第4章

HiraSinghleapttohisfeet。"ColonelSahib，"

saidhe，"thatmanisnoAfghan，fortheyweepAi！Ai！NorisheofHindustan，fortheyweepOh！Ho！Heweepsafterthefashionofthewhitemen，whosayOw！Ow！"

"Nowwherethedickensdidyougetthatknowledge，HiraSingh？"

saidthecaptainoftheLushkarteam。

"Hearhim！"saidHiraSinghsimply，pointingatthecrumpledfigurethatweptasthoughitwouldnevercease。

"Hesaid，’MyGod！"saidlittleMildred。"Iheardhimsayit。"

Thecolonelandthemess-roomlookedatthemaninsilence。Itisahorriblethingtohearamancry。Awomancansobfromthetop-

ofherpalate，orherlips，oranywhereelse，butamanmustcryfromhisdiaphragm，anditrendshimtopieces。

"Poordevil！"saidthecolonel，coughingtremendously。"Weoughttosendhimtohospital。He’sbeenman-handled。"

Nowtheadjutantlovedhiscarbines。Theyweretohimashisgrandchildren，themenstandinginthefirstplace。Hegruntedrebelliously："IcanunderstandanAfghanstealing，becausehe’sbuiltthatway。ButIcan’tunderstandhiscrying。Thatmakesitworse。"

ThebrandymusthaveaffectedDirkovitch，forhelaybackinhischairandstaredattheceiling。Therewasnothingspecialintheceilingbeyondashadowasofahugeblackcoffin。Owingtosomepeculiarityintheconstructionofthemess-room，thisshadowwasalwaysthrownwhenthecandleswerelighted。ItneverdisturbedthedigestionoftheWhiteHussars。Theywereinfactratherproudofit。

"Ishegoingtocryallnight？"saidthecolonel，"orarewesupposedtositupwithlittleMildred’sguestuntilhefeelsbetter？"

Themaninthechairthrewuphisheadandstaredatthemess。

"Oh，myGod！"hesaid，andeverysoulinthemessrosetohisfeet。ThentheLushkarcaptaindidadeedforwhichheoughttohavebeengiventheVictoriaCross-distinguishedgallantryinafightagainstoverwhelmingcuriosity。Hepickeduphisteamwithhiseyesasthehostesspicksuptheladiesattheopportunemoment，andpausingonlybythecolonel’schairtosay，"Thisisn’touraffair，youknow，sir，"ledthemintotheverandahandthegardens。HiraSinghwasthelasttogo，andhelookedatDirkovitch。ButDirkovitchhaddepartedintoabrandy-paradiseofhisown。Hislipsmovedwithoutsoundandhewasstudyingthecoffinontheceiling。

"White-whiteallover，"saidBasset-Holmer，theadjutant。"Whataperniciousrenegadehemustbe！Iwonderwherehecamefrom？"

Thecolonelshookthemangentlybythearm，and"Whoareyou？"

saidhe。

Therewasnoanswer。Themanstaredroundthemess-roomandsmiledinthecolonel’sface。LittleMildred，whowasalwaysmoreofawomanthanamantill"Bootandsaddle"wassounded，repeatedthequestioninavoicethatwouldhavedrawnconfidencesfromageyser。Themanonlysmiled。Dirkovitchatthefarendofthetableslidgentlyfromhischairtothefloor。NosonofAdaminthispresentimperfectworldcanmixtheHussars’champagnewiththeHussars’brandybyfiveandeightglassesofeachwithoutrememberingthepitwhencehewasdiggedanddescendingthither。

ThebandbegantoplaythetunewithwhichtheWhiteHussarsfromthedateoftheirformationhaveconcludedalltheirfunctions。

Theywouldsoonerbedisbandedthanabandonthattune；itisapartoftheirsystem。Themanstraightenedhimselfinhischairanddrummedonthetablewithhisfingers。

"Idon’tseewhyweshouldentertainlunatics，"saidthecolonel。

"Callaguardandsendhimofftothecells。We’lllookintothebusinessinthemorning。Givehimaglassofwinefirst，though。"

LittleMildredfilledasherry-glasswiththebrandyandthrustitovertotheman。Hedrank，andthetuneroselouder，andhestraightenedhimselfyetmore。Thenheputouthislong-talonedhandstoapieceofplateoppositeandfingereditlovingly。Therewasamysteryconnectedwiththatpieceofplate，intheshapeofaspringwhichconvertedwhatwasaseven-branchedcandlestick，threespringsoneachsideandoneinthemiddle，intoasortofwheel-spokecandelabrum。Hefoundthespring，pressedit，andlaughedweakly。Herosefromhischairandinspectedapictureonthewall，thenmovedontoanotherpicture，themesswatchinghimwithoutaword。Whenhecametothemantelpieceheshookhisheadandseemeddistressed。Apieceofplaterepresentingamountedhussarinfulluniformcaughthiseye。Hepointedtoit，andthentothemantelpiecewithinquiryinhiseyes。

"Whatisit-Oh，whatisit？"saidlittleMildred。Thenasamothermightspeaktoachild，"Thatisahorse。Yes，ahorse。"

Veryslowlycametheanswerinathick，passionlessguttural-"

Yes，I-haveseen。But-whereisthehorse？"

Youcouldhaveheardtheheartsofthemessbeatingasthemendrewbacktogivethestrangerfullroominhiswanderings。Therewasnoquestionofcallingtheguard。

Againhespoke-veryslowly，"Whereisourhorse？"

ThereisbutonehorseintheWhiteHussars，andhisportraithangsoutsidethedoorofthemess-room。Heisthepiebalddrum-

horse，thekingoftheregimentalband，thatservedtheregimentforseven-and-thirtyyears，andintheendwasshotforoldage。

