Atlast，andjustbeforethedawn，agreenrocketshotupfromthefarsideofthevalleyofBersund，attheheadofthegorge，toshowthattheGoorkhaswereinposition。Aredlightfromtheinfantryatleftandrightansweredit，andthecavalryburntawhiteflare。Afghansinwinterarelatesleepers，anditwasnottillfulldaythattheGullaKuttaMullah’smenbegantostragglefromtheirhuts，rubbingtheireyes。Theysawmeningreen，andred，andbrownuniforms，leaningontheirarms，neatlyarrangedallroundthecraterofthevillageofBersund，inacordonthatnotevenawolfcouldhavebroken。Theyrubbedtheireyesthemorewhenapink-facedyoungman，whowasnotevenintheArmy，butrepresentedthePoliticalDepartment，trippeddownthehillsidewithtwoorderlies，rappedatthedooroftheGullaKuttaMullah’shouse，andtoldhimquietlytostepoutandbetiedupforsafetransport。Thatsameyoungmanpassedonthroughthehuts，tappinghereonecateranandthereanotherlightlywithhiscane；andaseachwaspointedout，sohewastiedup，staringhopelesslyatthecrownedheightsaroundwheretheEnglishsoldierslookeddownwithincuriouseyes。OnlytheMullahtriedtocarryitoffwithcursesandhighwords，tillasoldierwhowastyinghishandssaid：-
　　"Noneo’yourlip！Whydidn’tyoucomeoutwhenyouwasordered，insteado’keepingusawakeallnight？You’renobetterthanmyownbarrack-sweeper，youwhite-’eadedoldpolyanthus！Kimup！"
　　HalfanhourlaterthetroopshadgoneawaywiththeMullahandhisthirteenfriends。Thedazedvillagerswerelookingruefullyatapileofbrokenmusketsandsnappedswords，andwonderinghowintheworldtheyhadcomesotomiscalculatetheforbearanceoftheIndianGovernment。
　　Itwasaveryneatlittleaffair，neatlycarriedout，andthemenconcernedwereunofficiallythankedfortheirservices。
　　Yetitseemstomethatmuchcreditisalsoduetoanotherregimentwhosenamedidnotappearinbrigadeorders，andwhoseveryexistenceisindangerofbeingforgotten。
　　THEDRUMSOFTHEFOREANDAFT
　　IntheArmyListtheystillstandas"TheForeandFitPrincessHohenzollern-Sigmaringen-Anspach’sMerther-TydfilshireOwnRoyalLoyalLightInfantry，RegimentalDistrict329A，"buttheArmythroughallitsbarracksandcanteensknowsthemnowasthe"ForeandAft。"Theymayintimedosomethingthatshallmaketheirnewtitlehonourable，butatpresenttheyarebitterlyashamed，andthemanwhocallsthem"ForeandAft"doessoattheriskoftheheadwhichisonhisshoulders。
　　TwowordsbreathedintothestablesofacertainCavalryRegimentwillbringthemenoutintothestreetswithbeltsandmopsandbadlanguage；butawhisperof"ForeandAft"willbringoutthisregimentwithrifles。
　　Theironeexcuseisthattheycameagainanddidtheirbesttofinishthejobinstyle。Butforatimealltheirworldknowsthattheywereopenlybeaten，whipped，dumb-cowed，shakingandafraid。
　　Themenknowit；theirofficersknowit；theHorseGuardsknowit，andwhenthenextwarcomestheenemywillknowitalso。TherearetwoorthreeregimentsoftheLinethathaveablackmarkagainsttheirnameswhichtheywillthenwipeout；anditwillbeexcessivelyinconvenientforthetroopsuponwhomtheydotheirwiping。
　　ThecourageoftheBritishsoldierisofficiallysupposedtobeaboveproof，and，asageneralrule，itisso。Theexceptionsaredecentlyshovelledoutofsight，onlytobereferredtointhefreshestofunguardedtalkthatoccasionallyswampsaMess-tableatmidnight。Thenonehearsstrangeandhorriblestoriesofmennotfollowingtheirofficers，ofordersbeinggivenbythosewhohadnorighttogivethem，andofdisgracethat，butforthestandingluckoftheBritishArmy，mighthaveendedinbrilliantdisaster。Theseareunpleasantstoriestolistento，andtheMessestellthemundertheirbreath，sittingbythebigwoodfires，andtheyoungofficerbowshisheadandthinkstohimself，pleaseGod，hismenshallneverbehaveunhandily。
　　TheBritishsoldierisnotaltogethertobeblamedforoccasionallapses；butthisverdictheshouldnotknow。AmoderatelyintelligentGeneralwillwastesixmonthsinmasteringthecraftoftheparticularwarthathemaybewaging；aColonelmayutterlymisunderstandthecapacityofhisregimentforthreemonthsafterithastakenthefield，andevenaCompanyCommandermayerrandbedeceivedastothetemperandtemperamentofhisownhandful：
　　whereforethesoldier，andthesoldierofto-daymoreparticularly，shouldnotbeblamedforfa1lingback。Heshouldbeshotorhangedafterwards-toencouragetheothers；butheshouldnotbevilifiedinnewspapers，forthatiswantoftactandwasteofspace。
　　Hehas，letussay，beenintheserviceoftheEmpressfor，perhaps，fouryears。Hewillleaveinanothertwoyears。Hehasnoinheritedmorals，andfouryearsarenotsufficienttodrivetoughnessintohisfibre，ortoteachhimhowholyathingishisRegiment。Hewantstodrink，hewantstoenjoyhimself-inIndiahewantstosavemoney-andhedoesnotintheleastlikegettinghurt。Hehasreceivedjustsufficienteducationtomakehimunderstandhalfthepurportoftheordershereceives，andtospeculateonthenatureofclean，incised，andshatteringwounds。
　　Thus，ifheistoldtodeployunderfirepreparatorytoanattack，heknowsthatherunsaverygreatriskofbeingkilledwhileheisdeploying，andsuspectsthatheisbeingthrownawaytogaintenminutes’time。Hemayeitherdeploywithdesperateswiftness，orhemayshuffle，orbunch，orbreak，accordingtothedisciplineunderwhichhehaslainforfouryears。
