CONTENTS
"LOVE-O’-WOMEN"-from"ManyInventions"
THEBIGDRUNKDRAF’
THEMUTINYOFTHEMAVERICKS
THEMANWHOWAS
ONLYASUBALTERN
INTHEMATTEROFAPRIVATE
THELOSTLEGION-from"ManyInventions"
THEDRUMSOFTHEFOREANDAFT
JUDSONANDTHEEMPIRE-from"ManyInventions"
ACONFERENCEOFTHEPOWERS-from"ManyInventions"
’LOVE-O’WOMEN’
AlamentabletaleofthingsDonelongago,andilldone。
Thehorror,theconfusion,andtheseparationofthemurdererfromhiscomradeswerealloverbeforeIcame。
Thereremainedonlyonthebarrack-squarethebloodofmancallingfromtheground。Thehotsunhaddriedittoaduskygold-beater-
skinfilm,crackedlozenge-wisebytheheat,andasthewindroseeachlozenge,risingalittle,curledupattheedgesasifitwereadumbtongue。Thenaheaviergustblewallawaydownwindingrainsofdark-coloureddust。Itwastoohottostandinthesunshinebeforebreakfast。Themenwereallinbarrackstalkingthematterover。Aknotofsoldiers’wivesstoodbyoneoftheentrancestothemarriedquarters,whileinsideawomanshriekedandravedwithwickedfilthywords。
Aquietandwell-conductedsergeanthadshotdowninbroaddaylightjustafterearlyparadeoneofhisowncorporals,hadthenreturnedtobarracksandsatonacottilltheguardcameforhim。Hewould,therefore,induetimebehandedovertotheHighCourtfortrial。Further,butthishecouldhardlyhaveconsideredinhisschemeofrevenge,hewouldhorriblyupsetmywork;forthereportingofthetrialwouldfallonmewithoutarelief。WhatthattrialwouldbelikeIkneweventoweariness。Therewouldbetheriflecarefullyuncleaned,withthefoulingmarksaboutbreechandmuzzle,tobesworntobyhalfadozensuperfluousprivates;
therewouldbeheat,reekingheat,tillthewetpencilslippedsidewaysbetweenthefingers;andthepunkahwouldswishandthepleaderswouldjabberintheverandahs,andhisCommandingOfficerwouldputincertificatesoftheprisoner’smoralcharacter,whilethejurywouldpantandthesummeruniformsofthewitnesseswouldsmellofdyeandsoaps;andsomeabjectbarrack-sweeperwouldlosehisheadincross-examination,andtheyoungbarristerwhoalwaysdefendedsoldiers’casesforthecreditthattheyneverbroughthim,wouldsayanddowonderfulthings,andwouldthenquarrelwithmebecauseIhadnotreportedhimcorrectly。Atthelast,forhesurelywouldnotbehanged,Imightmeettheprisoneragain,rulingblankaccount-formsintheCentralJail,andcheerhimwiththehopeofawardershipintheAndamans。
TheIndianPenalCodeanditsinterpretersdonottreatmurder,underanyprovocationwhatever,inaspiritofjest。SergeantRaineswouldbeveryluckyindeedifhegotoffwithsevenyears,Ithought。Hehadsleptthenightuponhiswrongs,andhadkilledhismanattwentyyardsbeforeanytalkwaspossible。ThatmuchIknew。Unless,therefore,thecasewasdoctoredalittle,sevenyearswouldbehisleast;andI
fancieditwasexceedinglywellforSergeantRainesthathehadbeenlikedbyhisCompany。
Thatsameevening-nodayissolongasthedayofamurder-I
metOrtheriswiththedogs,andheplungeddefiantlyintothemiddleofthematter。"I’llbeoneo’thewitnesses,"saidhe。"I
wasintheverandahwhenMackiecamealong。’EcomefromMrs。
Raines’squarters。Quigley,Parsons,an’Trot,theywasintheinsideverandah,sotheycouldn’t’ave’eardnothing。SergeantRaineswasintheverandahtalkin’tome,an’Mackie’ecomealongacrostthesquarean’’esez,’Well,’sez’e,’’avetheypushedyour’elmetoffyet,Sergeant?’’esez。An’atthatRaines’ecatches’isbreathan’’esez,’MyGawd,Ican’tstandthis!’sez’e,an’’epicksupmyriflean’shootsMackie。See?"
"Butwhatwereyoudoingwithyourrifleintheouterverandahanhourafterparade?"
