He kept on, however, to the point of meeting, and was not surprised at not seeing Chap, for he expected to have to wait for him, as his friend was a great fellow for having long discourses with people.
The road here was bordered on both sides by thick woods, and there was not a house in sight. Phil had learned from his uncle how to hobble a horse, which he now proceeded to do, and allowed Jouncer to graze on the plentiful grass by the roadside.
Then he thought he would try and get a shot at something with Old Bruden. He was sure the gun was loaded, although he had forgotten that fact when he started with it in the morning, and it would be a good thing to get the loads out of it, which might as well be done by shooting something as in any other way.
Perhaps he could get a crack at some big bird in these woods. He tried both barrels with the ramrod, and found they each contained a very heavy load. He had forgotten who last loaded the gun, but supposed it was some of Chap’s work, who believed in plenty of powder and shot.
He then put on a couple of caps and strolled about for some little time, but found nothing to shoot at. Returning to the junction, he leaned the gun against a tree and gazed down the other road, hoping to see Chap coming. Then, as he walked about, whistling, his attention was attracted by an apple hanging on a tree near the road.
Years before, there had been a house in the little clearing here, and there were a few old apple-trees still growing about the spot.
Phil could not find anything to throw at this apple, which looked as if it was ripe enough for a boy, but it was not far above him, and might be hooked down. He thought of the ramrod of the gun, and getting it, soon jerked the apple from its twig.
It was not a very good apple, but Phil ate it with relish, and thought he would very much like to have another. There was no more fruit on that tree, and so, ramrod in hand, he went rambling about looking for another tree and another apple.
When Emile Touron left Hyson Hall, there was a good deal remaining of the long summer afternoon, and as he knew he would have to pay for the horse for the whole day, he determined to get all the good out of him that he could. Besides, he felt too angry to go back to his lodgings. He would rather be alone and have a horse to shout at and cut with a whip. As for eating, he had forgotten all about it.
Instead, therefore, of turning into town, he drove along the road which led to the north, and which Phil and Chap had taken that morning. He drove rapidly, and did not intend to return to town until he had had a good day’s use of the horse.