CHAPTER FOUR.
A GALLANT DEED.
The outdoor life agreed with Phil thoroughly, and he had scarcely beenwith the menagerie a month before all his paleness had disappeared, andhe felt and looked in the best of health.
Constantly accompanying Jim and the old soldier upon some journey, thebeginning of one week would find them at some sunny spot on the southernsea-coast, while at the end they would be slowly trudging to the north,having called _en route_ at the headquarters in London, there to takepossession of some other animal. And while they carried out this workothers did the same, for the menagerie was a large and profitableconcern. At the London headquarters there were cages and housesinnumerable, in which the various animals were kept. But seldom indeedwas any particular one a tenant of his cage for more than a fortnight,for, much to Phil's surprise, the demand for lions, tigers, and otherwild beasts was extraordinarily large. Now it was a zoological gardenthat wished to replace the lose of one of its show animals, and now somewealthy nobleman with a fancy for a private menagerie. Then, too,demands came from the Continent, and had to be attended to. The animalswere placed in well-built, warm, but properly ventilated cages, capableof being lifted from their wheels if necessary, and in these theyjourneyed by road to their several destinations. In no case was therailroad used, for it was as yet very far from attaining to its presentefficiency, and experience had taught the owner of the menagerie thatbeasts from foreign parts required to be treated like hot-house flowers,and protected from the chills and biting winds met with in England.
Two months and more passed pleasantly, and by that time Phil was quiteaccustomed to his work, and moreover, from frequent calls at themenagerie in London, had met all the other hands.
"I like the life immensely, and am sure it agrees with me," he answeredwith enthusiasm one day when Jim suddenly turned upon him and asked himthe question. "I earn more than I did some weeks ago, and in a verypleasant manner compared with the other employment. Besides, I havebeen amongst a number of working men and find that I can rub shoulderswith them and not quarrel. It is just what I wanted to know, and nowthat I have had the experience I shall not be long in leaving thisemployment and enlisting in the army."
"You must do just as you like there, lad," replied Jim briskly. "Eachchap settles that kind of thing for hisself. For my part, though, I'vebeen too long and too contented at this here work to want to change."
And indeed there was no doubt that Jim enjoyed his life to the full. Acontented and merry fellow, he was just the one to make his companionslook upon the bright side of things. Not that Phil was ever inclined todo otherwise. Up at daylight, as blithe as a lark, he was off with thehorses to the nearest water so soon as the sun had lifted the mist fromthe ground. Then, tethering them to the wagon shafts again, he wouldslip off the thick rugs which covered them and groom them thoroughly,all the while giving vent to that peculiar "hiss" which seems necessaryfor this purpose, in a way that would have aroused the envy of many astable lad.
That done, the canvas bin that stretched from the tip of the shaft wasfilled with corn, and while the sleek-coated animals set to work toconsume it, Phil produced an iron tripod, gathered a pile of sticks, andset them alight. A box placed in proper position kept the breeze awayon a gusty day, and in a twinkling, it seemed, the kettle above wassinging, and a jet of white steam blowing into the cool morning air.
Now came the time he enjoyed most of all. Armed with a frying-pan, hesat down to prepare rashers of bacon, and if it were an extraordinaryday, possibly eggs too. A shout would rouse Jim and the old soldier,and in five minutes the folding-table was set up, the tea made, and allthree heartily devouring their breakfast.
"We might be in Ameriky, or some such place," remarked Jim one morning."It's a treat being in the country this fine weather, and it does yergood to get up early and prepare yer own grub."
"A precious lot of preparing you do, I notice," laughed Timms. "Why,ever since Phil joined us he's done all that."
"You've got me there, mate, I owns," Jim grinned. "The young un's abeggar to work, and saves us a deal of trouble. Before he come I usedto act as cook. Now I lies abed and takes it easy, as I ought to, onaccount of my age."
Phil joined heartily in the laugh, for he knew well how Jim and Timmscould work. As to his own share, he was glad to have plenty to do, andespecially when he found he could help his two comrades, who had shownthemselves such excellent fellows.
Phil liked the majority of those he met at the menagerie in London, andas for himself the other hands soon took his measure, and readilyacknowledged that he was a hard-working and straight lad, willing to befriends with all. A few, however, were of the opposite opinion. Therewas a small clique of rowdy fellows who took an instant dislike to Phil,probably because, seeing what they were, he held aloof from them, andthese, and in particular one of them, set themselves to make thingsunpleasant for him.
