It seems so
dreadful that a strong man should be almost killed and a grand horse
completely ruined by two clumsy, ill-mannered dogs. One belongs to the
chaplain, too, who is expected to set a model example for the rest of
us. Many, many times during the winter I have ridden by the side of
Tom, and had learned to love every one of his pretty ways, from the
working of his expressive ears to the graceful movement of his slender
legs. He was a horse for anyone to be proud of, not only for his
beauty but as a hunter, too, and he was Lieutenant Baldwin's delight
and joy.
It does seem as if everything horrible had come all at once. The order
we have been expecting, of course, as so many rumors have reached us
that we were to go, but all the time there has been hidden away a
little hope that we might be left here another year.
I shall take the greyhound puppy, of course. He is with Blue, his
mother, at Captain Richardson's quarters, but he is brought over every
day for me to see. His coat is brindled, dark brown and black - just
like Magic's - and fine as the softest satin. One foot is white, and
there is a little white tip to his tail, which, it seems, is
considered a mark of great beauty in a greyhound.
