“Ugh, the beast!” muttered Captain Hulton, pressing forward with Wyatt, and closely followed by Dick, who was trembling and flushed with excitement.
“Are you hurt, Smith?” cried the captain to the man, who was brushing the dust from his uniform.
“Bit shook, sir,” said the man gruffly; “nothing broke. Why,” he cried fiercely, “you might just as well try to ride a ball of quicksilver!”
At that moment Sergeant Stubbs came riding up, and heard the man’s last words as he bent down to knock off some dust with his gloved hand.
“I’m glad you’re not hurt, Smith,” said the captain. “You did very well. The brute will have to go.”
“There’s none of us could ride him, sir.”
“You hadn’t a chance, riding him like that!” cried Dick angrily, and every one turned upon him in wonder.
Then Captain Hulton made the lad flush with annoyance.
“Let’s see,” he said sarcastically; “I believe you learned to ride this morning, sir, did you not?”
“No,” said Dick sharply. “I had my first lesson in military riding, sir, but my father taught me years ago, and there was not a finer horseman with the hounds.”