"Me？Well，Istartedhuggin’mudandsayingallthegoodwordsI
　　couldthinkof。EventheO。C。gotdownonhisknees，andthemajor，heneargotintothegrave，butthatdarnedPilotstooduptheregettingtallereveryminute，andgoin’onwithhisprayer，andtheboyssayin’’Amen！’thatloudandemphaticthatIthoughthe’dtakethehintandcutoutsomethin’，butcutoutnothin’！
　　Seemedasifhismemorywasworkin’overtime，thewayhekeptafetchin’upthingsthathecouldaeasilyforgot，andwhenhecomestothebenediction，thewhizbangsbegintocome。Upgoeshishand，thewaytheydo。Ithoughttomyselfthatthatwasakindofunnecessarydisplay。Ilooksupandtherehewas，morelikeatreethanever。Infact，Isaystomyself——it’squeerhowyouthinkthingsattimeslikethat——darnediftheywon’tthinkthedarnedfoolisatree，fornothin’butadarnedtreewouldstandupintheflarelightandlooksomuchlikeatreeanyhow。Iguessthat’swhatsavedhim。Henevermoveduntilhewasdone，andthendidn’thestaywithuspioneersaftertheresthadgoneuntilwefilledup。Say，he’sallright。"
　　"Youbethe’sallright，"saidSergeantMackay，"andhe’sgettin’
　　inhisworkwiththeboys。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean，’gettin’inhiswork’？"enquiredthepioneersergeant。
　　"Oh，well，youknow，"saidSergeantMackayawkwardly，"he’smakin’
　　’emthinkalotdifferentaboutthings。Iknowhehas’emtiedupallrightintheirlanguage。"Andthiswasasneartoaconfessionoffaithasthesergeantcaredtogo。
　　"Oh，Icanseeadifferencemyselfuptheline，"saidthepioneersergeant。"Theboysusedtogetoutofhisway。Heusedtojumpon’emsomethingfierce。Youremember？"
　　"Huh—uh！"
　　"Well，theyjustlovetohavehimdropinnowandtheytellhimthings。IsawCorporalThomtheothernightshowin’himhisgirl’spicture，andthePilotthoughtshewasafinegirltoo，andgotheraddressdown，andsaidhewasgoingtowriteherandtellherwhatafinechapthecorporalwas，andyououghttoseeCorporalThomswellupuntilhe’mostbusthistunic。"
　　"Oh，Iknowthecorporal’sdippyaboutthePilot，"saidSergeantMackay。
　　"Yes，andtheofficers，too，"saidthepioneersergeant。"There’sCaptainDuff。Well，youknowwhataholyterrorheis。"
　　"He’sallright，"saidSergeantMackaystoutly。"Hewasmychiefforaboutamonthhere，andhewasthefirstonetogetthistransportlickedintoshape，youbet。"
　　"I’mnotsayinganythingagainstCaptainDuff，buthewasaroughneck，youknowwellenough，andIguesshehadn’tmuchuseforthePilot。"
　　"Oh，Iknowallaboutthat，"saidSergeantMackay。"ThePilotusedtogoupwithusonthetransport。ItwasawfulhardonCaptainDuff，handlin’thecolumnandthemulesandalltherest，toholdinwhenthePilotwasalong。Thecaptain，hehadtocomeroundnowandthentotherear。Therehewouldhavealovelytimeforafewminutes，withthePilotsafeupinfront。ButthePilotcalmedhimdownallright。"
　　"Yes，andthere’sthatyoungCaptainFraser，"saidthepioneersergeant，withanoteofenthusiasminhismonotonousvoice。