Halfthemesstorethethingdownfromitsplaceandthrustitintotheman’shands。Heplaceditabovethemantelpiece，itclatteredontheledgeashispoorhandsdroppedit，andhestaggeredtowardsthebottomofthetable，fallingintoMildred’schair。Thenallthemenspoketooneanothersomethingafterthisfashion，"Thedrum-horsehasn’thungoverthemantelpiecesince’67。""Howdoesheknow？""Mildred，goandspeaktohimagain。"

"Colonel，whatareyougoingtodo？""Oh，dryup，andgivethepoordevilachancetopullhimselftogether。""Itisn’tpossibleanyhow。Theman’salunatic。"

LittleMildredstoodatthecolonel’sside，talkinginhisear。

"Willyoubegoodenoughtotakeyourseatsplease，gentlemen！"hesaid，andthemessdroppedintothechairs。OnlyDirkovitch’sseat，nexttolittleMildred’s，wasblank，andlittleMildredhimselfhadfoundHiraSingh’splace。Thewide-eyedmess-sergeantfilledtheglassesindeadsilence。Oncemorethecolonelrose，buthishandshook，andtheportspilledonthetableashelookedstraightatthemaninlittleMildred’schairandsaidhoarsely，"Mr。Vice，theQueen。"Therewasalittlepause，butthemansprungtohisfeetandansweredwithouthesitation，"TheQueen，Godblessher！"andasheemptiedthethinglasshesnappedtheshankbetweenhisfingers。

Longandlongago，whentheEmpressofIndiawasayoungwoman，andtherewerenouncleanidealsintheland，itwasthecustomofafewmessestodrinktheQueen’stoastinbrokenglass，tothevastdelightofthemess-contractors。Thecustomisnowdead，becausethereisnothingtobreakanythingfor，exceptnowandagainthewordofaGovernment，andthathasbeenbrokenalready。

"Thatsettlesit，"saidthecolonel，withagasp。"He’snotasergeant。Whatintheworldishe？"

Theentiremessechoedtheword，andthevolleyofquestionswouldhavescaredanyman。Itwasnowonderthattheragged，filthyinvadercouldonlysmileandshakehishead。

Fromunderthetable，calmandsmiling，roseDirkovitch，whohadbeenrousedfromhealthfulslumberbyfeetuponhisbody。Bythesideofthemanherose，andthemanshriekedandgrovelled。Itwasahorriblesight，comingsoswiftlyupontheprideandgloryofthetoastthathadbroughtthestrayedwitstogether。

Dirkovitchmadenooffertoraisehim，butlittleMildredheavedhimupinaninstant。ItisnotgoodthatagentlemanwhocananswertotheQueen’stoastshouldlieatthefeetofasubalternofCossacks。

Thehastyactiontorethewretch’supperclothingnearlytothewaist，andhisbodywasseamedwithdryblackscars。Thereisonlyoneweaponintheworldthatcutsinparallellines，anditisneitherthecanenorthecat。Dirkovitchsawthemarks，andthepupilsofhiseyesdilated。Alsohisfacechanged。HesaidsomethingthatsoundedlikeShtovetakete，andthemanfawninganswered，Chetyre。

"What’sthat？"saideverybodytogether。

"Hisnumber。Thatisnumberfour，youknow。"Dirkovitchspokeverythickly。

"WhathasaQueen’sofficertodowithaqualifiednumber？"saidtheColonel，andanunpleasantgrowlranroundthetable。

"HowcanItell？"saidtheaffableOrientalwithasweetsmile。

"Heisa-howyouhaveit？-escape-run-a-way，fromoverthere。"Henoddedtowardsthedarknessofthenight。

"Speaktohimifhe’llansweryou，andspeaktohimgently，"saidlittleMildred，settlingthemaninachair。ItseemedmostimpropertoallpresentthatDirkovitchshouldsipbrandyashetalkedinpurring，spittingRussiantothecreaturewhoansweredsofeeblyandwithsuchevidentdread。ButsinceDirkovitchappearedtounderstand，noonesaidaword。Allbreathedheavily，leaningforward，inthelonggapsoftheconversation。ThenexttimethattheyhavenoengagementsonhandtheWhiteHussarsintendtogotoSt。PetersburginabodytolearnRussian。

"Hedoesnotknowhowmanyyearsago，"saidDirkovitch，facingthemess，"buthesaysitwasverylongagoinawar。Ithinkthattherewasanaccident。Hesayshewasofthisgloriousanddistinguishedregimentinthewar。"

"Therolls！Therolls！Holmer，gettherolls！"saidlittleMildred，andtheadjutantdashedoffbare-headedtotheorderly-

room，wherethemuster-rollsoftheregimentwerekept。HereturnedjustintimetohearDirkovitchconclude，"Therefore，mydearfriends，Iammostsorrytosaytherewasanaccidentwhichwouldhavebeenreparableifhehadapologisedtothatourcolonel，whichhehadinsulted。"

Thenfollowedanothergrowlwhichthecoloneltriedtobeatdown。

ThemesswasinnomoodjustthentoweighinsultstoRussiancolonels。

"Hedoesnotremember，butIthinkthattherewasanaccident，andsohewasnotexchangedamongtheprisoners，buthewassenttoanotherplace-howdoyousay？-thecountry。So，hesays，hecamehere。Hedoesnotknowhowhecame。Eh？HewasatChepany，"-

themancaughttheword，nodded，andshivered，-"atZhiganskandIrkutsk。Icannotunderstandhowheescaped。Hesays，too，thathewasintheforestsformanyyears，buthowmanyyearshehasforgotten-thatwithmanythings。Itwasanaccident；donebecausehedidnotapologisetothatourcolonel。Ah！"

