"You're too young, but they want officers badly, and you'll soon get
older, and I have no doubt will make a good soldier, if you command your
temper. You ought to have been in the engineers, though."
"Oh no, sir," I said eagerly. "I want to be a gunner. Is the
commission for the Horse Artillery?"
He laughed and took snuff.
"Why, you conceited young greenhorn!" he said good-humouredly. "Has all
the teaching of the Honourable the East India Company's profession been
so poor here at Brandscombe, that you have not learned that it is quite
a promotion to get into the Horse Brigade. That they are picked men
from the foot--men full of dash--who can afford to keep the best of
horses, and who are ready to ride at anything."
"My uncle would let me have any horses I want, sir," I said; "and I can
ride."
"Like a gentleman in the park," he said contemptuously.
"No, sir," I said warmly. "My father is a splendid horseman, and I've
hunted a great deal. Why, he used to put me on a pony when I was only
six, and whenever I was at home he made me hunt with him, and go
straight across country."
"Humph! Wonder he did not break your neck!"
"Oh no, sir," I replied; "but I have broken my arm, and had some falls."
"Ah, well; be content with your commission in the foot. Some day,
perhaps, you may get into the horse, especially if you ride well, and
have some interest to back you up. Well, I congratulate you, Vincent,
my lad, and I am well satisfied with your progress."
"Satisfied, sir?" I said, as I recalled the scolding of an hour
earlier.
"Oh yes, on the whole, my boy. You've got the makings of a good soldier
in you. Little too fond of fighting. Ought to be in your favour, eh?
But it isn't. A good officer never fights if he can help it; but when
he does, why, of course, he fights skilfully, and lets the enemy know
that he is in earnest. But seriously, Vincent, you have one great
failing."
"More than one, sir, I'm afraid," I said dolefully.
"Never mind the others; perhaps they'll cure themselves. But you must
keep a strict watch over that temper of yours, eh?"
"Yes, sir," I said penitently; "I have a horrible temper."
"A temper, Vincent, not a horrible temper. And I don't know that you
need regret it so long as you learn to subdue it. Tight-curb, that's
all. Make a better soldier of you. It means spirit and decision,
properly schooled. Oh, you'll do, boy. I should like to turn out
another hundred of you."
I stared at him in surprise, for I had been working under my military
tutor always troubled by the impression that I was the most troublesome
pupil he had, and that I was getting on worse than any fellow there.
"I mean it, boy," he said, smiling and taking another tiny pinch of
snuff. "Well, Vincent, my lad, I congratulate you. An hour ago you
were my student and pupil; this despatch tells me that you are now my
brother-officer. So good speed to you, and God bless you!"
His eyes looked a little moist as he shook hands with me warmly, and,
though my own eyes felt a little misty from emotion, a cloud seemed to
pass from them, and I began to realise that I had been fancying all
kinds of things which were not true.
"Sit down, my dear lad, and let's have a bit of a chat," continued the
general. "This is a short notice."
"Short, sir?" I said wonderingly.
"Oh yes; very. You are to go out in the _Jumna_ on the twenty-ninth.
There's just three weeks for preparation and the good-byes."
"So soon, sir?" I cried excitedly.
"Yes, so soon. There's a Captain Brace going out in charge of a draft
of men from Warley--recruits, of course. You go under his charge; so
you will have to be brisk in ordering your outfit."
"Yes, sir," I said. "I must write to my father to-day about money."
"By all means," said the general, smiling; and I saw what a stupid thing
I had said. "You sail in three weeks, long before your father could get
your letter, eh?"
"Yes, sir, of course," I said confusedly.
"But that's all right, my boy. Your father authorised me in his last
letters to see that you had a proper military outfit, and draw upon him;
so you need be under no apprehension. You will have to run the colonel
up a pretty good bill; so be careful not to get superfluous things. By
the way, there's a letter for you. Have you got it?"
"No, sir," I said; "I've been in my room. I'll go and--"
"No, no; sit still," said the general, ringing. "I'll have it brought
here."
He told the servant to fetch the letter, and sat chatting pleasantly
till the man returned with an old-fashioned-looking missive, ornamented
with a great red seal.
"From my uncle, sir!" I said excitedly.
"Well, open and read it, boy. It may be more news."