　　Armedwithimperfectknowledge，cursedwiththerudimentsofanimagination，hamperedbytheintenseselfishnessofthelowerclasses，andunsupportedbyanyregimentalassociations，thisyoungmanissuddenlyintroducedtoanenemywhoineasternlandsisalwaysugly，generallytallandhairy，andfrequentlynoisy。Ifhelookstotherightandtheleftandseesoldsoldiers-menoftwelveyears’service，who，heknows，knowwhattheyareabout-takingacharge，rush，ordemonstrationwithoutembarrassment，heisconsoledandapplieshisshouldertothebuttofhisriflewithastoutheart。Hispeaceisthegreaterifhehearsasenior，whohastaughthimhissoldieringandbrokenhisheadonoccasion，whispering："They’llshoutandcarryonlikethisforfiveminutes。Thenthey’llrushin，andthenwe’vegot’embytheshorthairs！"
　　But，ontheotherhand，ifheseesonlymenofhisowntermofservice，turningwhiteandplayingwiththeirtriggersandsaying：
　　"WhattheHell’supnow？"whiletheCompanyCommandersaresweatingintotheirsword-hiltsandshouting："Frontrank，fixbayonets。Steadythere-steady！Sightforthreehundred-no，forfive！Liedown，all！Steady！Frontrankkneel！"andsoforth，hebecomesunhappy，andgrowsacutelymiserablewhenhehearsacomradeturnoverwiththerattleoffire-ironsfallingintothefender，andthegruntofapole-axedox。Ifhecanbemovedaboutalittleandallowedtowatchtheeffectofhisownfireontheenemyhefeelsmerrier，andmaybethenworkeduptotheblindpassionoffighting，whichis，contrarytogeneralbelief，controlledbyachillyDevilandshakesmenlikeague。Ifheisnotmovedabout，andbeginstofeelcoldatthepitofthestomach，andinthatcrisisisbadlymauledandhearsordersthatwerenevergiven，hewillbreak，andhewillbreakbadly，andofallthingsunderthelightoftheSunthereisnothingmoreterriblethanabrokenBritishregiment。Whentheworstcomestotheworstandthepanicisreallyepidemic，themenmustbee’enletgo，andtheCompanyCommandershadbetterescapetotheenemyandstaythereforsafety’ssake。Iftheycanbemadetocomeagaintheyarenotpleasantmentomeet；becausetheywillnotbreaktwice。
　　Aboutthirtyyearsfromthisdate，whenwehavesucceededinhalf-
　　educatingeverythingthatwearstrousers，ourArmywillbeabeautifullyunreliablemachine。Itwillknowtoomuchanditwilldotoolittle。Laterstill，whenallmenareatthementalleveloftheofficerofto-day，itwillsweeptheearth。Speakingroughly，youmustemployeitherblackguardsorgentlemen，or，bestofall，blackguardscommandedbygentlemen，todobutcher’sworkwithefficiencyanddespatch。Theidealsoldiershould，ofcourse，thinkforhimself-the"Pocket-book"saysso。Unfortunately，toattainthisvirtue，hehastopassthroughthephaseofthinkingofhimself，andthatismisdirectedgenius。Ablackguardmaybeslowtothinkforhimself，butheisgenuinelyanxioustokill，andalittlepunishmentteacheshimhowtoguardhisownskinandperforateanother’s。ApowerfullyprayerfulHighlandRegiment，officeredbyrankPresbyterians，is，perhaps，onedegreemoreterribleinactionthanahard-bittenthousandofirresponsibleIrishruffiansledbymostimproperyoungunbelievers。Butthesethingsprovetherule-whichisthatthemidwaymenarenottobetrustedalone。Theyhaveideasaboutthevalueoflifeandanupbringingthathasnottaughtthemtogoonandtakethechances。
　　Theyarecarefullyunprovidedwithabackingofcomradeswhohavebeenshotover，anduntilthatbackingisre-introduced，asagreatmanyRegimentalCommandersintenditshallbe，theyaremoreliabletodisgracethemselvesthanthesizeoftheEmpireorthedignityoftheArmyallows。Theirofficersareasgoodasgoodcanbe，becausetheirtrainingbeginsearly，andGodhasarrangedthataclean-runyouthoftheBritishmiddleclassesshall，inthematterofbackbone，brains，andbowels，surpassallotheryouths。
　　Forthisreasonachildofeighteenwillstandup，doingnothing，withatinswordinhishandandjoyinhisheartuntilheisdropped。Ifhedies，hedieslikeagentleman。Ifhelives，hewritesHomethathehasbeen"potted，""sniped，""chipped，"or"cutover，"andsitsdowntobesiegeGovernmentforawound-
　　gratuityuntilthenextlittlewarbreaksout，whenheperjureshimselfbeforeaMedicalBoard，blarneyshisColonel，burnsincenseroundhisAdjutant，andisallowedtogototheFrontoncemore。
　　WhichhomilybringsmedirectlytoabraceofthemostfinishedlittlefiendsthateverbangeddrumortootledfifeintheBandofaBritishRegiment。Theyendedtheirsinfulcareerbyopenandflagrantmutinyandwereshotforit。TheirnameswereJakinandLew-PiggyLewandtheywerebold，baddrummer-boys，bothofthemfrequentlybirchedbytheDrum-MajoroftheForeandAft-
　　Jakinwasastuntedchildoffourteen，andLewwasaboutthesameage。Whennotlookedafter，theysmokedanddrank。TheysworehabituallyafterthemanneroftheBarrack-room，whichiscoldswearingandcomesfrombetweenclenchedteeth，andtheyfoughtreligiouslyonceaweek。JakinhadsprungfromsomeLondongutter，andmayormaynothavepassedthroughDr。Barnardo’shandserehearrivedatthedignityofdrummer-boy。LewcouldremembernothingexcepttheRegimentandthedelightoflisteningtotheBandfromhisearliestyears。Hehidsomewhereinhisgrimylittlesoulagenuineloveformusic，andwasmostmistakenlyfurnishedwiththeheadofacherub：insomuchthatbeautifulladieswhowatchedtheRegimentinchurchwerewonttospeakofhimasa"darling。"Theyneverheardhisvitrioliccommentsontheirmannersandmorals，ashewalkedbacktobarrackswiththeBandandmaturedfreshcausesofoffenceagainstJakin。
