I was on a bit of
a slope and above their heads, in a manner, so I kicked up my nag and
in an instant I flew over them, guns and all. It was a clean jump, and
not a shot hit me, by good luck. My horse managed to carry me on to
the Duke, and then fell dead. The poor beggar had caught what had been
intended for me. Well, now I've done. The Duke, who had seen it all,
had me transferred to a cavalry regiment, with the rank of lieutenant,
and here I am."
"Yes, and here am I, a private, talking in this off-hand sort of way
to a commissioned officer."
"That's all right, Fairburn," laughed Blackett, "we haven't entered
you yet. It'll be quite time enough to bother about that sort of thing
then. Officially we shall have to be master and man; actually we shall
be brothers."
Thus the ancient rivals became comrades in arms, and members of the
same regiment, for George from that time was a cavalry man. His other
friend, Fieldsend, was attached to a line regiment again.
Bit by bit Lieutenant Blackett, during the next days, contrived to
give his friend a full and vivid account of the great battle of
Blenheim, just won by the Allies. He was not a great hand at a tale,
whatever he might be on the field, and we may piece together his story
for him.
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