“Then act as if you had.”
“But why don’t you let me have some?”
“Silence in the ranks, sir. Now then, keep your balance. Advance at a walk.”
The horse started.
“Halt!” shouted Lomax, and the horse pulled up so short that I went forward.
“What are you doing, sir? You don’t want to look into the horse’s ears.”
“I wasn’t trying to,” I said sharply.
“What were you going to do, then?—whisper to him to stop?”
“I say, don’t tease me, Lom,” I said appealingly; “you know I couldn’t help it.”
“Right, my lad, I know. But ’tention; this won’t do. I’ve got to teach you to ride with a good military seat, and we’re not friends now. You’re a private, and I’m your riding-master.”