"Ought to ha' been a lord or summat of the sort," this worthy sneeredone day as Phil passed the doorway round which they were lounging."Thinks he owns the show--that's what it is. I'll take the gent down;see if I don't, and right away too. Hi, you, Phil Western, orwhatever's yer name," he shouted, "come here! I want to speak to yer.Now look here, Mr Dook, you're a pretty fine bird, but where do youcome from? That's what we're arter. Chaps of your sort don't take tobeing hands in a menagerie every day, and that's the truth, I reckon. Isuppose yer wanted to hide away. That's it, ain't it?"
Now Phil had often been annoyed by this same young man, who went by thename of "Tony", and in particular by the jeering way in which he shoutednames and various other pleasantries after him every time he happened topass.
"You want to know where I come from," he replied calmly, standing closeto the circle. "Then I'm afraid you will have to want."
"Eh! What! Have to want, shall I?" Tony growled. "Now none of yercheek. You're too proud, that's what you are, my young peacock, andyou've got to get taken down."
"That's possible," Phil rejoined, and was on the point of turning awayto avoid a quarrel when the pleasant Tony sprang to his feet andshouting "Possible! Should just about think it is!" grasped him by thearm and swung him round till they faced one another.
"Leave go!" cried Phil, losing his temper.
"Sha'n't till I've took yer down," Tony snapped.
"Then take that!" and Phil dashed his fist into the young man's face.
A scuffle at once ensued, and after a short and fiercely contestedround, a ring was formed. But at this moment the owner of the menagerieput in an appearance and stopped the fight, with the natural result thatthere was bad blood between Phil and Tony from that day, and the latternever ceased to vow that he would have an ample revenge for the blackeye he had received.
Now Tony had another disagreeable trait. Besides being a bully, he wasalso cruel, and took every opportunity of teasing a big brown bear whichhappened to be his special charge. The more Bruin snarled and showedhis teeth, the harder Tony prodded him with his stick, till at times thepoor beast was almost mad with rage. It was a dangerous game to play,and could have but one ending, and that was within an ace of being afatal one for Tony.
It happened upon a day when Phil and his two companions had returned toLondon and were enjoying a well-earned rest after a few longer trampsthan usual. By the merest chance, too, it was a holiday in themenagerie, for some valuable animals had recently arrived, and inconsequence, the wives and children and other relatives of the varioushands had gathered, by the owner's special request, to have tea withtheir friends and see the wild beasts in their new home.
Phil was sitting in the van with Jim, sipping a cup of tea, and quiteunaware of the fact that Tony was engaged in his usual practice ofstirring up the bear for his own amusement and to excite the fear of afew by-standers.
Suddenly there was a snarl, a crash, and the sound of breaking woodwork,and then shrieks of terror and the noise of a wild stampede.
"What's that? Something's up,
" cried Phil, and springing down the stepshe ran towards the spot where the animals were kept.
A fearful sight met his eye, for the end of the flimsy cage in whichBruin was kept a prisoner was splintered, and close beside it. Tony laymotionless, and full length upon the ground, with the bear crouchingover him and clutching his head with a paw armed with murderous-lookingclaws.
Not a soul was near, for all had fled for their lives. As Phil ranforward, the enraged animal crouched lower over its victim, and snarledfiercely, showing a row of teeth and gums.
"Help, Jim! The bear is killing Tony," shouted Phil, turning his headfor a moment, but still running towards the scene of the conflict.
As he passed a wagon he snatched up a long pitchfork. Rushing at thebear, which reared itself on end, Phil swung the fork above his head andbrought it down with a smash on the animal's nose, shouting at the sametime in the hope of frightening it.
But Bruin was thoroughly aroused, and, stung to further anger by the tapupon his head, he darted from the prostrate man and came open-mouthed atPhil.
It was a terrifying sight, and many another might have taken to hisheels and not been called a coward. But Phil's mouth hardened till itwas a thin, straight line. Standing with his feet planted wide apart,and the fork well in front of him, he kept his ground and lunged at theanimal with all his might, driving the prongs well into its chest.
There was a roar of pain and anger, and Bruin drew back for a moment,but only to rise upon his hind-legs and advance with arms ready to crushthe life out of Phil's body, and gleaming teeth with which to tear hisflesh.
On he came, and, waiting his time, Phil once more plunged the prongsdeep into his chest, where they remained fast. A second later the bearhad shattered the pole with his paw, and, rushing at his enemy, hadbeaten him to the ground and fallen upon him--dead.
It was a narrow shave, as Jim remarked.
"You're the biggest, yes, the biggest idiot I ever see, young un," hesaid severely, as Phil lay in his bunk. "Here you go and attack a bearas is always pretty wild, and only with a thing as is little better thana toothpick. I can't make yer out. If it was me as was laid under thatthere beast I might see some reason for it, though even then you'd bepretty mad, I reckon; but when it's Tony, who's always a-naggin' at yer,why, it fairly does for me."
