第5章

He’smeetingit，poorchild。"Andheblewhisnose。

Halfamileaway，theregimentalbandwasplayingtheoverturetotheSing-song，forthemenhadbeentoldthatBobbywasoutofdanger。TheclashofthebrassandthewailofthehornsreachedBobby’sears。

Isthereasinglejoyorpain，ThatIshouldneverkno-ow？

Youdonotloveme，’tisinvain，Bidmegood-byeandgo！

Anexpressionofhopelessirritationcrossedtheboy’sface，andhetriedtoshakehishead。

TheSurgeon-Majorbentdown-"Whatisit，Bobby？"——-"Notthatwaltz，"mutteredBobby。"That’sourown-ourveryownestown……

Mummydear。"

Withthishesankintothestuporthatgaveplacetodeathearlynextmorning。

Revere，hiseyesredattherimsandhisnoseverywhite，wentintoBobby’stenttowritealettertoPapaWickwhichshouldbowthewhiteheadoftheex-CommissionerofChota-Buldanainthekeenestsorrowofhislife。Bobby’slittlestoreofpaperslayinconfusiononthetable，andamongthemahalf-finishedletter。Thelastsentenceran："Soyousee，darling，thereisreallynofear，becauseaslongasIknowyoucareformeandIcareforyou，nothingcantouchme。"

Reverestayedinthetentforanhour。Whenhecameout，hiseyeswereredderthanever。

PrivateConklinsatonaturned-downbucket，andlistenedtoanotunfamiliartune。PrivateConklinwasaconvalescentandshouldhavebeentenderlytreated。

"Ho！"saidPrivateConklin。"There’sanotherbloomin’orf’cerda-

ed。"

Thebucketshotfromunderhim，andhiseyesfilledwithasmithyfulofsparks。Atallmaninablue-graybedgownwasregardinghimwithdeepdisfavour。

"Yououghttotakeshameforyourself，Conky！Orf’cer？-bloomin’

orf’cer？I’lllearnyoutomisnamethelikesof’im。Hangel！

Bloomin’Hangel！That’swot’eis！"

AndtheHospitalOrderlywassosatisfiedwiththejusticeofthepunishmentthathedidnotevenorderPrivateDormerbacktohiscot。

INTHEMATTEROFAPRIVATE

Hurrah！hurrah！asoldier’slifeforme！

Shout，boys，shout！foritmakesyoujollyandfree。

TheRamrodCorps。

Peoplewhohaveseensaythatoneofthequaintestspectaclesofhumanfrailtyisanoutbreakofhystericsinagirls’school。Itstartswithoutwarning，generallyonahotafternoon，amongtheelderpupils。Agirlgigglestillthegigglegetsbeyondcontrol。

Thenshethrowsupherheadandcries，"Honk，honk，honk，"likeawildgoose，andtearsmixwiththelaughter。Ifthemistressbewise，shewillrapoutsomethingsevereatthispointtocheckmatters。Ifshebetender-hearted，andsendforadrinkofwater，thechancesarelargelyinfavourofanothergirllaughingattheafflictedoneandherselfcollapsing。Thusthetroublespreads，andmayendinhalfofwhatanswerstotheLowerSixthofaboys’

schoolrockingandwhoopingtogether。Givenaweekofwarmweather，twostatelypromenadesperdiem，aheavymuttonandricemealinthemiddleoftheday，acertainamountofnaggingfromtheteachers，andafewotherthings，someamazingeffectsdevelop。Atleast，thisiswhatfolksaywhohavehadexperience。

Now，theMotherSuperiorofaConventandtheColonelofaBritishInfantryRegimentwouldbejustlyshockedatanycomparisonbeingmadebetweentheirrespectivecharges。Butitisafactthat，undercertaincircumstances，Thomasinbulkcanbeworkedupintoditthering，ripplinghysteria。Hedoesnotweep，butheshowshistroubleunmistakably，andtheconsequencesgetintothenewspapers，andallthegoodpeoplewhohardlyknowaMartinifromaSnidersay："Takeawaythebrute’sammunition！"

Thomasisn’tabrute，andhisbusiness，whichistolookafterthevirtuouspeople，demandsthatheshallhavehisammunitiontohishand。Hedoesn’twearsilkstockings，andhereallyoughttobesuppliedwithanewAdjectivetohelphimtoexpresshisopinions：

but，forallthat，heisagreatman。Ifyoucallhim"theheroicdefenderofthenationalhonour"oneday，and"abrutalandlicentioussoldiery"thenext，younaturallybewilderhim，andhelooksuponyouwithsuspicion。ThereisnobodytospeakforThomasexceptpeoplewhohavetheoriestoworkoffonhim，andnobodyunderstandsThomasexceptThomas，andhedoesnotalwaysknowwhatisthematterwithhimself。