　　Theotherdrummer-boyshatedbothladsonaccountoftheirillogicalconduct。JakinmightbepoundingLew，orLewmightberubbingJakin’sheadinthedirt，butanyattemptataggressiononthepartofanoutsiderwasmetbythecombinedforcesofLewandJakin；andtheconsequenceswerepainful。TheboysweretheIshmaelsofthecorps，butwealthyIshmaels，fortheysoldbattlesinalternateweeksforthesportofthebarrackswhentheywerenotpittedagainstotherboys；andthusamassedmoney。
　　Onthisparticulardaytherewasdissensioninthecamp。Theyhadjustbeenconvictedafreshofsmoking，whichisbadforlittleboyswhouseplug-tobacco，andLew’scontentionwasthatJakinhad"stunkso’orridbadfromkeepin’thepipeinpocket，"thatheandhealonewasresponsibleforthebirchingtheywerebothtinglingunder。
　　"ItellyouI’idthepipebacko’barracks，"saidJakinpacifically。
　　"You’reabloomin’liar，"saidLewwithoutheat。
　　"You’reabloomin’littlebarstard，"saidJakin，strongintheknowledgethathisownancestrywasunknown。
　　Nowthereisonewordintheextendedvocabularyofbarrack-roomabusethatcannotpasswithoutcomment。Youmaycallamanathiefandrisknothing。Youmayevencallhimacowardwithoutfindingmorethanabootwhizpastyourear，butyoumustnotcallamanabastardunlessyouarepreparedtoproveitonhisfrontteeth。
　　"Youmightha’kep’thattillIwasn’tsosore，"saidLewsorrowfully，dodgingroundJakin’sguard。
　　"I’llmakeyousorer，"saidJakingenially，andgothomeonLew’salabasterforehead。Allwouldhavegonewellandthisstory，asthebookssay，wouldneverhavebeenwritten，hadnothisevilfatepromptedtheBazar-Sergeant’sson，along，employlessmanoffive-and-twenty，toputinanappearanceafterthefirstround。Hewaseternallyinneedofmoney，andknewthattheboyshadsilver。
　　"Fightingagain，"saidhe。"I’llreportyoutomyfather，andhe’llreportyoutotheColour-Sergeant。"
　　"What’sthattoyou？"saidJakinwithanunpleasantdilationofthenostrils。
　　"Oh！nothingtome。You’llgetintotrouble，andyou’vebeenuptoooftentoaffordthat。"
　　"WhattheHelldoyouknowaboutwhatwe’vedone？"askedLewtheSeraph。"Youaren’tintheArmy，youlousy，cadgingcivilian。"
　　Heclosedinontheman’sleftflank。
　　"Jes’’causeyoufindtwogentlemensettlin’theirdiff’renceswiththeirfistesyoustickinyouruglynosewhereyouaren’twanted。Run’ometoyour’arf-casteslutofaMa-orwe’llgiveyouwhat-for，"saidJakin。
　　Themanattemptedreprisalsbyknockingtheboys’headstogether。
　　TheschemewouldhavesucceededhadnotJakinpunchedhimvehementlyinthestomach，orhadLewrefrainedfromkickinghisshins。Theyfoughttogether，bleedingandbreathless，forhalfanhour，and，afterheavypunishment，triumphantlypulleddowntheiropponentasterrierspulldownajackal。
　　"Now，"gaspedJakin，"I’llgiveyouwhat-for。"Heproceededtopoundtheman’sfeatureswhileLewstampedontheoutlyingportionsofhisanatomy。Chivalryisnotastrongpointinthecompositionoftheaveragedrummer-boy。Hefights，asdohisbetters，tomakehismark。
　　Ghastlywastheruinthatescaped，andawfulwasthewrathoftheBazar-Sergeant。AwfultoowasthesceneinOrderly-roomwhenthetworeprobatesappearedtoanswerthechargeofhalf-murderinga"civilian。"TheBazar-Sergeantthirstedforacriminalaction，andhissonlied。Theboysstoodtoattentionwhiletheblackcloudsofevidenceaccumulated。
　　"YoulittledevilsaremoretroublethantherestoftheRegimentputtogether，"saidtheColonelangrily。"Onemightaswelladmonishthistledown，andIcan’twellputyouincellsorunderstoppages。Youmustbebirchedagain。"
　　"Begy’pardon，Sir。Can’twesaynothin’inourowndefence，Sir？"shrilledJakin。
　　"Hey！What？Areyougoingtoarguewithme？"saidtheColonel。
　　"No，Sir，"saidLew。"Butifamancometoyou，Sir，andsaidhewasgoingtoreportyou，Sir，for’avingabitofaturn-upwithafriend，Sir，an’wantedtogetmoneyouto’you，Sir-"
　　TheOrderly-roomexplodedinaroaroflaughter。"Well？"saidtheColonel。
　　"Thatwaswhatthatmeaslyjarnwartheredid，Sir，and’e’d’a’
　　doneit，Sir，ifwe’adn’tprevented’im。Wedidn’t’it’immuch，Sir。’E’adn’tnomannero’righttointerferewithus，Sir。I
　　don’tmindbein’birchedbytheDrum-Major，Sir，noryetreportedbyanyCorp’ral，butI’m-butIdon’tthinkit’sfair，Sir，foraciviliantocomean’talkoveramanintheArmy。"
　　AsecondshoutoflaughtershooktheOrderly-room，buttheColonelwasgrave。
　　"Whatsortofcharactershavetheseboys？"heaskedoftheRegimentalSergeant-Major。
　　"Accordin’totheBandmaster，Sir，"returnedthatreveredofficial-theonlysoulintheRegimentwhomtheboysfeared-"theydoeverythingbutlie，Sir。"
　　"Isitlikewe’dgoforthatmanforfun，Sir？"saidLew，pointingtotheplaintiff。
　　"Oh，admonished-admonished！"saidtheColoneltestily，andwhentheboyshadgonehereadtheBazar-Sergeant’ssonalectureonthesinofunprofitablemeddling，andgaveordersthattheBandmastershouldkeeptheDrumsinbetterdiscipline。
　　"Ifeitherofyoucometopracticeagainwithsomuchasascratchonyourtwouglylittlefaces，"thunderedtheBandmaster，"I’lltelltheDrum-Majortotaketheskinoffyourbacks。Understandthat，youyoungdevils。"