　　"Thereasoldier。Hejustlovedfightin’。Irememberthenighthegothiswound。Itwasonaraidofcourse。Iftherewasaraidon，CaptainNeilwassuretobethere。Hejustaboutgothisarmblownoff，buttheysayhe’sgoin’tobeallright。Iwasattheregimentalaidpostwhentheyfetchedhimin。Oh，hewasadirtymess，faceallcutup，andhisarmhangin’，andnotawordoutofhimuntilthePilotcomesalong。ThenhebeginstochirpupandthePilotstartsjollyin’himalongoneminuteandsayin’Psalmstohimthenextminute，andlittleprayers，andtheboysaroundlistenin’，sometimesgrinnin’andsometimesallchokedup，butI’mawfulgladCaptainNeiliscomin’roundallright。"
　　Bythistimethepioneersergeanthadhiscrossesfinished。
　　"Well，"hesaid，ashesetthecrossesagainstthewall，"there’sthreeofthefinestofficersweeverhadinthisbattalion。Youtake’emupto—nightwhenyougo，sergeant。"
　　"We’renotgoingupto—night。Theboysarecomingoutthisevening，"repliedSergeantMackay。
　　"No？Isthatso？Ineverheardthat。GuessI’llhavetogoupwithsomeotheroutfit。Comin’outthisevening？Well，it’stimetheywere。They’vehadonehellallthetime，Ihear，thistour。"
　　"Yes，"continuedSergeantMackay，"andthehighlandersaresendinguptheirbandtomeetthemandplaythemout。Icallthatamightyfinethingtodo。Youknowourownbandhadtogoupwithwaterandrationslastnight，andtheycan’tgetoutuntilto—night。SotheHighlanders’band——"
　　"Prettygoodband，too，isn’tit？"
　　"Bestpipebandinthearmy，"saidSergeantMackaywithenthusiasm。
　　"Oh，apipeband！"exclaimedthepioneersergeantinadisappointedtone。
　　"Yes，apipeband，whatelse？"enquiredSergeantMackaytruculently。
　　"Whydon’ttheysenduptheirrealband，whenthey’redoin’it，anyway？"
　　"What！"shoutedSergeantMackay。"I’lltellyou。Forthesamereasonthattheydon’tmakeyouO。C。inthisbattalion，youdamnedfatlobster！Therenow，you’vestartedmeswearin’again，andI
　　wasquittin’it。"
　　SergeantMackay’swrathattheslurcastuponthepipeband，theonlyband，inhisopinion，worthyofanyrealman’sattention，wasintensifiedbyhislapseintohishabitofprofanity，which，outofdeferencetothePilot，heforsomeweekshadbeenearnestlystrivingtoholdincheck。
　　"Ohwell，Scotty，don’tspoilyourrecordforme。Iguessapipebandisallrightforthemthatlikesthatkindofmusic。Forme，Ican’tevertellwhentheyquittunin’upandbegintoplay。"
　　SergeantMackaylookedathimwithdarkeningface，evidentlyuncertainastowhatcourseheshouldadopt——whetherto"turnhimselfloose"uponthisbenightedEnglishmanortoabandonhimtohisdeservedconditionoffatuousignorance。Hedecideduponthelattercourse。InportentoussilenceheturnedhisbackuponFattyMatthewsandwalkedthewholelengthofthelinetogetamulebackovertherope。Ittookhimsomelittletimeforthemulehadhisownmindaboutthemanoeuvreandthesergeantwasunwontedlydeliberateandgentlewithhim。Then，themanoeuverexecuted，hewalkedslowlybacktothepioneersergeantandinrestrainedandcarefullychosenspeechaddressedhim。
　　"Lookhere，Fatty，I’maskin’you，don’tyoueversaythingslikethatoutsideoftheselines，forthesakeoftheregiment，youknow。I’dreallyhatetheotherbattalionstoknowwehadgotsuch——"Hehaltedhimselfabruptlyandthenproceededmorequietly，"Amanasyouinthisbattalion。MyGod，Fatty，they’dthinkyourbrainshadrundownintoyourpants。Iknowtheyhaven’t，becauseIknowyouhaven’tany。"Hetookafreshbreath，andcontinuedhisaddressinatoneofpatientremonstrance。"Why，man，don’tyouknowthatwherevertheBritishArmyhasgone，itsHighlandregimentshaveclearedtheway；andthatwhenthepipesgetplayin’thedevilhimselfcouldn’tholdthemback？"
