Blair of Balaclava : $b A hero of the Light BrigadeLynn, Escott
General
Blair of Balaclava : $b A hero of the Light Brigade
Lynn, Escott
Crimean War, 1853-1856 -- Fiction
The familiar sounds of reveille woke him in the morning, and in
half-an-hour he had taken his place again in the new life, and began to
feel at home again in barracks. He took up his new duties, Sergeant
Barrymore expressing his pleasure at Jack having been posted to his
troop.
Jack grew in popularity with his superiors and with his comrades, while
Napper sank in their estimation. He tried in every way to annoy Jack,
but the latter always defeated his attempts.
CHAPTER X.
THE REVIEW.
Soon after Jack returned to duty the regiment was ordered to prepare to
march to Chobham, there to go under canvas.
On the following Thursday morning they started, and a very pleasant
march they had. In the afternoon they reached the camp, pitched tents,
and settled down in glorious weather. All arms were represented, and the
men enjoyed the affair immensely. On the Saturday there was a big
field-day, Jack’s regiment representing the attacking cavalry.
About midday the ‘Cease fire,’ was sounded, and Jack’s troop was halted
at an old-fashioned inn standing on the heath. As they dismounted, Jack
noticed that the band of the regiment were standing and sitting about as
though they had been halted there while the rest of the regiment had
been engaged in the field. He loosened his saddle-girths and fastened
Dainty’s bridle to the pillar of a little rustic arbour beside the inn,
while he went inside to get a crust of bread and cheese. In a few
minutes an orderly galloped up, bringing word from the colonel that the
troop was to rejoin the regiment at once to form up for the march past.
As Jack went towards the little arbour, to his surprise he saw Napper
glide out, hurry away towards the band, most of whom were already
mounted, and swing himself into the saddle. Hastily tightening up his
girths, Jack mounted just as the band trotted off.
Dainty was strangely restive, pawing the ground, tossing her head, and
fidgeting about. Jack tried to calm her as he fell in with his troop;
but Dainty, instead of keeping her position just behind the captain’s
horse, was prancing and curveting all over the road. Jack patted her and
uttered soothing words; then tried touching the curb and letting her
feel the spur. But it was all to no purpose. There was no opportunity of
dismounting to see what ailed her, for immediately on coming up with the
regiment, while the band trotted off to take its place at the saluting
base with the other bands, Jack’s troop wheeled with C Troop into column
of squadrons, and advanced at a walk to take up ground for the march
past. Dainty got quieter, and Jack spoke endearing words to her, for she
was a beautiful creature and Jack had a true cavalryman’s love for his
horse.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account