　　ThenherepentedofhisspeechforjustthelengthoftimethatLew，lookinglikeaseraphinredworstedembellishments，tooktheplaceofoneofthetrumpets-inhospital-andrenderedtheechoofabattle-piece。Lewcertainlywasamusician，andhadofteninhismoreexaltedmomentsexpressedayearningtomastereveryinstrumentoftheBand。
　　"There’snothingtopreventyourbecomingaBandmaster，Lew，"saidtheBandmaster，whohadcomposedwaltzesofhisown，andworkeddayandnightintheinterestsoftheBand。
　　"Whatdidhesay？"demandedJakinafterpractice。
　　"SaidImightbeabloomin’Bandmaster，an’beaskedinto’aveaglasso’sherrywineonMess-nights。"
　　"Ho！’Saidyoumightbeabloomin’noncombatant，did’e！That’sjustaboutwot’ewouldsay。WhenI’veputinmyboy’sserviceit’sabloomin’shamethatdoesn’tcountforpension-I’lltakeonasaprivit。ThenI’llbeaLanceinayear-knowin’whatI
　　knowabouttheinsan’outso’things。InthreeyearsI’llbeabloomin’Sergeant。Iwon’tmarrythen，notI！I’ll’oldonandlearntheorf’cers’waysan’applyforexchangeintoareg’mentthatdoesn’tknowallaboutme。ThenI’llbeabloomin’orf’cer。
　　ThenI’llaskyouto’aveaglasso’sherrywine，MisterLew，an’
　　you’llbloomin’well’avetostayinthehanty-roomwhiletheMess-Sergeantbringsittoyourdirty’ands。"-
　　"S’poseI’mgoingtobeaBandmaster？NotI，quite。I’llbeaorf’certoo。There’snothin’liketakin’toathingan’stickin’
　　toit，theSchoolmastersays。TheReg’mentdon’tgo’omeforanothersevenyears。I’llbeaLancethenornearto。"
　　Thustheboysdiscussedtheirfutures，andconductedthemselvespiouslyforaweek。Thatistosay，LewstartedaflirtationwiththeColour-Sergeant’sdaughter，agedthirteen-"not，"asheexplainedtoJakin，"withanyintentiono’matrimony，butbywayo’keepin’my’andin。"Andtheblack-hairedCrisDelighanenjoyedthatflirtationmorethanpreviousones，andtheotherdrummer-boysragedfuriouslytogether，andJakinpreachedsermonsonthedangersofbein’tangledalongo’petticoats。"
　　ButneitherlovenorvirtuewouldhaveheldLewlonginthepathsofproprietyhadnottherumourgoneabroadthattheRegimentwastobesentonactiveservice，totakepartinawarwhich，forthesakeofbrevity，wewillcall"TheWaroftheLostTribes。"
　　ThebarrackshadtherumouralmostbeforetheMess-room，andofalltheninehundredmeninbarracks，nottenhadseenashotfiredinanger。TheColonelhad，twentyyearsago，assistedataFrontierexpedition；oneoftheMajorshadseenserviceattheCape；aconfirmeddeserterinECompanyhadhelpedtoclearstreetsinIreland；butthatwasall。TheRegimenthadbeenputbyformanyyears。Theoverwhelmingmassofitsrankandfilehadfromthreetofouryears’service；thenon-commissionedofficerswereunderthirtyyearsold；andmenandsergeantsalikehadforgottentospeakofthestorieswritteninbriefupontheColours-theNewColoursthathadbeenformallyblessedbyanArchbishopinEnglanderetheRegimentcameaway。TheywantedtogototheFront-theywereenthusiasticallyanxioustogo-buttheyhadnoknowledgeofwhatwarmeant，andtherewasnonetotellthem。Theywereaneducatedregiment，thepercentageofschool-certificatesintheirrankswashigh，andmostofthemencoulddomorethanreadandwrite。Theyhadbeenrecruitedinloyalobservanceoftheterritorialidea；buttheythemselveshadnonotionofthatidea。Theyweremadeupofdraftsfromanover-
　　populatedmanufacturingdistrict。Thesystemhadputfleshandmuscleupontheirsmallbones，butitcouldnotputheartintothesonsofthosewhoforgenerationshaddoneovermuchworkforoverscantypay，hadsweatedindrying-rooms，stoopedoverlooms，coughedamongwhite-lead，andshiveredonlime-barges。ThemenhadfoundfoodandrestintheArmy，andnowtheyweregoingtofight"niggers"-peoplewhoranawayifyoushookastickatthem。
　　Whereforetheycheeredlustilywhentherumourran，andtheshrewd，clerklynon-commissionedofficersspeculatedonthechancesofbattaandofsavingtheirpay。AtHeadquartersmensaid："TheForeandFithaveneverbeenunderfirewithinthelastgeneration。Letus，therefore，breakthemineasilybysettingthemtoguardlinesofcommunication。"AndthiswouldhavebeendonebutforthefactthatBritishRegimentswerewanted-badlywanted-attheFront，andthereweredoubtfulNativeRegimentsthatcouldfilltheminorduties。"Brigade’emwithtwostrongRegiments，"saidHeadquarters。"Theymaybeknockedaboutabit，butthey’lllearntheirbusinessbeforetheycomethrough。Nothinglikeanight-alarmandalittlecutting-upofstragglerstomakeaRegimentsmartinthefield。Waittillthey’vehadhalfadozensentries’throatscut。"
　　TheColonelwrotewithdelightthatthetemperofhismenwasexcellent，thattheRegimentwasallthatcouldbewished，andassoundasabell。TheMajorssmiledwithasoberjoy，andthesubalternswaltzedinpairsdowntheMess-roomafterdinner，andnearlyshotthemselvesatrevolver-practice。ButtherewasconsternationintheheartsofJakinandLew。WhatwastobedonewiththeDrums？WouldtheBandgototheFront？HowmanyoftheDrumswouldaccompanytheRegiment？
　　Theytookcounseltogether，sittinginatreeandsmoking。
　　"It’smorethanabloomin’toss-upthey’llleaveusbe’indattheDepotwiththewomen。You’lllikethat，"saidJakinsarcastically。
　　"Causeo’Cris，y’mean？Wot’sawoman，ora’olebloomin’depoto’women，’longsideo’thechanstoffield-service？YouknowI’maskeenongoin’asyou，"saidLew。
　　"WishIwasabloomin’bugler，"saidJakinsadly。"They’lltakeTomKiddalong，thatIcanplasterawallwith，an’likeasnottheywon’ttakeus。"
