ^an men could be mo^- thoroShh, ^f^y designed. No two than Gilbert's two undes^rL^ '" *^^*^^^ ^^ the town sets, and neither of them vervmuch™.^^'^. '?.Vy ^'^^'^^^ but there is not 'nu ^h fh/f7 ■ affected ladies' society • is not freely tfclief t\V: l^^'tr^V^^^ amongst these Major Braddock "-= ^l"°^'«&-rooms ; and t.me while at the ihiefrendezloSs of th^ ^"'^' ^""^ °^ ^'^ Turf It was well-known that thl^^lcf magnates of the served up red-hot. In the ordL/''^"'^^^'' ^"™^bly neither Slade nor Major Braddort ^ ,^°}!"^ °^ ^^'^^^^ rumour-the ac^or ' S -^^ Zll f ^"^^ ^^^^ ^eard this in society to attVacVattenHon tol. o, f?!'"* importance ci^ate Circle; but. thanks t^rthr^^/e^XTaTain^^^ ' III 1 1;?,' 'I I $2$ SADDLE AND SABRE. to urge him to pause before faking ♦« ^J"*^" *« Gilbert stantlygoadedtomadmsrhvTSo P' "^^^ ^^^ ^''n- by her^riends apt^^n^ie'cV^^.^^^^^^^^^ -^--^ thinSnT^fX'm^^^^^^^^^^ -Xing, ever mined that he mu^t see hh^ th^.u^" ^i^ ""d^^ng. deter- him with his so^S downS^l' P ^ ""'* ^^^" ^* ^>'"' ^o^t known that if hi ven^^^^^^^ could"1.7 ^"^.^J^^^' he had the utter demolitiorofSnh F.,r a ^f^'^^. "« further, would be very S? to th^f ^f.? ^"^""^ !°"^^ P^^^sta which he couV g ^at °^ fh ' ^^^^^^^ ^'?d ^ thing over he had hugged the^dea to hi? heart ofl'^^^^^^ , ^°' ^^'' Furzedon, 'of letting th/^i^M ruthlessly exposing what .his'young'g/ntSrntlXT Tw^f s^ :J°„.^;i' had earned theifwefl™'^bStln5L ^"'^ "".^ Progenitors hTdta&i.kL!:r?S^^^^^^ deemed he could command a' h^Sn J" wS!*!^ t'"!''! obtained t, and now in thehn.fr „?*>.• • " ^^ '"»<' Furzedon had fledTom ttcTiq^ences™'!:;^ c^rto^i" Still, Prance was aware that if he had nn/.u!, 11 ""'• ceeded in publicly e,tposing Furzedon ve?hi hS h" ""=■ qmte sufficiently to Juin him^craU;/ There LdT " well kn% in ^aTg^^f^Sr" fX™^^?"^?'''" well_W„i„,,J^,,5^;;--.|^^^ accused had left the rountrx, oop„„: .^^ and further r.oro„.„ "u" _ Z.-^^^^^^"'?" the news that the .^,u»cu naa lelt the r^unt". -oon-- '■- ' face the m,u,ry; and f»r,her paragraphs siiairwo^ld be ccame of greater heir ears. Had Fiss Devereux it ritten to Gilbert fe a damsel who mdrous facility ; ference ; and so :hing more than who was con- ation expressed tnent. i^er hating, ever undoing, deter- ier at him, flout I astute, he had ied no further, social pedestal d a thing over 3n. For years lessly exposing rally who and is so cordially he family from lis progenitors all satisfaction n his downfall, i that nobody 'as not till he fraud that he Veil! he had actory Ralph of his crime. Itogether suc- i had done so 5re had been ivith allusions ag gentleman )hs contained 7 sooner than i it would be iPOkZEbON LfeAVES ENGLAND. 3^0 as nothing to he luxurv of ,?^^ '^"?°""y ^^« ^° him become a mania w"th SL hi ^^^' ^^^ '^ ^^^ '^^^ '^ ^ad on the bare neiesTaries oTl'if^lfr' ^"!*/ Pf^P/^^^ ^° ^xist on Furzedon Sst^t oV^ ttentfoo^tf,'^' '''' associate with a class of r„„.; . i 7' "" °"^«" '<> superior in position to h?l Prance' Ha I r'"*T.= "'"' force his way into such a . ,.f t^?; ' '" ^^ "'^' : '» in a gibe at V Va„ whc' had s?ruck°him''Jo'/i>' '"''"'^l that n ght in the Havmarh.t • i,, i u i .J^ " '° "'^ ground living for • fv> tL„ '^ r ,', "3 1 ha I that would be worth krwVTurme S^M'^Turz:' '' "°"t"J!S ,'!°" ^'"^h ^ wdl whUe Donp.# fnd ^N^raJk^i^e^e' goLTn^'Sol ho I what fun that would he Th« «, ^ ^ ;, "°' ^ra^. <>n the point of iil teteT^i r.S/lf J^J^lf But to gratify these amiable instincts it wac r.f chambers doubtes had ^o kno4d« o7h^^^ °' '''? though both at his office in NorSberLnS «1 "f ' ?''• the shop a few streets higher up the Strand »£"■"' *""* ^' to be aware of it. yet Prance ifnlw h,H.7u^ ""' ="« gat he should obiaKllnTrm: Lte waS from fh""^ ?^:cr4s\S/?ear. S.'he'-^a''^"''^'"^^^^ iio SAbDLE AiiD SABUli the trail. "'''"" *° ^^^^^^ ^im altogether off the^'life'^Thim'ctlfhltron*^^^^ '7.^°"^ *'-'^' -^ ^or At last an idea s^?uck h m^F "o solution to the problem, bly addresse^in the fircT" ^"''^^^O'^ « betters were proba- umberlandllreet and from' h"'" *° *^^ °^^^ '" North- confidential clerk No .Zir l"^^\'^"* °" to him by his own mind than Prance .Hnn^^ Y ^^ ^^^^d this in his Street about ?LS he fcthe^offi *° Northumberland He loitered outside un?5 he saw Mr^-^LThe .,' 5^°f T whom he knew perfectly well bv siihtl^ head clerk, away. Then he rung at the bell and /h.T °"* ^"^ ^^^^ to him daily. carefully preserved and delivered papeTsTat Ih^'cSn^onfan' h^'d^:,""^^ ^^"^^^^ *^« *- wit'h no result, LftrcreL's^otValTas^ ""Z '' "^^ ing, as he went carefully through them hlTU^ ^?^ '"°'""- an envelope torn in two addressfd to Mr' • "^S"^^ ^^^^^^ well-known hand. The postmark of H.* ' ? ^""^^^don's partly what he wanted to kn^w f *^^^^"^^ope told him Brussels; but it^as of cour.e n.^^M^^^"' .*^^"' ^^^ at be staying there Sr LfoTn ^Jme'^Ytt' ^' "f'^^* "°* torn up t was likelv that fh^iJl^ ■' I • ^ envelope was tip too!^ He coSed hL searS and '.n^' ''.^'"^ ^^^" *°^° this was the case WhJf ,! ^^"' ^"^ soon discovered that be he c.rj::^nul!llo:^:^T!T.nZ 'f '" "^h' pieces together a nf^ ac r,!^ i!^- • , ^"^^' "^ Put the don's adfre s. ' l"fat Intleman-'Pf .f ' ""^^^^ ^* ^urze! warded to Henry Tackf on P^f/^ p "^? T'^ *° ^^ ^r- was quite sufficL^nrfor Pr'ance wfth .f I ^r^'^'' ^h'^ he felt quite certain of sDeed^lv IrY.