Thatistheprologue。Thisisthestory：-

CorporalSlanewasengagedtobemarriedtoMissJhansiM’Kenna，whosehistoryiswellknownintheregimentandelsewhere。HehadhisColonel’spermission，and，beingpopularwiththemen，everyarrangementhadbeenmadetogivetheweddingwhatPrivateOrtheriscalled"eeklar。"Itfellintheheartofthehotweather，and，afterthewedding，SlanewasgoinguptotheHillswiththebride。Nonetheless，Slane’sgrievancewasthattheaffairwouldbeonlyahired-carriagewedding，andhefeltthatthe"eeklar"ofthatwasmeagre。MissM’Kennadidnotcaresomuch。TheSergeant’swifewashelpinghertomakeherwedding-dress，andshewasverybusy。Slanewas，justthen，theonlymoderatelycontentedmaninbarracks。Alltherestweremoreorlessmiserable。

Andtheyhadsomuchtomakethemhappy，too。Alltheirworkwasoverateightinthemorning，andfortherestofthedaytheycouldlieontheirbacksandsmokeCanteen-plugandswearatthepunkah-coolies。Theyenjoyedafine，fullfleshmealinthemiddleoftheday，andthenthrewthemselvesdownontheircotsandsweatedandslepttillitwascoolenoughtogooutwiththeir"towny，"whosevocabularycontainedlessthansixhundredwords，andtheAdjective，andwhoseviewsoneveryconceivablequestiontheyhadheardmanytimesbefore。

TherewastheCanteen，ofcourse，andtherewastheTemperanceRoomwiththesecond-handpapersinit；butamanofanyprofessioncannotreadforeighthoursadayinatemperatureof96？or98？intheshade，runningupsometimesto103？atmidnight。

Veryfewmen，eventhoughtheygetapannikinofflat，stale，muddybeerandhideitundertheircots，cancontinuedrinkingforsixhoursaday。Onemantried，buthedied，andnearlythewholeregimentwenttohisfuneralbecauseitgavethemsomethingtodo。

Itwastooearlyfortheexcitementoffeverorcholera。Themencouldonlywaitandwaitandwait，andwatchtheshadowofthebarrackcreepingacrosstheblindingwhitedust。Thatwasagaylife。

Theyloungedaboutcantonments-itwastoohotforanysortofgame，andalmosttoohotforvice-andfuddledthemselvesintheevening，andfilledthemselvestodistensionwiththehealthynitrogenousfoodprovidedforthem，andthemoretheystokedthelessexercisetheytookandmoreexplosivetheygrew。Thentempersbegantowearaway，andmenfella-broodingoverinsultsrealorimaginary，fortheyhadnothingelsetothinkof。Thetoneofthereparteeschanged，andinsteadofsayinglight-heartedly：I’llknockyoursillyfacein，"mengrewlaboriouslypoliteandhintedthatthecantonmentswerenotbigenoughforthemselvesandtheirenemy，andthattherewouldbemorespaceforoneofthetwoinanotherPlace。

ItmayhavebeentheDevilwhoarrangedthething，butthefactofthecaseisthatLossonhadforalongtimebeenworryingSimmonsinanaimlessway。Itgavehimoccupation。Thetwohadtheircotssidebyside，andwouldsometimesspendalongafternoonswearingateachother；butSimmonswasafraidofLossonanddarednotchallengehimtoafight。Hethoughtoverthewordsinthehotstillnights，andhalfthehatehefelttowardsLossonheventedonthewretchedpunkah-coolie。

Lossonboughtaparrotinthebazar，andputitintoalittlecage，andloweredthecageintothecooldarknessofawell，andsatonthewell-curb，shoutingbadlanguagedowntotheparrot。Hetaughtittosay："Simmons，yeso-oor，"whichmeansswine，andseveralotherthingsentirelyunfitforpublication。Hewasabiggrossman，andheshooklikeajellywhentheparrothadthesentencecorrectly。Simmons，however，shookwithrage，foralltheroomwerelaughingathim-theparrotwassuchadisreputablepuffofgreenfeathersanditlookedsohumanwhenitchattered。

Lossonusedtosit，swinginghisfatlegs，onthesideofthecot，andasktheparrotwhatitthoughtofSimmons。Theparrotwouldanswer："Simmons，yeso-oor。"Goodboy，"Lossonusedtosay，scratchingtheparrot’shead；"ye’earthat，Sim？"AndSimmonsusedtoturnoveronhisstomachandmakeanswer："I’ear。Take’eedyoudon’t’earsomethingoneofthesedays。"