　　"Idon’twonder，"saidFattyinnocently。"Theymakeamanfeellikefightin’allright。"
　　SergeantMackayscannedhisfacenarrowly，uncertainastowhetherheshouldcreditthepioneersergeantwithintelligencesufficienttoproduceasarcasm。
　　"WhatImeanis，"exclaimedFatty，seekingtoappeasethewrathfultransportsergeant，"whenyouhearthempipes，yougetsostirredup，youknow，thatyoujustfeellikekullin’somebody。"
　　ThisapparentlydidnotimprovematterswithSergeantMackay。
　　"Oh，darnit，youknowwhatImean！"
　　"No，Fatty，"saidthesergeantsolemnly。"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，butI’llsuggestthistoyou，Fatty。YougodowntothatPetemule，downthereattheendofthelineandtalktohim。I
　　guesshe’llunderstandyou。I’mbusyjustnow。"
　　"Idon’tseewhatyou’resohotabout，"saidthepioneersergeantinanaggravatedvoice，"butI’mgoingtoseetheboyscomeinanyway。"
　　Whenthedistantsoundofthepipescomingfromthedirectionofthefrontlinewasheardincamp，menofthevarioustransportlinesandbaseunitslineduptowatchthebattalioncomein。Fortherumourhadrunthattheyhadhadabadgo，thattheyhadbeatenbacknolessthanthreeratherformidableraidsoftheenemyandhadbeenbadlycutup。Morethanthat，byreasonofthelackofreinforcements，theyhadhadtodoadoubletour，sothattheywerereturningfromanexperienceofthirteendays，inwhatwasindeedtheveritablemouthofhell。
　　"Iguesstheyareallprettywellallin，"saidSergeantMatthews，who，standingwithhispioneers，hadbeencarefullyavoidedbyhisfriendSergeantMackay。ThatenthusiasticScothadforthetimebeingabandonedhistransport，andwasfraternisingwiththetransportmenoftheHighlanders，withwhomhewassurehewouldfeelhimselfinmorecompleteaccord。
　　"Heretheycome，boys，"saidaScot，asthesoundofthepipesgrewlouder。"There’sadrummerforye。Listen’tilthatdoubleroll，wullye？"
　　"Ay，Danny，theboyswillbeshovin’outtheirchestsandhitchin’
　　theirhipsaboutsomethingawful。"
　　"Yemaysaythat，Hec。WillyelookatyoungAngusonthebigdrum，man，buthehasgotthegr—randstyleonhim。"
　　"Ay，boys，theyarethela—ads，"saidSergeantMackay，yieldingtotheinfluenceofhisenvironmentandcasuallydroppingintothecadenceoftheHighlandersabouthim，which，duringhistenyearsinthewest，histonguehadwell—nighlost。"It’saveryfinething，yourpipersaredoing，playingourboysoutinthisway，andwewon’tbeforgettingthatinahurry。"
　　"Whyforno？"enquiredHec，insurprise。"It’stheHighlandersthemselvesthatloveabonnyfighter。"
　　Downtheroad，betweenlinesofsilentmen，camethepiperswithwavingkiltsandflyingtartans，swingingalongintheirlongswayingstride，youngAngusdoingwondersonthebigdrum，withhiswhirlingsticks，andeverypiperblowinghisloudest，andmarchinghisproudest。Behindthemcamethemenofthebattalionmarchingatattention，theircolonelattheirhead，graveoffaceandsteady。BehindthecolonelmarchedMajorBayne，inplaceoftheseniormajor，whomillnesshadpreventedfromaccompanyingthebattaliononthislasttour，nolongerrotundandcheeryaswashiswont，butwithfacegrey，seriousanddeeplined。