“Oh, I shall be careful, sir,” I said pettishly.
“You think so, of course,” said the major. “I suppose you will not be back till quite late. Like an escort to meet you?”
“Oh no, it is not necessary,” said Brace.
“Hullo! Where’s Barton?” cried the doctor. “Any one seen him?”
“Not coming,” said the major quietly.
“Not coming?”
“No; he sent me a line last thing to say he preferred not to go.”
I heard Brace draw his breath in a hissing way, and then he hesitated and descended from the buggy to speak to the major, who said aloud—
“No, no! If he likes to turn disagreeable, let him. There, be off, and a good day’s sport to you. Here, Vincent, try if you can’t manage a skin rug for yourself this time, and don’t any of you waste your charges on small game. You are sure to scare the big away.”
We promised, and five minutes after were going at a pretty good pace along the main road, each vehicle with a native driver, and a man running at the horses’ heads as well.