InsteadofechoingDirkovitch’ssighofregret，itissadtorecordthattheWhiteHussarslivelilyexhibitedun-Christiandelightandotheremotions，hardlyrestrainedbytheirsenseofhospitality。Holmerflungthefrayedandyellowregimentalrollsonthetable，andthemenflungthemselvesatthese。

"Steady！Fifty-six-fifty-five-fifty-four，"saidHolmer。"Hereweare。’LieutenantAustinLimmason。Missing。’ThatwasbeforeSebastopol。Whataninfernalshame！Insultedoneoftheircolonels，andwasquietlyshippedoff。Thirtyyearsofhislifewipedout。"

"Butheneverapologised。Saidhe’dseehimdamnedfirst，"

chorusedthemess。

"Poorchap！Isupposeheneverhadthechanceafterwards。Howdidhecomehere？"saidthecolonel。

Thedingyheapinthechaircouldgivenoanswer。

"Doyouknowwhoyouare？"

Itlaughedweakly。

"DoyouknowthatyouareLimmason-LieutenantLimmasonoftheWhiteHussars？"

Swiftlyasashotcametheanswer，inaslightlysurprisedtone，"Yes，I’m-Limmason，ofcourse。"Thelightdiedoutinhiseyes，andthemancollapsed，watchingeverymotionofDirkovitchwithterror。AflightfromSiberiamayfixafewelementaryfactsinthemind，butitdoesnotseemtoleadtocontinuityofthought。

Themancouldnotexplainhow，likeahomingpigeon，hehadfoundhiswaytohisownoldmessagain。Ofwhathehadsufferedorseenheknewnothing。HecringedbeforeDirkovitchasinstinctivelyashehadpressedthespringofthecandlestick，soughtthepictureofthedrum-horse，andansweredtothetoastoftheQueen。TherestwasablankthatthedreadedRussiantonguecouldonlyinpartremove。Hisheadbowedonhisbreast，andhegiggledandcoweredalternately。

ThedevilthatlivedinthebrandypromptedDirkovitchatthisextremelyinopportunemomenttomakeaspeech。Herose，swayingslightly，grippedthetable-edge，whilehiseyesglowedlikeopals，andbegan：

"Fellow-soldiersglorious-truefriendsandhospitables。Itwasanaccident，anddeplorable-mostdeplorable。"Herehesmiledsweetlyallroundthemess。"Butyouwillthinkofthislittle，littlething。Solittle，isitnot？TheCzar！Posh！Islapmyfingers-Isnapmyfingersathim。DoIbelieveinhim？No！ButinusSlavwhohasdonenothing，himIbelieve。Seventy-howmuch-millionspeoplesthathavedonenothing-notonething。Posh！

Napoleonwasanepisode。"Hebangedahandonthetable。"Hearyou，oldpeoples，wehavedonenothingintheworld-outhere。

Allourworkistodo；anditshallbedone，oldpeoples。Geta-

way！"Hewavedhishandimperiously，andpointedtotheman。"Youseehim。Heisnotgoodtosee。Hewasjustonelittle-oh，solittle-accident，thatnooneremembered。NowheisThat！Sowillyoube，brothersoldierssobravesowillyoube。

Butyouwillnevercomeback。Youwillallgowhereheisgone，or"-hepointedtothegreatcoffin-shadowontheceiling，andmuttering，"Seventymillions-geta-way，youoldpeoples，"fellasleep。

"Sweet，andtothepoint，"saidlittleMildred。"What’stheuseofgettingwroth？Let’smakethispoordevilcomfortable。"

ButthatwasamattersuddenlyandswiftlytakenfromthelovinghandsoftheWhiteHussars。Thelieutenanthadreturnedonlytogoawayagainthreedayslater，whenthewailoftheDeadMarch，andthetrampofthesquadrons，toldthewonderingStation，whosawnogapinthemess-table，thatanofficeroftheregimenthadresignedhisnew-foundcommission。

AndDirkovitch，bland，supple，andalwaysgenial，wentawaytoobyanighttrain。LittleMildredandanothermansawhimoff，forhewastheguestofthemess，andevenhadhesmittenthecolonelwiththeopenhand，thelawofthatmessallowednorelaxationofhospitality。

"Good-bye，Dirkovitch，andapleasantjourney，"saidlittleMildred。

"Aurevoir，"saidtheRussian。

"Indeed！Butwethoughtyouweregoinghome？"

"Yes，butIwillcomeagain。Mydearfriends，isthatroadshut？"

HepointedtowheretheNorthStarburnedovertheKhyberPass。

"ByJove！Iforgot。Ofcourse。Happytomeetyou，oldman，anytimeyoulike。Goteverythingyouwant？Cheroots，ice，bedding？

That’sallright。Well，aurevoir，Dirkovitch。"

"Um，"saidtheotherman，asthetail-lightsofthetraingrewsmall。"Of-all-the-unmitigated！"

LittleMildredanswerednothing，butwatchedtheNorthStarandhummedaselectionfromrecentSimlaburlesquethathadmuchdelightedtheWhiteHussars。Itran-

I’msorryforMisterBluebeard，I’msorrytocausehimpain；

Butaterriblespreethere’ssuretobeWhenhecomesbackagain。

ONLYASUBALTERN

NotonlytoenforcebycommandbuttoencouragebyexampletheenergeticdischargeofdutyandthesteadyenduranceofthedifficultiesandprivationsinseparablefromMilitaryService-

BengalArmyRegulations。

TheymadeBobbyWickpassanexaminationatSandhurst。Hewasagentlemanbeforehewasgazetted，so，whentheEmpressannouncedthat"Gentleman-CadetRobertHannaWick"waspostedasSecondLieutenanttotheTynesideTailTwistersatKrabBokhar，hebecameanofficerandagentleman，whichisanenviablething；andtherewasjoyinthehouseofWick，whereMammaWickandallthelittleWicksfellupontheirkneesandofferedincensetoBobbybyvirtueofhisachievements。

