Themenfairworshippedhim，an’he’ddiedatAuMusjidontheroaddown。Theywaitedtilltheremnintavthebattalionwasup，andthin-claneagainstordhers，forwhowantedthatchunethatday？-theywintbacktoPeshawurslow-timean’tearin’thebowilsoutavivrymanthatheard，wid’TheDeadMarch。’Rightacrossourlinetheywint，an’yeknowtheiruniformsareasblackastheSweeps，crawlin’pastlikethedead，an’theotherbandsdamnin’
　　themtoletbe。
　　"Littletheycared。Thecarpsewaswidthem，an’they’dha’takenutsothroughaCoronation。OurordherswastogointoPeshawur，an’wewinthot-futpasttheFly-by-Nights，notsingin’，tolavethatchunebehindus。Thatwashowwetuktheroadoftheothercorps。
　　"’Twasringin’inmyearsstillwhinIfeltinthebonesofmethatDinahwascomin’，an’Iheardashout，an’thinIsawahorsean’atattoolatherin’downtheroad，helltoshplit，underwomen。
　　Iknew-Iknew！WanwastheTyroneColonel’swife-ouldBeeker’slady-hergrayhairflyin’an’herfatroundcarkissrowlin’inthesaddle，an’theotherwasDinah，thatshudha’beenatPindi。
　　TheColonel’sladyshechargedattheheadavourcolumnlikeastonewall，an’sheallbutknockedBeekeroffhishorsethrowin’
　　herarmsroundhisneckan’blubberin’，’Mebhoy！Mebhoy！’an’
　　Dinahwheeledleftan’camedownourflank，an’Iletayellthathadsufferedinsideavmeformonths，and-Dinahcame。WillI
　　iverforgetthatwhileIlive！She’dcomeonpassfromPindi，an’
　　theColonel’sladyhadlintherthetattoo。They’dbeenhuggin’
　　an’cryin’ineachother’sarmsallthelongnight。
　　"Soshewalkedalongwidherhandinmine，askin’fortyquestionstowanst，an’beggin’meontheVirgintomakeoaththattherewasnotabulletconsaledinme，unbeknownstsomewhere，an’thinI
　　remimberedLove-o’-Women。Hewaswatchin’us，an’hisfacewaslikethefaceavadivilthathasbeencookedtoolong。IdidnotwishDinahtoseeut，forwhinawoman’srunnin’overwidhappinessshe’sliketobetouched，forharmaftherwards，bythelastelittlethinginlife。SoIdhrewthecurtain，an’Love-o’-
　　Womenlaybackandgroaned。
　　"WhinwemarchedintoPeshawur，Dinahwinttobarrackstowaitforme，an’mefeelin’sorichthattide，IwintontotakeLove-o’-
　　Womentohospital。ItwasthelastIcuddo，an’tosavehimthedustan’thesmotherIturnedthedoolie-mendownaroadwellclearavtherestavthethroops，anwewintalong，metalkin’
　　throughthecurtains。AvasuddenIheardhimsay：-
　　"’Letmelook。FortheMercyavHiven，letmelook！’Ihadbeensotukupwidgettin’himoutavthedustandthinkin’ofDinahthat1hadnotkeptmyeyesaboutme。Therewasawomanridin’alittlebehindavus，an’，talkin’utoverwidDinahaftherwards，thatsamewomanmustha’ridnotfarontheJumroodroad。Dinahsaidthatshehadbeenhoverin’likeakiteontheleftflankavthecolumn。
　　"Ihaltedthedoolietosetthecurtains，an’sherodebywalkin’-
　　pace，an’Love-o’-Women’seyeswintaftherherasifhewouldfairhaulherdownfromthesaddle。
　　"’Followthere，’wasallhesez，butIniverheardamanspakeinthatvoicebeforeorsince，an’Iknewbythosetwowanwordsan’
　　thelookinhisfacethatshewasDi’monds-an’-Pearlsthathe’dtalkedavinhisdisthresses。
　　"WefollowedtillsheturnedintothegateavalittlehousethatstudneartheEdwardes’sGate。Therewastwogirlsintheverandah，an’theyraninwhintheysawus。Faith，atlongeye-
　　rangeutdidnottakemeawinktoseefwhatkindavhouseutwas。
　　Thethroopsbein’therean’all，therewasthreeorfoursuch，butaftherwardsthepolisbadethemgo。AttheverandahLove-o’-Womensez，catchin’hisbreath，’Stophere，’an’thin，an’thin，widagruntthatmustha’toretheheartupfromhisstomach，heswunghimselfoutavthedoolie，an’mytrothhestuduponhisfeetwidthesweatpourin’downhisface。IfMackiewastowalkinherenowI’dbelesstukbackthanIwasthin。Wherehe’ddhrawnhispowerfrom，Godknowsorthedivil-but’twasadeadmanwalkin’inthesunwidthefaceavadeadmanandthebreathavadeadmanheldupbythePower，an’thelegsan’thearmsofthecarpseobeyin’ordhers！-
　　"Thewomanstudintheverandah。She’dbeenabeautytoo，thoughhereyeswassunkinherhead，an’shelookedLove-o’-Womenupan’
　　downterrible。’An’，’shesez，kickin’backthetailavherhabit，-’An’，’shesez，’fwhatareyoudoin’here，marriedman？’
　　"Love-o’-Womensaidnothin’，butalittlefrothcametohislips，an’hewipedutoffwidhishandan’lookedatheran’thepaintonher，an’looked，an’looked，an’looked。