AfterhimattheheadofACompanymarchedCaptainDuff，hisrugged，heavyfacelookingthinnerandlongerthanitswontbutevenfiercerthanever。Witheyesthatlookedstraightbeforethen，heedlessofthelineofsilentonlookers，themenmarchedon，somethingintheirset，haggardfacesforbiddingapplause。Attherearofthecolumnmarchedthechaplainalone，andeveryoneknewthathehadleftupintheSalientbehindhimhisfriendandcomrade，theM。O。，whoseplaceinallothermarchinghadbeenathisrighthand。Allknewtoohowduringthislastgo，inthefaceofdeathinitsmostterrifyingform，theyhadcarriedouttheirwoundedcomradesonebyoneuntilallwerebroughttosafety。Andallknewtoo，howthechaplaincarriedwithhimthatdayasoreandlonelyheartforthelossofonewhowasmoretohimthanbatman，andwhohadbecomehisloyalanddevotedfriend。Thechaplain’sfacewasgauntandthin，withhollowcheeks，butforallthat，itworealookofserenedetachment。
　　"Say，helooksawfultough，"saidavoiceinSergeantMackay’sear。
　　SergeantMackayturnedsharplyarounduponFattyMatthews。
　　"Tough！Tough！"heexclaimed，withachokeinhisvoice。"You’readamnedliar，that’swhatyouare。Helooksfine。Helooksfine，"headdedagainfuriously。"Helooksasifhellitselfcouldn’tscarehim。"
　　Inthesergeant’seyesstrangelightswereglistening。
　　"Yes，you’reright，sergeant，"saidFattyMatthewshumbly。"You’reright，andthat’swherehe’sbeen，too，Iguess。"
　　Bravelyandgallantly，withthehistoricandimmortal"Cocko’theNorth"shrillingoutontheeveningair，thepipersplayedthemontothebattalionparadeground，wheretheyhalted，silentstillandwiththatstrangeairofdetachedindifferencestilluponthem。
　　Theyhadbeenthroughhell。Nothingelsecouldsurprisethem。
　　Allelse，indeed，seemedpaltry。
　　Briefly，butwithheart—reachingwords，thecolonelthankedthepipersforwhathecalled"anactoffineandbrotherlycourtesy。"
　　Thenturningtohismen，hespokeafewwordsbeforedismissal。
　　"Men，youhavepassedthroughalongandhardtimeoftesting。Youhavenotfailed。Iamnotgoingtopraiseyou，butIwantyoutoknowthatIamproudofyou。Proudtobeyourcommandingofficer。
　　Iknowthatwhateverisbeforeus，youwillshowthesamespiritofenduranceandcourage。
　　"Wehavelostthistimetwenty—ninemen，elevenofthemkilled，andwiththesethreeverybraveandverygallantofficers，amongthemourmedicalofficer，averygreatlosstothisbattalion。Thesemendidtheirdutytothelast。Welovedthem。Weshallmissthem，butto—dayweareproudofthem。Letusgivethreecheersforourgallantdead。"
　　Withnojoyousoutburst，butwithanoteoffierce，straineddetermination，camethecheers。Inspiteofallhecoulddo，Barrycouldnotpreventashudderasheheardthemenabouthimcheeringforthosewhomhehadsorecentlyseenlying，someofthemsorelymutilated，intheirgreyblankets。
　　"Now，men，"concludedtheO。C。，"wemust’carryon。’Youwillhaveacoupleofhoursinwhichtocleanupandhavesupper，andthenweshallhaveto—nightacinemashow，towhichIhopeyouwillallcome，andwhichIhopeyouwillallgreatlyenjoy。"
　　Thecolonel’slittlespeeches，asarule，elicitedappreciativecheers，butthisafternoontherewasonlyagravesilence。Afterdismissal，themenwenttotheirhutsandweresoonbusygivingthemselvesa"highmarkscrub"preliminarytothehotbathand"junglehunt"inwhichtheywouldindulgethemselvesto—morrow。
