At the end of the line he turned and rode back, and this time Dick, who had often felt annoyed at the want of recognition on the part of his father’s old school-fellow and friend, flushed with pleasure, for Sir George checked his horse.
“Ah, Mr Darrell,” he said quietly, “you there! Getting used to the rough work?”
“Yes, Sir George.”
“That’s right. You seem to have a good mount.—How do, Mr Wyatt?”
He backed his horse a few yards, stopped, and raised his voice so that the whole troop could hear:
“Very good indeed, my lads. Capital.”
Then he turned his horse and rode away, followed by his staff.
“He didn’t say much,” said Dick in a low tone.
“Soldiers never do say much,” replied Wyatt; “but I never heard him say so much before. My word! Old Hulton will be pleased.”
“I say, though: do you really think there is something on the way?”