PapaWickhadbeenaCommissionerinhisday，holdingauthorityoverthreemillionsofmenintheChota-BuldanaDivision，buildinggreatworksforthegoodoftheland，anddoinghisbesttomaketwobladesofgrassgrowwheretherewasbutonebefore。Ofcourse，nobodyknewanythingaboutthisinthelittleEnglishvillagewherehewasjust"oldMr。Wick"andhadforgottenthathewasaCompanionoftheOrderoftheStarofIndia。

HepattedBobbyontheshoulderandsaid："Welldone，myboy！"

Therefollowed，whiletheuniformwasbeingprepared，anintervalofpuredelight，duringwhichBobbytookbrevet-rankasa"man"atthewomen-swampedtennis-partiesandtea-fightsofthevillage，and，Idaresay，hadhisjoining-timebeenextended，wouldhavefalleninlovewithseveralgirlsatonce。LittlecountryvillagesatHomeareveryfullofnicegirls，becausealltheyoungmencomeouttoIndiatomaketheirfortunes。

"India，"saidPapaWick，"istheplace。I’vehadthirtyyearsofit，and，begad，I’dliketogobackagain。WhenyoujointheTailTwistersyou’llbeamongfriends，ifeveryonehasn’tforgottenWickofChota-Buldana，andalotofpeoplewillbekindtoyouforoursakes。ThemotherwilltellyoumoreaboutoutfitthanIcan，butrememberthis。SticktoyourRegiment，Bobby-sticktoyourRegiment。You’llseemenallroundyougoingintotheStaffCorps，anddoingeverypossiblesortofdutybutregimental，andyoumaybetemptedtofollowsuit。Nowsolongasyoukeepwithinyourallowance，andIhaven’tstintedyouthere，sticktotheLine，thewholeLine，andnothingbuttheLine。Becarefulhowyoubackanotheryoungfool’sbill，andifyoufallinlovewithawomantwentyyearsolderthanyourself，don’ttellmeaboutit，that’sall。"

Withthesecounsels，andmanyothersequallyvaluable，didPapaWickfortifyBobbyerethatlastawfulnightatPortsmouthwhentheOfficers’QuartersheldmoreinmatesthanwereprovidedforbytheRegulations，andtheliberty-menoftheshipsfellfoulofthedraftsforIndia，andthebattleragedfromtheDockyardGateseventotheslumsofLongport，whilethedrabsofFrattoncamedownandscratchedthefacesoftheQueen’sOfficers。

BobbyWick，withanuglybruiseonhisfrecklednose，asickandshakydetachmenttomanoeuvreinship，andthecomfortoffiftyscornfulfemalestoattendto，hadnotimetofeelhomesicktilltheMalabarreachedmid-Channel，whenhedoubledhisemotionswithalittleguard-visitingandagreatmanyothermatters。

TheTailTwisterswereamostparticularRegiment。Thosewhoknewthemleastsaidthattheywereeatenupwith"side。"Buttheirreserveandtheirinternalarrangementsgenerallyweremerelyprotectivediplomacy。Somefiveyearsbefore，theColonelcommandinghadlookedintothefourteenfearlesseyesofsevenplumpandjuicysubalternswhohadallappliedtoentertheStaffCorps，andhadaskedthemwhythethreestarsshouldhe，acoloneloftheLine，commandadashednurseryfordouble-dashedbottle-

suckerswhoputoncondemnedtinspursandrodequalifiedmokesatthehiatusedheadsofforsakenBlackRegiments。Hewasarudemanandaterrible。Whereforetheremnanttookmeasures（withthehalf-buttasanengineofpublicopinion）tilltherumourwentabroadthatyoungmenwhousedtheTailTwistersasacrutchtotheStaffCorpshadmanyandvariedtrialstoendure。However，aregimenthasjustasmuchrighttoitsownsecretsasawoman。

WhenBobbycameupfromDeolaliandtookhisplaceamongtheTailTwisters，itwasgentlybutfirmlyborneinuponhimthattheRegimentwashisfatherandhismotherandhisindissolublyweddedwife，andthattherewasnocrimeunderthecanopyofheavenblackerthanthatofbringingshameontheRegiment，whichwasthebest-shooting，best-drilled，bestset-up，bravest，mostillustrious，andinallrespectsmostdesirableRegimentwithinthecompassoftheSevenSeas。HewastaughtthelegendsoftheMessPlate，fromthegreatgrinningGoldenGodsthathadcomeoutoftheSummerPalaceinPekintothesilver-mountedmarkhor-hornsnuffmullpresentedbythelastC。0。（hewhospaketothesevensubalterns）。Andeveryoneofthoselegendstoldhimofbattlesfoughtatlongodds，withoutfearaswithoutsupport；ofhospitalitycatholicasanArab’s；offriendshipsdeepastheseaandsteadyasthefighting-line；ofhonourwonbyhardroadsforhonour’ssake；andofinstantandunquestioningdevotiontotheRegiment-theRegimentthatclaimsthelivesofallandlivesforever。

Morethanonce，too，hecameofficiallyintocontactwiththeRegimentalcolours，whichlookedliketheliningofabricklayer’shatontheendofachewedstick。Bobbydidnotkneelandworshipthem，becauseBritishsubalternsarenotconstructedinthatmanner。Indeed，hecondemnedthemfortheirweightattheverymomentthattheywerefillinghimwithaweandothermorenoblesentiments。

ButbestofallwastheoccasionwhenhemovedwiththeTailTwistersinrevieworderatthebreakingofaNovemberday。

