"
"The deuce it is! When did the order come?"
"But now."
"Who brought it?"
"A babu, with a leather apron."
Warrington walked away ten paces in order to get command of himself,
and pinch himself, and make quite sure he was awake.
"A fat babu?" he asked, walking back again.
"Very fat," said one of the troopers, continuing to brush the
resentful charger.
"So he delivered his message first, and then went to hunt for his
loin-cloth!" mused Warrington. "And he had enough intuition, and guts
enough, to look for it first in the shay! I'm beginning to admire
that man!" Aloud he asked the trooper: "What was the wording of the
risaldar-major sahib's message?"
"'Let Bagh be well groomed and held ready against all
contingencies!'" said the trooper.
"Then take him outside!" ordered Warrington. "Groom him where you
won't disturb the other horses! How often have you got to be told
that a horse needs sleep as much as a man? The squadron won't be fit
to march a mile if you keep 'em awake all night! Lead him out
quietly, now! Whoa, you brute! Now--take him out and keep him out--
put him in the end stall in my stable when you've finished him--d'you
hear?"
He flattered himself again. With all these mysterious messages and
orders coming in from nowhere, he told himself it would be good to
know at all times where Ranjoor Singh's charger was, as well as a
service to Ranjoor Singh to stable the brute comfortably.
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