"I didn't think of that, though," answered Phil cheerfully, for by apiece of good fortune he had escaped with a severe shaking and a fright."There was the bear killing someone, and I was the first on the spotand therefore bound to do something."
"Get on with yer! Bound to do something! Yes, it's run away most of uswould do--least--I don't know, though; I expects we'd have had a try todrive the brute off. But for you, a kid like you, Phil, to tackle thejob all alone, and with only a pitchfork too, why, it just knocks allthe stuffin' out of me. Give us yer flipper, mate. You're a true un,and don't you go a-telling me yer didn't know it was Tony as lay there.I heard yer shout it. So no more of them fibs."
Jim got quite indignant, and then shook Phil's hand, squeezing it sohard that he could have shouted with the pain.
"And that chap Tony's goin' to live too," he went on. "If he don't saysummat out o' the ord'nary, blest if I won't set to work and give himthe biggest hidin' he ever had. That is, when he's strong again. Now,young un, turn over and get to sleep. You've had a roughish time, and ago of grog ain't sufficient to pull yer round."
Phil obediently curled himself up and promptly fell asleep, but only todream that it was. Joe Sweetman who lay helpless upon the ground, whilethe figure that was crouching over him, and that rushed at himself whenhe ran to the rescue, was none other than "old Bumble", rendered furiousby the joke played upon his statue. It was an awful moment when Philplunged the fork into the old gentleman's massive chest, and so upsethim that he awoke, to find himself drenched with perspiration, butdecidedly better for all that, while through the open door he could seeJim, pipe in mouth and in his shirt sleeves, squatting over the fire andpreparing breakfast.
Another month passed, making the third that Phil had spent in his newemployment, and ending also his seventeenth year. Short as the time hadbeen it had done much for him. He had filled out a little, and thoughhis face was still that of a boy, his limbs and body were big, so that,if he could only pass inspection, he was quite fitted to take his placein the ranks as a full-grown man. By this time he had completed a longjourney into the country, and having returned to London with Jim and theold soldier, he was not long in looking up his friend, Sergeant-majorWilliams.
"Back again, sir, and filled out and healthier-looking, too! How do youlike the life?" the latter exclaimed.
"I never spent a better or more profitable three months, never in mylife," said Phil emphatically. "We've had grand weather, and alwaysfresh scenery. The work was not too hard, and my comrades were all thatI could wish for. In addition, I have saved close upon five pounds,which was simply impossible when I was living here."
"Ah, glad you like it, lad! But I thought you would; and now I supposeyou'll be off again soon?"
"Yes, but not with the van and my old comrades," said Phil. "The best Ican do there is to become a foreman in charge of a number of cages. Imean to enlist and try my fortune in the army."
"Bless the lad!" exclaimed the sergeant-major. "He's as long-headed asa lawyer, and always thinking of the future. But you couldn't do betterthan that. Keep it always in your mind's eye and you'll get on. Now,what regiment will you go for? I'm from the Guards, and of course I saythere's none to beat them. It's the truth too, as others can tell you."
"I've been thinking it over," Phil answered, "and I have decided tobecome a Grenadier--one of the old Grenadiers."
The sergeant-major's features flushed, and he looked not a littleflattered, for he too was one of the Grenadier Guards, and he knew itwas because of his connection with it that Phil had decided to enlist inthat regiment.
"You couldn't do better, sir," he exclaimed, "and what's more, byjoining them I'll be able to make your start easier. I am not so oldbut that some of the non-commissioned officers--N.C.O.'s as we call'em--remember Owen Williams. I've many a pal there, and as soon asyou're ready I'll take you right along to the barracks and see you'listed myself."
A day was fixed, and having learned a few more details, Phil returned tohis friends. The latter were genuinely sorry to hear that he was to go,and of all, Jim was perhaps the saddest.
"No one to cook the breakfast no more, now you're off, young un," hesaid, with a ring of true regret in his voice. "Never mind; that chapTony's come back, and I'll turn him on to the job. If he kicks there'llbe trouble, and then I'll do as I promised yer."
But Jim was disappointed. For three weeks Tony had lain in bed at ahospital, and for the first six days it was a matter of life and death.The bear's claws had lacerated his scalp so severely that it was awonder he survived. But by dint of careful nursing he recovered, and onthe very day that Phil had been to see the sergeant-major he returned tothe menagerie. But he was a changed man. A double escape from deathhad cured him of his rowdiness, and when he came towards Philshamefacedly, offering his hand as though he could not expect it to beshaken, he was filled with deep gratitude for the truly gallant deedthat had saved his life.