"Cleanin’’er,"saidOrtheris,withthesullenbrassystarethatalwayswentwithhischoicelies。
Hemightaswellhavesaidthathewasdancingnaked,foratnotimedidhisrifleneedhandorragonhertwentyminutesafterparade。StilltheHighCourtwouldnotknowhisroutine。
"Areyougoingtosticktothat-ontheBook?"Iasked。
"Yes。Likeabloomin’leech。"
"Allright,Idon’twanttoknowanymore。OnlyrememberthatQuigley,Parsons,andTrotcouldn’thavebeenwhereyousaywithouthearingsomething;andthere’snearlycertaintobeabarrack-sweeperwhowasknockingaboutthesquareatthetime。
Therealwaysis。"
"Twasn’tthesweeper。Itwasthebeastie。’E’sallright。"
ThenIknewthattherewasgoingtobesomespiriteddoctoring,andIfeltsorryfortheGovernmentAdvocatewhowouldconducttheprosecution。
WhenthetrialcameonIpitiedhimmore,forhewasalwaysquicktolosehistemper,andmadeapersonalmatterofeachlostcause。
Raines’syoungbarristerhadforonceputasidehisunslakedandWellingpassionforalibisandinsanity,hadforsworngymnasticsandfireworks,andworkedsoberlyforhisclient。Mercifullythehotweatherwasyetyoung,andtherehadbeennoflagrantcasesofbarrack-shootingsuptothetime;andthejurywasagoodone,evenforanIndianjury,whereninemenoutofeverytwelveareaccustomedtoweighingevidence。Ortherisstoodfirmandwasnotshakenbyanycross-examination。Theoneweakpointinhistale-
thepresenceofhisrifleintheouterverandah-wentunchallengedbycivilianwisdom,thoughsomeofthewitnessescouldnothelpsmiling。TheGovernmentAdvocatecalledfortherope;contendingthroughoutthatthemurderhadbeenadeliberateone。Timehadpassed,heargued,forthatreflectionwhichcomessonaturallytoamanwhosehonourislost。TherewasalsotheLaw,everreadyandanxioustorightthewrongsofthecommonsoldierif,indeed,wronghadbeendone。Buthedoubtedmuchwhethertherehadbeenanysufficientwrong。Causelesssuspicionover-longbroodeduponhadled,byhistheory,todeliberatecrime。Buthisattemptstominimisethemotivefailed。Themostdisconnectedwitnessknew-
hadknownforweeks-thecausesofoffence,andtheprisoner,whonaturallywasthelastofalltoknow,groanedinthedockwhilehelistened。TheonequestionthatthetrialcircledroundwaswhetherRaineshadfiredundersuddenandblindingprovocationgiventhatverymorning,andinthesummingupitwasclearthatOrtheris’sevidencetold。Hehadcontrived,mostartistically,tosuggestthathepersonallyhatedtheSergeant,whohadcomeintotheverandahtogivehimatalkingtoforinsubordination。InaweakmomenttheGovernmentAdvocateaskedonequestiontoomany,"Beggin’yourpardon,sir,"Ortherisreplied,"’ewascallin’meadam’impudentlittlelawyer。"TheCourtshook。Thejurybroughtitinakilling,butwitheveryprovocationandextenuationknowntoGodorman,andtheJudgeputhishandtohisbrowbeforegivingsentence,andtheAdam’sappleintheprisoner’sthroatwentupanddownmercury-pumpingbeforeacyclone。
Inconsiderationofallconsiderations,fromhisCommandingOfficer’scertificateofgoodconducttothesurelossofpension,service,andhonour,theprisonerwouldgettwoyears,tobeservedinIndia,and-thereneedbenodemonstrationinCourt。
TheGovernmentAdvocatescowledandpickeduphispapers;theguardwheeledwithaclash,andtheprisonerwasrelaxedtotheSecularArm,anddriventothejailinabroken-downticca-gharri。
Hisguardandsometenortwelvemilitarywitnesses,beinglessimportant,wereorderedtowaittillwhatwasofficiallycalledthecooloftheeveningbeforemarchingbacktocantonments。Theygatheredtogetherinoneofthedeepredbrickverandahsofadisusedlock-upandcongratulatedOrtheris,whoborehishonoursmodestly。Isentmyworkintotheofficeandjoinedthem。OrtheriswatchedtheGovernmentAdvocatedrivingofflunch。
"That’sanastylittlebald-’eadedlittlebutcher,thatis,"hesaid。"’Edon’tpleaseme。’E’sgotacolleydogwotdo,though。
I’mgoin’uptoMurreeinaweek。Thatdawg’llbringfifteenrupeesanywheres。"
"YouhadbetterspenditinMasses,"saidTerence,unbucklinghisbelt,forhehadbeenontheprisoner’sguard,standinghelmetedandboltuprightforthreelonghours。
"Notme,"saidOrtherischeerfully。"Gawd’llputitdowntoB
Comp’ny’sbarrickdamagesoneo’thesedays。Youlookstrapped,Terence。"
"Faith,I’mnotsoyoungasIwas。Thatguard-mountin’wearsonthesoleavthefut,andthis"-hesniffedcontemptuouslyatthebrickverandah-"isashardsettingasstandin’!"
