Burr Junior Part 44

"Well, trousers, sir. They'll be crawling all up your legs. Get some b.u.t.tons put on by next time."

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

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

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

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

"Is--is he quiet?"

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

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

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

"Very well groomed," he said. "Saw your old friend Magglin before breakfast. Good legs. Like to get taken on again, he says. Tail wants topping--too long. Lucky for him he didn't get before the magistrates.

Doctor won't have him again. Very nice little nag, but too small for service. I told him that all he was fit for was to enlist; some sharp drill-sergeant might knock him into shape in time. He's no use as he is. Now, then, ready?"

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

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

"Now then," he cried, "come along and I'll give you a leg up."

"But you've taken the saddle off."

"Of course I have. I'm going to teach you how to ride."

"Without a saddle or stirrups?"

"Of course. A man wants to feel at home on a horses, so does a boy.

Now then, I'll give you a leg up."

I was like wax in his hands. On lifting one leg as he bade me, the next moment I was sent flying, to come down on the horse's back astride, but so much over to the right that I had to fling myself forward and clutch the mane.

"Bravo! Well done!" cried Lomax sarcastically.

"I'm all right now," I cried.

"All right! Here, come down, sir. Do you know what would have happened if that had been some horses?"

"No," I said, dismounting clumsily.

"Well, then, I'll tell you. They'd either have sent you flying over their heads, or bolted."

"I'm very sorry," I faltered.

"Sorry! I should think you are. Got up like a tailor, sir, and you've come down like one. Bah! It's horrible."

"Well, but you've got to teach me better," I cried.

"True. Good lad. So I have. Now then, give me your leg. That's it.

Steady. Up you go."

"That's better," I cried, settling myself into my place.

"Better! No, it isn't. It's not so bad only, sir. Now, then, sit up so that a line dropped from your temple would go down by your heel.

Better. Get your fork well open."

"What?"

"Sit close down on the horse's back, then. No, no, you don't want to scratch your ear."

"Well, I know, that," I said, laughing.

"Then what did you c.o.c.k up your knee that way for? Let your legs hang down. That's better. Toes up and heels well down."

"What for, Lomax?"

"Don't ask questions. Do as I tell you. Well, there you're right.

Toes up so that they just rest in the stirrups."

"But I haven't got any stirrups."

"Then act as if you had."

"But why don't you let me have some?"

"Silence in the ranks, sir. Now then, keep your balance. Advance at a walk."

The horse started.

"Halt!" shouted Lomax, and the horse pulled up so short that I went forward.

"What are you doing, sir? You don't want to look into the horse's ears."

"I wasn't trying to," I said sharply.

"What were you going to do, then?--whisper to him to stop?"

"I say, don't tease me, Lom," I said appealingly; "you know I couldn't help it."

"Right, my lad, I know. But 'tention; this won't do. I've got to teach you to ride with a good military seat, and we're not friends now.

You're a private, and I'm your riding-master."

"Yes, but one minute, Lom--"