　　"’An’yet，’shesez，widalaugh。（DidyouhearMrs。RaineslaughwhinMackiedied？Yedidnot？Wellforyou。）’An’yet，’shesez，’whobutyouhavebettherright，’sezshe。’Youtaughtmetheroad。Youshowedmetheway，’shesez。’Ay，look，’shesez，’for’tisyourwork；youthattouldme-d’youremimberit？-thatawomanwhowasfalsetowanmancudbefalsetotwo。Ihavebeenthat，’shesez，’thatan’more，foryoualwayssaidIwasaquicklearner，Ellis。Lookwell，’shesez，’foritismethatyoucalledyourwifeinthesightavGodlongsince！’An’shelaughed。
　　"Love-o’-Womenstudstillinthesunwidoutanswerin’。Thinhegroanedan’coughedtowanst，an’Ithought’twasthedeath-
　　rattle，buthenivertukhiseyesoffherfacenotforawink。Yecudha’puthereyelashesthroughthefliesavanE。P。tent，theyweresolong。
　　"’Fwhatdoyoudohere？’shesez，wordbyword，’thathavetakenawaymyjoyinmymanthisfiveyearsgone-thathavebrokenmyrestan’killedmybodyan’damnedmysoulforthesakeavseem’
　　how’twasdone？DidyourexpayrienceaftherwardsbringyouacrostanywomanthatgavemorethanIdid？WudInotha’diedforyouan’widyou，Ellis？Yeknowthat，man！Ifeveryourlyin’sowlsawtruthinutslifeyeknowthat。’
　　"An’Love-o’-Womenlifteduphisheadandsaid，’Iknew，’an’thatwasall。Whileshewasspakin’thePowerhildhimupparade-setinthe’sun，anthesweatdhroppedundherhishelmet。’Twasmorean’
　　morethroubleforhimtotalk，an’hismouthwasrunnin’
　　twistways。
　　"Fwhatdoyoudohere？’shesez，an’hervoicewhitup。’Twaslikebellstollin’before。’Timewaswhinyouwerequickenoughwidyourwords，-youthattalkedmedowntohell。Areyedumbnow？’
　　An’Love-o’-Womengothistongue，an’sezsimple，likealittlechild，’MayIcomein？’hesez。
　　"Thehouseisopendayan’night，’shesez，widalaugh；an’Love-
　　o’-Womenduckedhisheadan’hilduphishandastho’hewasgyardin’。ThePowerwasonhimstill-ithildhimupstill，for，bymysowl，asI’llneversaveut，hewalkeduptheverandahstepsthathadbeenalivin’corpseinhospitalforamonth！
　　"’An’now’？’shesez，lookin’athim；an’theredpaintstudloneonthewhiteavherfacelikeabull’s-eyeonatarget。
　　"Helifteduphiseyes，slowan’veryslow，an’helookedatherlongan’verylong，an’hetukhisspachebetunehisteethwidawrenchthatshukhim。
　　"’I’mdyin’，Aigypt-dyin’，’hesez；ay，thosewerehiswords，forIremimberthenamehecalledher。Hewasturnin’thedeath-
　　colour，buthiseyesniverrowled。Theywereset-setonher。
　　Widoutwordorwarnin’sheopenedherarmsfullstretch，an’
　　’Here！’shesez。（Oh，fwhatagoldenmericleavavoiceutwas！）
　　’Diehere，’shesez；an’Love-o’-Womendhroppedforward，an’shehildhimup，forshewasafinebigwoman。
　　"Ihadnotimetoturn，bekazethatminutIheardthesowlquithim-toreoutinthedeath-rattle-an’shelaidhimbackinalongchair，an’sheseztome，’Misthersoldier，’shesez，’willyenotgoinan’talktowanavthegirls。Thissun’stoomuchforhim。’
　　"WellIknewtherewasnosunhe’diversee，butIcudnotspake，soIwintawaywidtheemptydoolietofindthedocthor。He’dbeenbreakfastin’an’lunchin’eversincewe’dcomein，an’hewasasfullasatick。
　　"Faithye’vegotdhrunkmightysoon，’hesez，whinI’dtouldhim，’toseethatmanwalk。Barrin’apuffortwoavlife，hewasacorpsebeforeweleftJumrood。I’veagreatmind，’hesez，’toconfineyou。’
　　"There’sadaleavliquorrunnin’about，docthor，’Isez，solemnasahard-boiledegg。’Maybe’tisso，butwillyenotcomean’seethecorpseatthehouse？’
　　"Tisdishgraceful，’hesez，’thatIwouldbeexpectedtogotoaplacelikethat。Wassheaprettywoman？’’hesez，an’atthathesetoffdoublequick。
　　"IcudseethatthetwowasintheverandahwereI’dleftthem，an’Iknewbythehangavherheadan’thenoiseavthecrowsfwhathadhappened。’TwasthefirstandthelasttimethatI’deverknownwomantousethepistol。Theydreadtheshotasarule，butDi’monds-an’-Pearlsshedidnot-shedidnot。
　　"Thedocthortouchedthelongblackhairavherhead（’twasalllooseuponLove-o’-Women’schest），an’thatclearedtheliquoroutavhim。Hestudconsidherin’alongtime，hishandsinhispockets，an’atlastheseztome，’Here’sadoubledeathfromnaturilcauses，mostnaturilcauses；an’inthepresintstateavaffairstherig’mintwillbethankfulforwangravethelesstodig。Issiwasti，’hesez，’Issiwasti，PrivitMulvaney，thesetwowillbeburiedtogetherintheCivilCemet’ryatmyexpinse，an’
　　maythegoodGod，’hesez，’makeitSOmuchformewhinmytimecomes。Gotoyourwife，’hesez；’goan’behappy。I’llseetothisall。’
　　"Ilefthimstillconsidherin’。TheywasburiedintheCivilCemet’rytogether，widaChurchofEnglandservice。Therewastoomanyburyin’sthintoaskquestions，an’thedocthor-heranawaywidMajor-MajorVanDyce’sladythatyear-hesawtoutall。