^ u^* "^^"^ ^° ^° "?«" hour of refuffe-and wVif^ f ^ i ^""/"^ ^'^ "^^^ to his har- for the BdgSn capit^i^!^^"' "^'^"^ '^' monomaniac started haqs thing hard] more their that Rohij get oi tures these troop; minut sam t] owed ture. went < men c At! the rol with V mand Charli( heard followii their r make ( jungle, were d they br speed a His c and, in Charlie except escape t 'ay be baffled for dim altogether off ame time, and for )n to the problem, etters were proba- le office in North- t on to him by his settled this in his Northumberland would be closing. -, the head clerk, me out and walk door was opened, as about to sweep as short and sim- ents of the waste- ed and delivered studied the torn r to him, it was ast. One morn- suddenly espied — , in Furzedon's iveJope told him 5n, then, was at lat he might not he envelope was it had been torn discovered that the letter might hat, he put the rived at Furze- vere to be for- Brussels. This :lue to go upon nan to his har- maniac started "LEr HIM BE GIVEN TO THE FLIES." XL VI.-.. Let Him be given to the Flies." 331 C™'fyhTS^^'ar"^^"\ -^^ - ^--ed hausted strength severdv ?.nn f ""^' *^^* ^^""^^ his ex- thing worse than beInT rather ^o Z^'! '°"^P^^>" ^^ ^"y- hardly expect muc^c^ourtesy from ^en^^^^^^^ ^^ ^°"^d more especially while they 4reTei^^ " ^^k I'' '^P^^^«' their retreat by his comraHp^ rf ^ """^^ harassed in that his life hung upo^a th Ld nof '^"''" "^"^^ *° ^''^ RohiUa's sabre-stroke hif Si ^T"°* °" account of the get over that-buMhe scowhn/hf ^ '°"5^^^* ^^ ^^^^^d tures directed towards him hf tl. "^f ^"^ "menacing ges- these little skirmSs be we.? .1 '^^'°'*" ^^^^' ^^c^ of troops showed Too pfain^l that WsTof ^'' ^l^ ^^'^^^"'^ minute. In fact it wat nnthf u ! ^?^^ ^^S^t come any sam that had slverh s^fe so^far"Ud^^ «^- owed his intervention Charlie A.'m 1° "^^^^ ^^P"^^ he ture. Jealously guarded hp..M^ "°1 possibly conjec- went oi, but the firing tol A,' ""V '^^ ^"^ ^^"^^^^ what men came up wlt^t'firTeJ^^oredTor "^^'^^^ ^"^ ^- ^^ell^e:sl!,\\^^^^^^^ -ade out that with which he^em^ned^as apoaren^Hv ''''^*^^* J^" °"^ mand of the Rohilla. and wL?^f.TJ ^ """^^^ ^^^ com- Charlie was unable to ascerTain f1 ''.r^ °^ ^^^'^ ^li heard no more of his own n"* if ?.*^'' ^V* Devereux following the robbers for all ^it^J ^^u^^ ""'^ht he still their rifles were sTnt ThJrro".'/' ^"/' ^' "" ^^^"*«. make out, seemed to grow deeper 'and f '' ^" ^°"^^ jungle. Another thing that Zllli u ^^^P^"" '"*° ^he were diminishing in numbevf . 5 ^"^ ^^''^ ^^^^ *hey they broke into fhree PaSLs thev m.'f ''"^'J^^ ^P°" ^^''^ speed at which they travelled "^^^^^'^^^y relaxed the escape .hei. lips. As fo? ,'hf rS. ";?,;^ ,° J;^^^ 332 SADDLE AND SABRE. suffered much from ht woimd a^^^^^^ dering some rough assistaZ in Veals^inf fhTE'^X ""' At length they indulged in a h^if ^f^ J.^ *"® bandages. than ordinary^nd ffom varioui J^^n, rK ^r^'^' '^"'■^^^« conclusion that the rohZV^ht/^ ^^^'}'^ ^^"^^ to the and were besixles nearinf !l^ "f"^ ."° ^^^'^ ^^ P"«uit, band had '^"' knew that he and it was open to quesUon wLf^^'lt ^°' ^'^ P"soner, rauder desired more^ thou" h k '' *^^* ^''^^V ^^^ ma- was quite as ruthless ^sh,.^^' ?^ "^ .'"^'^"^ «° cruel, he creed^that the dead t'l • o taks ' H^ X"'' ^'■^"^^y to'the deal of the information they wanted oZf\ *\'' ' ^°°'^ from the young English officer and th.T *" ^^ '^"""^ was as easy to give him h S^I'ef r ^"""^^ ^°*' well, it not. The diffefenL bTtween^fh.Tn'V^°' t"°;^^^ ^^^^^ as tenant was this the RoMH? *^^,r°^'ber-chief and his lieu- a captive to gain his o£ Ct "^9,"°' ^.f '"*^ *° ^^^ure his victims from shefr cruelty ^''^ "^^^ ^^"^^ ^^^^ure an?^7:n"pla'c:d '^t^!^: ^^^ r^u^fr^ '^^ P^^^^^"' those clever, wiry littfe' "ats ""^^'X a^rn"/' °"^°' of work upon a minimum of corn Hp L^ ''°"^'°"s lot seemed to have nlun^Pd rllLr. • \ ,® noticed that they the very semWance ^f^ to T'"*'' '}^ JH"^^^ ^^^^ ^ver! and thei path co^H^'nlv be deTcnbed ^'"' '^^" ^°^^' track. Suddenlv fh.., J^ .- . ' " .^ "ow as a mere species of oasis^pon^the^fal^S^^S^^llllS. S^sS^ar je chose : so far s to whether he xasionally ren- : the bandages. Teater duration lie came to the ear of pursuit, on. Hassam's r a score — how ereux did not snowball ever odies, the fact to their own few privileged lone he placed it is doubtful 1 young Deve- knew that he his prisoner, ?risly old ma- i so cruel, he trongly to the it that a good to be wrung e got, well, it ther world as and his lieu- ate to torture ^ould torture s palanquin, pony, one of 'Ondxous lot id that they e than ever, e been lost, r as a mere igle upon a s a singular "LET HIM BE GIVEN TO THE FLIES." 