Intherestlessnights，afterhehadbeenasleepallday，fitsofblindragecameuponSimmonsandheldhimtillhetrembledallover，whilehethoughtinhowmanydifferentwayshewouldslayLosson。Sometimeshewouldpicturehimselftramplingthelifeoutofthemanwithheavyammunition-boots，andatotherssmashinginhisfacewiththebutt，andatothersjumpingonhisshouldersanddraggingtheheadbacktilltheneckbonecracked。Thenhismouthwouldfeelhotandfevered，andhewouldreachoutforanothersupofthebeerinthepannikin。

ButthefancythatcametohimmostfrequentlyandstayedwithhimlongestwasoneconnectedwiththegreatrolloffatunderLosson’srightear。Henoticeditfirstonamoonlightnight，andthereafteritwasalwaysbeforehiseyes。Itwasafascinatingrolloffat。Amancouldgethishanduponitandtearawayonesideoftheneck；orhecouldplacethemuzzleofarifleonitandblowawayalltheheadinaflash。Lossonhadnorighttobesleekandcontentedandwell-to-do，whenhe，Simmons，wasthebuttoftheroom。Someday，perhaps，hewouldshowthosewholaughedatthe"Simmons，yeso-oor"joke，thathewasasgoodastherest，andheldaman’slifeinthecrookofhisforefinger。WhenLossonsnored，Simmonshatedhimmorebitterlythanever。WhyshouldLossonbeabletosleepwhenSimmonshadtostayawakehourafterhour，tossingandturningonthetapes，withthedullliverpaingnawingintohisrightsideandhisheadthrobbingandachingafterCanteen？Hethoughtoverthisformany，manynights，andtheworldbecameunprofitabletohim。Heevenbluntedhisnaturallyfineappetitewithbeerandtobacco；andallthewhiletheparrottalkedatandmadeamockofhim。

Theheatcontinuedandthetempersworeawaymorequicklythanbefore。ASergeant’swifediedofheat-apoplexyinthenight，andtherumourranabroadthatitwascholera。Menrejoicedopenly，hopingthatitwouldspreadandsendthemintocamp。Butthatwasafalsealarm。

ItwaslateonaTuesdayevening，andthemenwerewaitinginthedeepdoubleverandahsfor"LastPost，"whenSimmonswenttotheboxatthefootofhisbed，tookouthispipe，andslammedtheliddownwithabangthatechoedthroughthedesertedbarracklikethecrackofarifle。Ordinarilyspeaking，themenwouldhavetakennonotice；buttheirnerveswerefrettedtofiddle-strings。Theyjumpedup，andthreeorfourclatteredintothebarrack-roomonlytofindSimmonskneelingbyhisbox。

"Ow！It’syou，isit？"theysaid，andlaughedfoolishly。"Wethought’twas-"

Simmonsroseslowly。Iftheaccidenthadsoshakenhisfellows，whatwouldnottherealitydo？

"Youthoughtitwas-didyou？Andwhatmakesyouthink？"hesaid，lashinghimselfintomadnessashewenton；"toHellwithyourthinking，yedirtyspies！"

"Simmons，yeso-oor，"chuckledtheparrotintheverandahsleepily，recognisingawell-knownvoice。Nowthatwasabsolutelyall。

Thetensionsnapped。Simmonsfellbackonthearm-rackdeliberately，-themenwereatthefarendoftheroom，-andtookouthisrifleandpacketofammunition。"Don’tgoplayingthegoat，Sim！"saidLosson。"Putitdown，"buttherewasaquaverinhisvoice。Anothermanstooped，slippedhisboot，andhurleditatSimmons’shead。Thepromptanswerwasashotwhich，firedatrandom，founditsbilletinLosson’sthroat。Lossonfellforwardwithoutaword，andtheothersscattered。

"Youthoughtitwas！"yelledSimmons。"You’redrivin’metoit！I

tellyouyou’redrivin’metoit！Getup，Losson，an’don’tlieshammin’there-youan’yourblastedparritthatdruvmetoit！

ButtherewasanunaffectedrealityaboutLosson’sposethatshowedSimmonswhathehaddone。Themenwerestillclamouringintheverandah。Simmonsappropriatedtwomorepacketsofammunitionandranintothemoonlight，muttering："I’llmakeanightofit。

Thirtyroun’s，an’thelastformyself。Takeyouthat，youdogs！"

Hedroppedononekneeandfiredintothebrownofthemenontheverandah，butthebulletflewhigh，andlandedinthebrickworkwithaviciousphwitthatmadesomeoftheyoungeronesturnpale。

