“He will, of course, think first of Mariquita; but that matter can be easily settled.  We will send her on board one of the hospital-ships, where she will be with nurses of her own sex.  What is really urgent is that McKay should look to himself.  We must manage, through his interest and authority, to make a thorough search for this villain Benito, and get him expelled from the Crimea.  That would make McKay safe, if only for a time, although I suppose Cyprienne would soon devise some new and more diabolical scheme.  If I could only get on a little faster!  It is most annoying about the horse.  I will go straight to headquarters on foot, taking the camp of the Naval Brigade on my way.”

There was wisdom in this last resolution.  The sailors’ camp was the Crimean pound.  All animals lost or strayed, or, more exactly, stolen, if the truth is to be told, found their way to it.  Jack did a large business in horseflesh.  Often enough a man, having traced his missing property, was obliged to buy it back for a few shillings, or a glass or two of grog.

It was a general joke in the Crimea that the infantry were better mounted than the cavalry, and that the sailors had the pick of the infantry horses.

“I suppose I must go to the sailors’ camp, but it’s rather out of my road,” said Hyde, as he trudged along under the hot sun.

Many more fortunate comrades, all mounted, overtook and passed him on the way.  Each time he heard the sound of hoofs his rage increased against the dishonest rogue who had robbed him of his pony.

“Like a lift, guv’ner?” said a voice behind him.  “You shall have this tit chape.  Half a sov., money down.”

Hyde turned, and saw a blue-jacket astride of the missing pony.

“Buy it, you rascal! why it belongs to me!  Where did you get it?”

“I found it, yer honour.”

“Stole it, you mean.  Get off this instant, or I’ll give you up to the provost!” And, so saying, Hyde put out his hand to seize the reins.

“Avast heaving there, commodore,” said Jack, digging his heels into the horse, and lifting it cleverly just out of Hyde’s reach.  “Who finds keeps.  Pay up, or you shan’t have him.  Why, I deserve a pound for looking after the dumb baste.”

Hyde looked around for help, but no one was in sight.  He was not to be baulked, however, and made a fresh attempt to get alongside the pony.  But each time the sailor forged a little ahead, and this tantalising game continued for half-an-hour.

At last, disgusted and despairing, Hyde thought it better to make terms.  He was losing valuable time.

“I give in, you rogue!  Pull up, and you shall have your money.”

“Honour bright, guv’ner?”

“Here it is,” said Hyde, taking out the money.

“It’s a fair swap.  Hand over the money.”

“No; you give up the pony first.”

“I shan’t.  That’s not my way of doing business.”