333 group of rocks and around their base flowed a small water- course, tranqml enough just now. but probably a torrent SJnrt"'"^'^^?u"' ^^y°"^ *^^ rocks was more jungle study this caprice of nature ; it looked like a natural citadel, of which the huge rock in the centre might be the fe ^"d Its smaller surrounding brethren tKutworks This was the stronghold of Shere Ali. Halting hirmen for a few minutes just within the verge of the junele Has sam rode forward and discharged two pistol-shots into the rltu 7T''''- ^°°^^? °" ^^*^ "^"^^J^ Curiosity to see he result of the signal, for such it evidently was. /nother minute and a single shot was discharged from the groun of huge limestone boulders, and the! HassTm and h"? party rode gaily forward. ^, The stream running in front of the rocks was easilv fordable. and, having crossed it, they turned between two of the smaller boulders and ascended the rocky path whi^h led up to the king-stone of this singular group DevTreux noticed that the smaller n ■ k. /ere hSney^ombed S caves, partly natural, 1 „,any of them had eJfdent y been enlarged by he hand of man. At last they turned airough a fissure in the side of the chief rock, wh ch? to Devereux s great astonishment, instead of being solid was n the centre hollow, after the manner of a tooth. AroS this cunous platform in the middle were the entrances to several caverns all of which, though natural to begin with ^hirft !^ ^tZ l°"^'derably enlarged artificiallyT in r^^'^^il^.P' '''^ ^^d ^^^"' i" years long gone bv a soecies of Buddhist monastery, now it was the hSme ofVe S and before then, perchance, of the tiger ; where his prTest had formerly invoked Buddha, now the victims of Shere Ah shrieked their lives out under the tortures th s mis creant inflicted under pretext of extorting confessiunT of hidden hoards which they did not possess '^''^'""'> o* thJrllwT^ fortress had evidently been the retreat of he robbers for some time ; many of the caves had been ... _, It .-.a= 4Uitc cviaenr to JJevereux that, if thev had only command of water, a small body of men might 334 SADDLE AND SABRE. — — — *■•-«• -r'^s. 'stiS.St^S ?r-^--h superior , stronghold be only once rfi^^" "P' ^^^r the tobacco-usually the so e pleasure?? f?';"^"^' ^^^^P and h'ei'^er'^^^^^^'"^ °" thefr fe^^ .^tnj Jh°" "'^^^-^^* tnej, vverc more on the alert anrJ H. ^^^' second day «c»<,ed a rough stai.c.nth"!5T,ThT4T?^f "LEt HIM BE GIVEN to tHE FLIES.** 3^5 great honeycombed rock which formed their shelter. Devereux had gathered, partly from the few words he caught and partly from their gestures, that they were expectmg the arrival of their leader ; and when the after- noon sun sank low in the heavens the tramp of horses on the narrow path became plainly audible : a few minutes niore and Shere Ali, with about a dozen followers, made their appearance on the rocky platform. Devereux was struck with what a very small number of the dacoits had gamed their stronghold ; he felt sure that they were in much greater force than when he andliis comrades first came up with them. It was of course difficult to estimate their- numbers in the jungle, but Charlie had believed that there were quite three hundred of them when their first attack was made, which had terminated so disastrously for him- self. He did not believe that Hobson's incessant stacks had occasioned such loss as the disproportion between their present and then numbers might have been supposed to indicate. Then he began to speculate upon how Shere All's return would afifect himself— little doubt, he thought, but what his fate would be speedily determined now ; then he wondered whether his comrades were still upon the track of the marauders. He reckoned that Hobson could only have about fifty men with him now, for several he knew fell in that first skirmish ; and it was not likely that others had not shared the same fate in the succeeding ones. Shere Ali had between thirty and forty with him, and the natural defences of the place were such, that, even if tracked to his lair, the struggle between him and his assail- ants would probably be both bloody and protracted. Devereux was kept but little time in suspense ; half an hour after the dacoit chief's arrival in his citadel his cave was entered by some half dozen of the robbers, and he was roughly escorted into the presence of Shere Ali. The ban- dit's face wore its most savage expression. Hobson's stubborn pursuit had irritated him not a little, and his fury had been thoroughly roused by finding it hopeless to induce his followers to fairly face the hated Ferir^-jPes He had led them on himself twice in the most reso ute fashion ; for, merciless though he was, he possessed the ■m 33<5 SADDLE AND SAfiRfi. of numbers the A^atic could rf;'? ?'*? of Preponderance Englishman hand to hand ^^^ induced to face the as h^::S.1;S^^^^°- °^*h« -ave which he retaihed fourorfiveCreVSl^TircinTHr^^^^ by Hassam and ferocious exultation flasKSnl A "^f^"*'- ^ g^a«» of : dark eyes lit up wSh de!^S^srcruelt' ff h^^^^^^ !?t?"^^^^ uppn Devereux. cruelty as he fixed his gaze you hope to live, bulT vou hnnl ^ Englishman : not as will make you welcomr^eath if . k^'^^^P^^^^^^^^^ *^at How many partS of vouV hiL ^ ^°°" ,^"^ * ^lessiftg. suit of me ? " ^ ""^ ^'^^^^ "^^^^ a'-e there out in put Devereux made no reply. ."Pog' dp you hear what' I say?" ' . A soldier answers no questions r»,,f * u- .^ ,enw; andanEnglishmanTnorhorodie^^^^ by the Tr^^^l^l,!^^^ Fein hefb. the rible death to whTch ^here AH'.^'V" J"^'^^""^ ^^ ^^^ bor- him ; in a trice he^^lTzef^l^^^^^^^^^ pathway, carried some two »,„ i^ J^^ ^"^^ *be narrow little oasis, on the edge o7whrch [h^^ ^^u^' .°"* ^"^^ ^be There he was stn^p^ed a^d thJn^ k°'^^ ^^^^^^^ «^°o<^- driven some short stakes intnf hi' ^'l ""^P^"'^ having tabind him band aS foo "to th/«=^'?"'; .' ^^^^ proceeded their labours beinrtha? nlvi. ^'"^ '*?