　　AsBarrywasmovingofftheparadeground，thejuniormajorcaughtuptohim，andtookhimbythearmandsaid：
　　"Ihavesentaroundmybatmantoyourhut。HewilllookafteryouuntilIcanpickoutamanfromthenewdraft。WeallknowhowyoufeelaboutHobbs，oldman。"
　　"Thankyou，major，"saidBarryquietly。"Iappreciatethat。"
　　"Youwillbearoundto—night，"continuedthemajor。
　　"No，Ithinknot。Ihavealotofthingstodo。Allthoseletterstowrite。"Barryshudderedashespoke。Fornothinginallhisministerialexperiencewastohimamoreexhaustingandheartbreakingtaskthanthewritingoftheseletterstotherelativesandfriendsofhisdeadcomrades。
　　"Ithinkyouhadbettercome，"saidthemajorearnestly。"IknowtheO。C。wouldlikeit，andtheboyswouldlikeittoo。"
　　"Doyouthinkso？"saidBarry。"ThenI’llbethere。"
　　"Goodman，"saidMajorBayne，pattinghimontheshoulder。"That’sthestuffwelikeinthisbattalion。"
　　Barryfoundhishutinorder，histhingsoutforairing，histubready，andsupperinpreparation。
　　"Thanks，Monroe，"hesaidtoMajorBayne’sbatman，ashepassedintohishut。
　　Asheenteredhishutandclosedthedoor，forthefirsttimetheresweptoverhissoulanappallinganddesolatingsenseofloneliness。
　　Itwashisfirstmomentofquiet，hisfirstleisuretothinkofhimselfforalmosttwoweeks。Withthelossofhisbatmantherehadbeensnappedthelastlinkwiththatoldhomelifeofhis，nowsoremotebutallthedearerforthat。Itcametohimthatwhileheremainedasoldier，thiswastobehiscontinualexperience。Uponhisreturnfromeverytournewgapswouldstareathim。Upinthelinestheydidnotsoterriblyobtrudethemselves，butbackhereinrestbilletstheythrustthemselvesuponhimlikehideousmutilationsuponawelllovedface。Hecouldhardlyforcehimselftoremovehismuddy，filthyclothes。Hewouldgladlyhavelaidhimselfdownuponhiscotjustashewas，andgivenhimselfuptotheluxuryofhisgriefandloneliness，untilsleepshouldcome，buthislifeasasoldierhadtaughthimsomething。Thesemonthsofdiscipline，andespeciallytheselastmonthsofcompanionshipwithhisbattalionthroughtheterribleexperiencesofwar，hadwroughtintotheveryfibreofhislifeasenseofunitywithandresponsibilityforhiscomrades。Hiseveryemotionofloss，ofgrief，ofheart—sicknesscarriedwithittheimmediatesuggestionandremembrancethathiscomradestoowerepassingthroughalikeexperience，andthiswashissalvation。Weary，sick，desolateashefelthimselfinthishour，herememberedthatmanyofhiscomradeswereashe，weary，andsickanddesolate。Hewonderedhowthemajor’sbatmanfelt。
　　"Well，Monroe，"hesaidwithanattemptatavoiceofcheer，"prettytoughgothistime。"
　　"Yes，sir，verytough，"saidMonroe。"Ilostmychumthistime，"
　　headdedafterafewmoments’silence。
　　"Poorchap，"saidBarry。"I’mawfullysorryforyou。It’shardtoleaveafriendupthere。"
　　"Itisthat，sir，"repliedMonroe，andthenheaddedhurriedlybutwithhesitation，"andifyouwillpardonme，sir，weallknowit’sawfultoughforyou。Theboysallfeelforyou，sir，believeme。"
　　TheunexpectedtouchofsympathywastoomuchforBarry’sself—
　　control。Arushofwarmtearscametohiseyesandchokedhisvoice。Forsomeminuteshebusiedhimselfwithhisundressing，butMonroecontinuedspeaking。