"Waitaminute。I’llgetthecushionsoutofmycart,"Isaid。
"Strewth-sofies!We’regoingitgay,"saidOrtheris,asTerencedroppedhimselfsectionbysectionontheleathercushions,sayingprettily,"Mayyouniverwantasoftplacewheriveryougo,an’
powertoshareuttwidafrind。Anotherforyourself?That’sgood。
Itletsmesitlongways。Stanley,passmeapoipe。Augrrh!An’
that’sanothermangonealltopiecesbekazeavawoman。Imustha’beenonfortyorfiftyprisoners’gyards,firstan’last,an’
Ihateutnewivrytime。"
"Let’ssee。YouwereonLosson’s,Lancey’s,Dugard’s,andStebbins’s,thatIcanremember,"Isaid。
"Ay,an’beforethatan’beforethat-scoresavthim,"heansweredwithawornsmile。"Tisbetthertodiethantoliveforthim,though。WhinRainescomesout-he’llbechangin’hiskitatthejailnow-he’llthinkthattoo。Heshudha’shothimselfan’
thewomanbyrights,an’madeacleanbillavall。Nowhe’sleftthewoman-shetuktaywidDinahSundaygonelast-an’he’slefthimself。Mackie’stheluckyman。"-
"He’sprobablygettingithotwhereheis,"Iventured,forIknewsomethingofthedeadCorporal’srecord。
"Besureavthat,"saidTerence,spittingovertheedgeoftheverandah。"Butfwhathe’llgetthereislightmarchin’-ordhertofwhathe’dha’gothereifhe’dlived。"
"Surelynot。He’dhavegoneonandforgottenliketheothers。"
"DidyeknowMackiewell,Sorr?"saidTerence。
"HewasonthePattialaguardofhonourlastwinter,andIwentoutshootingwithhiminanekkafortheday,andIfoundhimratheranamusingman。"
"Well,he’llha’gotshutavamusemints,exciptturnin’fromwansidetotheother,thesefewyearscome。IknewMackie,an’I’veseentoomanytobemistukinthemusteravwanman。Hemightha’
goneonan’forgot,asyousay,Sorr,butwasamanwidaneducashin,an’heusedutforhisschames,an’thesameeducashin,an’talkan’allthatmadehimabletodofwhathehadamindtowidawoman,thatsamewudturnbackagaininthelongrunan’
tearhimalive。Ican’tsayfwhatthatImanetosaybekazeI
don’tknowhow,butMackiewasthespitan’livin’imageavamanthatIsawmarchthesamemarchallbut;an’’twasworseforhimthathedidnotcomebyMackie’sind。WaitwhileIremimbernow。
’TwasfwhinIwasintheBlackTyrone,an’hewasdraftedusfromPortsmouth;an’fwhatwashismisbegottenname?Larry-LarryTigheutwas;an’wanofthedraftsaidhewasagentlemanranker,an’Larrytukan’threepartskilledhimforsayingso。An’hewasabigman,an’astrongman,an’ahandsomeman,an’thattellsheavyinpracticewidsomewomen,but,takin’thimbyan’large,notwidall。Yet’twaswidallthatLarrydealt-all-forhe’udputthecometheronanywomanthattrodthegreenearthavGod,an’heknewut。LikeMackiethat’sroastin’now,heknewut;an’
niverdidheputthecometheronanywomansavean’exciptfortheblackshame。’Tisnotmethatshudbetalkin’,dearknows,dearknows,butthemostavmymis-misalli’nceswasforpuredevilry,an’mightysorryIhavebeenwhinharmcame;an’timean’againwidagirl,ay,an’awomantoo,forthematteravthat,whinI
haveseenbytheeyesavherthatIwasmakin’morethroublethanItalked,Ihavehildoffan’letbeforthesakeavthemotherthatboreme。ButLarry,I’mthinkin’,hewassuckledbyashe-
devil,forheniverletwangothatcamenightolistentohim。
’Twashisbusiness,asifitmightha’binsinthry-go。Hewasagoodsoldiertoo。NowtherewastheColonel’sgoverness-an’heaprivittoo!-thatwasneverknowninbarricks;an’wanavtheMajor’smaids,andshewaspromisedtoaman;an’somemoreoutside;an’fwhatutwasamongstuswe’llneverknowtillJudgmentDay!’Twasthenatureavthebastetoputthecometheronthebestavthim-nottheprettiestbyanymanneravmanes-butthelikeavsuchwomanasyoucudlayyourbandontheBookan’
sweartherewasniverthoughtavfoolishnessin。An’forthatveryreason,markyou,hewasnivercaught。Hecameclosetoutwanstortwice,butcaughtheniverwas,an’thatcosthimmoreattheindthanthebeginnin’。Hetalkedtomemorethanmost,bekazehetouldme,barrin’theaccidentavmyeducashin,I’dha’beenthesamekindavdivilhewas。’An’isutlike,’hewudsay,houldin’hisheadhigh-’isutlikethatI’diverbethrapped?ForfwhatamIwhenall’ssaidan’done?’hesez。’Adamnedprivit,’sezhe。’An’isutlike,thinkyou,thatthimIknowwudbeconnectwidaprivitlikeme?Numbertinthousandfourhundredan’sivin,’hesez,grinnin’。Iknewbytheturnavhisspachewhinhewasnottakin’caretotalkroughthathewasagentlemanranker。
Idonotundherstan’utatall,’Isez;’butIknow,’sezI,’thatthedivillooksoutavyoureyes,an’I’llhavenosharewidyou。
Alittlefunbywayavamusemintwhere’twilldonoharm,Larry,isrightandfair,butIammistookif’tisanyamuseminttoyou,’
Isez。
"’Youaremuchmistook,’hesez。’An’Icounselyounottojudgeyourbetters。’
"’Mybetthers!’Isez。’Godhelpyou,Larry。There’snobettherinthis。’Tisallbad,asyouwillfindforyoursilf。’
"You’renotlikeme,’hesays,tossin’hishead。
"’PraisetheSaints,Iamnot,’Isez。’FwhatIhavedoneIhavedonean’beencroolsorryfor。Fwhinyourtimecomes,’sezI,’ye’llremimberfwhatIsay。’
"’An’whinthattimecomes,’sezhe,’I’llcometoyouforghostlyconsolation,FatherTerence,’an’atthathewintoffafthersomemoredivil’sbusiness-fortogetexpayrience,hetouldme。Hewaswicked-rankwicked-wickedasallHell!I’mnotconstructbynaturetogoinfearavanyman,but,begad,IwasafraidavLarry。He’dcomeintobarrickswidhiscaponthreehairs,an’
lieonhiscotandstareattheceilin’,andnowan’againhe’dfetchalittlelaugh,thelikeavasplashinthebottomavawell,an’bythatIknewhewasschamin’newwickedness,an’I’dbeafraid。Allthiswaslongan’longago,bututhildmestraight-forawhile。
"Itouldyou,didInot,Sorr,thatIwascaressedan’pershuadedtolavetheTyroneonaccountavathrouble?"