Phil clutched the hand extended and shook it heartily.
"Ah, sir!" Tony blurted out, with tears in his eyes, "I've been a realbrute, and no one knows it better nor myself. But yer saved my life,Phil Western, yer did, and I ain't ungrateful. If you'd left me to betorn to pieces it was only what I deserved, for we wasn't the best offriends, and a chap as can torment a dumb animal must expect somethingback in the end. And now, sir, I hear you're going, and if you'll letme I'll come too."
"Nonsense, Tony!" Phil exclaimed. "You've got a good job, and hadbetter stick to it."
"I had one, but I ain't now, Phil," Tony replied dolefully. "The bossgive me the sack, saying I'd cost him a good fifty pounds by causing thedeath of the bear. So I'
m out of work now, and if you're for a soldier,as they tell me, why, so am I too; and I tell yer I'll stick to yer likea true 'un if you'll let me come, and one day when you're an officerI'll be yer servant."
Phil laughed good-naturedly, and flushed red when he saw that here wasone who thought it was within the bounds of possibility that he wouldattain to the status of officer.
"It will be a long time before I shall be that, Tony," he said, with asmile; "but if you really have made up your mind to be a soldier, comewith me. There's been bad blood between us up to this, but now we'll begood friends and help one another along."
"Ah, we'll be friends, sir, good friends too! I've had my lesson, and Isha'n't need another. I've acted like a brute up to this, but now Imean to be steady, and I mean to show yer too that I ain't badaltogether."
Phil was astonished at the turn matters had taken; but he recognisedthat Tony had really made up his mind to reform, and at once determinedto help him to adhere to that resolution.
"Very well, Tony," he said, "we'll enlist together. My month is upto-morrow, and on the following day we'll take the shilling. I'm goingto join the Grenadier Guards."
"Grenadier Guards or any Guards for me, Phil. It don't make a ha'pothof difference so far as I'm concerned. Just fix what it's to be, andI'll be there with yer."
"Then it's settled, Tony. We're for the Guards. Come to the housewhere Sergeant-major Williams lives, at nine o'clock the day afterto-morrow."
They shook hands, as though to seal the compact, and separated, Philreturning to the van, where he spent part of the day in writing to MrWestern and to Joe, informing them of the step he was taking. To hisprevious letter Mr Western had deigned no answer, for he was thoroughlyupset by its contents, and from that day firmly resolved never again tohave any dealings with his adopted son. He was an utter failure and ascamp, and it only needed Joe Sweetman's efforts to defend him to settlethe matter.
"It is just what I told you would happen," Joe had said defiantly. "Thelad has spirit, and far from being the rogue you think him, is filledwith the desire to see life and make his way in the world. I am not agreat judge of character, but if ever there was a youth unfitted foroffice life, that one is Phil. You have only yourself to thank afterall. You have endeavoured to force a profession on him, whereas youshould have given the lad an opportunity of selecting one for himself.Mark my words, Edward: Phil will live to do well and be a credit to you,and one of these days you will acknowledge that the step he is takingnow was a good one and for the best. Now I'll write to him, and givehim a few words of advice."
And this Joe did, sending a characteristic letter, written not to dampPhil's hopes, but to encourage him, and let him see that there was oneold friend at least who still thought well of him.
_Find your own place in the world, Phil_, he wrote; _and if it is a goodone, as I feel sure it will be, there is one who will be proud of you.You start in the ranks, and so fall into discredit among your friends.You are on the lowest rung; stick to it, and we will see where you comeout. Meanwhile, my lad, I will send you ten shillings a week, paidevery month in advance. You will find it a help, for soldiers wantspare cash as well as other people_.
At last the morning arrived for Phil and Tony to enlist, and, attendedby the sergeant-major, they made their way to Wellington Barracks. Bothfelt somewhat nervous and bashful, especially when they passed thesentries at the gate.
"My eye!" exclaimed Tony in a whisper, "what swells them coves look!Shall we wear them hats, do yer think?"
"Of course you will," the sergeant-major, who had overheard the remark,replied. "That is the Guards' bearskin, and you'll learn to be proud ofit yet. It's a grand head-dress, and there isn't another half as good;at least that's what I think, though chaps in other regiments wouldstick up for theirs in just the same way. And you'll find, too, thatthe forage-cap with the red band round it, that's worn well over theright ear--well over, mind you, youngsters--is as taking a thing as wasever invented."
Phil and Tony both agreed, for the men walking about in uniform withforage-caps on did look smart and well dressed.