Itis，asmusketrytheoristsobserve，onethingtofireandanothertobefiredat。

Thentheinstinctofthechaseflaredup。Thenewsspreadfrombarracktobarrack，andthemendoubledoutintentonthecaptureofSimmons，thewildbeast，whowasheadingfortheCavalryparade-ground，stoppingnowandagaintosendbackashotandacurseinthedirectionofhispursuers。

"I’lllearnyoutospyonme！"heshouted；"I’lllearnyoutogivemedorg’snames！Comeon，the’oleloto’you！ColonelJohnAnthonyDeever，C。B。！"-heturnedtowardstheInfantryMessandshookhisrifle-"youthinkyourselfthedevilofaman-butI

tellyouthatifyouputyouruglyoldcarcassoutsideo’thatdoor，I’llmakeyouthepoorest-lookin’maninthearmy。Comeout，ColonelJohnAnthonyDeever，C。B。！ComeOutandseemepractissontherainge。I’mthecrackshotofthe’olebloomin’battalion。"InproofofwhichstatementSimmonsfiredatthelightedwindowsofthemess-house。

"PrivateSimmons，EComp’ny，ontheCavalryp’rade-ground，Sir，withthirtyrounds，"saidaSergeantbreathlesslytotheColonel。

"Shootin’rightandlef’，Sir。ShotPrivateLosson。What’stobedone，Sir？"

ColonelJohnAnthonyDeever，C。B。，salliedout，onlytobesalutedbyaspurtofdustathisfeet。

"Pullup！"saidtheSecondinCommand；"Idon’twantmystepinthatway，Colonel。He’sasdangerousasamaddog。"

"Shoothimlikeone，then，"saidtheColonelbitterly，"ifhewon’ttakehischance。Myregiment，too！IfithadbeentheTowheadsIcouldhaveunderstood。"

PrivateSimmonshadoccupiedastrongpositionnearawellontheedgeoftheparade-ground，andwasdefyingtheregimenttocomeon。Theregimentwasnotanxioustocomply，forthereissmallhonourinbeingshotbyafellow-private。OnlyCorporalSlane，rifleinhand，threwhimselfdownontheground，andwormedhiswaytowardsthewell。

"Don’tshoot，"saidhetothemenroundhim；"likeasnotyou’ll’itme。I’llcatchthebeggarlivin’。"

Simmonsceasedshoutingforawhile，andthnoiseoftrap-wheelscouldbeheardacrosstheplain。MajorOldyne，CommandingtheHorseBattery，wascomingbackfromadinnerintheCivilLines；

wasdrivingafterhisusualcustom-thatistosay，asfastasthehorsecouldgo。

"Aorf’cer！Abloomingspangledorf’cer！"shriekedSimmons；"I’llmakeascarecrowofthatorf’cer！"Thetrapstopped。

"What’sthis？"demandedtheMajorofGunners。"Youthere，dropyourrifle。"

"Why，it’sJerryBlazes！Iain’tgotnoquarrelwithyou，JerryBlazes。Pass，frien’，an’all’swell！"

ButJerryBlazeshadnotthefaintestintentionofpassingadangerousmurderer。Hewas，ashisadoringBatterysworelongandfervently，withoutknowledgeoffear，andtheyweresurelythebestjudges，forJerryBlazes，itwasnotorious，haddonehispossibletokillamaneachtimetheBatterywentout。

HewalkedtowardsSimmons，withtheintentionofrushinghimandknockinghimdown。

"Don’tmakemedoit，Sir，"saidSimmons；"Iain’tgotnothingag’in’you。Ah！youwould？"-theMajorbrokeintoarun-"Takethat，then！"

TheMajordroppedwithabulletthroughhisshoulder，andSimmonsstoodoverhim。HehadlostthesatisfactionofkillingLossoninthedesiredway：butherewasahelplessbodytohishand。Shouldheslipinanothercartridge，andblowoffthehead，orwiththebuttsmashinthewhiteface？Hestoppedtoconsider，andacrywentupfromthefarsideoftheparade-ground："He’skilledJerryBlazes！"Butintheshelterofthewell-pillarsSimmonswassafe，exceptwhenhesteppedouttofire。"I’llblowyer’andsome’eadoff，JerryBlazes，"saidSimmonsreflectively。"Sixandthreeisninean’oneisten，an’thatleavesmeanothernineteen，an’oneformyself"Hetuggedatthestringofthesecondpacketofammunition。CorporalSlanecrawledoutoftheshadowofabankintothemoonlight。