Allowingforduty-menandsick，theRegimentwasonethousandandeightystrong，andBobbybelongedtothem；forwashenotaSubalternoftheLine，-thewholeLineandnothingbuttheLine，-asthetrampoftwothousandonehundredandsixtysturdyammunitionbootsattested？HewouldnothavechangedplaceswithDeightonoftheHorseBattery，whirlingbyinapillarofcloudtoachorusof"Strongright！Strongleft！"orHogan-YaleoftheWhiteHussars，leadinghissquadronforallitwasworth，withthepriceofhorseshoesthrownin；or"Tick"Boileau，tryingtoliveuptohisfierceblueandgoldturbanwhilethewaspsoftheBengalCavalrystretchedtoagallopinthewakeofthelong，lolloppingWalersoftheWhiteHussars。

Theyfoughtthroughtheclearcoolday，andBobbyfeltalittlethrillrundownhisspinewhenheheardthetinkle-tinkle-tinkleoftheemptycartridge-caseshoppingfromthebreech-blocksaftertheroarofthevolleys；forheknewthatheshouldlivetohearthatsoundinaction。Thereviewendedinagloriouschaseacrosstheplain-batteriesthunderingaftercavalrytothehugedisgustoftheWhiteHussars，andtheTynesideTailTwistershuntingaSikhRegimenttillthelean，lathySinghspantedwithexhaustion。

Bobbywasdustyanddrippinglongbeforenoon，buthisenthusiasmwasmerelyfocused-notdiminished。

HereturnedtositatthefeetofRevere，his"skipper，"thatistosay，theCaptainofhisCompany，andtobeinstructedinthedarkartandmysteryofmanagingmen，whichisaverylargepartoftheProfessionofArms。

"Ifyouhaven’tatastethatway，"saidReverebetweenhispuffsofhischeroot，"you’llneverbeabletogetthehangofit，butremember，Bobby，’tisn’tthebestdrill，thoughdrillisnearlyeverything，thathaulsaRegimentthroughHellandoutontheotherside。It’sthemanwhoknowshowtohandlemen-goat-men，swine-men，dog-men，andsoon。"

"Dormer，forinstance，"saidBobby；"Ithinkhecomesundertheheadoffool-men。Hemopeslikeasickowl。"

"That’swhereyoumakeyourmistake，myson。Dormerisn’tafoolyet，buthe’sadasheddirtysoldier，andhisroomcorporalmakesfunofhissocksbeforekit-inspection。Dormer，beingtwo-thirdspurebrute，goesintoacornerandgrowls。"

"Howdoyouknow’？"saidBobbyadmiringly。

"BecauseaCompanycommanderhastoknowthesethings-because，ifhedoesnotknow，hemayhavecrime-ay，murder-brewingunderhisverynoseandyetnotseethatit’sthere。Dormerisbeingbadgeredoutofhismind-bigasheis-andhehasn’tintellectenoughtoresentit。He’stakentoquietboozing，and，Bobby，whenthebuttofaroomgoesonthedrink，ortakestomopingbyhimself，measuresarenecessarytopullhimoutofhimself。"

"Whatmeasures？’Mancan’trunroundcoddlinghismenforever。"

"No。Themenwouldprecioussoonshowhimthathewasnotwanted。

You’vegotto-

HeretheColour-sergeantenteredwithsomepapers；BobbyreflectedforawhileasReverelookedthroughtheCompanyforms。

"DoesDormerdoanything，Sergeant？"Bobbyaskedwiththeairofonecontinuinganinterruptedconversation。

"No，sir。Does’isdootylikeahortomato，"saidtheSergeant，whodelightedinlongwords。"Adirtysoldier，and’e’sunderfullstoppagesfornewkit。It’scoveredwithscales，sir。"

"Scales？Whatscales？"

"Fish-scales，sir。’E’salwayspokin’inthemudbytheriveran’

a-cleanin’themmuchly-fishwith’isthumbs。"ReverewasstillabsorbedintheCompanypapers，andtheSergeant，whowassternlyfondofBobby，continued，-"’Egenerallygoesdowntherewhen’e’sgot’isskinful，beggin’yourpardon，sir，an’theydosaythatthemorelush-inebriated’eis，themorefish’ecatches。

Theycall’imtheLooneyFishmongerintheComp’ny，sir。"

ReveresignedthelastpaperandtheSergeantretreated。

"It’safilthyamusement，"sighedBobbytohimself。ThenaloudtoRevere："AreyoureallyworriedaboutDormer？"

"Alittle。Youseehe’snevermadenoughtosendtohospital，ordrunkenoughtorunin，butatanyminutehemayflareup，broodingandsulkingashedoes。Heresentsanyinterestbeingshowninhim，andtheonlytimeItookhimoutshootingheallbutshotmebyaccident。"

"Ifish，"saidBobby，withawryface。"Ihireacountry-boatandgodownriverfromThursdaytoSunday，andtheamiableDormergoeswithme-ifyoucanspareusboth。"

"Youblazingyoungfool！"saidRevere，buthisheartwasfullofmuchmorepleasantwords。

Bobby，theCaptainofadhoni，withPrivateDormerformate，droppeddowntheriveronThursdaymorning-thePrivateatthebow，theSubalternatthehelm。ThePrivateglareduneasilyattheSubaltern，whorespectedthereserveofthePrivate。

Aftersixhours，Dormerpacedtothestern，saluted，andsaid-"

Begy’pardon，sir，butwasyoueverontheDurh’mCanal？"

"No，"saidBobbyWick。"Comeandhavesometiffin。"

Theyateinsilence。Astheeveningfell，PrivateDormerbrokeforth，speakingtohimself-

"HiwasontheDurh’mCanal，jes’suchanight，comenextweektwelvemonth，a-trailin’ofmytoesinthewater。"Hesmokedandsaidnomoretillbedtime。

