CHAPTER IX
A MODERN HORSE FAIR
They departed as they had entered, by way of the window, Dorothy liftedthrough it by her admiring Captain Lem, whose heart she had wholly wonby her music the night before, and by the deference she paid to histalk. She was eager to find out the cause of all this excitement andplaced herself alongside him, as he led off with a military tread andtensely squared shoulders. It wasn't for him to admit that rheumatismcommonly bowed those same shoulders, when he was "off duty" and securein the shelter of his own room.
"Hep, hep, hep,--hep," said the Captain marking time, and scowling atthe irregular pace of the excited youngsters behind her. At whichDorothy promptly echoed his "Hep, hep, hep," and the others took thehint, pairing off into a compact little company and following theirleader like soldiers on parade.
Captain Lemuel smiled and nodded:
"Good, Little One! 'Tis you has the head of sense, and fingers for thefiddle bow. The boys are all just proud to have you up at S' Leon, andanything you want done--say the word! All I want is to see you shootwell as you can fiddle. Ride, eh? Can you ride a horse, Little One?"
"My name is Dorothy, Captain Lemuel, and I can--a little. Helena, too,is fine on horseback. She's the yellow-haired girl, you know. But why?What makes you ask?"
They had come across the grass as far as the end of the Barracks, andstill drilling his "awkward squad," the old ranchman wheeled about andordered:
"Halt! About--face!"
Alfy giggled, but seeing the faces of all the rest, especiallyDorothy's, sober and set in imitation of the Captain's, she stoppedlaughing and applied herself to the business in hand.
"Hep, hep, hep--March!"
They might have been veterans, instead of an awkward squad, so perfectlythey now kept step and so fully they entered into the old man's whim.For only a whim they supposed this drilling to be, though in reality hehad taken note of all their figures and, with the exception of Herbert'sand Dorothy's, saw that each could be improved. Especially was thereneed of this in Leslie's case; and having been told of the lad'sdelicacy by his beloved "Boss," he had conceived this scheme of drill.
"You see, Boss, I can easy enough cure that boy by 'whipping him overthe others' shoulders,' so to speak. You've heard tell of that before, I'low. He's all right. He's a real likely, well-growed lad; and that WestPoint 't he's hankerin' for'd be the best thing ever happened to him.Exceptin' course 't it would nigh break his mother's heart, so he toldme. Well, that's no more here nor there. A little drillin' in thisColorady air'll do 'em all good and set him up to a dandy shape. Yes,siree! You or your lady best just drop the hint to that there littlefiddler-girl, 't seems to lead the rest of 'em round by the nose--thoughthey like it, they like it an' her too! Couldn't help it, you see.Nobody could; eh, what?"
"Indeed not! A daughter of our own could scarcely be dearer than littleDorothy. I'll have Mrs. Ford speak to her, and I'll make it worth yourwhile, Captain, to do your utmost for Leslie's improvement. He has losthis cough; he does seem to be well, now; but--there is still enoughdelicacy about his appearance to make us anxious. You do your best, Lem,and so will I."
The captain had drawn himself up with a little pride, but with anadoring look in his old eyes, and had answered:
"Drop that, Boss, drop it! Of all the unfortunate, down-on-their-luckfellers 't this S' Leon ranch shelters now, I was the downdest! I ain'tnever forgot what you done for me, takin' me out the gutter, so tospeak, and settin' me on my pins again. And if there's a single mortalthing 't I can do for you--that debt's paid an' overpaid, a hundredthousand times. A hundred thousand times, sir, yes, sir."
"A hundred thousand is a sizable number, Lem--but we understand eachother. Shake hands and--God speed your efforts!"
This little talk had taken place on the night before, and Lady Gray hadtaken an opportunity to relate it to Dorothy. This was why she soeagerly fell in with Captain Lemuel's idea, though she forebore tomention it to any of the other young folks at San Leon. Lady Gray hadwarned her:
"I would rather Leslie did not himself know, and if the others did he'dbe sure to find it out. It would make him conspicuous, maybe worry himand set him brooding over himself, so I'm trusting you to keep itsecret. And, in any case, what better amusement could you have? Theregular exercise in this perfect air will be as good for you girls asfor the boys."
