Chapter Fourteen.
Warlike Experiences.
A year rapidly passed away, during which, young and slight as they were, Scarlett Markham and Fred Forrester seemed to have changed into boyish young men. The excitement of a soldier’s life had forced them on, and with great rapidity they had mastered the various matters of discipline then known to the army. Sir Godfrey and Colonel Forrester were received by the opposing factions with delight, their old military knowledge making them invaluable, and they were at once placed in command of regiments of horse, newly raised, and whose training caused them immense effort.
But the men were of splendid material, and before long Forrester’s and Markham’s Horse were looked upon with respect; soon after with envy.
In these two regiments the boys from Coombeland served six months as ordinary soldiers, till, partly for their ability, partly from the dash they had shown, they were nominally raised to the rank of officers, the men of their troops willingly following the lead of the brave boys who rode with them into dangers many enough.
For, in those stern times, no father could spare his son. Those who elected to serve had to run all risks, and the consequence was that on either side the making of a good fighting army took but little time.
“It do me good to see you, Master Scar,” Nat used to say, as he rode always at his young master’s heels. “Think of a boy like you being an orficer!”
“A very poor one, Nat.”
“Nay, Master Scar, I don’t know another in the regiment the men would sooner follow.”
Equality of situation brings similarity of remark, and it was in like words that Samson, after a tirade about his unnatural brother for fighting against him, would address his young master from the Manor.