Thewitcheryofthedawnturnedthegrayriver-reachestopurple，gold，andopal；anditwasasthoughthelumberingdhonicreptacrossthesplendoursofanewheaven。

PrivateDormerpoppedhisheadoutofhisblanketandgazedattheglorybelowandaround。

"Well-damn-myeyes！"saidPrivateDormerinanawedwhisper。

"This’ereislikeabloomin’gallantry-show！"Fortherestofthedayhewasdumb，butachievedanensanguinedfilthinessthroughthecleaningofbigfish。

TheboatreturnedonSaturdayevening。Dormerhadbeenstrugglingwithspeechsincenoon。Asthelinesandluggagewerebeingdisembarked，hefoundtongue。

"Begy’pardon，sir，"hesaid，"butwouldyou-wouldyoumin’

shakin’’andswithme，sir？"

"Ofcoursenot，"saidBobby，andheshookaccordingly。DormerreturnedtobarracksandBobbytomess。

"Hewantedalittlequietandsomefishing，Ithink，"saidBobby。

"Myaunt，buthe’safilthysortofanimal！Haveyoueverseenhimclean’themmuchly-fishwith’isthumbs？"

"Anyhow，"saidReverethreeweekslater，"he’sdoinghisbesttokeephisthingsclean。"

Whenthespringdied，BobbyjoinedinthegeneralscrambleforHillleave，andtohissurpriseanddelightsecuredthreemonths。

"AsgoodaboyasIwant，"saidRevere，theadmiringskipper。

"Thebestofthebatch，"saidtheAdjutanttotheColonel。"KeepbackthatyoungskrimshankerPorkiss，sir，andletReveremakehimsitup。"

SoBobbydepartedjoyouslytoSimlaPaharwithatinboxofgorgeousraiment。

"SonofWick-oldWickofChota-Buldana？Askhimtodinner，dear，"saidtheagedmen。

"Whataniceboy！"saidthematronsandthemaids。

"First-classplace，Simla。Oh，ri——ipping！"saidBobbyWick，andorderednewwhitecordbreechesonthestrengthofit。

"We’reinabadway，"wroteReveretoBobbyattheendoftwomonths。"Sinceyouleft，theRegimenthastakentofeverandisfairlyrottenwithit-twohundredinhospital，aboutahundredincells-drinkingtokeepofffever-andtheCompaniesonparadefifteenfilestrongattheoutside。There’srathermoresicknessintheout-villagesthanIcarefor，butthenI’msoblisteredwithprickly-heatthatI’mreadytohangmyself。What’stheyarnaboutyourmashingaMissHaverleyupthere？Notserious，Ihope？You’reover-youngtohangmillstonesroundyourneck，andtheColonelwillturfyououtofthatindouble-quicktimeifyouattemptit。"

ItwasnottheColonelthatbroughtBobbyoutofSimla，butamuchmoretoberespectedCommandant。Thesicknessintheout-villagesspread，theBazarwasputoutofbounds，andthencamethenewsthattheTailTwistersmustgointocamp。ThemessageflashedtotheHillstations-"Cholera-Leavestopped-Officersrecalled。"Alas，forthewhiteglovesintheneatlysolderedboxes，theridesandthedancesandpicnicsthatweretobe，theloveshalfspoken，andthedebtsunpaid！Withoutdemurandwithoutquestion，fastastongacouldflyorponygallop，backtotheirRegimentsandtheirBatteries，asthoughtheywerehasteningtotheirweddings，fledthesubalterns。

BobbyreceivedhisordersonreturningfromadanceatViceregalLodge，wherehehadbutonlytheHaverleygirlknowswhatBobbyhadsaidorhowmanywaltzeshehadclaimedforthenextball。SixinthemorningsawBobbyattheTongaOfficeinthedrenchingrain，thewhirlofthelastwaltzstillinhisears，andanintoxicationdueneithertowinenorwaltzinginhisbrain。

"Goodman！"shoutedDeightonoftheHorseBatterythroughthemists。"Wharyouraisedattonga？I’mcomingwithyou。Ow！ButI’veaheadandhalf。Ididn’tsitoutallnight。TheysaytheBattery’sawfulbad，"andhehummeddolorously-

"Leavethewhatatthewhat’s-its-name，Leavetheflockwithoutshelter，Leavethecorpseuninterred，Leavethebrideatthealtar"Myfaith！It’llbemoreballycorpsethanbride，though，thisjourney。Jumpin，Bobby。Geton，Coachwan！"

OntheUmballaplatformwaitedadetachmentofofficersdiscussingthelatestnewsfromthestrickencantonment，anditwasherethatBobbylearnedtherealconditionoftheTailTwisters。

"Theywentintocamp，"saidanelderlyMajorrecalledfromthewhist-tablesatMussoorietoasicklyNativeRegiment，"theywentintocampwithtwohundredandtensickincarts。Twohundredandtenfevercasesonly，andthebalancelookinglikesomanyghostswithsoreeyes。AMadrasRegimentcouldhavewalkedthrough’em。"

"Buttheywereasfitasbe-damnedwhenIleftthem！"saidBobby。

"Thenyou’dbettermakethemasfitasbe-damnedwhenyourejoin，"

saidtheMajorbrutally。

Bobbypressedhisforeheadagainsttherain-splashedwindow-paneasthetrainlumberedacrossthesoddenDoab，andprayedforthehealthoftheTynesideTailTwisters。NainiTalhadsentdownhercontingentwithallspeed；thelatheringponiesoftheDalhousieRoadstaggeredintoPathankot，taxedtothefullstretchoftheirstrength；whilefromcloudyDarjilingtheCalcuttaMailwhirledupthelaststragglerofthelittlearmythatwastofightafight，inwhichwasneithermedalnorhonourforthewinning，againstanenemynoneotherthan"thesicknessthatdestroyethinthenoonday。"