　　Fwhattherightan’thewrongavLove-o’-Womenan’Di’monds-an’-
　　PearlswasIniverknew，an’Iwillniverknow；butI’vetouldutasIcameacrostut-herean’thereinlittlepieces。So，beingfwhatIam，an’knowin’fwhatIknow，that’sfwhyIsayinthisshootin’-casehere，Mackiethat’sdeadan’inhellistheluckyman。Therearetimes，Sorr，whin’tisbettherforthemantodiethantolive，an’byconsequincefortymilliontimesbettherforthewoman。"
　　"H’upthere！"saidOrtheris。"It’stimetogo。"Thewitnessesandguardformedupinthethickwhitedustoftheparchedtwilightandswungoff，marchingeasyandwhistling。DowntheroadtothegreenbythechurchIcouldhearOrtheris，theblackBook-liestilluncleansedonhislips，setting，withafinesenseofthefitnessofthings，theshrillquick-stepthatruns-
　　"Oh，donotdespisetheadviceofthewise，Learnwisdomfromthosethatareolder，Anddon’ttryforthingsthatareoutofyourreach-
　　An’that’swhattheGirltoldtheSoldierSoldier！Soldier！
　　Oh，that’swhattheGirltoldtheSoldier！"
　　THEBIGDRUNKDRAF’
　　We’regoin’’ome，we’regoin’’ome-
　　Ourshipisattheshore，An’youmus’packyour’aversack，Forwewon’tcomebacknomore。
　　Ho，don’tyougrieveforme，MylovelyMaryAnn，ForI’llmarryyouyetonafourp’nybit，Asatime-expiredma-a-anBarrackRoomBallad。
　　ANawfulthinghashappened！Myfriend，PrivateMulvaney，whowenthomeintheSerapis，time-expired，notverylongago，hascomebacktoIndiaasacivilian！ItwasallDinahShadd’sfault。Shecouldnotstandthepokylittlelodgings，andshemissedherservantAbdullahmorethanwordscouldtell。ThefactwasthattheMulvaneyshadbeenoutheretoolong，andhadlosttouchofEngland。
　　MulvaneyknewacontractorononeofthenewCentralIndialines，andwrotetohimforsomesortofwork。ThecontractorsaidthatifMulvaneycouldpaythepassagehewouldgivehimcommandofagangofcooliesforoldsake’ssake。Thepaywaseighty-fiverupeesamonth，andDinahShaddsaidthatifTerencedidnotacceptshewouldmakehislifea"bastedpurgathory。"ThereforetheMulvaneyscameoutas"civilians，"whichwasagreatandterriblefall；thoughMulvaneytriedtodisguiseitbysayingthathewas"Ker’nelontherailwayline，an’aconsequinshalman。"
　　Hewrotemeaninvitation，onatool-indentform，tovisithim；
　　andIcamedowntothefunnylittle"construction"bungalowatthesideoftheline。DinahShaddhadplantedpeasaboutandabout，andnaturehadspreadallmannerofgreenstuffroundtheplace。
　　TherewasnochangeinMulvaneyexceptthechangeofclothing，whichwasdeplorable，butcouldnotbehelped。Hewasstandinguponhistrolly，haranguingagangman，andhisshoulderswereaswelldrilledandhisbig，thickchinwasasclean-shavenasever。
　　"I’maciviliannow，"saidMulvaney。"CudyoutellthatIwasiveramartialman’？Don’tanswer，Sorr，avyou’restrainin’betuneacomplimintan’alie。There’snohouldin’DinahShaddnowshe’sgotahouseavherown。Goinside，an’dhrinktayoutavchinyinthedrrrrawin’-room，an’thinwe’lldhrinklikeChristiansundherthetreehere。Scutt，yenaygur-folk！There’saSahibcometocallonme，an’that’smorethanhe’lliverdoforyouonlessyourun！
　　Getout，an’goonpilin’uptheearth，quick，tillsundown。"
　　Whenwethreewerecomfortablysettledunderthebigsishaminfrontofthebungalow，andthefirstrushofquestionsandanswersaboutPrivatesOrtherisandLearoydandoldtimesandplaceshaddiedaway，Mulvaneysaid，reflectively-"Glorybe，there’snop’radeto-morrow，an’nobun-headedCorp’ril-bhoytogiveyouhislip。An’yitIdon’tknow。’Tisharrdtobesomethingyeniverwerean’nivermeanttobe，an’alltheoulddaysshutupalongwidyourpapers。Eyah！I’mgrowin’rusty，an’’tisthewillavGodthatamanmustn’tservehisQuanefortimean’all。"
　　Hehelpedhimselftoafreshpeg，andsighedfuriously。
　　"Letyourbeardgrow，Mulvaney，"saidI，"andthenyouwon’tbetroubledwiththosenotions。You’llbearealcivilian。"
　　DinahShaddhadtoldmeinthedrawing-roomofherdesiretocoaxMulvaneyintolettinghisbeardgrow。"’Twassocivilian-like，"
　　saidpoorDinah，whohatedherhusband’shankeringforhisoldlife。
　　"DinahShadd，you’readishgracetoanhonust，clane-scrapedman！
　　"saidMulvaney，withoutreplyingtome。"Growabeardonyourownchin，darlint，andlavemyrazorsalone。They’reallthatstandbetunemeanddis-ris-pect-ability。AvIdidn’tshave，Iwudbetormintedwidanoutrajisthurrst；forthere’snothin’sodhryin’
　　tothethroatasabigbilly-goatbeardwaggin’undherthechin。
