I was nervous enough before he spoke that morning, and naturally felt a good deal more so afterwards; and during the evolutions in which I took part for the first time, with a stern-looking sergeant close by me to help me through, it seemed to me as if my brother-officer's words were about to be fulfilled. For in my confusion during a gallop I managed to get where I had no business to be, and turned sharply round to see that the men with the gun were pretty close to me before they reined in. To complete my misery, the major in charge of the battery rode up, and delivered a few pretty sharp adjurations to me and to the sergeant. I did not feel very comfortable that morning as I rode up to the quarters, dismounted, covered with perspiration and dust, and saw my horse led away; neither did I feel much better after my bath and change, as I hesitated whether I should go over to Captain Brace's rooms, he having invited me to breakfast. "I shall never manage it," I thought. Every one was laughing at me, and it was dreadful to be rowed like that by the major. I threw myself despondently in my chair, and had quite given up going, when Captain Brace's servant came round to say that his master was waiting breakfast. There was nothing else for it but to go, and I followed the man to the bright-looking, cool room where Brace was seated. "Come, my lad," he cried, "I should have thought you would be ravenous. Hallo! What's wrong?" I looked at him with my face all in wrinkles, and sank down despondently in the seat to which he pointed. "Tired out?" he said. I shook my head. "Then, pray, what's the matter?" "Matter?" I cried bitterly. "You saw what a fool I made of myself this morning." His face wore a peculiar look as he shook his head. "No," he said; "I was not there that time. What did you do?" "Not there! Why, you saw me get all wrong, and the men nearly ride me down, as Barton said they would, with that horse." "I thought so," said Brace drily. "How curious it is that a prophecy of evil always makes more impression than one of good." "I don't understand you," I said. "My words were simple, my lad. Barton ran that horse down because he did not buy it for you. Now, naturally enough, I kept my eye upon you all through the drill, so as to see how you would get on. Your horse behaved admirably; and I should be ready to give you a couple of hundred rupees more for it than it cost; while, for a beginner, I thought you did remarkably well. Here: have some coffee." "Well!" I cried, excitedly, "when I was nearly ridden over!" "You were not nearly ridden over; nothing of the kind." "But you heard what the major said." "Yes. He shouts pretty sharply sometimes. You were out of your place, of course." "Oh yes; I was out of my place, of course," I said bitterly. "I feel completely disgraced."