"Somethingtodowithabeltandaman’shead,wasn’tit?"Terencehadnevergivenmetheexactfacts。
"Itwas。Faith,ivrytimeIgoonprisoner’sgyardincoortI
wondherfwhyIamnotwherethepris’neris。ButthemanIstruktukitinfairfight,an’hehadthegoodsinsenottodie。
Considhernow,fwhatwudha’cometotheArrmyifhehad!Iwasenthreatedtoexchange,an’myCommandin’Orf’cerpledwidme。I
wint,nottobedisobligin’,an’Larrytouldmehewaspowerfulsorrytoloseme,thoughfwhatI’ddonetomakehimsorryIdonotknow。SototheOuldRig’mintIcame,lavin’Larrytogotothedivilhisownway,an’niverexpectin’toseehimagainexceptasashootin’-caseinbarricks……Who’sthatlavin’thecompound?"Terence’squickeyehadcaughtsightofawhiteuniformskulkingbehindhedge。
"TheSergeant’sgonevisiting,"saidavoice。
"ThinIcommandhere,an’Iwillhavenosneakin’awaytothebazar,an’huntin’foryouwidapathrolatmidnight。Nalson,forIknowut’syou,comebacktotheverandah。"
Nalson,detected,slunkbacktohisfellows。Therewasagrumblethatdiedawayinaminuteortwo,andTerence,turningontheotherside,wenton:-
"ThatwasthelastIsawavLarryforawhile。Exchangeisthesameasdeathfornotthinkin’,an’bytokenImarriedDinah,an’
thatkeptmefromremimberin’ouldtimes。ThinwewintuptotheFront,an’uttoremyheartintutolaveDinahattheDepotinPindi。ConsequintwhinwasattheFrontI
foughtcircumspectuoustillIwarrmedup,anthinIfoughtdoubletides。YouremimberfwhatItouldyouinthegyard-gateavthefightatSilver’sTheatre。"
"Wot’sthataboutSilver’sTheayter!"saidOrtherisquickly,overhisshoulder。
"Nothin’,littleman。Atalethatyeknow。AsIwassayin’,aftherthatfightusavtheOuldRig’mintan’theTyronewasallmixedtogethertakin’shtockaythedead,an’avcoorseIwintabouttofindiftherewasanymanthatremimberedme。ThesecondmanI
cameacrost-an’howI’dmissedhiminthefightIdonotknow-
wasLarry,an’afinemanhelooked,butoulder,bytokenthathehadacalltobe。’Larry,’sezI,’howisutwidyou?’
"’Ye’recallin’thewrongman,’hesez,widhisgentleman’ssmile;
’Larryhasbeendeadthesethreeyears。Theycallhim"Love-o’-
Women"now,’hesez。BythatIknewtheoulddivilwasinhimyet,buttheindavafightisnotimeforthebeginnin’avconfession,sowesatdownan’talkedavtimes。
"’Theytellmeyou’reamarriedman,’hesez,puffingslowathispoipe。’Areyehappy?’
"’IwillbewhinIgetbacktoDepot,’Isez。’’Tisareconnaissancehoneymoonnow。’
"’I’mmarriedtoo,’hesez,puffin’slowan’moreslow,an’
stopperin’widhisforefinger。
"’Sindyouhappiness,’Isez。’That’sthebesthearin’foralongtime。’
"’Areyeavthatopinion?’hesez;an’thinhebegantalkin’avthecampaign。ThesweatavSilver’sTheatrewasnotdhryuponhim,an’hewasprayin’formorework。Iwaswellcontinttolieandlistentothecook-potlids。
"Whinhegotupoffthegroundheshtaggeredalittle,an’lanedoveralltwisted。
"’Ye’vegotmorethanyebargainedfor,’Isez。’Takeaninventory,Larry。’Tislikeyou’rehurt。’
"Heturnedroundstiffasaramrodan’damnedtheeyesavmeupan’downforanimpartinentIrish-facedape。Ifthathadbeeninbarricks,I’dha’stretchedhiman’nomoresaid;but’twasattheFront,an’afthersuchafightasSilver’sTheatreIknewtherewasnocallin’amantoaccountforhistimpers。Hemightaswellha’kissedme。AftherwardsIwaswellpleasedIkeptmyfisteshome。ThenourCaptainCrook-Cruik-na-bul-leen-cameup。He’dbeentalkin’tothelittleorf’cerbhoyavtheTyrone。’We’reallcuttowindystraws,’hesez,’buttheTyronearedamnedshortfornoncoms。Goyouoverthere,Mulvaney,an’beDeputy-Sergeant,Corp’ral,Lance,an’everythingelseyecanlayhandsontillIbidyoustop。’
"’Iwintoveran’tukhould。Therewaswansergeantleftstandin’,an’they’dpaynoheedtohim。Theremnintwasme,an’’twashightimeIcame。SomeItalkedto,an’someIdidnot,butbeforenightthebhoysavtheTyronestudtoattention,begad,ifI
suckedonmypoipeaboveawhishper。Betuneyouan’mean’Bobs,I
wascommandin’thecompany,an’thatwaswhatCruikhadthransferredmefor,an’thelittleorf’cerbhoyknewut,andI
knewut,butthecomp’nydidnot。Andthere,markyou,isthevartuethatnomoneyan’nodhrillcanbuy-thevartueavtheouldsoldierthatknowshisorf’cer’sworkan’doesut-atthesalute!