　　Yewudn’thavemedhrinkalways，DinahShadd’？Bythesametoken，you’rekapin’mecrooldhrynow。Letmelookatthatwhiskey。"
　　Thewhiskeywaslentandreturned，butDinahShadd，whohadbeenjustaseagerasherhusbandinaskingafteroldfriends，rentmewith-
　　"Itakeshameforyou，Sorr，comingdownherethoughtheSaintsknowyou’reaswelkimasthedaylightwhinyoudocome-an’
　　upsettin’Terence’sheadwidyournonsenseabout-aboutfwhat’smuchbettherforgotten。Hebein’aciviliannow，an’youniverwasaughtelse。CanyounotlettheArrmyrest？’TisnotgoodforTerence。"
　　ItookrefugebyMulvaney，forDinahShaddhasatemperofherown。
　　"Letbe-letbe，"saidMulvaney。"’TisonlywanstinawayIcantalkabouttheoulddays。"Thentome-"YesayDhrumshticksiswell，an’hisladytu’？IniverknewhowIlikedthegraygarrontillIwasshutavhiman’Asia。"-"Dhrumshticks"wasthenicknameoftheColonelcommandingMulvaney’soldregiment-"
　　Willyoubeseein’himagain？Youwill。Thintellhim"-
　　Mulvaney’seyesbegantotwinkle-"tellhimwidPrivit-"-
　　"Mister，Terence，"interruptedDinahShadd。"NowtheDivilan’allhisangilsan’theFirmamentavHivenflyawaywidthe’Mister，’
　　an’thesinavmakin’meswearbeonyourconfession，DinahShadd！
　　Privit，Itellye。WidPrivitMulvaney’sbestobedience，thatbutformethelasttime-expiredwudbestillpullin’hairontheirwaytothesea。"
　　Hethrewhimselfbackinthechair，chuckled，andwassilent。
　　"Mrs。Mulvaney，"Isaid，"pleasetakeupthewhiskey，anddon’tlethimhaveituntilhehastoldthestory。"
　　DinahShadddexterouslywhippedthebottleaway，sayingatthesametime，"’Tisnothingtobeproudav，"andthuscapturedbytheenemy，Mulvaneyspake：-
　　"’TwasonChusedayweek。Iwasbehaderin’roundwidthegangsonthe’bankmint-I’vetaughtthehoppershowtokapestepan’stopscreechin’-whinahead-gangmancomesuptome，widabouttwoinchesavshirt-tailhangingroundhisneckan’adisthressfullightinhisoi。’Sahib，’sezhe，’there’sareg’mintan’ahalfavsoldiersupatthejunction，knockin’redcindersoutavivrythingan’ivrybody！Theythriedtohangmeinmycloth，’hesez，’an’therewillbemurdheran’ruinan’rapeintheplacebeforenightfall！Theysaythey’recomin’downheretowakeusup。
　　Whatwillwedowidourwomen-folk？’
　　"’Fetchmythrolly！’sezI；’myheart’ssickinmyribsforawinkatanythingwidtheQuane’suniformonut。Fetchmythrolly，an’
　　sixavthejildiestmen，andrunmeupinshtyle。’"
　　"Hetukhisbestcoat，"saidDinahShadd，reproachfully。
　　"’TwastodohonourtotheWiddy。Icudha’donenoless，DinahShadd。Youandyourdigresshinsinterferewidthecoorseavthenarrative。HaveyouiverconsidheredfwhatIwudlooklikewidmeheadshavedaswellasmechin？Youbearthatinyourmind，Dinahdarlin’。
　　"Iwasthrolliedupsixmiles，alltogetashquintatthatdraf’。
　　Iknew’twasaspringdraf’goin’home，forthere’snorig’minthereabouts，more’sthepity。"
　　"PraisetheVirgin！"murmuredDinahShadd。ButMulvaneydidnothear。
　　"WhinIwasaboutthree-quartersavamileofftherest-camp，powtherin’alongfittoburrst，Iheardthenoiseavthemen，an’，onmysowl，Sorr，IcudcatchthevoiceavPegBarneybellowin’
　　likeabisonwidthebelly-ache。YouremimberPegBarneythatwasinDComp’ny-ared，hairyscraun，widascaronhisjaw？PegBarneythatclearedouttheBlueLights’Jubileemeetin’widthecook-roommoplastyear？
　　"ThinIknewutwasadraf’avtheOuldRig’mint，an’Iwasconshumedwidsorrowforthebhoythatwasincharge。Wewasharrdscrapin’satanytime。DidIivertellyouhowHorkerKelleywintintoclinknakidasPhoebusApollonius，widtheshirtsavtheCorp’rilan’fileundherhisarrum？An’bewasamoildman！ButI’mdigresshin’。’Tisashamebothtotherig’mintsandtheArrmysendin’downlittleorf’cerbhoyswidadraf’avstrongmenmadwidliquoran’thechanstavgettin’shutavIndia，an’niverapunishmentthat’sfittobegivenrightdownan’awayfromcantonmintstothedock！’Tisthisnonsinse。WhinIamservin’mytime，I’mundhertheArticlesavWar，an’canbewhippedonthepegforthim。ButwhinI’veservedmytime，I’maReserveman，an’
　　theArticlesavWarhaven’tanyhouldonme。Anorf’cercan’tdoanythin’toatime-expiredsavin’confinin’himtobarricks。’Tisawiserig’lation，bekazeatime-expireddoesnothaveanybarricks；bein’onthemoveallthetime。’TisaSolomonavarig’lation，isthat。Iwudliketobeinthroducedtothemanthatmadeut。’TiseasiertogetcoltsfromaKibbereenhorse-fairintoGalwaythantotakeabaddraf’overtenmilesavcounthry。