¥^' ^^^ result of on his back on hf ground wTh"hir'' ^"^* '''^'''^'^ ^^^ the manner of a man crnrifiTi ^'^f'*'"^ extended afier foot, and with only the pow^r of T^^ t° "^-^^^ ^^"^ ^^ That done, with a brutaUa^gh thefol^h *"'"'"^ ^'' ^^^^' thp.v — _ _x , . J idugn tne robbers rt^treat^A ;_*_ Devereux. speedily began to realise the horrible death to tkE kbCkS Ot? RlJGCiERBUN5. IS it had been in of preponderance duced to face the ifhich he retained by Hassam and nts. A gleam of 5, and the savage le fixed his gaze his is the dog of Hassam. Your was wont to do ishman: not as tpe agonies that and a blessing, here out in pur- to him by the die." > ooll before the gods for death. ! flies." nee of the hor- ords consigned wn the narrow s out into the citadel stood, aptors having hey proceeded s, the result of stretched flat extended after nove hand or ^ing his head, retreated into rible death to 33; h down .0 for .h ^' ^^"^ consigned him ; the sun was almost down, so for the present he was spared the tortures of the 't1frn./fr '^u f'Ji? t^-'^orrow shine down upon h°s up! turned face ; but Charlie quickly became aware that the jungle was alive with creeping things, for which his n. defenceless form had become a playground. The sSn^s the bites, and the irritation caused by this army of flifs mosquitoes, centipedes, etc., gradually became ma^ddeS' and as the night wore on. the fever occasioned by it nS-' th/n^Tl^.K *^'^^^^^ ^^'''^' ^ ^'^Shtinl craving for water than which there IS no infliction more hard to blar. With the hours of darkness came the bark of the jackal -and soon Devereux became conscious that severaT of 'these tTouslvTn ''''''' "°' °"\^^ ^^"^' *^"* ^^^« stealing cau! hI n? T ' ' " ^^^ ^"''J^*'* ^^" worthy of investilation He coul^ ...ve cried aloud almost in his agony but he ' fnfr'^T '^%^^T'^ should not have'that^tlsfact on and then he realised Shere Ali's threat. He felt that 5e was strong yet and that he could look forward to hours of thirst and this frightful irritation before death released him Every bone m his body seemed to be one prolon£d a^h^* thaTthe'i^f f '^ ""™y *° ^^'^* ^' po^sitionTile S ^miir J^^^^H"^^""^ ^^""'"^ "^^^^^ and nearer; they were smelhng at his feet ; every moment he expected their sharp teeth would meet in his flesh. Suddenly came a sharp 4S from one of their number, who was still some little wTv off tl^s''' mTh';r > *'%"r T""^^ -^-y in aiTdLec: tions. What had alarmed them he could not guess but nt XLVIL— The Rocks of Ruggerbund. AT the expiration of the hour bugle and trumpet ranff out "boot and saddle ; " the mounted infTntrv and dragoons at once, under Hobson's orders, turning „p?p^the lormer s previous tracks, once more plunged' Tnto the iaptiVe.''"^'"^ -ith them the unhappy lunnea as ^ 33^ SADDLE Aiib SABkfi. " I am going back," said Hobson, " to the snot wli^^r^ T was beat and lost all trace of Shere AH tj, ^ ^1^ ^ Zli., t i "''^'y "'*' ""sy wou d have dared travd W^^,t". "'^y.'^f « "long the main road to NagSre m^ theS' •""""^ *' Secunderabad way you mus'Ta™ 4%vi%iico%3;i\To„Th'^^^^^^^^^^ He had not much faith in these newly arrived Si^^^^ whirl^^nVfJ^' "''"^? continues. " a choice of two roads- youThr:a?eS,<'.?';L"'SSb:?f ^""'^ P"' "■ '-« -"a. »^e4rfi;?L^SeLt^^^^^^^^^^ don t know, perhaps; so much of this Shere AlLnhi^ doings as we who have been hunting him for months f - 1 was sure that wretched huckster was wi hhddtai^ from As'it fs ',frf"°" 'hat I require, I woufd flay h m^ v? ^ p t^KKriv sS s ^t;- once that h)s leader was one of those ster- determined natures that thoroue-hlv nndefcfop^i u:^ : .^^ ^.^^^^^^^ was perfectly competenho" cope wkhhimr'"^' '"'' ^"'^ the spot where I The road there ree paths that we ; I am convinced . That band, I ouched the high- lave dared travel 3ad to Nagpore. you must have perfectly sure no I the road." ears in hunting •raff for nothing, arrived English ted against the :e of two roads ; inds upon that e hangs upon a 00 late I'll keep t in force what i^'ou can't quite ig the Mutiny to what may be speedily. You re Ali and his or months. If hholding from flay him alive, he shall never with my own 1 with the idea recognised at ■'' determined ^age foe, and THE ROCKS OF RUGGERBUND. 339 as he'was" af tie {li",,"^^^"^^"^^' -"ant knave and coward )^ss:i^4il^^::r trat hTprl^^lTdetriX ''^ 'n^tu^' NothttLfht Jr^^d^V^?^^^^^^ -a'S his lips to the exint IhlfT^A^I f ? ^H^^"^ ^^"^ to open HecLdnotrStlsWwh.t'^ ^T Sergeant Rivers, ery. He coulLot helo wirh^ i ^^^*^^ .^^ward of treach- hi^. seeking to w'^Whethe" wLtl^^^^ .would not fetch a sTill hfgher price H.^l 5^^ *° f " lanswer; he had found that ft wouKrh^ uf^ ^°* ^'^ Ibe still questioned whether heToMdWh^^^^^^^^^ ^* "^"^ ito be tempted even by so high a bait b^?t fhf *\^.f O"'^??^ Ihad peremptorily taken the whole din^ out ^fT^"f '^^'^ he was a prisoner, and threaded wSf alfsort^n^"^' ' and penalties if he did not divulee whlf hi v ^^ Pams one hand was the terrible vJ^SJ. fS^^''^^\ ^^ ^^^ other immediate pu'^hmUTthe w^^^ "f.*^ refuse to do his biddin; tu ° thousand bare idea ;%s, decidedlyX'Lu^d'sS' "''"'' ^^ *^^ < n^erHo^ToU^S^Lf pjfen^er^^^ ^^^ *^^ three road; ^ before him, and ^^ternly deSed wb>^^^^^ led to Shere Ali's place of rewf *^°'^ '°^^^ Prostratmg himself at Hobson's fet^t ih^ ! claimed, " If my lord will hnM f^ i ^ ' • ^unnea ex- two thousand ruVees hrL^iromise7^r''!