Andaseachmanreportedhimself，hesaid："Thisisabadbusiness，"andwentabouthisownforthwith，foreveryRegimentandBatteryinthecantonmentwasundercanvas，thesicknessbearingthemcompany。

BobbyfoughthiswaythroughtheraintotheTailTwisters’

temporarymess，andReverecouldhavefallenontheboy’sneckforthejoyofseeingthatugly，wholesomephizoncemore。

"Keep’emamusedandinterested，"saidRevere。"Theywentonthedrink，poorfools，afterthefirsttwocases，andtherewasnoimprovement。Oh，it’sgoodtohaveyouback，Bobby！Porkissisa-

nevermind。"

DeightoncameoverfromtheArtillerycamptoattendadrearymessdinner，andcontributedtothegeneralgloombynearlyweepingovertheconditionofhisbelovedBattery。Porkisssofarforgothimselfastoinsinuatethatthepresenceoftheofficerscoulddonoearthlygood，andthatthebestthingwouldbetosendtheentireRegimentintohospitaland"letthedoctorslookafterthem。"Porkisswasdemoralisedwithfear，norwashispeaceofmindrestoredwhenReveresaidcoldly："Oh！Thesooneryougooutthebetter，ifthat’syourwayofthinking。Anypublicschoolcouldsendusfiftygoodmeninyourplace，butittakestime，time，Porkiss，andmoney，andacertainamountoftrouble，tomakeaRegiment。S’poseyou’rethepersonwegointocampfor，eh？"

WhereuponPorkisswasovertakenwithagreatandchillyfearwhichadrenchingintheraindidnotallay，and，twodayslater，quittedthisworldforanotherwhere，mendofondlyhope，allowancesaremadefortheweaknessesoftheflesh。TheRegimentalSergeant-MajorlookedwearilyacrosstheSergeants’

Messtentwhenthenewswasannounced。

"Theregoestheworstofthem，"hesaid。"It’lltakethebest，andthen，pleaseGod，it’llstop。"TheSergeantsweresilenttillonesaid："Itcouldn’tbehim！"andallknewofwhomTraviswasthinking。

BobbyWickstormedthroughthetentsofhisCompany，rallying，rebuking，mildly，asisconsistentwiththeRegulations，chaffingthefainthearted；halingthesoundintothewaterysunlightwhentherewasabreakintheweather，andbiddingthembeofgoodcheer，fortheirtroublewasnearlyatanend；scuttlingonhisdunponyroundtheoutskirtsofthecampandheadingbackmenwho，withtheinnateperversityofBritishsoldiers，werealwayswanderingintoinfectedvillages，ordrinkingdeeplyfromrain-

floodedmarshes；comfortingthepanic-strickenwithrudespeech，andmorethanoncetendingthedyingwhohadnofriends-themenwithout"townies"；organizing，withbanjosandburntcork，Sing-

songswhichshouldallowthetalentoftheRegimentfullplay；andgenerally，asheexplained，"playingthegiddygarden-goatallround。"

"You’reworthhalfadozenofus，Bobby，"saidRevereinamomentofenthusiasm。"Howthedevildoyoukeepitup？"

Bobbymadenoanswer，buthadReverelookedintothebreast-pocketofhiscoathemighthaveseenthereasheafofbadly-writtenletterswhichperhapsaccountedforthepowerthatpossessedtheboy。AlettercametoBobbyeveryotherday。Thespellingwasnotabovereproach，butthesentimentsmusthavebeenmostsatisfactory，foronreceiptBobby’seyessoftenedmarvellously，andhewaswonttofallintoatenderabstractionforawhileere，shakinghiscroppedhead，hechargedintohiswork。

Bywhatpowerhedrewafterhimtheheartsoftheroughest，andtheTailTwisterscountedintheirrankssomeroughdiamondsindeed，wasamysterytobothskipperandC。0。，wholearnedfromtheregimentalchaplainthatBobbywasconsiderablymoreinrequestinthehospitaltentsthantheReverendJohnEmery。

"Themenseemfondofyou。Areyouinthehospitalsmuch？"saidtheColonel，whodidhisdailyroundandorderedthementogetwellwithahardnessthatdidnotcoverhisbittergrief。

"Alittle，sir，"saidBobby。

"Shouldn’tgotheretoooftenifIwereyou。Theysayit’snotcontagious，butthere’snouseinrunningunnecessaryrisks。Wecan’taffordtohaveyoudown，y’know。"

Sixdayslater，itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatthepost-

runnerplashedhiswayouttothecampwiththemail-bags，fortherainwasfallingintorrents。Bobbyreceivedaletter，boreitofftohistent，and，theprogrammeforthenextweek’sSing-songbeingsatisfactorilydisposedof，satdowntoanswerit。Foranhourtheunhandypentoiledoverthepaper，andwheresentimentrosetomorethannormaltide-level，BobbyWickstuckouthistongueandbreathedheavily。Hewasnotusedtoletter-writing。

"Begy’pardon，sir，"saidavoiceatthetentdoor；"butDormer’s’orridbad，sir，an’they’vetakenhimorf，sir。"

"DamnPrivateDormerandyoutoo！"saidBobbyWick，runningtheblotteroverthehalf-finishedletter。"TellhimI’llcomeinthemorning。"

"’E’sawfulbad，sir，"saidthevoicehesitatingly。Therewasanundecidedsquelchingofheavyboots。

"Well？"saidBobbyimpatiently。

"Excusin’’imselfbefore’andfortakin’theliberty，’esaysitwouldbeacomfortfortoassist’im，sir，if-

"

tattoolao！Getmypony！Here，comeinoutoftheraintillI’mready。Whatblastednuisancesyouare！That’sbrandy。Drinksome；

youwantit。HangontomystirrupandtellmeifIgotoofast。"