　　Consiquintlythatrig’lation-forfearthatthemenwudbehurtbythelittleorf’cerbhoy。Nomatther。Thenearermythrollycametotherest-camp，thewoilderwastheshine，an’thelouderwasthevoiceofPegBarney。"TisgoodIamhere，’thinksItomysilf，’forPegaloneisemploymintfortwoorthree。’Hebein’，Iwellknew，ascoppedasadhrover。
　　"Faith，thatrest-campwasasight！Thetent-ropeswasallskew-
　　nosed，an’thepegslookedasdhrunkasthemen-fiftyavthim-
　　thescourin’s，an’rinsin’s，an’Divil’slavin’savtheOuldRig’mint。Itellyou，Sorr，theyweredhrunkerthananymenyou’veeverseeninyourmortiallife。Howdoesadraf’getdhrunk？Howdoesafroggetfat？Theysukutinthroughtheirshkins。
　　"TherewasPegBarneysittin’onthegroun’inhisshirt-wanshoeoffan’wanshoeon-whackin’atent-pegovertheheadwidhisboot，an’singin’fittowakethedead。’Twasnoclanesongthathesung，though。’TwastheDivil’sMass。"
　　"What’sthat？"Iasked。
　　"WhinabadeggisshutavtheArmy，hesingstheDivil’sMassforagoodriddance；an’thatmanesswearin’ativrythingfromtheCommandher-in-ChiefdowntotheRoom-Corp’ril，suchasyouniverinyourdaysheard。Somemencanswearsoastomakegreenturfcrack！HaveyouiverheardtheCurseinanOrangeLodge？TheDivil’sMassistentimesworse，an’PegBarneywassingin’ut，whackin’thetent-pegontheheadwidhisbootforeachmanthathecursed。ApowerfulbigvoicehadPegBarney，an’ahardswearerhewaswhinsober。Istoodforninsthim，an’’twasnotmeoialonethatcudtellPegwasdhrunkasacoot。
　　354
　　"Goodmornin’，Peg，’Isez，whinhedhrewbreathaftherdursin’
　　theAdj’tint-Gen’ral；’I’veputonmybestcoattoseeyou，PegBarney，’sezI。
　　"ThintakeUtoffagain，’sezPegBarney，latherin’awaywidtheboot；’takeutoffan’dance，yelousycivilian！’
　　"Widthathebeginscursin’ouldDhrumshticks，beingsofullhedanedisrernimberstheBrigade-Majoran’theJudge-Advokit-
　　Gen’ral。
　　"Doyounotknowme，Peg？’sezI，thoughmebloodwashotinmewidbeingcalledacivilian。"
　　"An’himadecentmarriedman！"wailedDinahShadd。
　　Idonot，’sezPeg，’butdhrunkorsoberI’lltearthehideoffyourbackwidashovelwhinI’vestoppedsingin’。’
　　"’Sayyouso，PegBarney？’sezI。"Tisclearasmudyou’veforgottenme。I’llassistyourautobiography。’WidthatI
　　stretchedPegBarney，bootan’all，an’wintintothecamp。Anawfulsightutwas！
　　"’Where’stheorf’cerinchargeavthedetachment？’sezItoScrubGreene-themanestlittlewormthateverwalked。
　　"’There’snoorf’cer，yeouldcook，’sezScrub；’we’reabloomin’
　　Republic。’
　　"’Areyouthat？’sezI；’thinI’mO’ConnelltheDictator，an’bythisyouwilllarntokapeaciviltongueinyourrag-box。’
　　"WidthatIstretchedScrubGreenean’winttotheorf’cer’stent。
　　’Twasanewlittlebhoy-notwanI’diverseenbefore。Hewassittin’inhistent，purtendin’notto’aveearavtheracket。
　　"Isaluted-butforthelifeavmeIminttoshakehandswhinI
　　wentin。’Twastheswordhangin’onthetent-polechangedmywill。
　　"’Can’tIhelp，Sorr？’sezI；’’tisastrongman’sjobthey’vegivenyou，an’you’llbewantin’helpbysundown。’Hewasabhoywidbowils，thatchild，an’aralegintleman。
　　"’Sitdown，’sezhe。
　　"’Notbeforemyorf’cer，’sezI；an’Itouldhimfwhatmyservicewas。
　　"’I’veheardavyou，’sezhe。’YoutukthetownavLungtungpennakid。’
　　"’Faith，’thinksI，’that’sHonouran’Glory’；for’twasLift’nintBrazenosedidthatjob。’I’mwidye，Sorr，’sezI，’ifI’mavuse。
　　Theyshudniverha’sentyoudownwidthedraf’。Savin’yourpresince，Sorr，’Isez，’’tisonlyLift’nintHackerstonintheOuldRig’mintcanmanageaHomedraf’。’
　　"’I’veniverhadchargeofmenlikethisbefore，’sezhe，playin’
　　widthepensonthetable；’an’IseebytheRig’lations-’
　　"’ShutyouroitotheRig’lations，Sorr，’Isez，’tillthethrooper’sintobluewather。BytheRig’lationsyou’vegottotuckthimupforthenight，orthey’llberunnin’foulavmycooliesan’makin’ashiverariumhalfthroughthecounthry。Canyoutrustyournoncoms，Sorr？’
　　"’Yes，’sezhe。
　　"’Good，’sezI；’there’llbethroublebeforethenight。Areyoumarchin’，Sorr？’
　　"’Tothenextstation，’sezhe。
　　"’Bettherstill，’sezI；’there’llbebigthrouble。’
　　"’Can’tbetoohardonaHomedraf，’sezhe；’thegreatthingistogetthimin-ship。’
　　"’Faith，you’velarntthehalfavyourlesson，Sorr，’sezI，’butavyoushticktotheRig’lationsyou’llnivergetthiminshipatall，atall。Ortherewon’tbearagavkitbetunethimwhinyoudo。’
　　"’Twasadearlittleorf’cerbhoy，an’bywayavkapin’hisheartup，ItouldhimfwhatIsawwanstinadrafinEgypt。"
　　"Whatwasthat，Mulvaney？"saidI。
