[The Adventures of Akbar by Flora Annie Steel]@TWC D-Link bookThe Adventures of Akbar CHAPTER III 2/10
He was but a boy; and after all there should be a Deputy, Assistant, Second, Umbrella Bearer to Majesty. Could Meroo, properly dressed, of course, be promoted to the position? She actually woke Foster-father from his well-earned first sleep to propound this knotty question. "Good woman," he murmured patiently, "make what court appointments ye will.
Create the scullion Prime Minister, so I have my sleep." And he was snoring almost before the words were out of his mouth. So next morning Head-nurse, refusing the baggage camel with panniers which Prince Askurry sent for the use of the little Heir-to-Empire, organised a procession of her own. First of all came Foster-father, stout and solid, on his skew-bald hill pony which was called Horse-chestnut because it was patched all over, like an unripe chestnut, with yellow, brown and white. It had a lovely tail that touched the ground, and a coat that was long and wavy like an Irish setter's.
A wise, sober pony was Horse-chestnut; he never attempted to climb up anything he thought too difficult, but just gave a look at it to make sure and then put down his head calmly, and began to graze until his rider found an easier path. Next came Trooper Faithful on his old white charger Lightning.
Once upon a time it had been like its name, swift exceedingly, but now, like its master, it was slow and stiff. Then followed Head-nurse, astride, in Indian fashion, the bay Belooch mare which had been Queen Humeeda's favourite mount until it had had to be left behind in one of the hasty moves which had of late been so common in the hunted life of the Royal Fugitives.
The mare, of course, had been taken by the pursuers, and brought along with them; and the groom in charge of it had come grinning with delight to Foster-father when he found himself in the same camp again.
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