"ThintheTyrone,widtheOuldRig’mintintouch,wassintmaraudin’andprowlin’acrostthehillspromishcuousan’
unsatisfactory。’Tismyprivitopinionthatagin’raldoesnotknowhalfhistimefwhattodowidthree-quarthershiscommand。Soheshquatsonhishunkersan’bidsthimrunroundan’roundforninsthimwhileheconsidhersonut。Whinbytheprocessavnaturetheygetsejucedintoabigfightthatwasnoneavtheirseekin’,hesez:’Obsarvemyshupariorjanius!Imeantuttocomeso。’Weranroundan’about,an’allwegotwasshootin’intothecampatnight,an’rushin’emptysungarswidthelongbradawl,an’
bein’hitfrombehindrockstillwewasworeout-allexceptLove-o’-Women。Thatpuppy-dogbusinesswasmatean’dhrinktohim。
Begad,hecudnivergetenoughavut。Mewellknowin’thatitisjustthisdesultorialcampaignin’thatkillsthebestmen,an’
suspicionin’thatifIwascutthelittleorf’cerbhoywudexpindallhismeninthryin’togetout,IwudliemostpowerfuldoggowhinIheardashot,an’curlmylonglegsbehindabowlder,an’
runlikeblazeswhinthegroundwasclear。Faith,ifIledtheTyroneinrethreatwanstIledthemfortytimes。Love-o’-Womenwudstaypottin’an’pottin’frombehindarock,andwaittillthefirewasheaviest,an’thinstandupan’fireman-heightclear。Hewudlieoutincamptooatnightsnipin’attheshadows,forhenivertukamouthfulavslape。Mycommandin’orf’cer-savehislittlesoul!-cudnotseethebeautyavofmystrategims,an’
whintheOuldRig’mintcrossedus,an’thatwaswanstaweek,he’dthrotofftoCruik,widhisbigblueeyesasroundassaucers,an’
layaninformationagainstme。Iheardthimwansttalkin’throughthetent-wall,an’Inearlylaughed。
"’Heruns-runslikeahare,’sezthelittleorf’cerbhoy。"Tisdemoralisin’mymen。’
"’Yedamnedlittlefool,’sezCruik,laughin’。’He’slarnin’youyourbusiness。Haveyebeenrushedatnightyet?’
"’No,’sezthechild,wishfulthathehadbeen。
"’Haveyouanywounded?’sezCruik。
"’No,’hesez。’Therewasnochanstforthat。TheyfollowMulvaneytooquick,’hesez。
"’Fwhatmoredoyouwant,thin?’sezCruik。’Terenceisbloodin’
youneatan’handy,’hesez。’Heknowsfwhatyoudonot,an’
that’sthatthere’satimeforivrything。He’llnotleadyouwrong,’hesez,’butI’dgiveamonth’spaytolarnfwhathethinksavyou。’
"Thatkeptthebabequiet,butLove-o’-Womenwaspokin’atmeforivrythingIdid,an’speciallymymanoeuvres。
"’Mr。Mulvaney,’hesezwanevenin’,verycontempshus,’you’regrowin’veryjeldywidyourfeet。Amonggentlemen,’hesez,’amonggentlementhat’scallednoprettyname。’
"’Amongprivits’tisdifferent,’Isez。’Getbacktoyourtent。
I’msergeanthere,’Isez。
"Therewasjustenoughinthevoiceavmetotellhimhewasplayin’widhislifebetunehisteeth。Hewintoff,an’Inoticedthatthismanthatwascontempshussetofffromthehaltwidashuntastho’hewasbein’kickedbehind。ThatsamenighttherewasaPaythanpicnicinthehillsabout,an’firin’intoourtentsfittowakethelivin’dead。’Liedownall,’Isez。’Liedownan’
kapestill。They’llnomorethanwasteammunition。’
"Iheardaman’sfeetontheground,an’thina’Tinijoinin’inthechorus。I’dbeenlyin’warm,thinkin’avDinahan’all,butI
crupoutwidthebuglefortolookroundincasetherewasarush,an’the’Tiniwasflashin’atthefore-indavthecamp,an’thehillnearbywasfairflickerin’widlong-rangefire。UndherthestarlightIbeheldLove-o’-Womensettin’onarockwidhisbeltandhelmetoff。Heshoutedwanstortwice,an’thinIheardhimsay:’Theyshouldha’gottherangelongago。Maybethey’llfireattheflash。’Thinhefiredagain,an’thatdhrewafreshvolley,andthelongslugsthattheychewintheirteethcamefloppin’
amongtherocksliketree-toadsavahotnight。’That’sbetter,’
sezLove-o’-Women。’OhLord,howlong,howlong!’hesez,an’atthathelitamatchan’heldutabovehishead。
"’Mad,’thinksI,’madasacoot,’an’Itukwanstipforward,an’thenixtIknewwasthesoleavmybootflappin’likeacavalrygydonan’the-funny-boneavmytoestinglin’。’Twasaclane-cutshot-aslug-thatnivertouchedsockorhide,butsetmebare-futontherocks。AtthatItukLove-o’-
Womenbythescruffan’threwhimunderabowlder,an’whinIsatdownIheardthebulletspatterin’onthatgoodstone。
"’Yemaydhrawyourownwickedfire,’Isez,shakin’him,’butI’mnotgoin’tobekilttoo。’
"Ye’vecometoosoon,’hesez。’Ye’vecometoosoon。Inanotherminutetheycudnotha’missedme。MotheravGod,’hesez,’fwhydidyenotlavemebe?Now’tisalltodoagain,’an’hehideshisfaceinhishands。
"’Sothat’sit,’Isez,shakin’himagain。’That’sthmanin’avyourdisobeyin’ordhers。’
"’Idarenotkillmeself,’hesez,rockin’toandfro。’Myownhandwudnotletmedie,andthere’snotabulletthismonthpastwudtouchme。I’mtodieslow,’hesez。’I’mtodieslow。ButI’minhellnow,’hesez,shriekin’likeawoman。’I’minhellnow!’