　　"Sivinan’fiftymensittin’onthebankavacanal，laughin’atapoorlittlesquidgereenavanorf’certhatthey’dmadewadeintotheslushan’pitchthingsoutavtheboatsfortheirLordHighMightinesses。Thatmademeorf’cerbhoywoildwidindignation。
　　"’Softan’aisy，Sorr，’sezI；’you’veniverhadyourdraf’inhanndsinceyouleftcantonmintsWaittillthenight，an’yourworkwillbereadytoyou。Widyourpermission，Sorr，Iwillinvestigatethecamp，an’talktomeouldfrinds。’Tisnomanneravusethryin’toshtopthedivilmintnow。’
　　"WidthatIwintoutintothecampan’inthrojucedmysilftoivrymansoberenoughtoremimberme。Iwassomewanintheoulddays，an’thebhoyswasgladtoseeme-allexciptPegBarneywidaeyelikeatomatafivedaysinthebazar，an’anosetomatch。Theycomeroundmean’shukme，an’ItouldthimIwasinprivitemploywidanincomeavmeown，an’adrrrawin’-roomfittobatetheQuane’s；an’widmeliesan’meshtoriesan’nonsinsegin’rally，I
　　kept’emquietinwanwayan’another，knockin’roun’thecamp。
　　’TwasbadeventhinwhinIwastheAngilavPeace。
　　"Italkedtomeouldnon-coms-theywassober-an’betunemean’
　　thimweworethedraf’overintotheirtentsatthepropertime。
　　Thelittleorf’cerbhoyheconiesround，dacintan’civil-spokenasmightbe。
　　"’Roughquarthers，men，’sezhe，’butyoucan’tlooktobeascomfortableasinbarricks。Wemustmakethebestavthings。I’veshutmyeyestoadaleavdog’sthricksto-day，an’nowtheremustbenomoreavut。’
　　"Nomorewewill。Comean’haveadhrink，meson，’sezPegBarney，staggerin’wherehestud。Melittleorf’cerbhoykep’histimper。
　　"’You’reasulkyswine，youare，’sezPegBarney，an’atthatthemeninthetentbegantolaugh。
　　"Itouldyoumeorf’cerbhoyhadbowils。HecutPegBarneyasnearasmightbeontheoithatI’dsqushedwhinwefirstmet。Pegwintspinnin’acrostthetent。
　　"Peghimout，Sorr，’sezI，inawhishper。
　　"Peghimout！’sezmeorf’cerbhoy，uploud，justasif’twasbattalionp’radean’hepickin’hiswurrdsfromtheSargint。
　　"Thenon-comstukPegBarney-ahowlin’handfulhewas-an’inthreeminut’shewaspeggedout-chindown，tight-dhrawn-onhisstummick，atent-pegtoeacharman’leg，swearin’fittoturnanaygurwhite。
　　"Itukapegan’’jammedutintohisuglyjaw-’Biteonthat，PegBarney，’Isez；’thenightissettin’frosty，an’you’llbewantin’divarsionbeforethemornin’。ButfortheRig’lationsyou’dbebitin’onabulletnowatthethriangles，PegBarney，’
　　sezI。
　　"Allthedraf’wasoutavtheirtentswatchin’Barneybein’
　　pegged。
　　"’’TisagintheRig’lations！Hestrookhim！’screechesoutScrubGreene，whowasalwaysalawyer；an’someofthementukuptheshoutin’。
　　"’Pegoutthatman！’sezmeorf’cerbhoy，niverlosin’histimper；
　　an’thenon-comswintinandpeggedoutScrubGreenebythesideavPegBarney。
　　"Icudseethatthedraf’wascomin’roun’。Themenstudnotknowin’fwhattodo。
　　"’Gettoyourtents！’sezmeorf’cerbhoy。’Sargint，putasinthryoverthesetwomen。’
　　"Themenwintbackintothetentslikejackals，an’therestavthenighttherewasnonoiseatallexciptthestipavthesinthryoverthetwo，an’ScrubGreeneblubberin’likeachild。’Twasachillynight，an’faith，utsoberedPegBarney。
　　"JustbeforeRevelly，meorf’cerbhoycomesoutan’sez：’Loosethosemenan’sendthimtotheirtents！’ScrubGreenewintawaywidoutaword，butPegBarney，stiffwidthecowld，studlikeasheep，thryin’tomakehisorf’cerundherstandhewassorryforplayin’thegoat。
　　"Therewasnotuckerinthedraf’whinutfellinforthemarch，an’divilawurrdabout’illegality’cudIhear。
　　"IwinttotheouldColour-SargintandIsez：-’Letmedieinglory，’sezI。’I’veseenamanthisday！’
　　"’Amanheis，’sezouldHother；’thedraf’sassickasaherrin’。
　　They’llallgodowntothesealikelambs。ThatbhoyhasthebowilsavacantonmintavGin’rals。’
　　"’Amin，’sezI，’an’goodluckgowidhim，wheriverhebe，bylandorbysea。Letmeknowhowthedraf’getsclear。’
　　"An’doyouknowhowtheydid？Thatbhoy，soIwastouldbyletterfromBombay，bully-damned’emdowntothedock，tilltheycudn’tcalltheirsowlstheirown。Fromthetimetheyleftmeoitilltheywas’tweendecks，notwanavthimwasmorethandacintlydhrunk。An’bytheHolyArticlesavWar，whintheywintaboordtheycheeredhimtilltheycudn’tspake，an’that，markyou，hasnotcomeaboutwidadraf’inthemlm’ryavlivin’man！Youlooktothatlittleorf’cerbhoy。Hehasbowils。’TisnotivrychildthatwudchucktheRig’lationstoFlandersan’stretchPegBarneyonawinkfromabrokinan’dilapidatedouldcarkisslikemysilf。
　　I’dbeproudtoserve-"
