CHAPTER XXXI.
BUCEPHALUS.
The stable was a handsome building, very complete in its appointments,for both Mr. Grey and Jasper were fond of horses. Opening the smalldoor at one side the boys saw John, the coachman, washing the carriage.
"John, we want the saddle-horses," said Jasper. "Gilbert and I aregoing to ride."
"You will ride your own horse, Mr. Jasper?"
"Yes."
"And your friend will ride Sidney?"
"No; he will take Bucephalus."
John shook his head.
"Sidney's better for him," he said. "I wouldn't trust Bucephalus."
"John, you're a fool!" said Jasper, impatiently. "Gilbert isn't ababy."
"I know he isn't, Mr. Jasper, but all the same I wouldn't advise himriding Bucephalus."
"What are you afraid of?"
"He's a contrary brute, while Sidney's as good-natured as a kitten."
"Oh, well, we'd better have a kitten at once. Gilbert, we've got an oldcat in the house, warranted safe. If John thinks it more prudent, we'llsaddle her for you. A kitten might be too wild and skittish."
Gilbert laughed.
"I think I won't disturb the old cat," he said. "I'll try Bucephalus."
"Better not, sir," said the coachman.
"Of course, if you are afraid," said Jasper, with another covert sneer,"you'd better take Sidney; but in that case I shall probably ride awayfrom you."
"I'll take Bucephalus," said Gilbert, in decided tones. "I am not inthe least afraid, and I think I can keep up with you."
"On that horse I am sure you can."
John saw that further remonstrance would be unavailing, and veryreluctantly got ready the mettlesome steed. Gilbert jumped on his backand put his feet in the stirrups.
John came to his side, and said, in a low voice:
"Be very careful, sir. Let him have his way, and don't chafe or vexhim. I hope you won't have any trouble."
"I don't think I shall. Thank you."
"What could possess Mr. Jasper to be so particular to have his friendride out on the ugly brute?" thought John, as he watched the twogalloping up the road. "He wouldn't trust himself on his back. Maybe hewon't mind it so much if the other gets a broken limb or broken neck. Ihope there won't be no accident. That Gilbert, as he calls himself,looks like a nice, gentlemanly lad. I think I'd like him much betterthan Mr. Jasper, who does put on airs, and orders me round as if I wasa dog."
John watched the two till a turn in the road concealed them from hisview, and then went back to his work. But his thoughts could not helpdwelling on the rash youth who had placed himself at the mercy of thisill-tempered steed, and he heartily wished he could be sure of his safereturn.
We will now follow the two riders, and inquire how they sped.
Jasper soon found that Gilbert knew how to ride. His position was easyand unconstrained, and his seat was firm. He seemed as much at ease asin a parlor. But then Bucephalus was behaving well. He showed spirit,but was obedient to the rein.
"How do you like Bucephalus?" inquired Jasper.
"I find no fault with him. He is a fine horse. What made your coachmanso afraid of trusting me on him?"
"I hope you won't be angry with John," answered Jasper, laughing, "buthe doubted whether you could ride. If you didn't know anything aboutriding, your horse would soon find it out, and take advantage of it."
"Almost any horse would do that."
"Of course."
"I suppose you have ridden Bucephalus, Jasper?"
"Certainly, though not often. I am used to my own horse--General, Icall him--and I naturally prefer him."
Jasper did not speak the truth. He had never ridden Bucephalus, norwould he have done so for a considerable sum of money, though he was byno means a poor rider. But Gilbert had no reason, or thought he hadnot, for doubting his assertion, and readily believed that it was onlythe coachman's doubt of his horsemanship that had given rise to thefears he expressed.
"How long has your father owned Bucephalus?" inquired Gilbert.
"Only three months."
"Who rides him?"
"Neither of us, much. The fact is, Sidney is father's horse, and thisis mine. We don't need Bucephalus, but father took him for a debt, andmeans to sell him when he has a good opportunity."
This was true. Bucephalus had been taken for a debt, and as, on accountof his ill-temper, he was of no use to Mr. Grey, he proposed to disposeof him at the first favorable opportunity.
"You ride well," said Jasper, after a pause. "Have you ridden much?"
"Considerably," answered Gilbert, modestly.
Had he not been so modest he might have added that his teacher hadpronounced him the best rider he had ever taught. But Gilbert was noboaster, and, therefore, Jasper remained in ignorance of his reallysuperior horsemanship.
"You don't seem to find any trouble in managing him. I wish John couldsee you ride. He would see how foolish he was in being afraid for you."
Gilbert was only human, and the compliment pleased him. He knew he wasa good rider, and though he was not willing to boast of it, he liked tohave it appreciated by others. He could not read the unspoken thoughtthat was passing through his cousin's mind.
"He does well enough now," thought Jasper; "but wait till Bucephaluswakes up. Then he will be like a child in his grasp. I wouldn't like tobe in his shoes then."
Yet to this danger from which he himself shrank in dread he had exposedhis cousin, when he could easily have saved him from it. It was proofof his cold and selfish wickedness that he could do this without beingvisited by reproaches of conscience.
For several miles Bucephalus behaved unusually well. But at length hebegan to show signs of the insubordinate spirit that possessed him.They came to a turn in the road; Jasper took the turn, but Bucephaluspreferred to go straight on. He shook his head viciously, and snorteddefiantly.
"It's coming," thought Jasper, and for the first time he did feel alittle pity for his companion.
"Won't he turn?" he asked.
"He don't want to, but he will," said Gilbert, coolly.
He pulled the right rein in a firm, decided way. Bucephalus reared, andbegan to dance round.
"Is that your game?" said Gilbert. "We'll see who will be master."
"Is that your game?" said Gilbert. "We'll see who willbe master."--Page 221.]
He sawed away at the horse's mouth with no mercy. Bucephalus wasenraged. He could hardly understand the presumption of the rider, whowas daring enough to defy him to his worst. He was accustomed toinspire fear in his rider, and his spirit was up. He indulged in worseantics, when he was astonished and maddened by a terrible lashing fromthe whip in Gilbert's hand.
He started off like a shot at a break-neck speed down the road whichGilbert wanted him to take. In his fury he was not probably aware thathe had yielded that point to his master. On he rushed with the speed oflightning. Terror-struck, Jasper, sitting still on his own horse,followed him with his glance. He saw Gilbert, immovable as a rock,keeping his seat on the maddened steed, never for a moment losingcourage or self-possession. He was astonished, but he could not helpfeeling admiration also.
"He rides magnificently," he said to himself. "Who would have supposedthat he could manage that brute?"
But there was one thing that Jasper did not know--which I have not yetimparted to the reader. Gilbert had taken lessons of Rarey, the famoushorse-tamer, and that gave him a wonderful advantage. Feeling firm inhis seat, he let Bucephalus continue his break-neck speed till hisbeating sides and labored breath showed that he was exhausted. Thenturning him unresisting he rode back. After a while he met Jasper. Thelatter could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the fierce steed cowedand subdued, while his cousin seemed perfectly cool and composed.
"Thank Heaven, you are safe!" ejaculated Jasper, hypocritically. "I wasvery much alarmed about you."
"I have given Bucephalus a lesson," said Gilbert, quietly. "I will ridehim again to-morrow. I think he is
thoroughly subdued now. Did he everact in this way when you rode him?"
"No," answered Jasper. "I don't see what got into him to-day. You rodehim splendidly," he felt forced to add.
"I am not afraid of horses," said Gilbert, quietly. "But suppose weturn back. I think he has had enough for one day."