"’Godbegoodtousall,’Isez,forIsawhisface。’Willyetellamanthethrouble。If’tisnotmurder,maybewe’llmendityet。’
"Atthathelaughed。’D’youremimberfwhatIsaidintheTyronebarricksaboutcomin’toyouforghostlyconsolation。Ihavenotforgot,’hesez。’Thatcameback,an’therestavmytimeisonmenow,Terence。I’vefoughtutoffformonthsan’months,buttheliquorwillnotbiteanymore,Terence,’hesez。’Ican’tgetdhrunk。’
"ThinIknewhespokethetruthaboutbein’inhell,forwhinliquordoesnottakehould,thesowlavamanisrotteninhim。
Butmebein’suchasIwas,fwhatcouldIsaytohim?
"’Di’mondsan’pearls,’hebeginsagain。’Di’mondsandpearlsI
havethrownawaywidbothhands-an’fwhathaveIleft?Oh,fwhathaveIleft?’
"Hewasshakin’an’thremblin’upagainstmyshouldher,an’theslugswassingin’overhead,an’Iwaswonderin’whethermylittlebhoywudhavesinseenoughtokapehismenquietthroughallthisfirin’。
"’SolongasIdidnotthink,’sezLove-o’-Women,’solongIdidnotsee-Iwudnotsee-butIcannow,whatI’velost。Thetimean’theplace,’hesez,’an’theverywordsIsaidwhinutpleasedmetogooffalonetohell。Butthin,eventhin,’hesez,wrigglin’tremenjus,’Iwudnotha’beenhappy。Therewastoomuchbehindavme。HowcudIha’believedherswornoath-methathavebrukmineagainan’againforthesportavseein’thimcry。An’
therearetheothers,’hesez。’Oh,whatwillIdo-whatwillI
do’?’Herockedbackan’forwardagain,an’Ithinkhewascryin’
likewanavthewomenhedealtwid。
"ThefullhalfavfwhathesaidwasBrigadeOrdherstome,butfromtherestan’theremnintIsuspicionedsomethin’avhisthrouble。’TwasthejudgmintavGodhadgruptheheelavhim,asI
touldhim’twouldintheTyronebarricks。Theslugswassingin’
overourrockmorean’more,an’Isezfortodivarthim:’Letbadalone,’Isez。’They’llbethryin’torushthecampinaminut’。’
"IhadnomorethansaidthatwhinaPaythanmancrep’uponhisbellywidhisknifebetunehisteeth,nottwintyyardsfromus。
Love-o’-Womenjumpedupan’fetchedayell,an’themansawhiman’ranathim(he’dlefthisrifleundertherock)widtheknife。
Love-o’-Womenniverturnedahair,butbytheLivingPower,forI
sawut,astonetwistedunderthePaythanman’sfeetan’hecamedownfullsprawl,an’hisknifewinttinklin’acrosttherocks!’I
touldyouIwasCain,’sezLove-o’-Women。’’Fwhat’stheuseavkillin’him?He’sanhonestman-bycompare。’
"Iwasnotdishputin’aboutthemorilsavPaythansthattide,soI
dhroppedLove-o’-Women’sburtacrosttheman’sface,an’’Hurryintocamp,’Isez,’forthismaybethefirstavarush。’
"Therewasnorushaftherall,thoughwewaitedundherarmstogivethimachanst。ThePaythanmanmustha’comealoneforthemischief,an’aftherawhileLove-o’-Womenwintbacktohistintwidthatquarelurchin’sind-offinhiswalkthatIcudniverundherstand。Begad,Ipitiedhim,an’themorebekazehemademethinkfortherestavthenightavthedaywhinIwasconfirmedCorp’ril,notactin’Lef’tenant,an’mythoughtswasnotgood。
"Yecanundherstandthataftherthatnightwecametotalkin’adaletogether,an’bitbybitutcameoutfwhatI’dsuspicioned。
Thewholeavhiscarr’in’sonan’divilmintshadcomebackonhimhardasliquorcomesbackwhinyou’vebeenonthedhrinkforawake。Allhe’dsaidan’allhe’ddone,an’onlyhecudtellhowmuchthatwas,comeback,an’therewasniveraminut’speaceinhissowl。’TwastheHorrorswidoutanycausetosee,an’yet,an’
yet-fwhatamItalkin’av?He’dha’takentheHorrorswidthankfulness。Beyon’therepentinceavtheman,an’thatwasbeyon’thenaturavman-awful,awful,tobehould!-therewasmorethatwasworstthananyrepentince。Avthescoresan’scoresthathecalledoverinhismind(an’theyweredhrivin’himmad),therewas,markyou,wanwomanavall,an’shewasnothiswife,thatcuthimtothequickavhismarrow。’Twastherehesaidthathe’dthrownawaydi’mondsan’pearlspastcount,an’thinhe’dbeginagainlikeablindbyleinanoil-mill,walkin’roundan’
round,toconsidher(himthatwasbeyondalltouchavbeinghappythissidehell!)howhappyhewudha’beenwidher。Themoreheconsidhered,themorehe’dconsatehimselfthathe’dlostmightyhappiness,an’thinhewudworkutallbackwards,an’crythathenivercudha’beenhappyanyways。
