The Young Buglers | Page 9

our

journey we make a subscription, according to the amount we have
saved, and that we get each of these young gentlemen a brace of the
very best pistols that can be bought. If they go on as they have begun,
they will find them useful."
There was a general exclamation of approval, and one of the ladies,
who had been an inside passenger, said, "And I think we ought to give
a handsome ring to their sister as a memorial through life. Of course,
she had not so much to do as her brothers, but she had the courage to
keep still, and she had to run the risk, both of being shot, and of being
upset by the coach just as they did."
This also was unanimously approved, and, after doing full justice to the
breakfast set before them, the party again took their places. Rhoda
being carried down asleep, by the landlady, and placed in the coach,
one of the inside passengers getting out to make room for her, and she
was laid, curled up, on the seat, with her head in a lady's lap, and slept
quietly, until, to her astonishment, she was woke up, and told that she
was in Marlborough.
CHAPTER II.
TWO YOUNG PICKLES.
An old-fashioned open carriage, drawn by a stiff, old-fashioned horse,
and driven by a stiff, old-fashioned man, was in waiting at the inn at
which the coach drew up at Marlborough. Into this the young
Scudamores were soon transferred, and, after a hearty good-bye from
their fellow-passengers, and an impressive one from the coachman,
they started upon the concluding part of their journey.
"How far is it to aunt's?" Tom asked.
"About six miles, young sir," the driver said gravely.
The young Scudamores had great difficulty to restrain their laughter at
Tom's new title; in fact, Peter nearly choked himself in his desperate
efforts to do so, and no further questions were asked for some time.

The ride was a pleasant one, and Rhoda, who had never been out of
Lincolnshire before, was delighted with the beautiful country through
which they were passing. The journey, long as it was--for the road was
a very bad one, and the horse had no idea of going beyond a slow
trot--passed quickly to them all; but they were glad when the driver
pointed to a quaint old-fashioned house standing back from the road,
and said that they were home.
"There are the pigeons, Rhoda, and there is Minnie asleep on that open
window-sill."
Very many times had the young Scudamores talked about their aunt,
and had pictured to themselves what she would be like; and their ideas
of her so nearly approached the truth, that she almost seemed to be an
old acquaintance as she came to the door as the carriage stopped. She
was a tall, upright, elderly lady, with a kind, but very decided face, and
a certain prim look about her manner and dress.
"Well, niece Rhoda and nephews, I am glad to see that you have
arrived safely," she said in a clear, distinct voice. "Welcome to the
Yews. I hope that we shall get on very well together. Joseph, I hope
that you have not driven Daisy too fast, and that you did not allow my
nephews to use the whip. You know I gave you very distinct
instructions not to let them do so."
"No, my lady, they never so much as asked."
"That is right," Miss Scudamore said, turning round and shaking hands
with the boys, who had now got out of the carriage and had helped
Rhoda down. "I am glad to hear what Joseph tells me, for I know that
boys are generally fond of furious driving and like lashing horses until
they put them into a gallop. And now, how are you, niece Rhoda! Give
me a kiss. That is right. You look pale and tired, child; you must have
something to eat, and then go to bed. Girls can't stand racketing about
as boys can. You look quiet and nice, child, and I have no doubt we
shall suit very well. It is very creditable to you that you have not been
spoilt by your brothers. Boys generally make their sisters almost as
noisy and rude as they are themselves."

"I don't think we are noisy and rude, aunt," Tom said, with a smile.
"Oh, you don't, nephew?" Miss Scudamore said, looking at him sharply,
and then shaking her head decidedly two or three times. "If your looks
do not belie you both sadly, you are about as hair-brained a couple of
lads as my worst enemies could wish to see sent to plague me; but," she
added to herself, as she turned to lead the way indoors, "I must do my
duty, and