Now as Dorothy fell into step with the Captain, she realized that herewas one thing, however slight, that she could do to prove her love forsweet Lady Gray. She could use her influence to keep up what the othersconsidered a temporary game, entered into merely to gratify the vanityof an ex-sharpshooter; and as she now marched along by his side, shebegged:
"Do please, Captain, set a regular hour for this drill, and make usstick to it, just as in the regular army. I promise I'll not oversleepagain--I'll try not, I mean. Will you?"
"Sure, Little One, and I'll app'int you First Leftenant, Company B, SanLeon Life Guards. Halt!"
He stopped and faced his followers:
"It has been proposed 't we make this a regular company, same as CompanyA, of the boys. I second the proposition. I'd be proud to train ye, ifso be you'll hold up your end the musket. I mean, no shirkin' duty andbein' marched to the guard house, or sentinel work, for bad behavior.Put on your thinkin' caps and keep 'em on a minute. Down to West Point,where some of us is hankerin' to be, they don't allow no lyin'. A brokenpromise is the worst kind of a lie. So before you pledge your word, galsand boys alike, you--_think_. Think hard, think deep. I'll time ye. Whenone minute is up, to the second, I'll call for your answer. Everybodyturn their eyes inside themselves and--_think_."
With that the wise and shrewd old fellow pulled his silver time-piecefrom his pocket and placed it in the hollow of his hand. Then he fixedhis eyes upon its white face and stood motionless, watching the secondhand make its little circuit. When the sixty seconds had been counted,he held up his hand with profound gravity and called:
"All in favor of forming a new Company, say 'Aye!' Contrary 'No!'"
Every hand went up--but Leslie's. Every voice uttered an earnest "Aye!"save his, and Dorothy flashed an indignant, as well as disappointedglance upon him, exclaiming:
"Oh! What a mean--I mean, what a rude boy! When all your guests are justsuffering to be soldiers, you go and spoil the whole business. Why doyou do that?"
The lad flushed. He had been duly instructed by both parents in theduties of a host, even a young one; and he knew it was his business tosee that all his guests were helped to enjoy themselves as they, not he,desired. It was the first time that he had had any responsibility ofthis sort and it didn't greatly please him. Now when he found they wereall looking at him in that aggrieved way he tossed his head, thrust hishands into his pockets, and answered:
"I know I proposed it and thought I'd like it, but I've changed my mindand now think it would get to be a confounded nuisance. I've never doneanything, regularly, as you talk about, and I don't see any use inbeginning at this late day when--"
"When you're getting so old and infirm, poor dear!" said Molly,interrupting. In reality she cared little what they did at San Leon, solong as they were all together and having a good time. But she saw onDorothy's expressive face a keener disappointment than the affair seemedto warrant and loyally placed herself in support of her chum.
Leslie went on as if she hadn't spoken, though he glanced her way with apromise in his eyes to "get even" with her for that mockery:
"We're up here on the mountains for a summer holiday. What's the use ofmaking it a work day, then? It would be work--sure enough. There'd belots of mornings when every one of us would hate it. Oh! you needn'tlook that way. You all would, sure. What's fun when you feel like it isquite the other thing when you don't. And nine o'clock comes prettyearly in the morning. Doesn't it, Miss Dorothy?"
The laugh was upon her and she joined in it. Yet she hadn't one whitabandoned her plan of helping Leslie against himself. But there was nouse in arguing, and, small woman that
she was, she tried strategyinstead.
"Well, Leslie, you make me think of Mr. Seth Winter's story about theeleven contrary jurymen. All 'contrary' except the one who couldn't gethis own way. No matter, nobody wants to force you into hard work. ThoughI suppose you'll be willing, we, your guests, shall do as we please?"
"Certainly," he replied with an absurdly profound bow, to which Dorothymerrily returned a sweeping courtesy.
"Then the rest of us who have given our word will keep it. We will be onhand every morning, Captain, to be drilled in the noble tactics of thesoldier. Aunt Betty says everybody always finds use for all theknowledge he possesses. Aunt Betty knows. She's lived almost as long asall our ages put together, and she's the very happiest person I eversaw. I don't know anything about soldiering yet but I'm going to learnwhat I can with this splendid teacher to instruct me--" here she madeanother profound obeisance to Captain Lem, who returned the courtesy byhis finest military salute, mentally appraising the earnest little girlas the best of them all.
"So that I shall have one more thing to put in my knowledge-box, readyto use if I ever need it. And while we are drilling you can amuseyourself otherwise, Leslie dear. Now, Captain, can't we go on and findout what wonderful thing is hidden in that corral behind theseBarracks?"