　　"Terence，you’reacivilian，"saidDinahShaddwarningly。
　　"SoIam-soIam。IsutlikelyIwudforgetut？Buthewasagran’bhoyallthesame，an’I’monlyamudtipperwidahodonmeshoulthers。Thewhiskey’sintheheelavyourhand，Sorr。Widyourgoodlavewe’lldhrinktotheOuldRig’mint-threefingers-
　　standin’up！"
　　Andwedrank。
　　THEMUTINEYOFTHEMAVERICKS
　　Sec。7（1）-CausingorConspiringwithotherpersonstocauseamutinyorseditioninforcesbelongingtoHerMajesty’sRegularforces，Reserveforces，Auxiliaryforces，orNavy。
　　WhenthreeobscuregentlemeninSanFranciscoarguedoninsufficientpremisestheycondemnedafellow-creaturetoamostunpleasantdeathinafarcountrywhichhadnothingwhatevertodowiththeUnitedStates。Theyforegatheredatthetopofatenement-houseinTehamaStreet，anunsavouryquarterofthecity，and，therecallingforcertaindrinks，theyconspiredbecausetheywereconspiratorsbytrade，officiallyknownastheThirdThreeoftheI。A。A-aninstitutionforthepropagationofpurelight，nottobeconfoundedwithanyothers，thoughitisaffiliatedtomany。TheSecondThreeliveinMontreal，andworkamongthepoorthere；theFirstThreehavetheirhomeinNewYork，notfarfromCastleGarden，andwriteregularlyonceaweektoasmallhousenearoneofthebighotelsatBoulogne。Whathappensafterthat，aparticularsectionofScotlandYardknowstoowellandlaughsat。
　　Aconspiratordetestsridicule。MoremenhavebeenstabbedwithLucreziaBorgiadaggersanddroppedintotheThamesforlaughingatHeadCentresandTrianglesthanforbetrayingsecrets；forthisishumannature。
　　TheThirdThreeconspiredoverwhiskeycocktailsandacleansheetofnote-paperagainsttheBritishEmpireandallthatlaytherein。
　　Thisworkisverylikewhatmenwithoutdiscernmentcallpoliticsbeforeageneralelection。Youpickoutanddiscuss，inthecompanyofcongenialfriends，alltheweakpointsinyouropponents’organisation，andunconsciouslydwelluponandexaggeratealltheirmishaps，tillitseemstoyouamiraclethatthehatedpartyholdstogetherforanhour。
　　"Ourprincipleisnotsomuchactivedemonstration-thatweleavetoothers-aspassiveembarrassment，toweakenandunnerve，"saidthefirstman。"Whereveranorganisationiscrippled，whereverconfusionisthrownintoanybranchofanydepartment，wegainastepforthosewhotakeonthework；wearebuttheforerunners。"
　　HewasaGermanenthusiast，andeditorofanewspaper，fromwhoseleadingarticleshequotedfrequently。
　　"ThatcursedEmpiremakessomanyblundersofherownthatunlesswedoubledtheyear’saverageIguessitwouldn’tstrikeheranythingspecialhadoccurred，"saidthesecondman。"Areyoupreparedtosaythatallourresourcesareequaltoblowingoffthemuzzleofahundred-tongunorspikingaten-thousand-tonshiponaplainrockincleardaylight？Theycanbeatusatourowngame。Betterjoinhandswiththepracticalbranches；we’reinfundsnow。Tryadirectscareinacrowdedstreet。Theyvaluetheirgreasyhides。"Hewasthedraguponthewheel，andanAmericanisedIrishmanofthesecondgeneration，despisinghisownraceandhatingtheother。Hehadlearnedcaution。
　　Thethirdmandrankhiscocktailandspokenoword。Hewasthestrategist，butunfortunatelyhisknowledgeoflifewaslimited。
　　Hepickedaletterfromhisbreast-pocketandthrewitacrossthetable。ThatepistletotheheathencontainedsomeveryconcisedirectionsfromtheFirstThreeinNewYork。
　　Itsaid-
　　"Theboominblackironhasalreadyaffectedtheeasternmarkets，whereouragentshavebeenforcingdowntheEnglish-heldstockamongthesmallerbuyerswhowatchtheturnofshares。Anyimmediateoperations，suchaswesternbears，wouldincreasetheirwillingnesstounload。This，however，cannotbeexpectedtilltheyseeclearlythatforeigniron-mastersarewillingtoco-operate。Mulcahyshouldbedispatchedtofeelthepulseofthemarket，andactaccordingly。Mavericksareatpresentthebestforourpurpose-P。D。Q。"
　　AsamessagereferringtoanironcrisisinPennsylvania，itwasinteresting，ifnotlucid。AsanewdepartureinorganizedattackonanoutlyingEnglishdependency，itwasmorethaninteresting。
　　Thesecondmanreaditthroughandmurmured-"
　　Already？Surelytheyareintoogreatahurry。AllthatDhulipSinghcoulddoinIndiahehasdone，downtothedistributionofhisphotographsamongthepeasantry。Ho！Ho！TheParisfirmarrangedthat，andhehasnosubstantialmoneybackingfromtheOtherPower。EvenouragentsinIndiaknowhehasn’t。Whatistheuseofourorganisationwastingmenonworkthatisalreadydone？