　　"Yes，sir，theWapitibunchisgettingprettysmall。CorporalThomwaswithme——"
　　"CorporalThom！"criedBarry。"WasCorporalThomyourchum？"
　　"Yes，sir，forsixyearswewasontheBarU。M。together。Wewasawfulclosefriends。Hewasagoodchum。"
　　"CorporalThom！"exclaimedBarryagain；"hewasyourchum！Hewasagreatfriendofminetoo。Youhaveindeedsufferedagreatloss。"
　　"Hethoughtalotofyou，sir，"saidMonroe。"Hehasoftentalkedtomeaboutyou。"
　　"Butwhatasplendiddeath！"criedBarry。"Perfectlyglorious！"
　　"Ididn’thear，sir，"saidMonroe；"Icamedownthreedaysago，andonlyheardthatabombgothim。"
　　"Oh，splendid，"saidBarry。"Nothingfinerinthewar。Letmetellyouaboutit。Therewasanenemyraidcomingup。Thecorporalhadgotwindofitandcalledhismenout。Theyrushedintothefrontlinebay。Justastheygotthere，eightortenofthem，alivebombfellhissingamongthem。Theyallrushedtooneendofthebay，butthecorporalkickedthebombtotheotherend，andthenthrewhimselfontopofit。Hewasblowntopieces，butnooneelsewashurt。"
　　Duringtherecitalofthistale，MonroestoodlookingatBarryandwhenhehadfinishedhiseyeswereshiningwithtears。
　　"Ay，sir，hewasaman，sir，"hesaidatlength。
　　"Yes，youhavesaidit，Monroe。Hewasaman，justacommonman，butuncommonlylikeGod，forHedidthesamething。HegaveHimselfforus。"
　　Monroeturnedawaytohisworkinsilence。
　　"Monroe，"saidBarry，callinghimback，"lookhere，lad，itwouldnotberightforustogrievetoomuchforCorporalThom。Weoughttobethankfulforhimandproudofhim，shouldwenot？"
　　"Yes，sir，Iknow，sir，but，"headdedwhilehisliptrembled，"youhatetoloseyourchum。"
　　OnlyundercompulsionofhisconsciencedidBarrygotothecinemashowthatnight，whichinthiscampwasrununderthechaplainserviceandbyachaplain。Heknewwhatthethingwouldbelike。
　　Hiswholesoulshrunkfromthesilly，melodramaticfilmswhichheknewwouldconstitutetheprogrammeasfromanauseatingdoseofmedicine。Thebillboardannouncedadoubleheader，atriteand，especiallytoCanadians，aridiculousrepresentationoftheexperiencesofJohnBullandhiswifeandprettydaughterasimmigrantstotheCanadianNorthwest，whichwastobefollowedbytheimmortalCharlieChaplin。
　　Thecinemahutwasjammed——thewholebattalion，nowmuchreducedinnumbers，officersandmenbeingpresent，andwiththemthemenofthebaseunitsandtransportsofotherbattalions。Itwasinsomesensesanunusualgathering。Therewasanentireabsenceofthewontedchaffanduproarioushorseplay；insteadagraveandalmostboredairresteduponthemen’sfaces。Theappallingexperiencesofthepastthirteendaysseemedtodwarfallotherthingsincomparison。TheyhadbeeninthepresenceoftheBigThing；allelseseemedpetty；theyhadbeenlookingintodeath’scoldeyes；
　　afterthatothersightsseemedtrivial。Manyofthemcarriedsoreheartsfortheircomradeswithwhomtheyhadatothertimesforegatheredinjustsuchcircumstancesasthese，butnevermoreagain。
