BUCEPHALUS.
The stable was a handsome building, very complete in its appointments,
for both Mr. Grey and Jasper were fond of horses. Opening the small
door at one side the boys saw John, the coachman, washing the carriage.
"John, we want the saddle-horses," said Jasper. "Gilbert and I are
going to ride."
"You will ride your own horse, Mr. Jasper?"
"Yes."
"And your friend will ride Sidney?"
"No; he will take Bucephalus."
John shook his head.
"Sidney's better for him," he said. "I wouldn't trust Bucephalus."
"John, you're a fool!" said Jasper, impatiently. "Gilbert isn't a
baby."
"I know he isn't, Mr. Jasper, but all the same I wouldn't advise him
riding Bucephalus."
"What are you afraid of?"
"He's a contrary brute, while Sidney's as good-natured as a kitten."
"Oh, well, we'd better have a kitten at once. Gilbert, we've got an old
cat in the house, warranted safe. If John thinks it more prudent, we'll
saddle her for you. A kitten might be too wild and skittish."
Gilbert laughed.
"I think I won't disturb the old cat," he said. "I'll try Bucephalus."
"Better not, sir," said the coachman.
"Of course, if you are afraid," said Jasper, with another covert sneer,
"you'd better take Sidney; but in that case I shall probably ride away
from you."
"I'll take Bucephalus," said Gilbert, in decided tones. "I am not in
the least afraid, and I think I can keep up with you."
"On that horse I am sure you can."
John saw that further remonstrance would be unavailing, and very
reluctantly got ready the mettlesome steed. Gilbert jumped on his back
and put his feet in the stirrups.
John came to his side, and said, in a low voice:
"Be very careful, sir. Let him have his way, and don't chafe or vex
him. I hope you won't have any trouble."
"I don't think I shall. Thank you."
"What could possess Mr. Jasper to be so particular to have his friend
ride out on the ugly brute?" thought John, as he watched the two
galloping up the road. "He wouldn't trust himself on his back. Maybe he
won't mind it so much if the other gets a broken limb or broken neck. I
hope there won't be no accident. That Gilbert, as he calls himself,
looks like a nice, gentlemanly lad. I think I'd like him much better
than Mr. Jasper, who does put on airs, and orders me round as if I was
a dog."
John watched the two till a turn in the road concealed them from his
view, and then went back to his work. But his thoughts could not help
dwelling on the rash youth who had placed himself at the mercy of this
ill-tempered steed, and he heartily wished he could be sure of his safe
return.
We will now follow the two riders, and inquire how they sped.
Jasper soon found that Gilbert knew how to ride. His position was easy
and unconstrained, and his seat was firm. He seemed as much at ease as
in a parlor. But then Bucephalus was behaving well. He showed spirit,
but was obedient to the rein.
"How do you like Bucephalus?" inquired Jasper.
"I find no fault with him. He is a fine horse. What made your coachman
so afraid of trusting me on him?"
"I hope you won't be angry with John," answered Jasper, laughing, "but
he doubted whether you could ride. If you didn't know anything about
riding, your horse would soon find it out, and take advantage of it."
"Almost any horse would do that."
"Of course."
"I suppose you have ridden Bucephalus, Jasper?"
"Certainly, though not often. I am used to my own horse--General, I
call him--and I naturally prefer him."
Jasper did not speak the truth. He had never ridden Bucephalus, nor
would he have done so for a considerable sum of money, though he was by
no means a poor rider. But Gilbert had no reason, or thought he had
not, for doubting his assertion, and readily believed that it was only
the coachman's doubt of his horsemanship that had given rise to the
fears he expressed.
"How long has your father owned Bucephalus?" inquired Gilbert.
"Only three months."
"Who rides him?"
"Neither of us, much. The fact is, Sidney is father's horse, and this
is mine. We don't need Bucephalus, but father took him for a debt, and
means to sell him when he has a good opportunity."
This was true. Bucephalus had been taken for a debt, and as, on account
of his ill-temper, he was of no use to Mr. Grey, he proposed to dispose
of him at the first favorable opportunity.
"You ride well," said Jasper, after a pause. "Have you ridden much?"
"Considerably," answered Gilbert, modestly.
Had he not been so modest he might have added that his teacher had
pronounced him the best rider he had ever taught. But Gilbert was no
boaster, and, therefore, Jasper remained in ignorance of his really
superior horsemanship.
"You don't seem to find any trouble in managing him. I wish John could
see you ride. He would see how foolish he was in being afraid for you."
Gilbert was only human, and the compliment pleased him. He knew he was
a good rider, and though he was not willing to boast of it, he liked to
have it appreciated by others. He could not read the unspoken thought
that was passing through his cousin's mind.
"He does well enough now," thought Jasper; "but wait till Bucephalus
wakes up. Then he will be like a child in his grasp. I wouldn't like to
be in his shoes then."
Yet to this danger from which he himself shrank in dread he had exposed
his cousin, when he could easily have saved him from it. It was proof
of his cold and selfish wickedness that he could do this without being
visited by reproaches of conscience.
For several miles Bucephalus behaved unusually well. But at length he
began to show signs of the insubordinate spirit that possessed him.
They came to a turn in the road; Jasper took the turn, but Bucephalus
preferred to go straight on. He shook his head viciously, and snorted
defiantly.
"It's coming," thought Jasper, and for the first time he did feel a
little pity for his companion.
"Won't he turn?" he asked.
"He don't want to, but he will," said Gilbert, coolly.
He pulled the right rein in a firm, decided way. Bucephalus reared, and
began to dance round.
"Is that your game?" said Gilbert. "We'll see who will be master."
[Illustration: "Is that your game?" said Gilbert. "We'll see who will
be master."--Page 221.]
He sawed away at the horse's mouth with no mercy. Bucephalus was
enraged. He could hardly understand the presumption of the rider, who
was daring enough to defy him to his worst. He was accustomed to
inspire fear in his rider, and his spirit was up. He indulged in worse
antics, when he was astonished and maddened by a terrible lashing from
the whip in Gilbert's hand.
He started off like a shot at a break-neck speed down the road which
Gilbert wanted him to take. In his fury he was not probably aware that
he had yielded that point to his master. On he rushed with the speed of
lightning. Terror-struck, Jasper, sitting still on his own horse,
followed him with his glance. He saw Gilbert, immovable as a rock,
keeping his seat on the maddened steed, never for a moment losing
courage or self-possession. He was astonished, but he could not help
feeling admiration also.
"He rides magnificently," he said to himself. "Who would have supposed
that he could manage that brute?"
But there was one thing that Jasper did not know--which I have not yet
imparted to the reader. Gilbert had taken lessons of Rarey, the famous
horse-tamer, and that gave him a wonderful advantage. Feeling firm in
his seat, he let Bucephalus continue his break-neck speed till his
beating sides and labored breath showed that he was exhausted. Then
turning him unresisting he rode back. After a while he met Jasper. The
latter could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the fierce steed cowed
and subdued, while his cousin seemed perfectly cool and composed.
"Thank Heaven, you are safe!" ejaculated Jasper, hypocritically. "I was
very much alarmed about you."
"I have given Bucephalus a lesson," said Gilbert, quietly. "I will ride
him again to-morrow. I think he is thoroughly subdued now. Did he ever
act in this way when you rode him?"
"No," answered Jasper. "I don't see what got into him to-day. You rode
him splendidly," he felt forced to add.
"I am not afraid of horses," said Gilbert, quietly. "But suppose we
turn back. I think he has had enough for one day."