The Iron Stallions Read Online Free PDF

he was supposed to be cleaning them and the Squadron Sergeant-Major Instructor of Fencing and Gymnastics also made a point of keeping an eye on him.
    ‘Dismounted drill seldom arouses enthusiasm in the breast of a cavalryman,’ he said in his stiff instructor’s voice, stressing what he considered the important words with a shout. ‘That’s because we in the cavalry harbour a contemptuous disregard for people who go to war on foot .’ A stickler for courtesies, he halted in mid-stream to salute an officer in the middle distance who, warned by a sixth sense that someone was acknowledging him, flicked his right hand in return, then continued as if refreshed. ‘The light elastic step of a Clutcher makes a Life Guard blench , a dragoon pale and a hussar run for his useless life .’ The SSMIF’s voice rose. ‘I know you’re out every night , fly buttons at the quick release, boasting of your prowess to the girls, but let me tell you, you’ve got a lot to learn. A cavalryman who don’t know his sword drill is in danger of cutting off his horse’s ear , and without ’em, you’ll never know what he’s about. Yet, if you’re over-zealous you’ll be in danger of losing your stirrup , becoming unhorsed and landing on your silly little heads .’
    Taking his sword, the SSMIF began to demonstrate. ‘Each command is preceded by the name of the Regiment . Like this: 19th Lancers – or it could be just B Squadron, in your case – draw swords! ’ Like a streak of blue lightning, the blade flashed from the scabbard. ‘This use of the regimental name,’ the SSMIF continued, ‘is to distinguish the élite from the hordes of inferior cavalry and, of course, the unmentionable infantry , and is an order given by the King-Emperor to his best cavalry regiment.’
    Crouching in a semi-squatting position, feet apart, toes in line as if in stirrup irons, they held the position for what seemed like hours at a stretch, their muscles sore and cramped. Swords flashed right or left as they were trained to use both blade and hilt against enemies both mounted and dismounted, and blood-curdling yells were encouraged as they were drilled to receive cavalry right or left.
    ‘The throat is always the point of aim,’ the SSMIF insisted. ‘But I want none of your cissy prodding , like tarts with knitting needles. Think of a hussar and yell “You dirty rotten bastard !” Before he knows where he is, you’ll have your weapon through his windpipe and you’ll see a pale yellow liquid in the blood channels of your blade. That’s hussar blood which we all know is weaker than canteen beer . Now then, Loftus, let’s have you out here for a demonstration .’
    ‘Personally,’ Orne said later over a pint in the canteen, ‘I can’t see the bloody point of all this muckin’ about with a sword. Before you could have it outa its scabbard, the buggers’d have got you with a machine gun.’
    Life continued to be good. There was no responsibility and no need to think, and already Josh had noticed that the girls in the town were beginning to eye him.
    ‘You thinking of taking one of ’em into the woods?’ Dodgin said. ‘To see the ’orse with the green tail?’
    They all knew what that meant. The railings that ran round the barracks, Josh decided, were not to keep the soldiers from getting out, but to stop the girls from getting in. The scripture readers who handed out tracts and sold books of what were supposed to be soldiers’ prayers, advised them to renounce the devil and not mix with the women who had been the downfall of many good men.
    ‘What they think it was made for?’ Dodgin asked. ‘Stirrin’ canteen tea?’
    As the time drew near when they were to meet their horses, the old soldiers were quick to warn of the horrors of riding school.
    ‘Paint yer arse with iodine, son,’ one of them warned Josh. because I seen some sore backsides in me time. I seen blood running down legs, half filling wellington boots and gushing off