“But I’ll be with you inside of a week,” he told
“That’s what I want to hear!” his chum exclaimed.
Tom was rather apprehensive about the first meeting with Captain Hawkesbury. He wondered how the old army officer would behave toward him, and if he would make any mention of the missing deed.
It was on the day when the physician first said Tom could leave the hospital for good, and return to his own quarters, that our hero met the captain.
It was while on his way to his own room that Tom saw, coming toward him, the man with whom he had collided. And at the sight of our hero, walking with just the least suspicion of a limp, the face of the old army officer took on a deeper tint of red.
Tom saluted as he passed, but was a little diffident about speaking first.
“Oh, so you’re out of the hospital, eh?” the captain said, and there was no kindness, but a sneer in his voice. “The next time you ride try and keep your horse under better control” he said, sharply. “We might have both been seriously hurt. Luckily I know how to take a fall.”
He seemed to think only of himself, as if he were the only person concerned. He did not take into consideration the fact that Tom had been hurt. There were no chances in his case.
“I could not help it, Captain Hawkesbury,” Tom said, firmly. “It was not my fault—altogether,” he added, significantly.
“It was rank carelessness!” was the snapped-out retort.