　　"Thenlet’sgoan’makeTomKiddsobloomin’sick’ecan’tbuglenomore。You’old’is’andsan’I’llkickhim，"saidLew，wrigglingonthebranch。
　　"Thatain’tnogoodneither。Weain’tthesorto’characterstopresoomonourrep’tations-they’rebad。IftheyhavetheBandattheDepotwedon’tgo，andnoerrorthere。IftheytaketheBandwemaygetcastformedicalunfitness。Areyoumedicalfit，Piggy？"saidJakin，diggingLewintheribswithforce。
　　"Yus，"saidLewwithanoath。"TheDoctorsaysyour’eart’sweakthroughsmokin’onanemptystummick。Throwachestan’I’lltryyer。"
　　Jakinthrewouthischest，whichLewsmotewithallhismight。
　　Jakinturnedverypale，gasped，crowed，screweduphiseyes，andsaid-"That’sallright。"
　　"You’lldo，"saidLew。"I’ve’eardo’mendyingwhenyou’it’emfaironthebreastbone。"
　　"Don’tbringusnonearergoin’，though，"saidJakin。"Doyouknowwherewe’reordered？"
　　"Gawdknows，an’’Ewon’tsplitonapal。SomewheresuptotheFronttokillPaythans-hairybigbeggarsthatturnyouinsideoutiftheyget’oldo’you。Theysaytheirwomenaregood-
　　looking，too。"
　　"Anyloot？"askedtheabandonedJakin。
　　"Notabloomin’anna，theysay，unlessyoudigupthegroundan’
　　seewhattheniggers’ave’id。They’reapoorlot。"Jakinstooduprightonthebranchandgazedacrosstheplain。
　　"Lew，"saidhe，"there’stheColonelcoming。’Colonel’sagoodoldbeggar。Let’sgoan’talkto’im。"
　　Lewnearlyfelloutofthetreeattheaudacityofthesuggestion。
　　LikeJakinhefearednotGod，neitherregardedheMan，buttherearelimitseventotheaudacityofadrummer-boy，andtospeaktoaColonelwas-
　　ButJakinhadsliddownthetrunkanddoubledinthedirectionoftheColonel。ThatofficerwaswalkingwrappedinthoughtandvisionsofaC。B。yes，evenaK。C。B。，forhadhenotatcommandoneofthebestRegimentsoftheLine-theForeandFit？Andhewasawareoftwosmallboyschargingdownuponhim。Oncebeforeithadbeensolemnlyreportedtohimthat"theDrumswereinastateofmutiny，"JakinandLewbeingtheringleaders。Thislookedlikeanorganisedconspiracy-
　　Theboyshaltedattwentyyards，walkedtotheregulationfourpaces，andsalutedtogether，eachaswellset-upasaramrodandlittletaller。
　　TheColonelwasinagenialmood；theboysappearedveryforlornandunprotectedonthedesolateplain，andoneofthemwashandsome。
　　"Well！"saidtheColonel，recognisingthem。"Areyougoingtopullmedownintheopen？I’msureIneverinterferewithyou，eventhough"-hesniffedsuspiciously-"youhavebeensmoking。"
　　Itwastimetostrikewhiletheironwashot。Theirheartsbeattumultuously。
　　"Begy’pardon，Sir，"beganJakin。"TheReg’ment’sorderedonactiveservice，Sir？"
　　"SoIbelieve，"saidtheColonelcourteously。
　　"IstheBandgoin’，Sir？"saidbothtogether。Then，withoutpause，"We’regoin’，Sir，ain’twe？"
　　"You！"saidtheColonel，steppingbackthemorefullytotakeinthetwosmallfigures。"You！You’ddieinthefirstmarch。"
　　"No，wewouldn’t，Sir。WecanmarchwiththeReg’mentanywheres-
　　p’radean’anywhereelse，"saidJakin。
　　"IfTomKiddgoes’e’llshutuplikeaclasp-knife，"saidLew。
　　"Tom’asvery-closeveinsinboth’islegs，Sir。"
　　"Veryhowmuch？"
　　"Very-closeveins，Sir。That’swhytheyswellsafterlongp’rade，Sir。If’ecango，wecango，Sir。"
　　AgaintheColonellookedatthemlongandintently。
　　"Yes，theBandisgoing，"hesaidasgravelyasthoughhehadbeenaddressingabrotherofficer。"Haveyouanyparents，eitherofyoutwo？"
　　"No，Sir，"rejoicinglyfromLewandJakin。"We’rebothorphans，Sir。There’snoonetobeconsideredofonouraccount，Sir。"
　　"Youpoorlittlesprats，andyouwanttogouptotheFrontwiththeRegiment，doyou？Why？"
　　"I’veworetheQueen’sUniformfortwoyears，"saidJakin。"It’svery’ard，Sir，thatamandon’tgetnorecompensefordoin’of’isdooty，Sir。"
　　"An’-an’ifIdon’tgo，Sir，"interruptedLew，"theBandmaster’esays’e’llcatchan’makeabloo-ablessedmusiciano’me，Sir。
　　BeforeI’veseenanyservice，Sir。"
　　TheColonelmadenoanswerforalongtime。Thenhesaidquietly：
　　"Ifyou’repassedbytheDoctorIdaresayyoucango。Ishouldn’tsmokeifIwereyou。"
　　Theboyssalutedanddisappeared。TheColonelwalkedhomeandtoldthestorytohiswife，whonearlycriedoverit。TheColonelwaswellpleased。Ifthatwasthetemperofthechildren，whatwouldnotthemendo？
　　JakinandLewenteredtheboys’barrack-roomwithgreatstateliness，andrefusedtoholdanyconversationwiththeircomradesforatleasttenminutes。Then，burstingwithpride，Jakindrawled："I’vebinintervooin’theColonel。GoodoldbeggaristheColonel。SaysIto’im，’Colonel，’saysI，’letmegototheFront，alongo’theReg’ment-’TotheFrontyoushallgo，’
　　says’e，’an’Ionlywishtherewasmorelikeyouamongthedirtylittledevilsthatbangthebloomin’drums。’Kidd，ifyouthrowyour’courtrementsatmefortellin’youthetruthtoyourownadvantage，yourlegs’llswell。"
　　NonethelesstherewasaBattle-Royalinthebarrack-room，fortheboyswereconsumedwithenvyandhate，andneitherJakinnorLewbehavedinconciliatorywise。
　　"I’mgoin’outtosayadootomygirl，"saidLew，tocaptheclimax。"Don’tnoneo’youtouchmykitbecauseit’swantedforactiveservice；mebein’speciallyinvitedtogobytheColonel。"
　　HestrolledforthandwhistledintheclumpoftreesatthebackoftheMarriedQuarterstillCriscametohim，and，thepreliminarykissesbeinggivenandtaken，Lewbegantoexplainthesituation。
　　"I’mgoin’totheFrontwiththeReg’ment，"hesaidvaliantly。