^<^^ "^^ *^^ go free, I will tell him all I know?' ' ^""^ *^^" ^^* »»« *• Ifou shall have the reward anri «•« f, ^l .have led me to Shere AHWortress^rn^ f /^' "'^""^^ you [myself that he is still there ; Sere% he ?''''' -'''^''^ 340 SADDLE AND SABRE. " They were famous many hundreds of years a^o fl,>^ ,•; kn^wntwT'^^^"^^" ^^'^^ - them, /urthe?a;e'l;?t/l Slid?.'' ^°" *^'"^ '^^' ^""°^ ^^ 'P^^^^S the truth ? " said " ^l?j •/;* ^ events it wiU be the worst dav' ^y t^e trumpeting of the mos- Thlj }^^ chirrupmg cf the innumerabll insect tribe The stars twink ed slowly forth, but there was no moon moreover, a declivity of the ground sheltered the doiWs of the robbers as they emerged from the base of their cSl the consequence was that, keenly as the eyes of hL Wends had scanned the mtervening space between them an^The Ruggerbund Rocks, they could'^see nothing of Devereux's so-to-speak crucifixion. There he lay stakfd to theTround literally within their sight, had it not been for the dafkness Then came the rising of the moon, the bark of the jackal' and the melancholy wail of more than one of the denTzens of he jungle to break the silence of an eastern night ' "We must wait till that confounded moon is down " said Hobson, ;'and as soon as it is I shall creep across with my men m skirm shing order, and be as much round m^.t'hoth° 1 *^°'" 'r^' ^' ^ ^^" b^f°^« daybreak. We must both leave a few men behind to take r^r^r^f 1 horses ; you'll then bring the main body of your fdlow^^^ massed just in rear of my centre. At daybrSk von .Th your men must carry the entrance to the mafn rock I " All right ! " said Gilbert, quietly. " We shall ^Pt i« never fear ; at all events, if my fellows are beaten baSvou may look upon it I'm past praying for." ^ A single hand-grip was exchanged between thetwnr«^« and then came that tedious busfness of watching for t^^^^^ 342 SADDLE AND SABRE. tenFnTol2Ts:L '"' "°°"' '' *'^^ ^^^ -^^^^^^ ^or the All orders were given, and every man airDngst ^he little' command knew exactly what was expected S hir^ At last the moon waned, and gradually died out. Thrihick darkness which precedes daybreak covered the plain as . Hobson and his men, emerging from the jungfe ^n skir^ mishing order, crept stealthily across it. sime fiftv vards behind their centre came Slade at the head of hirdis mounted troopers Slowly they stole forward, and there was no sign that the robbers had any conception of their SplShne ttf ttV''."°^' "^^ ^'^^'^ in muSed ton .. Axn X • *V^* t^e Captain was wanted. «. fW V^' ^'""^'^ ^ " ^"^"^^^d fiobson, in a low tone £i^ .J^^'T- "9"-coinmiss^oped officer, who had been th^'Se' ^^""^^^^^"^^ °" ^h^ --^^-"^e right, at lasfga^nS an';w:;Tri!?rwh^^er^^^^^^"'^'^^^ ^--s. in " Ahve ? " asked Hobson, anxiously. fullv VJ'Vatftlff vT"'^*^ ¥^^ *^^^*^d him shame- but!—- ^'^ °^ ^'^ ^^''"^' ^"d a case for the doctors ; "That'll do" interposed Hobson, sharply; "pass the "^ WK*° ^^^^^^°"g the line ; now tak^ me to him.'? rWh-^j, ? °^u'^^T^*° ^h^^e his men had discovered Charhe he found his luckless subaltern in a high fever and wandering in his talk. The soldiers had, of Sse at once severed his s' ameful bonds; but, weak from his previous proved c" "^ul? r^^^''''^' °^^^^ horrible posidon had proved tc .much for him. Fever had come on and he was now talking wildly and at random. Amerce ma"edic tion broke from under Hobson's moustache as heTarned m what state Charlie Devereux had been found " Carrv him back at once," he said, " to the shelter of the jungle^ and_ha ! surely that is the first streak of light. •^Before Lside" '' "'" "P ^' ^^" ^^"^^ ^ith those^heil-hofnds Once more the word was given to advance when c:,„i 'F^^wVrf th^?/'' '''^^> ^'^^ '^'' therwere-Ai XLVIII.—Prance's Vengeance. OAM PRANCE on his arrival in Brussels had b„i « P vague Idea of what form his vengeance was to f^l He wanted to find Furzedon ; he wanteTt^oTa^Tnt hhn ove" prance's vengeance. ^45 Once more Gil" s men for a last bullet from the tn, vhich drops • his left hand, lere AH springs as been driven, : Slade and his le daring chief himself. It is f the cave, but ■ and poke their their prey has )wedShereAli. d by a shot or nds come from actly knowing the capture of abson since he hat sagacious ess of dacoits, sit from their > men to Gil- fith the other y between the raftiness was ig had ceased lad overcome fissure which Discharging nade a deter- st in the leg 3us Shere Ali s, had but a was to take, unt him over his social discomfiture; to jeer at him, and to gloat over his humiliation ; to proclaim it as far as possible before those who for the present might be Furzedon's associates : bvit further than that he had as yet conceived no plan Brooding over his wrongs had, no doubt, warped the man's mind ; he had. set his heart upon seeing his enemy thrust off the Turf. His failing to accomplish that end, to which he had striven so hard, had turned his very soul to verjuice. There remained for him now but one thing to do, to avenge himself on the man who had ruined his life, and to taunt him ere consummating that vengeance, as the Indian squaws do the brave that is tied to the