　　OfcoursetheIrishregimentsinIndiaarehalfmutinousastheystand。"
　　Thisshowshownearaliemaycometothetruth。AnIrishregiment，forjustsolongasitstandsstill，isgenerallyahardhandfultocontrol，beingrecklessandrough。When，however，itismovedinthedirectionofmusketry-firing，itbecomesstrangelyandunpatrioticallycontentwithitslot。IthasevenbeenheardtocheertheQueenwithenthusiasmontheseoccasions。
　　Butthenotionoftamperingwiththearmywas，fromthepointofviewofTehamaStreet，analtogethersoundone。ThereisnoshadowofstabilityinthepolicyofanEnglishGovernment，andthemostsacredoathsofEnglandwould，evenifengrossedonvellum，findveryfewbuyersamongcoloniesanddependenciesthathavesufferedfromvainbeliefs。ButthereremainstoEnglandalwaysherarmy。
　　Thatcannotchangeexceptinthematterofuniformandequipment。
　　TheofficersmaywritetothepapersdemandingtheheadsoftheHorseGuardsindefaultofcleanerredressforgrievances；themenmaybreaklooseacrossacountrytownandseriouslystartlethepublicans；butneitherofficersnormenhaveitintheircompositiontomutinyafterthecontinentalmanner。TheEnglishpeople，whentheytroubletothinkaboutthearmyatall，are，andwithjustice，absolutelyassuredthatitisabsolutelytrustworthy。ImagineforamomenttheiremotionsonrealisingthatsuchandsucharegimentwasinopenrevoltfromcausesdirectlyduetoEngland’smanagementofIreland。TheywouldprobablysendtheregimenttothepollsforthwithandexaminetheirownconsciencesastotheirdutytoErin；buttheywouldneverbeeasyanymore。Anditwasthisvague，unhappymistrustthattheI。A。
　　A。werelabouringtoproduce。
　　"Sheerwasteofbreath，"saidthesecondmanafterapauseinthecouncil。"Idon’tseetheuseoftamperingwiththeirfool-army，butithasbeentriedbeforeandwemusttryitagain。Itlookswellinthereports。Ifwesendonemanfromhereyoumaybetyourlifethatothermenaregoingtoo。OrderupMulcahy。"
　　Theyorderedhimup-aslim，slight，dark-hairedyoungman，devouredwiththatblindrancoroushatredofEnglandthatonlyreachesitsfullgrowthacrosstheAtlantic。Hehadsuckeditfromhismother’sbreastinthelittlecabinatthebackofthenorthernavenuesofNewYork；hehadbeentaughthisrightsandhiswrongs，inGermanandIrish，onthecanalfrontsofChicago；
　　andSanFranciscoheldmenwhotoldhimstrangeandawfulthingsofthegreatblindpowerovertheseas。Once，whenbusinesstookhimacrosstheAtlantic，hehadservedinanEnglishregiment，andbeinginsubordinatehadsufferedextremely。HedrewallhisideasofEnglandthatwerenotbredbythecheaperpatrioticprintsfromoneiron-fistedcolonelandanunbendingadjutant。
　　Hewouldgototheminesifneedbetoteachhisgospel。Andhewent，ashisinstructionsadvised，p。d。q-whichmeans"withspeed"-tointroduceembarrassmentintoanIrishregiment，"alreadyhalf-mutinous，quarteredamongSikhpeasantry，allwearingminiaturesofHisHighnessDhulipSingh，MaharajaofthePunjab，nexttheirhearts，andalleagerlyexpectinghisarrival。"
　　Otherinformationequallyvaluablewasgivenhimbyhismasters。
　　Hewastobecautious，butnevertogrudgeexpenseinwinningtheheartsofthemenintheregiment。HismotherinNewYorkwouldsupplyfunds，andhewastowritetoheronceamonth。LifeispleasantforamanwhohasamotherinNewYorktosendhimtwohundredpoundsayearoverandabovehisregimentalpay。
　　Inprocessoftime，thankstohisintimateknowledgeofdrillandmusketryexercise，theexcellentMulcahy，wearingthecorporal’sstripe，wentoutinatroopshipandjoinedHerMajesty’sRoyalLoyalMusketeers，commonlyknownasthe"Mavericks，"becausetheyweremasterlessandunbrandedcattle-sonsofsmallfarmersinCountyClare，shoelessvagabondsofKerry，herdersofBallyvegan，muchwanted"moonlighters"fromthebarerainyheadlandsofthesouthcoast，officeredbyO’Mores，Bradys，Hills，Kilreas，andthelike。Nevertooutwardseemingwastheremorepromisingmaterialtoworkon。TheFirstThreehadchosentheirregimentwell。ItfearednothingthatmovedortalkedsavethecolonelandtheregimentalRomanCatholicchaplain，thefatFatherDennis，whoheldthekeysofheavenandhell，andblaredlikeanangrybullwhenhedesiredtobeconvincing。Himalsoitlovedbecauseonoccasionsofstresshewasusedtotuckuphiscassockandchargewiththerestintothemerriestofthefray，wherehealwaysfound，goodman，thatthesaintssenthimarevolverwhentherewasafallenprivatetobeprotected，or-butthiscameasanafterthoughthisowngrayheadtobeguarded。