"Iseeyou！"saidSimmons。"Comeabitfurderonan’I’lldoforyou。"

"I’mcomin’，"saidCorporalSlanebriefly；"you’vedoneabadday’swork，Sim。Comeout’erean’comebackwithme。"

"Cometo，"laughedSimmons，sendingacartridgehomewithhisthumb。"NotbeforeI’vesettledyouan’JerryBlazes。"

TheCorporalwaslyingatfulllengthinthedustoftheparade-

ground，arifleunderhim。Someofthelesscautiousmeninthedistanceshouted："Shoot’im！Shoot’im，Slane！"

"Youmove’andorfoot，Slane，"saidSimmons，"an’I’llkickJerryBlazes’’eadin，andshootyouafter。"

"Iain’tmovin’，"saidtheCorporal，raisinghishead；"youdaren’t’itamanon’islegs。Letgoo’JerryBlazesan’comeouto’thatwithyourfistes。Comean’’itme。Youdaren’t，youbloom-

in’dog-shooter！"

"Idare。"

"Youlie，youman-sticker。Yousneakin’，Sheenybutcher，youlie。

Seethere！"Slanekickedtherifleaway，andstoodupintheperilofhislife。"Comeon，now！"

ThetemptationwasmorethanSimmonscouldresist，fortheCorporalinhiswhiteclothesofferedaperfectmark。

"Don’tmisnameme，"shoutedSimmons，firingashespoke。Theshotmissed，andtheshooter，blindwithrage，threwhisrifledownandrushedatSlanefromtheprotectionofthewell。Withinstrikingdistance，hekickedsavagelyatSlane’sstomach，buttheweedyCorporalknewsomethingofSimmons’sweakness，andknew，too，thedeadlyguardforthatkick。Bowingforwardanddrawinguphisrightlegtilltheheeloftherightfootwassetsomethreeinchesabovetheinsideoftheleftknee-cap，hemettheblowstandingononeleg-exactlyasGondsstandwhentheymeditate-

andreadyforthefallthatwouldfollow。Therewasanoath，theCorporalfellovertohisownleftasshinbonemetshinbone，andthePrivatecollapsed，hisrightlegbrokenaninchabovetheankle。

"Pityyoudon’tknowthatguard，Sim，"saidSlane，spittingoutthedustasherose。Thenraisinghisvoice-"Comean’takehimon。I’vebruk’isleg。"Thiswasnotstrictlytrue，forthePrivatehadaccomplishedhisowndownfall，sinceitisthespecialmeritofthatleg-guardthattheharderthekickthegreaterthekicker’sdiscomfiture。

SlanewalkedtoJerryBlazesandhungoverhimwithostentatiousanxiety，whileSimmons，weepingwithpain，wascarriedaway。"’Opeyouain’t’urtbadly，Sir，"saidSlane。TheMajorhadfainted，andtherewasanugly，raggedholethroughthetopofhisarm。Slanekneltdownandmurmured："S’elpme，Ibelieve’e’sdead。Well，ifthatain’tmybloomingluckallover！"

ButtheMajorwasdestinedtoleadhisBatteryafieldformanyalongdaywithunshakennerve。Hewasremoved，andnursedandpettedintoconvalescence，whiletheBatterydiscussedthewisdomofcapturingSimmonsandblowinghimfromagun。TheyidolisedtheirMajor，andhisreappearanceonparadebroughtaboutascenenowhereprovidedforintheArmyRegulations。

Great，too，wastheglorythatfelltoSlane’sshare。TheGunnerswouldhavemadehimdrunkthriceadayforatleastafortnight。

EventheColonelofhisownregimentcomplimentedhimuponhiscoolness，andthelocalpapercalledhimahero。Thesethingsdidnotpuffhimup。WhentheMajorofferedhimmoneyandthanks，thevirtuousCorporaltooktheoneandputasidetheother。Buthehadarequesttomakeandprefaceditwithmanya"Begy’pardon，Sir。"CouldtheMajorseehiswaytolettingtheSlane-M’KennaweddingbeadornedbythepresenceoffourBatteryhorsestopullahiredbarouche？TheMajorcould，andsocouldtheBattery。

Excessivelyso。Itwasagorgeouswedding。

"WotdidIdoitfor？"saidCorporalSlane。

"Forthe’orseso’course。Jhansiain’tabeautytolookat，butI

wasn’tgoin’to’aveahiredturnout。JerryBlazes？IfI’adn’t’a’wantedsomething，Simmightha’blowedJerryBlazes’blooming’eadintoHirishstewforaughtI’d’a’cared。"