stake. The first thing to do was to discover where I< urzedon had taken up his abode ; and that to a man of Prance's researches was not difficult. It was but to watch the poste restante daily. He ha4 a very fair knowledge of Furzedon's habits, and could make a rough guess as to within what hour he would be likely to call for his letters. Two— three days elapsed ; but on the third the patient watcher was rewarded : Ralph Furzedon entered the post-office, and after a few minutes emerged again, thrusting his letters into his coat-pocket as he did so. It was easy from thence to follow Furzedon to his own lodgings over a shop in the Montargis de Com; and that point once ascertained Prance felt that he was master of the situation. It was easy for him now to keep watch and ward over Furzedon's outgoings and incomings: to follow him to his favourite restaurant, to trace him to his accustomed haunts, and to choose his own terms for publicljr denouncing him as a Turf outlaw, who dare not show his face in England; and from that out— utterly imknown to himself — Furzedon's steps were perpetually dogged by this pale-faced monomaniac. Prance, as such men do, was simply nursing his opportunity ; he chuckled to himself at the power he possessed, at the knowledge that he could bring the object of his hatred to shame at any moment ; as an epicure dallies with a dainty dish, so did Prance linger over his revenge. The great exposS could come but once : he so gloated o.ver the idea that he could not make up his mind to precipitate it. Habited in decent garments, and knowing sp well that the truth of what he 346 SADDLE AND SABRE. , «y otfh^TL^nVt^^^^^^^^^^ ^-* ^y the • occurred to Prance thaMt «/.'.T -L "°f P'^^^^"' ^'^ "ever nobody like himself m^hih ^u^'^^l^ *^^* the word of a that oL weaUhyta^ fke Far^r/P°° x^^ ^.^"" P"* ^^^nst still chuckling il Ts heart "tfhl ^""'"^ ^^^ ^^^^ng^. expose the plausible author!.fv '"•'"'T* ^^^" ^e was to dogged the^eels of h s i/rr^^^ ^ ^^J by dav Prance restaurant that Furzedon^hSy alcted H • °"V^^^ heseemedtohaveestahlicK^^u-^ ir "^^' "d in wh ch clique, and a gS autSv on '."Jf"^^ !f *^' '''^^ °^ ^ ^'^tle "J^ Spo^i"; and there hfdSded"^^^^^^^^^ '"""^^^^ ^^^^ the mask off the impostor and l!f i * ^^ "^""^^ «"^tch that the man they bowed down to H T ^^"1^^"^^" know on Newmarket Heath Mr P ° n. k T '^°^ ^'^-^^^^ pocket, and the ResaumATlnf.J'^? T^'^y ^" ^'« tinction of persons As Jon^ t ^'-^^^ ^"^^ "o dis- and had napoleon^ in vlu/n ' T." '^''" ^""^"^^y Pressed at your disposal The^even?nf'*' ^"^ "^^"^"^ ^^^^^ was Prance had marked ou? for th^?,'^^'"^^* ^^^^ ^^i<^h Mr. Strolling in a little bkr^thZ/''^^"'^^"''^ °^ ^^« enemy. usually ^dine J, he took a table in' hf. '^ ^^J"^ ^"^^^d°" and then, taking a chair in fr^Lr^P immediate vicinity ; the course of e^venS VetaS nit t "^^'^n^"^' ^^^^te^d expected, Ralph Furzedon and ft "^^J* ^°"?' ^s he mates shortly made thS^nn. ^^ °'' ^°"^ °f ^is inti- restaurant, took their Saces^a^tr" ' ^"^^^"tering the table prepared for hem Thl *. f""^^^^* elaborate English. At all eventsThV.V . P^''*^. ^^'^ apparently in that languaS; and it w.^ conversation was conducted was someone ^^ auThL' y amofg^urem "'p'^ ''"^^^^^^ his face as they moved ud the rnoU '^ Prance averted with his back to them so tW l, T'/"? "^^^ °°w sitting Furzedon's notice ' ^^' ^^ ^^^ altogether escaped on^iireL^;;,7h^^^^^^^^^ avenge himself always felt that for h1^ . j "^''■'"'^^'"^'"t. He had be useless : that iSw-^ '^ ^fV°""^-, ^^^zedon wouW the pariah of the^bttt^^gj^ngle w^"'?^^^^ ^'"^ «^ menthehad experienc^ wfe'n^CedpnSS^tTuX^ PkANCE's VENGEANCE. 3^7 had churned his hatred up to very madne«;«; W« «„f v, a a: cu ty contau.ed lumself u^til theT^.t^were^n fhe nuSt" scoundrel, he cried, poini n\n ..... u poisoner, a man-poisoner, /felow ' ".t ff he h'^^ .^r," from England, would hr ve he^n dcked off thp^V'^'f^ Gemlemen in England don't „eak -"hut here thr Ho'^* of Mr. Prance's eloquence wa a ^ermnf^i^K , °^- Furzedon, springing to his feet, peremptcrilv callLl nn^n BrthT/?'" 'T' "'^' drunke/thief oTZhc :o™"?.°" ei M ^"°^® '^oo"?- -l^hat the landlord and his servitorc should at once take part against the stranger was onW natural. Furzedon and his friends were well known cu.to J ers, who spent their money lavishly. Bleed in^^tr,^a^f to his companions, who were all more or less of raSn^ brooded day and night over his imaginary TonLs 'and speedily arrived at the rnnrliic;r.r, fV,^* u- •^- "'5""6^' ^"" avenged by his own rfght ha^d FroL /^' 'TT^ ^'* ^^ Furzldon Hke a shadof ; wWer Wem ^.°^^f jng discreetly from notice, wasTatchfng LS^re' SeJ him to his lodgings at nieht : nrn«.I.^^^ u;L r^ . .°f ^^^^ whether he went to the ooera nr't^'\'u^ J- " "f^^^^^P^, watching his foe with'he?crmlh';na'!;re^,-:'^^r.?^|' ^S^ 34$ SADDLE AJJD SABRE. Jfc^ i!? .r '° ^?"