　　"Piggy，you’realittleliar，"saidCris，butherheartmisgaveher，forLewwasnotinthehabitoflying。
　　"Liaryourself，Cris，"saidLew，slippinganarmroundher。"I’mgoin’。WhentheReg’mentmarchesoutyou’llseemewith’em，allgalliantandgay。Giveusanotherkiss，Cris，onthestrengthofit。"
　　"Ifyou’don’ya-stayedattheDepot-whereyououghttoha’bin-youcouldgetasmanyof’emas-asyoudamplease，"whimperedCris，puttinguphermouth。
　　"It’s’ard，Cris。Igrantyouit’s’ard，Butwhat’samantodo？
　　IfI’da-stayedattheDepot，youwouldn’tthinkanythingofme。"
　　"Likeasnot，butI’d’aveyouwithme，Piggy。An’allthethinkin’intheworldisn’tlikekissin’。"
　　"An’allthekissin’intheworldisn’tlike’avin’amedaltowearonthefronto’yourcoat。"
　　"Youwon’tgetnomedal。"
　　"Oh，yus，Ishallthough。Mean’Jakinaretheonlyacting-
　　drummersthat’llbetookalong。Alltherestisfullmen，an’
　　we’llgetourmedalswiththem。"
　　"Theymightha’takenanybodybutyou，Piggy。You’llgetkilled-
　　you’resoventuresome。Staywithme，Piggydarlin’，downattheDepot，an’I’llloveyoutrue，forever。"
　　"Ain’tyougoin’todothatnow，Cris？Yousaidyouwas。"
　　"0’courseIam，butth’other’smorecomfortable。Waittillyou’vegrowedabit，Piggy。Youaren’tnotallerthanmenow。"
　　"I’vebinintheArmyfortwoyears，an’I’mnotgoin’togetoutofachansto’seein’service，an’don’tyoutrytomakemedoso。
　　I’llcomeback，Cris，an’whenItakeonasamanI’llmarryyou-
　　marryyouwhenI’maLance。"
　　"Promise，Piggy。"
　　LewreflectedonthefutureasarrangedbyJakinashorttimepreviously，butCris’smouthwasveryneartohisown。
　　"Ipromise，s’elpmeGawd！"saidhe。
　　Crisslidanarmroundhisneck。
　　"Iwon’t’oldyoubacknomore，Piggy。Goawayan’getyourmedal，an’I’llmakeyouanewbutton-bagasniceasIknowhow，"shewhispered。
　　"Putsomeo’your’airintoit，Cris，an’I’llkeepitinmypocketsolong’sI’malive。"
　　ThenCrisweptanew，andtheinterviewended。Publicfeelingamongthedrummer-boysrosetofeverpitch，andthelivesofJakinandLewbecameunenviable。Notonlyhadtheybeenpermittedtoenlisttwoyearsbeforetheregulationboy’sage-fourteen-but，byvirtue，itseemed，oftheirextremeyouth，theywereallowedtogototheFront-whichthinghadnothappenedtoacting-drummerswithintheknowledgeofboy。TheBandwhichwastoaccompanytheRegimenthadbeencutdowntotheregulationtwentymen，thesurplusreturningtotheranks。JakinandLewwereattachedtotheBandassupernumeraries，thoughtheywouldmuchhavepreferredbeingcompanybuglers。
　　"Don’tmattermuch，"saidJakinafterthemedicalinspection。"Bethankfulthatwe’re’lowedtogoatall。TheDoctor’esaidthatifwecouldstandwhatwetookfromtheBazar-Sergeant’ssonwe’dstandprettynighanything。"
　　"Whichwewill，"saidLew，lookingtenderlyattheraggedandill-
　　madehousewifethatCrishadgivenhim，withalockofherhairworkedintoasprawling"L"uponthecover。
　　"ItwasthebestIcould，"shesobbed。"Iwouldn’tletmothernortheSergeant’stailor’elpme。Keepitalways，Piggy，an’rememberIloveyoutrue。"
　　Theymarchedtotherailwaystation，ninehundredandsixtystrong，andeverysoulincantonmentsturnedouttoseethemgo。
　　ThedrummersgnashedtheirteethatJakinandLewmarchingwiththeBand，themarriedwomenweptupontheplatform，andtheRegimentcheereditsnobleselfblackintheface。
　　"Anicelevellot，"saidtheColoneltotheSecond-in-Commandastheywatchedthefirstfourcompaniesentraining。
　　"Fittodoanything，"saidtheSecond-in-Commandenthusiastically。
　　"Butitseemstomethey’reathoughttooyoungandtenderfortheworkinhand。It’sbittercoldupattheFrontnow。"
　　"They’resoundenough，"saidtheColonel。"Wemusttakeourchanceofsickcasualties。"
　　Sotheywentnorthward，evernorthward，pastdrovesanddrovesofcamels，armiesofcamp-followers，andlegionsofladenmules，thethrongthickeningdaybyday，tillwithashriekthetrainpulledupatahopelesslycongestedjunctionwheresixlinesoftemporarytrackaccommodatedsixforty-waggontrains；wherewhistlesblew，Babussweated，andCommissariatofficerssworefromdawntillfarintothenight，amidthewind-drivenchaffofthefodder-balesandthelowingofathousandsteers。
　　"Hurryup-you’rebadlywantedattheFront，"wasthemessagethatgreetedtheForeandAft，andtheoccupantsoftheRedCrosscarriagestoldthesametale。
　　"Tisn’tsomuchthebloomin’fightin’，"gaspedaheadboundtrooperofHussarstoaknotofadmiringForeandAfts。"Tisn’tsomuchthebloomin’fightin’，thoughthere’senougho’that。It’sthebloomin’foodan’thebloomin’climate。Frostallnight’ceptwhenithails，andb’ilingsunallday，andthewaterstinksfittoknockyoudown。Igotmy’eadchippedlikeaegg；I’vegotpneumoniatoo，an’mygutsisallouto’order。’Tain’tnobloomin’picnicinthoseparts，Icantellyou。"
　　"Wotaretheniggerslike？"demandedaprivate。
　　"There’ssomeprisonersinthattrainyonder。Goan’lookat’em。
　　They’rethearistocracyo’thecountry。Thecommonfolkareadashedsightuglier。Ifyouwanttoknowwhattheyfightwith，reachundermyseatan’pulloutthelongknifethat’sthere。"
　　Theydraggedoutandbeheldforthefirsttimethegrim，bone-
　　handled，triangularAfghanknife。ItwasalmostaslongasLew。
　　"That’sthethingtoj’intye，"saidthetrooperfeebly。"Itcantakeoffaman’sarmattheshoulderaseasyasslicingbutter。I
