Explore "Red O'Shaughnessy" by J.H.M. Abbott on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
MR. AYLMER made his appearance outside Captain Axthorpe's tent punctually at eight o'clock. O'Shaughnessy, busily preparing his master's personal equipment for the forthcoming expedition, was relieved to find the owner of Green Hills station less fantastically attired than had been the case when he waited on him with the Commandant's message a little earlier--but he was fantastic and remarkable enough in the bizarre outfit which he apparently deemed necessary for such an excursion as lay before the little party assembled at the camp. He had two guns, two big horse-pistols in his belt, besides an axe, a sketching portfolio, and an entomological collector's tin box slung from his shoulders and dangling at his left flank.
The two soldiers, severely 'military' in scarlet jackets, tall shakoes, pipe-clayed belts and cartridge pouches, and well-polished boots, stood 'at ease,' under the critical supervision of Corporal Jones, a few yards away from Captain Axthorpe's tent. The latter gentleman came out in his short-sleeves, as Mr. Aylmer made his appearance. He seemed to be no less astonished at the aspect of the latter than at that of his own bodyguard. Saluting Mr. Aylmer hastily, and bidding him "good morning," he addressed himself to the non-commissioned officer.