　　Itwasthecustominthebattalion，astheofficerscameintosuchgatheringsasthis，toreceivethemwitharippleofapplause，butto—nighttherewassilence。Barryarrivedlate。Whenheappearedtherefelluponthemenahush，andthenashemovedtowardthefrontseatsreservedfortheofficers，themenbegantoriseuntilthewholebattalionwasstandingsilentandmotionless，andsoremaineduntilhehadfoundaseat。ItwasMajorBaynewhocalledhisattentiontothisunusualdemonstration，whichwasreservedonlyforgreatoccasionsandfornothinglessthanabattalioncommander。
　　"Theyaresalutingyou，Pilot，"saidMajorBayneinawhisper，himselfstandingwiththeotherofficers。
　　Barryquicklyliftedhiseyes，sawthemenstanding，withalleyesdirectedtowardhim，slowlylookedovertherowsoffaces，smiledabrightbutslightlywaveringsmile，turnedandsalutedtheCommandingOfficer，andsatdownalltremblingandshakenbythismosttouchingtributeofsympathyandaffection。
　　Theshowbeganwithsomepicturesofgreatalliedleaderswhichexcitedamildinterestanddrewsomeperfunctoryapplause。ThencamethetragiccomedyofJohnBull’sexperiencesasanimmigrant，whenjustastheinterestbegantodeepen，themachineblewup，andthepictureswereoffforthenight。
　　Ordinarilysuchacontretempswouldhavebeenbynomeansfataltotheevening’senjoyment，forinthebattaliontherewasnolackofmusicalandothertalent，andanimpromptuentertainmentwaseasilypossible。Ordinarily，too，insuchanemergencytherewouldatoncehavearisenademandforthechaplain，whohadcometoberecognisedasagreatstandbyintimesofneedsuchasthis。To—
　　night，however，everythingseemedchanged。Themildsuggestionofoneofthementhatthechaplainshouldtakethepianowaspromptlydiscouragedbythedissentinggrowlsoftheotherspresent。Theyknewwellhowtheirchaplainwasfeeling。
　　"Whatshallwedo？"askedMajorBayneofBarry。
　　"GetColemantothepiano。Heisaperfectwizard，"suggestedBarry，indicatingayounglieutenantwhohadcometothebattalionwiththerecentdraft，andwhohaddonesomeaccompanimentsforBarry’sviolinplaying。
　　LieutenantColeman，onbeingcalledfor，wenttothepiano，andbegantoplay。HewasindeedawizardasBarryhadsaid，withageniusforragtimeandpopularmusichallditties，andpossessedalsoofthefurthergiftofimprovisationthatmadehisservicesinvaluableonjustsuchanoccasionasthis。
　　Fromonepopularairtoanotherhewandered，eachexecutedwithgreaterbrilliancethanthelast，buthefailedtoexciteanythingmorethanamildinterestandapproval。Theoldsongswhichonotheroccasionshadbeenwonttoletloosethesongbirdsofthebattalionseemedtohavelosttheirpower。Itwasnotgloom，butasettledandimmovableapathywhichapparentlynothingcouldbreak。
　　"Thisisgoingawfullyslow，"saidMajorBaynetoBarry。"Iwishsomethingcouldbedone。"
　　"Theboysaretiredout，"answeredBarry，himselfwearyandsickoftheperformanceandlongingmorethananythingelseforsolitudeandhiscot。
　　TheCommandingOfficercameoverandsatbesidethem。Hewasobviouslyworriedanduneasy。
　　"Idon’tlikethis，"hesaidtothemajor。"Colemanisdoinghisbest，andisdoingmightywell，butthereisnoheartintheboys，anditisn’tentirelyduetophysicalweakness。Iwishwecouldstartsomethingthatwouldwakethemupbeforetheyleave。Theywouldsleepmuchbetter。"
　　"ThePilotherecandoit，"saidMajorBayneinanundertone，"butIratherhatetoaskhimforheisprettymuchallin。"
　　Theysatalittlewhilelongerlisteningtothemen’shalfhearteddrawlingof"TheTulipandtheRose。"