Strengthenedbyafour-finger"nip"whichheswallowedwithoutawink，theHospitalOrderlykeptupwiththeslipping，mud-stained，andverydisgustedponyasitshambledtothehospitaltent。

PrivateDormerwascertainly"’orridbad。"Hehadallbutreachedthestageofcollapse，andwasnotpleasanttolookupon。

"What’sthis，Dormer？"saidBobby，bendingovertheman。"You’renotgoingoutthistime。You’vegottocomefishingwithmeonceortwicemoreyet。"

Thebluelipspartedandintheghostofawhispersaid，-"Begy’

pardon，sir，disturbin’ofyounow，butwouldyoumin’’oldin’my’and，sir’？

Bobbysatonthesideofthebed，andtheicy-coldhandclosedonhisownlikeavice，forcingalady’sringwhichwasonthelittlefingerdeepintotheflesh。Bobbysethislipsandwaited，thewaterdrippingfromthehemofhistrousers。Anhourpassed，andthegraspofthehanddidnotrelax，nordidtheexpressionofthedrawnfacechange。Bobbywithinfinitecraftlithimselfacherootwiththelefthand（hisrightarmwasnumbedtotheelbow），andresignedhimselftoanightofpain。

Dawnshowedaverywhite-facedSubalternsittingonthesideofasickman’scot，andaDoctorinthedoorwayusinglanguageunfitforpublication。

"Haveyoubeenhereallnight，youyoungass？"saidtheDoctor。

"Thereorthereabouts，"saidBobbyruefully。"He’sfrozenontome。"

Dormer’smouthshutwithaclick。Heturnedhisheadandsighed。

Theclinginghandopened，andBobby’sarmfelluselessathisside。

"He’lldo，"saidtheDoctorquietly。"Itmusthavebeenatoss-upallthroughthenight。’Thinkyou’retobecongratulatedonthiscase。"

"Oh，bosh！"saidBobby。"Ithoughtthemanhadgoneoutlongago-

only-onlyIdidn’tcaretotakemyhandaway。Rubmyarmdown，there’sagoodchap。Whatagripthebrutehas！I’mchilledtothemarrow！"Hepassedoutofthetentshivering。

PrivateDormerwasallowedtocelebratehisrepulseofDeathbystrongwaters。Fourdayslater，hesatonthesideofhiscotandsaidtothepatientsmildly："I’d’a’likento’a’spokento’im-

soIshould。"

ButatthattimeBobbywasreadingyetanotherletter，-hehadthemostpersistentcorrespondentofanymanincamp，-andwaseventhenabouttowritethatthesicknesshadabated，andinanotherweekattheoutsidewouldbegone。Hedidnotintendtosaythatthechillofasickman’shandseemedtohavestruckintotheheartwhosecapacitiesforaffectionhedweltonatsuchlength。HedidintendtoenclosetheillustratedprogrammeoftheforthcomingSing-song，whereofhewasnotalittleproud。Healsointendedtowriteonmanyothermatterswhichdonotconcernus，anddoubtlesswouldhavedonesobutfortheslightfeverishheadachewhichmadehimdullandunresponsiveatmess。

"Youareoverdoingit，Bobby，"saidhisskipper。"’Mightgivetherestofuscreditofdoingalittlework。YougoonasifyouwerethewholeMessrolledintoone。Takeiteasy。"

"Iwill，"saidBobby。"I’mfeelingdoneup，somehow。"Reverelookedathimanxiouslyandsaidnothing。

Therewasaflickeringoflanternsaboutthecampthatnight，andarumourthatbroughtmenoutoftheircotstothetentdoors，apaddlingofthenakedfeetofdoolie-bearers，andtherushofagallopinghorse。

"Wot’sup？"askedtwentytents；andthroughtwentytentsrantheanswer-"Wick，’e’sdown。"

TheybroughtthenewstoRevereandhegroaned。"AnyonebutBobbyandIshouldn’thavecared！TheSergeant-Majorwasright。"

"Notgoingoutthisjourney，"gaspedBobby，ashewasliftedfromthedoolie。"Notgoingoutthisjourney。"Thenwithanairofsupremeconviction-"Ican’t，yousee。"

"NotifIcandoanything！"saidtheSurgeon-Major，whohadhastenedoverfromthemesswherehehadbeendining。

HeandtheRegimentalSurgeonfoughttogetherwithDeathforthelifeofBobbyWick。Theirworkwasinterruptedbyahairyapparitioninablue-graydressing-gown，whostaredinhorroratthebedandcried-"Oh，myGawd！Itcan’tbe’im！"untilanindignantHospitalOrderlywhiskedhimaway。

Ifcareofmananddesiretolivecouldhavedoneaught，Bobbywouldhavebeensaved。Asitwas，hemadeafightofthreedays，andtheSurgeon-Major’sbrowuncreased。"We’llsavehimyet，"hesaid；andtheSurgeon，who，thoughherankedwiththeCaptain，hadaveryyouthfulheart，wentoutuponthewordandprancedjoyouslyinthemud。

"Notgoingoutthisjourney，"whisperedBobbyWickgallantly，attheendofthethirdday。

"Bravo！"saidtheSurgeon-Major。"That’sthewaytolookatit，Bobby。"

AseveningfellagrayshadegatheredroundBobby’smouth，andheturnedhisfacetothetent-wallwearily。TheSurgeon-Majorfrowned。

"I’mawfullytired，"saidBobby，veryfaintly。"What’stheuseofbotheringmewithmedicine？I-don’t-want-it。Letmealone。"

Thedesireforlifehaddeparted，andBobbywascontenttodriftawayontheeasytideofDeath。

"It’snogood，"saidtheSurgeon-Major。"Hedoesn’twanttolive。