"Sure. Forward, march!"
He faced forward again and even Leslie fell into step behind the others,willing to join in such "foolishness" as a temporary amusement.
In fine order they reached the further end of the long building, marchedaround its rear, and came upon what Dorothy thought was a most beautifulsight. Within the wide paddock, or corral, as these westerners calledit, was a small herd of young, thoroughbred horses. From a little standoutside the paling, Mr. and Mrs. Ford were watching the handsomecreatures and talking with the grooms that attended them, concerningtheir good, and possibly, bad qualities.
But at the sound of the approaching "squad" Lady Gray turned an eagerface and called out, reprovingly:
"Oh! my dears, how slow you have been! If I were your age and had beenpromised a horse for my very own, I shouldn't have tarried on the way!"
"Our very own? What do you mean, dear Mrs. Ford?" asked Dorothy,hastening to bid her tardy "Good morning," before she more than glancedacross the fence.
"Just what I say, dear. Mr. Ford has had eight horses brought in for youyoung folks to use. Each is to make a choice for herself or himself,subject to change if any necessity for it. Your choice is to be your ownproperty and I hope will give you lots of pleasure. Captain Lem and someof the other good horsemen will teach you anything you need to know.Why, my dears! How astonished you look! Didn't you understand? Didn'tLeslie tell you?"
For, indeed, surprise had kept them silent. None had guessed of having ahorse of her "own," supposing from Leslie's words that they were onlyto have the loan of an animal during their stay at San Leon. Alfarettabroke the silence, explaining:
"No, he didn't say any such thing. He said we was to come choose horsesto ride, and when he said one was white I picked that out at once.I--can't really believe you mean it, Mrs. Ford, though--course--MaBabcock--I never heard o' such folks--never--never--in my life. Itcertainly does beat the Dutch. I--Alfy Babcock--Dolly Doodles--JollyMolly--Helena--to have horses of our own--it makes me cry! I, AlfyBabcock, ownin' a whole horse! Oh! My!"
"Then I shall be very, very sorry the idea ever entered my husband'smind, of making such a gift. We don't want tears--we just wanthappiness, perfect happiness, up here at San Leon!" said beautiful GrayLady, smiling, and looking fairer than ever in this new delight ofmaking gifts, as freely as she wished. Her own life had grown so muchhappier, these last months, that she longed only to "pass on" happinessto all whom she knew. Alfy's tears really hurt her, for a moment, tillDolly explained, with an arm about the weeper's waist:
"I reckon these must be what I've heard of as 'happy tears,' dear LadyGray. Alfy is too pleased to do anything else--even to say 'thankyou'--yet."
Queer little Alfy had dropped her head on Dorothy's shoulder and wasrepeating in a low tone:
"A whole horse of my own! Mine, Alfy Babcock's! A whole horse--awhole--livin'--horse--A--whole--horse!"
"Well, you wouldn't want a half one, would you, Miss Babcock? Nor onethat wasn't living?" demanded Monty, laughing. "Quit crying and let'schoose, for that's what Leslie said we were to do. Is that correct, Mr.Ford?"
"Entirely. But--see to it that your choice falls each on a differentanimal! Suppose you begin, alphabetically. Alfaretta first."
Such a group of radiant faces as now peered over the paling! whilewithout a second's hesitation, Alfaretta announced:
"I choose that pure white one for mine!"
"All right. Captain Lem, lead out Blanca and put on her side saddle,"directed Mr. Ford.
A passage was opened in the paling and the beautiful Blanca was ledforth, amid a murmur of admiration from everybody, except the girlherself. She could only stand, clasping and unclasping her hands, andgazing with dim eyes at this wonderful possession. The handsome saddlecloth was marked Blanca, and Mr. Ford explained that each animal wasregistered and its name had been chosen by its breeder. Most of thesenames were Spanish and suited well; as that Blanca meant "white," whichthe gentle little mare certainly was. To another corner of the saddlecloth, Captain Lem slowly attached the initial "A," as mark ofownership, then beckoned to Alfy that she should mount.
All her mates watched her curiously, expecting to see her timid andreluctant. She treated them to a fine surprise; first by running to LadyGray and rapturously kissing her hand, then returning to Lemuel, andletting him swing her up to the saddle, without an instant's hesitation.Dorothy stared, amazed; but she needn't have done so: Alfy was "hermother's daughter" as the saying goes, and inherited that good woman'slove of horseflesh and fearlessness; and as she settled herself andreceived the bridle reins she kept murmuring the marvellous fact:
"A whole horse--mine! And Ma Babcock's only got Barnaby!"
