It was now nearly a year ago.
"Good afternoon, Mr.Broussard," said the Colonel, "I see you are dressed for riding.

Perhaps you would like to ride that old charger again; if so, I will send for my own horse.

Gamechick belongs to my daughter and I only ride him to keep him in condition, because sometimes she is a little lazy about exercising him." "Ladies are seldom judicious with horses," answered Broussard, agreeing as always with Colonel Fortescue.

"I shall be glad to ride the old horse once more, and thank you very much." In a few minutes, the Colonel's own horse was brought and the two men, mounting, rode off and away from the post for an hour's brisk ride in the late winter afternoon.
Broussard, whose tongue was usually frozen to the roof of his mouth when he was in the Colonel's presence, felt a sudden sense of freedom and talked naturally and therefore intelligently.

His description of military affairs in the East was wonderfully illuminating, and the Colonel plied him with questions.