"Now here we are at the orderly-room," said the old soldier, a momentlater. "Wait a moment and I'll speak to the sergeant-major."
Phil and Tony stood looking with interest across the parade-ground.Then they suddenly heard a voice say in a room at the door of which theywere waiting: "Two recruits, and likely-looking fellows, I think yousaid, sergeant-major? March them in."
A moment later a big man with bristling moustache, and dressed in atight-fitting red tunic, came to the door, and in a voice that made Philand Tony start, and which could easily have been heard across thesquare, exclaimed: "Now, you two, get together; yes, just like that.Right turn! Quick march!"
It was a new experience, but Phil, who stood nearest the door, carriedout the order smartly, and, snatching his hat from his head, followedthe sergeant-major. A moment later they were standing in front of atable covered with green baize, and with a number of books and bluepapers all neatly arranged upon it. Behind it sat an officer, dressedin a dark-blue uniform, with braided front, and a peaked cap encircledwith a dark band and bearing a miniature grenade in front. It was theadjutant, and he at once cross-questioned the new recruits.
"Both of you have been in a menagerie," he remarked with someastonishment, "but surely you--and he pointed towards, Phil--have hadsome education?"
"Yes, sir, I have been to a good school," Phil answered, "and before Ijoined the menagerie I was a clerk in an office for a short time."
"Ah, just the kind of man we want!" exclaimed the officer. "And both ofyou wish to enlist in the Grenadier Guards? Very well; send them acrossto the doctor's."
"Right turn! Quick march!" The words almost made Tony jump out of hisskin, but he and Phil obeyed them promptly, and next moment werebreathing a trifle more freely in the open air. A corporal was now sentfor, and he conducted them across to another room. Here they were toldto strip, and a few minutes later were ushered into an inner room, inwhich were the regimental doctor and a sergeant who sat with a bookbefore him. Phil and Tony were sounded and thumped all over, and thentold to hop up and down the floor. They swung their arms round theirheads till they were red in the face, and swung their legs to and fro toshow that they had free movement of their joints. Then their eyes weretested, and these and their hearing having proved satisfactory, theywere declared fit for the army, and were told to dress themselves.
"What's coming next, Phil?" whispered Tony, with a chuckle. "We've beeninterviewed--or whatever they calls it--by the officer, and now we'vebeen punched all over, like folks used to do with that prize mare theboss in the old show was so fond of."
"Wait and see," Phil answered, for he too was wondering what their nextexperience would be.
They had not long to wait. The same corporal who had conducted thembefore took them round to the back of the building, up a steep flight ofstairs, and showed them into the quarter-master's stores. And here theyspent almost an hour, during which time a complete set of uniform, withthe exception of a bearskin, was served out to each of them. Theircivilian clothing was then taken from them and safely packed away, andfeeling remarkably queer, and uncertain how to carry the smart littlecane which had been given them, they were marched away to thebarrack-room, heads in air and chests well to the front, as every newrecruit does when in uniform for the first time, and trying to look asthough they were well used to their new circumstances, whereas every manthey passed grinned, and, nudging his comrade, chuckled: "New uns! Lookat the chest that redheaded cove's got on 'im, and don't the other holdhis nose up?" or something equally flattering.
But Phil and Tony were blissfully ignorant of these facetious remarks,and in a few minutes had reached the room in which they were to sleep,and had taken possession of their cots.
The following day they were once more inspected by the adjutant, andunder his eye the regimental tailor chalk-marked their clothing wherealterations were to be m
ade.
In due time both settled down to their new duties and began to learntheir drill on the parade-ground. A few days, and they lost all theslovenliness of recruits and held themselves erect. Soon they were assmart as any, and an old friend of Phil's, looking at him now, with hisforage-cap jauntily set over his ear, his tight-fitting tunic and belt,and the swagger-cane beneath his arm, would scarcely have recognisedhim, so much had he altered. But had he only asked Tony, he wouldquickly have learnt the truth.
"Yus, that's Phil Western, you bet!" the latter would exclaim; "and Itell yer what it is, that young chap is downright the smartest lad inthis lot of recruits, and that's saying a deal, as you'll agree ifyou'll only take a look at 'em."
So thought Joe Sweetman too, when he visited London on one occasion andlooked his young friend up. "He's every inch a soldier," he exclaimedadmiringly to Mr Western, on his return to Riddington. "As smart andgood-looking a fellow as ever I saw; and that lad means to get on and dowell. Mark my words! That's what he means, and he'll do it too, or I'ma donkey."
A Gallant Grenadier: A Tale of the Crimean War Page 4