AndtheyhangedPrivateSimmons-hangedhimashighasHamaninhollowsquareoftheregiment；andtheColonelsaiditwasDrink；

andtheChaplainwassureitwastheDevil；andSimmonsfancieditwasboth，buthedidn’tknow，andonlyhopedhisfatewouldbeawarningtohiscompanions；andhalfadozen"intelligentpublicists"wrotesixbeautifulleadingarticleson"ThePrevalenceofCrimeintheArmy。"

Butnotasoulthoughtofcomparingthe"bloody-mindedSimmons"tothesquawking，gapingschool-girlwithwhichthisstoryopens。

THELOSTLEGION

WhentheIndianMutinybrokeout，andalittletimebeforethesiegeofDelhi，aregimentofNativeIrregularHorsewasstationedatPeshawuronthefrontierofIndia。ThatregimentcaughtwhatJohnLawrencecalledatthetime"theprevalentmania，"andwouldhavethrowninitslotwiththemutineers，haditbeenallowedtodoso。Thechancenevercame，for，astheregimentsweptoffdownsouth，itwasheadedoffbyaremnantofanEnglishcorpsintothehillsofAfghanistan，andtherethenewlyconqueredtribesmenturnedagainstitaswolvesturnagainstbuck。Itwashuntedforthesakeofitsarmsandaccoutrementsfromhilltohill，fromravinetoravine，upanddownthedriedbedsofriversandroundtheshouldersofbluffs，tillitdisappearedaswatersinksinthesand-thisofficerlessrebelregiment。Theonlytraceleftofitsexistenceto-dayisanominalrolldrawnupinneatroundhandandcountersignedbyanofficerwhocalledhimself，"Adjutant，lateIrregularCavalry。"Thepaperisyellowwithyearsanddirt，butonthebackofityoucanstillreadapencil-notebyJohnLawrence，tothiseffect："Seethatthetwonativeofficerswhoremainedloyalarenotdeprivedoftheirestates-J。L。"Ofsixhundredandfiftysabresonlytwostoodstrain，andJohnLawrenceinthemidstofalltheagonyofthefirstmonthsoftheMutinyfoundtimetothinkabouttheirmerits。

Thatwasmorethanthirtyyearsago，andthetribesmenacrosstheAfghanborderwhohelpedtoannihilatetheregimentarenowoldmen。Sometimesagraybeardspeaksofhisshareinthemassacre。

"Theycame，"hewillsay，"acrosstheborder，veryproud，callinguponustoriseandkilltheEnglish，andgodowntothesackofDelhi。ButwewhohadjustbeenconqueredbythesameEnglishknewthattheywereover-bold，andthattheGovernmentcouldaccounteasilyforthosedown-countrydogs。ThisHindustaniregiment，therefore，wetreatedwithfairwords，andkeptstandinginoneplacetilltheredcoatscameafterthemveryhotandangry。ThenthisregimentranforwardalittlemoreintoourhillstoavoidthewrathoftheEnglish，andwelayupontheirflankswatchingfromthesidesofthehillstillwewerewellassuredthattheirpathwaslostbehindthem。Thenwecamedown，forwedesiredtheirclothes，andtheirbridles，andtheirrifles，andtheirboots-

moreespeciallytheirboots。Thatwasagreatkilling-doneslowly。"Heretheoldmanwillrubhisnose，andshakehislongsnakylocks，andlickhisbeardedlips，andgrintilltheyellowtooth-

stumpsshow。"Yea，wekilledthembecauseweneededtheirgear，andweknewthattheirliveshadbeenforfeitedtoGodonaccountoftheirsin-thesinoftreacherytothesaltwhichtheyhadeaten。Theyrodeupanddownthevalleys，stumblingandrockingintheirsaddles，andhowlingformercy。Wedrovethemslowlylikecattletilltheywereallassembledinoneplace，theflatwidevalleyofSheorK搕。Manyhaddiedfromwantofwater，buttherestillweremanyleft，andtheycouldnotmakeanystand。Wewentamongthempullingthemdownwithourhandstwoatatime，andourboyskilledthemwhowerenewtothesword。Myshareoftheplunderwassuchandsuch-somanyguns，andsomanysaddles。Thegunsweregoodinthosedays。NowwestealtheGovernmentrifles，anddespisesmoothbarrels。Yes，beyonddoubtwewipedthatregimentfromoffthefaceoftheearth，andeventhememoryofthedeedisnowdying。Butmensay-"