"Timean’timean’againincamp,onp’rade,ay,an’inaction,I’veseenthatmanshuthiseyesan’duckhisheadasyouwudducktotheflickeravabay’nit。For’twasthinhetouldmethatthethoughtavallhe’dmissedcamean’studforninsthimlikered-hotirons。Forwhathe’ddonewidtheothershewassorry,buthedidnotcare;butthiswanwomanthatI’vetouldof,bytheHiltsavGodshemadehimpayforalltheotherstwiceover!NiverdidI
knowthatamancudenjuresuchtormintwidouthisheartcrackin’
inhisribs,an’Ihavebeen"-Terenceturnedthepipe-stemslowlybetweenhisteeth-"Ihavebeeninsomeblackcells。AllI
iversufferedtho’wasnottobetalkedofalongsideavhim……
an’whatcouldIdo?Paternosterswasnomorethanpeasforhissorrow。
"Evenshuallywefinishedourprom’nadeacrostthehills,andthankstomeforthesame,therewasnocasualtiesan’noglory。
Thecampaignwascomin’toanind,an’alltherig’mintswasbein’
drawntogetherfortobesintbackhome。Love-o’-Womenwasmightysorrybekazehehadnoworktodo,an’allhistimetothinkin。
I’veheardthatmantalkin’tohisbelt-platean’hisside-armswhilehewassoldierin’thim,alltoprevinthimselffromthinkin’,an’ivrytimehegotupaftherhehadbeensettin’downorwintonfromthehalt,he’dstartwidthatkickan’traversethatItouldyouof-hislegssprawlin’allwaystowanst。Hewudnivergoseethedocthor,tho’Itouldhimtobewise。He’dcursemeupan’downformyadvice;butIknewhewasnomoreamantobereckonedwidthanthelittlebhoywasacommandin’orf’cer,soIlethistonguerunifitaisedhim。
"Wanday-’twasonthewayback-Iwaswalkin’roundcampwidhim,an’hestoppedan’struckgroundwidhisrightfutthreeorfourtimesdoubtful。’Fwhatisut?’Isez。’Isthatground?’sezhe;an’whileIwasthinkin’hismindwasgoin’,upcomesthedocthor,who’dbeenanatomisin’adeadbullock。Love-o’-Womenstartstogoonquick,an’landsmeakickonthekneewhilehislegswasgettin’intomarchin’ordher。
"Houldonthere,’sezthedocthor;an’Love-o’-Women’sface,thatwaslinedlikeagridiron,turnsredasbrick。
"’Tention,’saysthedocthor;an’Love-o’-Womenstudso。’Nowshutyoureyes,’sezthedocthor。’No,yemustnothouldbyyourcomrade。’
"’Tisallup,’sezLove-o’-Women,tryingtosmile。’I’dfall,docthor,an’youknowut。’
"’Fall?’Isez。’Fallatattentionwidyoureyesshut!Fwhatdoyoumane?’
"Thedocthorknows,’hesez。’I’vehildupaslongasIcan,butbegadI’mglad’tisalldone。ButIwilldieslow,’hesez,’I
willdieveryslow。’
"Icudseebythedocthor’sfacethathewasmortialsorryfortheman,an’heordheredhimtohospital。Wewintbacktogether,an’I
wasdumbstruck;Love-o’-Womenwascripplin’andcrumblin’ativrystep。Hewalkedwidahandonmyshoulderallsluedsideways,an’
hisrightlegswingin’likealamecamel。Menotknowin’morethanthedeadfwhatailedhim,’twasjustasthoughthedocthor’swordhaddoneutall-asifLove-o’-Womenhadbutbeenwaitin’fortheordhertoletgo。
"Inhospitalhesezsomethin’tothedocthorthatIcouldnotcatch。
"’Holyshmoke!’sezthedocthor,’an’whoareyoutobegivin’
namestoyourdiseases?’Tisag’in’alltheregulations。’
"’I’llnotbeaprivitmuchlonger,’sezLove-o’-Womeninhisgentleman’svoice,an’thedocthorjumped。
"’Thratemeasastudy,DocthorLowndes,’hesez;an’thatwasthefirsttimeI’diverheardadocthorcalledhisname。
"’Good-bye,Terence,’sezLove-o’-Women。"TisadeadmanIamwidoutthepleasureavdyin’。You’llcomean’setwidmesometimesforthepeaceavmysoul。’
"NowIhadbeenmindedtoaskCruiktotakemebacktotheOuldRig’mint,forthefightin’wasover,an’IwasworeoutwidthewaysavthebhoysintheTyrone;butIshiftedmywill,an’hildon,an’winttosetwidLove-o’-Womeninthehospital。AsIhavesaid,Sorr,themanbrukalltolittlepiecesundhermyhand。Howlonghehadhildupan’forcedhimselffittomarchIcannottell,butinhospitalbuttwodayslaterhewassuchasIhardlyknew。I
shukhandswidhim,an’hisgripwasfairstrong,buthishandswintallwaystowanst,an’hecudnotbuttonhistunic。
"’I’lltakelongan’longtodieyet,’hesez,’forthewaysavsinthey’relikeinterestintherig’mintalsavin’s-bank-sure,butadamnedlongtimebein’paid。’
"Thedocthorseztomequietoneday,’HasTighethereanythin’onhismind?’hesez。’He’sburnin’himselfout。’
"’HowshudIknow,Sorr?’Isez,asinnocentasputty。
"TheycallhimLove-o’-WomenintheTyrone,dotheynot?’hesez。
’Iwasafooltoask。Bewidhimallyoucan。He’shouldin’ontoyourstrength。’
"’But(whatailshim,docthor,’Isez。