　　halvedthebeggarthatusedthatun，butthere’smoreofhislikesupabove。Theydon’tunderstandthrustin’，butthey’redevilstoslice。"
　　ThemenstrolledacrossthetrackstoinspecttheAfghanprisoners。Theywereunlikeany"niggers"thattheForeandAfthadevermet-thesehuge，black-haired，scowlingsonsoftheBeni-Israel。AsthemenstaredtheAfghansspatfreelyandmutteredonetoanotherwithloweredeyes。
　　"Myeyes！Wotawfulswine！"saidJakin，whowasintherearoftheprocession。"Say，oleman，howyougotpuckrowed，eh？Kiswastiyouwasn’thangedforyouruglyface，hey？"
　　Thetallestofthecompanyturned，hisleg-ironsclankingatthemovement，andstaredattheboy。"See！"hecriedtohisfellowsinPushto。"Theysendchildrenagainstus。Whatapeople，andwhatfools！"
　　"Hya。"saidJakin，noddinghisheadcheerily。"Yougodown-
　　country。Khanaget，peenikapaneeget-livelikeabloomin’Rajakemarfik。That’sabetterbandobustthanbaynitgetitinyourinnards。Good-bye，oleman。Takecareo’yourbeautifulfigure-
　　’ead，an’trytolookkushy。"
　　Themenlaughedandfellinfortheirfirstmarch，whentheybegantorealisethatasoldier’slifeisnotallbeerandskittles。
　　Theyweremuchimpressedwiththesizeandbestialferocityoftheniggerswhomtheyhadnowlearnedtocall"Paythans，"andmorewiththeexceedingdiscomfortoftheirownsurroundings。Twentyoldsoldiersinthecorpswouldhavetaughtthemhowtomakethemselvesmoderatelysnugatnight，buttheyhadnooldsoldiers，and，asthetroopsonthelineofmarchsaid，"theylivedlikepigs。"Theylearnedtheheart-breakingcussednessofcamp-kitchensandcamelsandthedepravityofanE。P。tentandawither-wrungmule。Theystudiedanimalculaeinwater，anddevelopedafewcasesofdysenteryintheirstudy。
　　Attheendoftheirthirdmarchtheyweredisagreeablysurprisedbythearrivalintheircampofahammeredironslugwhich，firedfromasteadyrestatsevenhundredyards，flickedoutthebrainsofaprivateseatedbythefire。Thisrobbedthemoftheirpeaceforanight，andwasthebeginningofalong-rangefirecarefullycalculatedtothatend。Inthedaytimetheysawnothingexceptanunpleasantpuffofsmokefromacragabovethelineofmarch。Atnightthereweredistantspurtsofflameandoccasionalcasualties，whichsetthewholecampblazingintothegloomand，occasionally，intooppositetents。Thentheysworevehementlyandvowedthatthiswasmagnificentbutnotwar。
　　Indeeditwasnot。TheRegimentcouldnothaltforreprisalsagainstthesharpshootersofthecountry-side。ItsdutywastogoforwardandmakeconnectioonwiththeScotchandGoorkhatroopswithwhichitwasbrigaded。TheAfghansknewthis，andknewtoo，aftertheirfirsttentativeshots，thattheyweredealingwitharawregimentThereaftertheydevotedthemselvestothetaskofkeepingtheForeandAftonthestrain。Notforanythingwouldtheyhavetakenequallibertieswithaseasonedcorps-withthewickedlittleGoorkhas，whosedelightitwastolieoutintheopenonadarknightandstalktheirstalkers-withtheterriblebigmendressedinwomen’sclothes，whocouldbeheardprayingtotheirGodinthenight-watches，andwhosepeaceofmindnoamountof"sniping"couldshake-orwiththosevileSikhs，whomarchedsoostentatiouslyunpreparedandwhodealtoutsuchgrimrewardtothosewhotriedtoprofitbythatunpreparedness。Thiswhiteregimentwasdifferent-quitedifferent。Itsleptlikeahog，and，likeahog，chargedineverydirectionwhenitwasroused。
　　Itssentrieswalkedwithafootfallthatcouldbeheardforaquarterofamile；wouldfireatanythingthatmoved-evenadrivendonkey-andwhentheyhadoncefired，couldbescientifically"rushed"andlaidoutahorrorandanoffenceagainstthemorningsun。Thentherewerecamp-followerswhostraggledandcouldbecutupwithoutfear。Theirshriekswoulddisturbthewhiteboys，andthelossoftheirserviceswouldinconveniencethemsorely。
　　Thus，ateverymarch，thehiddenenemybecamebolderandtheRegimentwrithedandtwistedunderattacksitcouldnotavenge。
　　Thecrowningtriumphwasasuddennight-rushendinginthecuttingofmanytent-ropes，thecollapseofthesoddencanvas，andagloriousknifingofthemenwhostruggledandkickedbelow。Itwasagreatdeed，neatlycarriedout，anditshookthealreadyshakennervesoftheForeandAft。Allthecouragethattheyhadbeenrequiredtoexerciseuptothispointwasthe"twoo’clockinthemorningcourage"；and，sofar，theyhadonlysucceededinshootingtheircomradesandlosingtheirsleep。
　　Sullen，discontented，cold，savage，sick，withtheiruniformsdulledandunclean，theForeandAftjoinedtheirBrigade。
　　"Ihearyouhadatoughtimeofitcomingup，"saidtheBrigadier。
　　Butwhenhesawthehospital-sheetshisfacefell。
　　"Thisisbad，"saidhetohimself。"They’reasrottenassheep。"
　　AndaloudtotheColonel-"I’mafraidwecan’tspareyoujustyet。Wewantallwehave，elseIshouldhavegivenyoutendaystorecoverin。"
　　TheColonelwinced。"Onmyhonour，Sir，"hereturned，"thereisnottheleastnecessitytothinkofsparingus。Mymenhavebeenrathermauledandupsetwithoutafairreturn。Theyonlywanttogoinsomewherewheretheycanseewhat’sbeforethem。"
　　"Can’tsayIthinkmuchoftheForeandFit，"saidtheBrigadierinconfidencetohisBrigade-Major。"They’velostalltheirsoldiering，and，bythetrimofthem，mighthavemarchedthroughthecountryfromtheotherside。Amorefagged-outsetofmenI
　　neverputeyeson。"
　　"Oh，they’llimproveastheworkgoeson。Theparadeglosshasbeenrubbedoffalittle，butthey’llputonfieldpolishbeforelong，"saidtheBrigade-Major。"They’vebeenmauled，andtheydon’tquiteunderstandit。"
