The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-08
The CURSE OF CARNE'S HOLD.
A TALE OF ADVENTURE.
BY G. A HENTY.
Author of UNDER BRAKES FLAG" with INDIA" ETC. Ere
LII RLGATS REsERKEDl

NO, you must not bring that horse up.n
ne broke off, addressing the young farmer.
whose horse r maid had Just been examining
mes got some vice about him, or You
would not be offering him at our prices.n
hes as good horse as there is in tho
colony" the young Dutchman said; but
1 am not Offering him at your price. |
thought that some young officer might be
inclined to buy him, d l have brought
MIN down to show. There is no vice about
him that know Of, but he has only bsen
mounted twice, and as ne has never been off
the farm before he is bit tidgety"
What do you want for hlm!" the major
II want 2I20 for him."
" hundred and twenty fddlesticks," the
MAJOR said. My man, there are not ten
horses in the colony worth e12J pounds"
Perhaps not,n the young Dutc Gilman said,
coolly, but this is one of the ten"
Several of the other officers now came up
and examined the horse, and they were
unanimous in their approval of him
lie would be worth three hundred as
hunter at home" one of them remarked.
but nobody's going to give such price as
that out here, when you can get decent
runner for twenty; but he IS certainly the
handsomest horse have seen since have
been In the colony, aud | have seen some
good ones. too"
The farmer moved off with the horse.
AS he left the ground, Ronald again walked
up to MIN.
81 like your horse" he said, land If YOU
will take ei00 for him will give it Won"
Very WELL" the Dutchman said, 81 will
take it, but l wouldn't take penny under.
Have you the money hereg
have not got it i'll my pocket" Ronald
replied, but | have letters of credit on the
bank. Walk round with me there, and |
will give you the cash."
In ten minutes the money was obtained
and handed to the farmer, who gave Ro-
maid receipt for it. Ronald took the
halter from the hands of the native, and at
once led the horse to the stable OF the hotel
at which he had already left his luggage.
Then he ordered one of the cases to be
opened, and took out a saddle and bride
which he had brought out with him in vie y
of rough colonial work
II did not expect to be suited so soon,"
he said to himself, land certainly did not
expect to find such a mount here. l like
hlm etter than either of my old hunters,
and will back him, after couple of months
good handling, to win any military steeple-
chase. That's money well laid out; when a
man may have to ride for his life, money
In horsefssh is good Investment"
He went down at 4 o'clock, and was at
tested and sworn in.
II saw you down on the parade ground,
Blunt" the adjutant said 1--WE have
bought score of horses for the use of re-
cruits. You can have one of them at the
government price if you choose"
II am much Obliged to you sir" Ronald
replied, but picked one up MYSELF
He will have to pass inspec ion you
know, Bluntp'
81 think he's good enough to pass, sir"
Ronald said, quietly. 81 am considered
pre- ty good judge of a horse"
There is the address of a tailor" the
adjutant said, handing him card; she
has got supply Of the right cloth, and has
contracted to supply uniforms at very
reasonable price, You need not come into
barracks until tomorrow, unleSs you
choose"
81 thank you, sir have few things
to get, and l would rather not report my
self until tomorrow afternoon, if you will
give me leave"
Very we'll, then will not ration you to-
morrow. r port yourself to Sergt Menzies
anytime before 9 O'clock in the evening""
Ronald gave the military salute, turned
on his heel, and went out of the barracks
He went straight to the tailor whose card
had bNen given to him. II want to be
measured for uniform for the Mounted
Rifles" he said. How much do you
charges"
We supply tunic, jacket, and two pairs
of brooches and cap for 60"
when can you let me have themg
I'm three days.
II must have them by tomorrow after
noon, by 6 O'Clock, and | will pay you 60
extra to get them done by then. But mind,
want good fitting clothes Do you under
standP
'You will pay Ell for them if get them
ready by 6 o'clock. Very we'll then, will
try and do Them"
"Of course you can do them If you choose"
Ronald said. IF you get them cut out
and stitched together, | will come in at
O'Clock il the morning to try them on.
Now where can | get jack-hootS?'
'Ihe last shop down the end of this street.
Moens is the name. He al rays keeps lot
BY him, and the Mounted Rifles here mostly
deal with him."
Ronald was fortunate enough to obtain
pair of boots that fitted him well, and he
now strolled back to mis- hotel The next
morning, after trying on his uniform,
which was of dark green, he went to the
stables and saddled his new purchase. The
horse was fidgety and nervous from it's
new surroundings, and refused for some
time to let him mount; but he patted and
soothed it, and Thea putting one hand on
the saddle, sprang iuto it at bound. He
rode at a walk through the Streets and when
he got beyond the limits of the town
toucaed the horse with his spur L ami.
NAL rea ed up, lashed on behind once or
twice, and then went off at gal,op. Ron
aid kept along the road until he wass be-
You'd the patches of land cultivated by the
natives. When once in the ooen country
he left the road and allowed the horse to
gallop across c)un5ry until its speed abated
by which time he was nearly ten miles
from Cape Town; then he turned its head,
and at quiet pace rode back to the town.
"a months schooling" ne said, land it
will be an almost perfect horse; its pace is
very easy. and there's no doubt about its
strength and wind. You are beauty, old
boy" he went on, as he patted the animals
neck, ave shall soon De capital friends"
The uniform was delivered punctually,
and after saying good-by to his fellow
passengers who were staying at the hotel,
Ronald put on his uniform, filled the valise
he had that afternoon purchased with
useful kit, took out an excellent sporting
rifle that would carry government ammu-
milton, and brace of revolvers, and, pack
~ up his other clothes and ordering all the
baggage to be put away in a store until
required, he mounted and rode into the
barracks.
'Where shall l find Sergt. Menzies" he
asked one of the men at the guard room.
"His quarters are over there, the last
door il that corner"
Ronald rode over to the point indicated,
and then dismounted. He entered the
passage. The sergeant's name was written
e ! 4.