"’TheycallutLocomotusattacksus,’hesez,’bekaze,’sezhe,’utattacksuslikealocomotive,ifyeknowfwhatthatmanes。An’
utcomes,’sezhe,lookin’atme,’utcomesfrombein’calledLove-o’-Women。’
"’You’rejokin’,docthor,’Isez。
"’Jokin’!’sezhe。’Ifiveryoufeelthatyou’vegotafeltsoleinyourbootinsteadavaGovernmentbull’s-wool,cometome,’hesez,’an’I’llshowyouwhether’tisajoke。’
"Youwouldnotbelaveut,Sorr,butthatan’seein’Love-o’-Womenovertukwidoutwarnin’putthecowldfearavattacksusonmesostrongthatforaweekan’moreIwaskickin’mytoesagainststonesan’stumpsforthepleasureavfeelin’themhurt。
"An’Love-o’-Womenlayinthecot(hemighthavegonedownwidthewoundedbeforean’before,butheaskedtostaywidme),audfwhattherewasinhismindhadfullswingathimnightan’dayan’ivryhouravthedayan’thenight,an’hewitheredlikebeefrationsinahotsun,an’hiseyeswaslikeowls’eyes,an’hishandswasmut’nous。
"Theywasgettin’therig’mintsawaywanbywan,thecampaignbein’inded,butasushuiltheywasbehavin’asifniverarig’minthadbeenmovedbeforeinthemem’ryavman。Now,fwhyisthat,Sorr?There’sfightin’inan’outninemonthsavthetwelvesomewhereintheArmy。Therehasbeen-foryearsan’yearsan’
years,an’Iwudha’thoughtthey’dbegintogetthehangavprovidin’forthroops。Butno!Ivrytimeit’slikeagirls’schoolmeetin’abigredbullwhinthey’regoin’tochurch;an’’MotheravGod,’seztheCommissariatan’therailwaysan’theBarrick-
masters,’fwhatwillwedonow?’TheordherscametousavtheTyronean’theOuldRig’mintan’halfadozenmoretogodown,andtheretheordhersstoppeddumb。Wewintdown,bythespecialgraceavGod-downtheKhaiberanyways。Therewassickwidus,an’I’mthinkin’thatsomeavthemwasjoltedtodeathinthedoolies,buttheywasanxioustobekiltsoiftheycudgettoPeshawuralivethesooner。IwalkedbyLove-o’-Women-therewasnomarchin’,an’
Love-o’-Womenwasnotinastewtogeton。’IfI’donlyha’diedupthere!’sezhethroughthedoolie-curtains,an’thenhe’dtwistuphiseyesan’duckhisheadforthethoughtsthatcametohim。
"DinahwasinDepotatPindi,butIwintcircumspectuous,forwellIknew’tisjustattherump-indavallthingsthathisluckturnsonaman。BytokenIadseenadhriverofabattherygoin’byatatrotsingin’’Home,swatehome’atthetopavhisshout,andtakin’noheedohisbridle-hand-Ihadseenthatmandhropundertheguninthemiddleofaword,andcomeoutbythelimberlike-
likeafrogonapave-stone。No。Iwudnothurry,though,Godknows,myheartwasallinPindi。Love-o’-Womensawfwhatwasinmymind,an’’Goon,Terence,’hsez,’Iknowfwhat’swaitin’foryou。’’Iwillnot,’Isez。"Twillkapealittleyet。’
"YeknowtheturnofthepassforninstJumroodandtheninemileroadontheflattoPeshawur?AllPeshawurwasalongthatroaddayandnightwaitin’forfrinds-men,women,childer,andbands。
SomeavthethroopswascampedroundJumrood,an’somewentontoPeshawurtogetawaydowntotheircantonmints。Wecamethroughintheearlymornin’,havin’
beenawakethenightthrough,andwedhruvsheerintothemiddleavthemess。MotheravGlory,willIeverforgetthatcomin’back?
Thelightwasnotfairlifted,andthefurstweheardwas’For’tismydelightavashinynight,’frumabandthatthoughtwewasthesecondfourcomp’niesavtheLincolnshire。Atthatwewasforcedtosindthemayelltosaywhowewas,an’thinupwint’Thewearin’avtheGreen。’Itmademecrawlallupmybackbone,nothavin’takenmybrequist。Thin,rightsmashintoourrear,camefwhatwasleftavtheJockElliotts-widfourpipersan’nothalfakiltamongthim,playin’forthedearlife,an’swingin’
theirrumpslikebuckrabbits,an’anativerig’mintshriekingbluemurther。Yeniverheardthelike。Therewasmencryin’likewomenthatdid-an’faithIdonotblamethim。FwhatbrukmedownwastheLancers’Band-shinin’an’spicklikeangels,widtheoulddhrum-horseattheheadan’thesilverkettle-dhrumsan’allan’all,waitin’fortheirmenthatwasbehindus。TheyshtruckuptheCavalryCanter,an’,begad,thosepoorghoststhathadnotasoundfutinathrooptheyansweredtout,themenrockin’intheirsaddles。Wethriedtocheerthemastheywintby,bututcameoutlikeabiggruntin’cough,sotheremusthavebeenmanythatwasfeelin’likeme。Oh,butI’mforgettin’!TheFly-by-
Nightswaswaitin’fortheirsecondbattalion,an’whinutcameout,therewastheColonel’shorseledatthehead-saddle-empty。