°^- Norman Slade might weU sav e shouldn't care to have so vindictive a foe at largl^S ^en fl^nro„? o? fJ"'"' . "^ ^^^ "S^*' ^^ since feT5 He h./m,l *^^ restaurant Prance was always armed. kill F„r.X ^^^ ""P ^^' "'^"^' ^^'^^as determined ta vouchsafed Mm^' wk" ^' ^ favourable opportunity was InH 1 !r , • }y^^" ^ ™^n resolves to^ay his fellow and is utterly reckless of his own life, nothing short of marvellous good fortune can save the doomed v^ftim He ?' f^'^T'- T'^^^* the murderer's mercy inTe verv centres of civilisation than in the wild plains of Western America, m the desert, or in South Africa In these latter ^i^!:i^::o:^^'^''%^ ^^^^^^^ enemies ;bu?inthe one's hand But^^ZlA^"^^^' "^P""*' *? ^^^^^ ^^^^'^ ^^^ i" h^^s seldS^ 5onf °"A^' ^ ""^^ °^ gregarious habits ; avoSanack^from/hf'''^-^^" '°"^^ ^^^^ ^^ unwittingly ^vuioea attack trom this circumstance. At length he V ceived a letter from Mr. Sturgeon, desiring mftructlon: ctpped ?n 'an^'' "J^^'^ ^"^^^^^ matters^tSad us P.?r^£? ?•: ^"^' with a view to thinking them well over boufevtds ""'" "^''' "^^ ^*^^*^^ ^^^ ^ ^-Ik onThe oute; ouJcr?^^ buTaf wtTd- T^"""^°^.^*^^^^ ^^^^ "« fro'" us to ifnnw c !^^^* distance it is mercifully not given us to know. Sometimes, when being near at hand vears may elapse before he claims his own. At others whin exulting in the full pride of our strength he is at our verv heels with upraised hands. Little dreTmt FuLedon al he crossed the threshold of his iodffin^s tW hr^tti^ -r-^ that the Destroye'ffS^^^ and was rapidly closing in upon him. Prance was as ?suS the'^sTepfrf Ss fof '' ^"'^^ '^F°"^^ -^^^^ "ont on mkeln end of ^t """'^ ^l^^^^^ "^^^^^^^^ than ever to ^^^^'is^^^^ rgK\*o^1m^ Sv'-ic^I?" S'"^r^^ ^^ l^^^'^^^d ^bout. S knew tW f nH wl ^"^^e^on was the more powerful of the two" and whether really courageous or no he further knew that' . h , when Furatedon deemed it inex- e might well say Foe at large wierie for since he hid 2S always armed. IS determined to opportunity was 5 slay his fellow, lotting short of ned victim. He rcy in the very lins of Western In these latter nies ; but in the arry one's life in sgarious habits ; he unwittingly Lt length he f'e- ing mstructions rs that had just them well over, ilk on the outer behind us from ifully not given at hand, years it others when 5^ is at our very ♦"urzedon as he bright summer M for his prey, :e was as usual er his wont on i than ever to portunity, and ght be to him- he knew that il of the two, her knew that l>RANCfi*S VENGEANCE. 349 at all events Furzedon was not afraid of him. Prance's sole fear was a fiasco. The bare idea that an attempt to kill his enemy might result in such discomfiture as we have ,^en twice befell him at Furzedon's hands made him wince aga,in. No ; there must be no mistake about it this time — . ^ life for a life he was willing to give, but Furzedoi^ must die. Stealthily he kept his victim in view, as he had done scores cff times in the last two or three weeks, and for the . first time saw him with savage exultation betake his way to the comparative solitude o^ the boulevards. Furzedon walked moodily along, puffing at his cigar, with ) s hands behind him, absorbed in thought. He had come out to think, and he was busy at it — no thought of Prance had crossed his mind since the scene at the restaurant ; he had never caught sight of him since, and would have scoffed at the idea of such an outcast being able to work him harm. This opportunity had come at last, and, though not flinching for one moment from his purpose, it seemed to Prance not quite so easy of accomplishment after all. The boulevards, although thinly peopled, were of course not deserted ; it was easy to keep Furzedon in view, but at the same time to approach him closely was to run the chance of immediate recognition. He slunk along about fifty paces in the rear, but, tightly as he clutched the pistol within his breast, he never dreamt of risking a shot at that distance. " Pshaw ! " he muttered to himself, " have I not waited days for this chance ? have I turr.riJ coward ? is my nerve failing me ? It is time to make an end of this," and, quick- ening his pace, Prance rapidly though stealthily drew near his unconscious victim. Not above a dozen steps behind hira now, he drew the pistol from his breast, stopped, and was about to shoot his enemy down from behind, when from sheer accident Furze- don turned suddenly in his walk, and confronted him face to face. For a second Prance hesitated, but Ralph Furze- don, whatever else he might be, w?s a man of courage and decision. He recognised Prance ; he saw the pistol, and took in the situation at a glance. This man meant to kill him. Quick as lightning he dashed in at his foe, deter- mined to close with him, and neutralise if possible the 350 SADDLE AUt> SABftE. Fur^dcj, close/ wfth his assaSf/^H^'""''^' ^n^-^" wounded, and was for tif ^^^^^n'- He was but sIie*H>, The struggle bltweln Ihtr^'ThF^r''^ ^^"^ ^'^^^^ one was battling for hislik\L I' ^^^ desperate. , th^ Revenge ; but Prance's oStrS h ^^' ""^^ ^^^h the 1^^ Once more, indeed, the Vvowi'r" ,^^8 powerless oqw a;r; and then Fur;e3on sulSeded fn'^ ^"'"l^^^^^^ hi.^ antagonist's hand and throwing t. ^""^"^^'n^ i* from to his man with the pertinaSv^r^f ^^u^,', ?"* ^e stuck another two or three minutes hl^ u ^ ^}^^-^og, and in and the pair fell to th^^round fl T^ ^'^ backwards, most. AH the brutal passfons of Fnff^''TP'^^°*^« ""der-' aroused, and with his dSed fi^f" f *^°". ' 'i^'*'"^^^ were blows on the unhappy wretch's rm,l^ '^'-^^^ ^ slower of made it hardly recognisable ^°""t^nance, and speedily fov^llllZee^SsVe^^^^^^ hound," he did your best to murder me n ^.