Atthispointthetalewouldstopabruptly，anditwasimpossibletofindoutwhatmensaidacrosstheborder。TheAfghanswerealwaysasecretiverace，andvastlypreferreddoingsomethingwickedtosayinganythingatall。Theywouldbequietandwell-

behavedformonths，tillonenight，withoutwordorwarning，theywouldrushapolice-post，cutthethroatsofaconstableortwo，dashthroughavillage，carryawaythreeorfourwomen，andwithdraw，intheredglareofburningthatch，drivingthecattleandgoatsbeforethemtotheirowndesolatehills。TheIndianGovernmentwouldbecomealmosttearfulontheseoccasions。Firstitwouldsay，"Pleasebegoodandwe’llforgiveyou。"Thetribeconcernedinthelatestdepredationwouldcollectivelyputitsthumbtoitsnoseandanswerrudely。ThentheGovernmentwouldsay："Hadn’tyoubetterpayupalittlemoneyforthosefewcorpsesyouleftbehindyoutheothernight？"Herethetribewouldtemporise，andlieandbully，andsomeoftheyoungermen，merelytoshowcontemptofauthority，wouldraidanotherpolice-postandfireintosomefrontiermud-fort，and，iflucky，killarealEnglishofficer。ThentheGovernmentwouldsay：-"Observe；ifyoureallypersistinthislineofconduct，youwillbehurt。"IfthetribeknewexactlywhatwasgoingoninIndia，itwouldapologiseorberude，accordingasitlearnedwhethertheGovernmentwasbusywithotherthingsorabletodevoteitsfullattentiontotheirperformances。Someofthetribesknewtoonecorpsehowfartogo。Othersbecameexcited，losttheirheads，andtoldtheGovernmenttocomeon。Withsorrowandtears，andoneeyeontheBritishtaxpayerathome，whoinsistedonregardingtheseexercisesasbrutalwarsofannexation，theGovernmentwouldprepareanexpensivelittlefield-brigadeandsomeguns，andsendallupintothehillstochasethewickedtribeoutofthevalleys，wherethecorngrew，intothehill-tops，wheretherewasnothingtoeat。Thetribewouldturnoutinfullstrengthandenjoythecampaign，fortheyknewthattheirwomenwouldneverbetouched，thattheirwoundedwouldbenursed，notmutilated，andthatassoonaseachman’sbagofcornwasspenttheycouldsurrenderandpalaverwiththeEnglishGeneralasthoughtheyhadbeenarealenemy。Afterwards，yearsafterwards，theywouldpaytheblood-money，dribletbydriblet，totheGovernment，andtelltheirchildrenhowtheyhadslaintheredcoatsbythousands。Theonlydrawbacktothiskindofpicnic-warwastheweaknessoftheredcoatsforsolemnlyblowingupwithpowdertheirfortifiedtowersandkeeps。Thisthetribesalwaysconsideredmean。

Chiefamongtheleadersofthesmallertribes-thelittleclanswhoknewtoapennytheexpenseofmovingwhitetroopsagainstthem-wasapriest-bandit-chiefwhomwewillcalltheGullaKuttaMullah。HisenthusiasmforBordermurderasanartwasalmostdignified。Hewouldcutdownamail-runnerfrompurewantonness，orbombardamud-fortwithrifle-firewhenheknewthatourmenneededtosleep。Inhisleisuremomentshewouldgooncircuitamonghisneighbours，andtrytoinciteothertribestodevilry。

Also，hekeptakindofhotelforfellow-outlawsinhisownvillage，whichlayinavalleycalledBersund。AnyrespectablemurdereronthatsectionofthefrontierwassuretolieupatBersund，foritwasreckonedanexceedinglysafeplace。Thesoleentrytoitranthroughanarrowgorgewhichcouldbeconvertedintoadeath-trapinfiveminutes。Itwassurroundedbyhighhills，reckonedinaccessibletoallsavebornmountaineers，andheretheGullaKuttaMullahlivedingreatstate，theheadofacolonyofmudandstonehuts，andineachmudhuthungsomeportionofareduniformandtheplunderofdeadmen。TheGovernmentparticularlywishedforhiscapture，andonceinvitedhimformallytocomeoutandbehangedonaccountofthemanymurdersinwhichhehadtakenadirectpart。Hereplied：-

"Iamonlytwentymiles，asthecrowflies，fromyourborder。Comeandfetchme。"

"Somedaywewillcome，"saidtheGovernment，"andhangedyouwillbe。"

