W.', the Colonel's
without a doubt. At the saddle-bow there hung a sizeable leathern pouch,
and this I found to contain a good supply of charges. I was a sure shot,
and I tried my skill on a gate as Sultan flew by, splintering the latch at
which I aimed to a nicety, the well-trained horse taking no more notice of
the shot than of a wink at a passing market-wench. So far so good. Then
there was the sergeant's tuck, and I shouted with a schoolboy's glee at
having for the first time in my life a sword at my side. Of how to use it
I knew nothing, unless many bouts at single-stick with Jack should be some
sort of apprenticeship in swordcraft. I practised pulling it out, and
then, imitating Brocton, made the forty-inch blade twist and tang in the
air, which pleased me greatly. I felt quite a Cavalier now, and said
within myself that old Smite-and-spare-not's bones should soon be rustling
in their grave with envy.
And so into Meece, wondering if the fat host of the "Black Bull" would
recognize in the splendidly mounted horseman the dusty schoolboy of ten
years ago. There he was in the porch, grown intolerably fatter, talking to
my ancient gossip, Rupert Toms, the sexton, now heavily laden with years
and infirmities.
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