"Who is 'Barnaby,' Alfy?" asked Leslie, going round to her side andcritically inspecting her treasure.
"Oh--he--Why, he's a mule!"
A shout of laughter greeted this announcement and Lemuel moved away. Hewas disappointed that the beautiful Blanca had not fallen to Dorothy'sshare, for he believed the white filly to be the best as well as thehandsomest creature in the corral. However, her turn was next, and helistened anxiously to hear what it might be. He wished she wouldn't beso over-generous in offering the choice to her mates, and in sayingthat if she disappointed them she wanted to change.
"All are so fine. It can't make a bit of difference to me."
"Choose! Choose! You dear old slow-poke, for I'm just dying to do so,too. I can't wait--do choose!" cried impatient Molly, skipping about andtrying to cut short Dorothy's hesitation.
"All right, then. I choose the 'calico'. She's so like another Portiathat I used to ride 'back home.'"
"Zaraza, for Dolly. A Spanish title, too, dear, and means 'chintz'--a'calico', if you please. Lead her out, Lem!"
The pretty creature was brought out, arching her graceful neck andlifting her dainty hoofs as if she were dancing to music, as she was nowto the clapping of hands and lusty cheers of healthy young throats. Thenshe was saddled, a decorative "D" attached to her saddle-cloth, Dorothyput upon her back, to take her stand beside Alfaretta on Blanca, whilethe others chose and were mounted.
"It has been a real ceremony and a delightful one! Here's to the healthand happiness of our young equestrians! Hip, hip, hurra!" cried themaster of the ranch, with a boyish heartiness that sent the hats of theranchmen from their heads and their voices echoing the gay "Hip, hip,hurra!"
But, despite her happiness, Dorothy's face was thoughtful. There hadbeen eight horses in the corral, as there had been, at first, eightyoung guests at San Leon. To Helena had been allotted a fine bay, bigand powerful as well as comely, by name Benito; to Herbert a black,chosen by him for its resemblance to his own "Bucephalus," "back home"where Portia was, and from
a sentiment similar to Dolly's. Then LadyGray was asked to choose for the absent James Barlow, and did so ascalmly as if he had but stepped around the corner and had deputed her toact for him.
But it was noticeable that of all the splendid thoroughbreds within thepaddock one was by far the finest. That was a dappled gray, perfect inevery, point, and looking as if he were king of that four-footedcompany.
"For Jim, I choose Azul, the Gray! You all know I love gray in color andI love the 'blue,' as his Spanish owners named him. Captain Lemuel,please saddle Azul for Jim Barlow, and, Daniel, will you use him,please, till Jim comes back?"
Dorothy flashed a grateful look upon her hostess, then glanced atAlfaretta, sure of finding sympathy in that girl's honest eyes. But Alfynodded, well pleased, and Mr. Ford rode to the head of the littlecavalcade and took his place at Dorothy's side, while the othersfollowed, two by two, to make a circuit of the grounds and test theirmounts.
The men cheered again and again as the procession started, Mr. Ford andDorothy leading; then Leslie on the sorrel, Caesar, with Alfy on Blanca;Helena on Benito, with Monty on the chestnut, Juan--a mount well suitedto his stature and requirements. Last rode Molly on Juana, anotherchestnut, and a perfect match for her brother--Monty's Juan; whileHerbert's Blackamoor finished the caravan, last but by no means least inthe creature's own proud estimation.
They paced and they cantered, they trotted and they galloped, even themost inexperienced without fear, because of the vigilant attendants whoraced beside them, as well as the high spirits of the others. Around andaround the spacious grounds they rode, Captain Lem pointing out severalfences and hedges he would have them leap, later on, and finallybringing up before the stately front of the house to dismount.
As they did so Dorothy noticed a queerly dressed little boy sittingbeside the fountain holding a basket in his hand and eagerly watchingthe cavalcade. Nobody else seemed to observe him, amid all the clatterand laughter. He looked to the sympathetic girl as if he were very tiredand, leaving the rest, she crossed to him and asked:
"Who are you, little boy? Do you want something?"
Instantly, he offered her the basket, and as instantly vanished.