^^ "^^* *°^oit; ypu ^lljon." And as he spoke Pu^°V "^^'^ *? ^^^ "P t^^H of his prostrate foe, and^stennW . ?°" '°f ^"°"^ the body ttec^^--^ °^ ^»-Terhet5?:Se^-| b«»othrscleT^^^^^ the shots, were armed, and a little distrLted k, .t?^^'?''"^ ^'^ fn dis- questions rapidly addressed ^ ^ ^^ ejaculatiors and Furzedontook his eves off h" ""-.^^^ *^^ new-comers raised himself ?o f skt^/no ?'^'^^°*^ ^^° ^ad b^thS sprang to fci^ feet, an^'^rfwS^jTkniff "/^^"i?'. ^^^^^^ threw him. ,f upon Furzednn L i ■ '^^ ^""^'^ ^^s breast, fhnek, as he buried his We 'f.-'^^^-'"'?!^ ^'^^ ^^most a "Done my best to kill yL ^not It''bS f'^'f^--'^ chest! as Furzedon fell lifeless to he ground flo "^'i ".T-'" ^^^ stamed weapon in the face of fhri, ' ^°T^^^^ ^'^ blood- then, with a burst of maniacal 1^1';^^^ u'P^^t^t^". and own thrnot "ianiacal iaufifhter. hurif^A u .1 l " , • < <*«. .. ' , '^i-r. CONCLUSION. Conclusion. 351 *HE fray was over, there was nothing now but to reckon up the cost and fruits of victory. The dacoits had Ued hard, and fought hke wild cats in their rocky den, * knd the state in which Charlie Devereux had been found * had not inclined the hearts of the soldiers to mercy. There were marvellously few prisoners, and amongst Slade's troopers the casualties also had been heavy. It had required all Hobson's authority to save Shere.Ali's' 'life, and the robber chieftain had good reason to feel little grateful for his preservation ; he knew it was forfeited, and thought rightly it would have been as well to make an end of it amidst the Rocks of Ruggerbund, sword in hand, as to be hanged in the face of the multitude, which fate he was well aware was in store for him. The doctor's report too was somewhat serious ; he told Hobson that many of the wounded were bad cases, and ii. was desirable to get them Within the shelter of a regular hospital as soon as might be. "Captain Slade," he continued, "will soon be all right, his arm is broken by a pistol-shot, and he has one or two slight flesh wounds. It will be some time before he recovers the use of his sword-arm, but one can feel easy about him. J only wish I could say as much for some of the others." . " What about Mr. Devereux ? " asked Hobson anxiously. " Ah ! that's serious," replied the doctor, " it must be a touch and a go with him ; he seems weak as a rat from his wound, which has never been properly attended to, and these wretches have driven him into a raging fever to wind up with. It is a question whether he will have strength to pull through that ; anyway, the sooner I can get my sick back to the cantonments the better." Hobson had accomplished his mission, and after giving his men a few hours' rest, and thoroughly ransacking the robbers' stronghold, he started with his prisoners and wounded for the nearest cantonment, where he received much congratulation on his capture of the ferocious bandit, whom a military tribunal shortly relegated to the death b© had 50 well deserved. 352 SADDLE AND SABRE. Charlie Devereux's battle for life was long and Dainfnl More than once the doctors thought he LTLne td nothing but the most unwearied rar^ ZZi ^ H ' ^^ snatched him from the veryTaws of dea^h. AenlTS the dehnum left him he was so weak, so utterly prostrated nrnrnd ana body that the doctors unhesSgly agreed there was nothmg for it but to send him home. ^ ^ "* whrt hin -^^ ''°,""? *^^ ^^P^'" s^'d the medical officer who had prmcipal charge of him. "A lonff sea-vova^P Tnd as°GrJ%ri ^^'""^H' ^'^' *^^" anything S^^ A^t I ^^^^^: ^5°"^^ ^°^"g "^^^^^ was still unfit for t:'&nit7^:s^er *'^* '""^ *"° ^"^"^-^ ^^-^^ p--d w/th^hifsuta'itfrr'f^F''' Pi? ^°^^°!;' ^^ ^^ ^^°°k h-nds Kil? ">?„subaltern. "English air, and especially English beef, will soon put you all to rights. My dream wSn^ quite accurate, which I attribute to the fa^ct of mv never nLTtleTrut!!^- ^'' '' -^^' ^^ ' ^^^ -P^e-nTf; f«"J^^''l f'^ Charlie, with a faint smile, " I was destined to be cut down by a dacoit, but whether it was Shere Ali or one of his lieutenants made little different" ' arranLml^^nf rr'r°°^ ^"^^^ ""^^'^^ ^ ^^<^^^y ^r the arrangement of Charlie Devereux's aifairs. which Maior Braddock at once took advantage of. Furz^don's heirs had no desire to continue the bill-discounting business and were only too glad to accept the money duf to them wUh fnn r"^^^^ '^*^ °^ '?^^'^'^' That, although Mrs! Kvnas^ ton gave free vent to her malicious tongue and would ^/vl rh'eS'aMe' iTis^^Hr' ^"'^^* SlfS:* a^l retde'hid sne Deen able, it is needless to say ; but, for all that the two were made man and wife a few months after the former landed in England, Charlie Devereux being suffi hZlVTrT*^. *° ""^^* ^^«* «^^n on the occasfoS^ The breakfast took place at Mrs. Connop's house -aid ks th^? lady had consulted Major Braddock on the occ^lon h was pronounced a great success; that disting dshe foff ce If md painful. 5 gone, and d attention Vhen at last 'f prostrated "gly agreed dical officer sea-voyage thing else," till unfit for lid proceed hook hands lly English iam wasn't f my never ipleasantly is destined 5 Shere Ali , lity for the ich Major Ion's heirs siness, and hem, with rs. Kynas- 'ould have ^ettie had I that, the after the eing suffi- ion. The d, as that casion, it lel officer •t energy, >ugne was jally kept \ ■