DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3462#0154
THE REVIEW OF THE TROOPS 103
cheered itself hoarse ; women waved their handker-
chiefs, many of them not knowing why they did
it; men flourished their sticks and shouted bravos.
That mighty cheer must have been heard for miles
around.
I was down close by the saluting point, and
could study the Viceroy. His face was set and
immobile as a flint; but just as the Ninth Lancers
advanced to within thirty or forty yards of the
flagstaff his horse began to be restive, to fidget
and circle round, showing that, though the man's
exterior was calm and unruffled, he was inwardly
anxious and nervous. Lord Curzon must have
made some slight nervous movement, and the
horse felt it, as well-bred horses do. It seems a
little thing, this; but to us who were watching
the tension was so great that it appeared important
at the moment. There is no doubt about it: the
fact of the Viceroy's own guests standing up and
cheering showed exceedingly little tact. Even
though they may have questioned his treatment
of the Ninth Lancers, this was hardly a fitting
moment to give way to their feelings. It was a
distinct stab at the Viceroy. Here was Lord
Curzon, who had taken a certain measure from
conviction. He would have equal justice between
cheered itself hoarse ; women waved their handker-
chiefs, many of them not knowing why they did
it; men flourished their sticks and shouted bravos.
That mighty cheer must have been heard for miles
around.
I was down close by the saluting point, and
could study the Viceroy. His face was set and
immobile as a flint; but just as the Ninth Lancers
advanced to within thirty or forty yards of the
flagstaff his horse began to be restive, to fidget
and circle round, showing that, though the man's
exterior was calm and unruffled, he was inwardly
anxious and nervous. Lord Curzon must have
made some slight nervous movement, and the
horse felt it, as well-bred horses do. It seems a
little thing, this; but to us who were watching
the tension was so great that it appeared important
at the moment. There is no doubt about it: the
fact of the Viceroy's own guests standing up and
cheering showed exceedingly little tact. Even
though they may have questioned his treatment
of the Ninth Lancers, this was hardly a fitting
moment to give way to their feelings. It was a
distinct stab at the Viceroy. Here was Lord
Curzon, who had taken a certain measure from
conviction. He would have equal justice between