　　Theydidnot。Allthehittingwasononeside，anditwascruellyhardhittingwithaccessoriesthatmadethemsick。Therewasalsotherealsicknessthatlaidholdofastrongmananddraggedhimhowlingtothegrave。Worstofall，theirofficersknewjustaslittleofthecountryasthementhemselves，andlookedasiftheydid。TheForeandAftwereinathoroughlyunsatisfactorycondition，buttheybelievedthatallwouldbewelliftheycouldoncegetafairgo-inattheenemy。Pot-shotsupanddownthevalleyswereunsatisfactory，andthebayonetneverseemedtogetachance。Perhapsitwasaswell，foralong-limbedAfghanwithaknifehadareachofeightfeet，andcouldcarryawayleadthatwoulddisablethreeEnglishmen。
　　TheForeandAftwouldlikesomerifle-practiceattheenemy-allsevenhundredriflesblazingtogether。Thatwishshowedthemoodofthemen。
　　TheGoorkhaswalkedintotheircamp，andinbroken，barrack-roomEnglishstrovetofraternisewiththem：offeredthempipesoftobaccoandstoodthemtreatatthecanteen。ButtheForeandAft，notknowingmuchofthenatureoftheGoorkhas，treatedthemastheywouldtreatanyother"niggers，"andthelittlemeningreentrottedbacktotheirfirmfriendstheHighlanders，andwithmanygrinsconfidedtothem："Thatdamwhiteregimentnodamuse。Sulky-ugh！Dirty-ugh！Hya，anytotforJohnny？"WhereattheHighlanderssmotetheGoorkhasastothehead，andtoldthemnottovilifyaBritishRegiment，andtheGoorkhasgrinnedcavernously，fortheHighlandersweretheirelderbrothersandentitledtotheprivilegesofkinship。ThecommonsoldierwhotouchesaGoorkhaismorethanlikelytohavehisheadslicedopen。
　　ThreedayslatertheBrigadierarrangedabattleaccordingtotherulesofwarandthepeculiarityoftheAfghantemperament。Theenemyweremassingininconvenientstrengthamongthehills，andthemovingofmanygreenstandardswarnedhimthatthetribeswere"up"inaidoftheAfghanregulartroops。AsquadronandahalfofBengalLancersrepresentedtheavailableCavalry，andtwoscrew-
　　guns，borrowedfromacolumnthirtymilesaway，theArtilleryattheGeneral’sdisposal。
　　"Iftheystand，asI’veaverystrongnotionthattheywill，I
　　fancyweshallseeaninfantryfightthatwillbeworthwatching，"
　　saidtheBrigadier。"We’lldoitinstyle。EachregimentshallbeplayedintoactionbyitsBand，andwe’llholdtheCavalryinreserve。"
　　"Forallthereserve？"somebodyasked。
　　"Forallthereserve；becausewe’regoingtocrumplethemup，"
　　saidtheBrigadier，whowasanextraordinaryBrigadier，anddidnotbelieveinthevalueofareservewhendealingwithAsiatics。
　　Indeed，whenyoucometothinkofit，hadtheBritishArmyconsistentlywaitedforreservesinallitslittleaffairs，theboundariesofOurEmpirewouldhavestoppedatBrightonbeach。
　　Thebattlewastobeagloriousbattle。
　　Thethreeregimentsdebouchingfromthreeseparategorges，afterdulycrowningtheheightsabove，weretoconvergefromthecentre，left，andrightuponwhatwewillcalltheAfghanarmy，thenstationedtowardsthelowerextremityofaflat-bottomedvalley。
　　ThusitwillbeseenthatthreesidesofthevalleypracticallybelongedtotheEnglish，whilethefourthwasstrictlyAfghanproperty。IntheeventofdefeattheAfghanshadtherockyhillstoflyto，wherethefirefromtheguerrillatribesinaidwouldcovertheirretreat。IntheeventofvictorythesesametribeswouldrushdownandlendtheirweighttotheroutoftheBritish。
　　Thescrew-gunsweretoshelltheheadofeachAfghanrushthatwasmadeincloseformation，andtheCavalry，heldinreserveintherightvalley，weretogentlystimulatethebreak-upwhichwouldfollowonthecombinedattack。TheBrigadier，sittinguponarockoverlookingthevalley，wouldwatchthebattleunrolledathisfeet。TheForeandAftwoulddebouchfromthecentralgorge，theGoorkhasfromtheleft，andtheHighlandersfromtheright，forthereasonthattheleftflankoftheenemyseemedasthoughitrequiredthemosthammering。ItwasnoteverydaythatanAfghanforcewouldtakegroundintheopen，andtheBrigadierwasresolvedtomakethemostofit。
　　"Ifweonlyhadafewmoremen，"hesaidplaintively，"wecouldsurroundthecreaturesandcrumple’emupthoroughly。Asitis，I’mafraidwecanonlycutthemupastheyrun。It’sagreatpity。"
　　TheForeandAfthadenjoyedunbrokenpeaceforfivedays，andwerebeginning，inspiteofdysentery，torecovertheirnerve。Buttheywerenothappy，fortheydidnotknowtheworkinhand，andhadtheyknown，wouldnothaveknownhowtodoit。Throughoutthosefivedaysinwhicholdsoldiersmighthavetaughtthemthecraftofthegame，theydiscussedtogethertheirmisadventuresinthepast-howsuchanonewasaliveatdawnanddeaderethedusk，andwithwhatshrieksandstrugglessuchanotherhadgivenuphissoulundertheAfghanknife。Deathwasanewandhorriblethingtothesonsofmechanicswhowereusedtodiedecentlyofzymoticdisease；andtheircarefulconservationinbarrackshaddonenothingtomakethemlookuponitwithlessdread。
　　Veryearlyinthedawnthebuglesbegantoblow，andtheForeandAft，filledwithamisguidedenthusiasm，turnedoutwithoutwaitingforacupofcoffeeandabiscuit；andwererewardedbybeingkeptunderarmsinthecoldwhiletheotherregimentsleisurelypreparedforthefray。AlltheworldknowsthatitisilltakingthebreeksoffaHighlander。Itismuchillertotrytomakehimstirunlessheisconvincedofthenecessityforhaste。