TheGullaKuttaMullahletthematterslipfromhismind。HeknewthatthepatienceoftheGovernmentwasaslongasasummerday；

buthedidnotrealisethatitsarmwasaslongasawinternight。

Monthsafterwards，whentherewaspeaceontheborder，andallIndiawasquiet，theIndianGovernmentturnedinitssleepandrememberedtheGullaKuttaMullahatBersund，withhisthirteenoutlaws。Themovementagainsthimofonesingleregiment-whichthetelegramswouldhavetranslatedaswar-wouldhavebeenhighlyimpolitic。Thiswasatimeforsilenceandspeed，and，aboveall，absenceofbloodshed。

Youmustknowthatallalongthenorth-westfrontierofIndiathereisspreadaforceofsomethirtythousandfootandhorse，whosedutyitistoquietlyandunostentatiouslyshepherdthetribesinfrontofthem。Theymoveupanddown，anddownandup，fromonedesolatelittleposttoanother；theyarereadytotakethefieldattenminutes’notice；theyarealwayshalfinandhalfoutofadifficultysomewherealongthemonotonousline；theirlivesareashardastheirownmuscles，andthepapersneversayanythingaboutthem。ItwasfromthisforcethattheGovernmentpickeditsmen。

Onenight，atastationwherethemountedNightPatrolfireastheychallenge，andthewheatrollsingreatblue-greenwavesunderourcoldnorthernmoon，theofficerswereplayingbilliardsinthemud-walledclub-house，whenorderscametothemthattheyweretogoonparadeatonceforanight-drill。Theygrumbled，andwenttoturnouttheirmen-ahundredEnglishtroops，letussay，twohundredGoorkhas，andaboutahundredcavalryofthefinestnativecavalryintheworld。

Whentheywereontheparade-ground，itwasexplainedtotheminwhispersthattheymustsetoffatonceacrossthehillstoBersund。TheEnglishtroopsweretopostthemselvesroundthehillsatthesideofthevalley；theGoorkhaswouldcommandthegorgeandthedeath-trap，andthecavalrywouldfetchalongmarchroundandgettothebackofthecircleofhills，whence，iftherewereanydifficulty，theycouldchargedownontheMullah’smen。

Butorderswereverystrictthatthereshouldbenofightingandnonoise。Theyweretoreturninthemorningwitheveryroundofammunitionintact，andtheMullahandthethirteenoutlawsboundintheirmidst。Iftheyweresuccessful，noonewouldknoworcareanythingabouttheirwork；butfailuremeantprobablyasmallborderwar，inwhichtheGullaKuttaMullahwouldposeasapopularleaderagainstabigbullyingpower，insteadofacommonBordermurderer。

Thentherewassilence，brokenonlybytheclickingofthecompass-needlesandsnappingofwatch-cases，astheheadsofcolumnscomparedbearingsandmadeappointmentsfortherendezvous。Fiveminuteslatertheparade-groundwasempty；thegreencoatsoftheGoorkhasandtheovercoatsoftheEnglishtroopshadfadedintothedarkness，andthecavalrywerecanteringawayinthefaceofablindingdrizzle。

WhattheGoorkhasandtheEnglishdidwillbeseenlateron。Theheavyworklaywiththehorses，fortheyhadtogofarandpicktheirwayclearofhabitations。Manyofthetrooperswerenativesofthatpartoftheworld，readyandanxioustofightagainsttheirkin，andsomeoftheofficershadmadeprivateandunofficialexcursionsintothosehillsbefore。Theycrossedtheborder，foundadriedriver-bed，canteredupthat，walkedthroughastonygorge，riskedcrossingalowhillundercoverofthedarkness，skirtedanotherhill，leavingtheirhoof-marksdeepinsomeploughedground，felttheirwayalonganotherwater-course，ranovertheneckofaspurprayingthatnoonewouldheartheirhorsesgrunting，andsoworkedonintherainandthedarknesstilltheyhadleftBersundanditscraterofhillsalittlebehindthem，andtotheleft，anditwastimetoswinground。TheascentcommandingthebackofBersundwassteep，andtheyhaltedtodrawbreathinabroadlevelvalleybelowtheheight。Thatistosay，themenreinedup，butthehorses，blownastheywere，refusedtohalt。Therewasunchristianlanguage，theworseforbeingdeliveredinawhisper，andyouheardthesaddlessqueakinginthedarknessasthehorsesplunged。

Thesubalternattherearofonetroopturnedinhissaddleandsaidverysoftly：-

"Carter，whattheblessedheavensareyoudoingattherear？Bringyourmenup，man。"

Therewasnoanswer，tillatrooperreplied：-

"CarterSahibisforward-nothere。Thereisnothingbehindus。"

"Thereis，"saidthesubaltern。"Thesquadron’swalkingonitsowntail。"

ThentheMajorincommandmoveddowntotherear，swearingsoftlyandaskingforthebloodofLieutenantHalley-thesubalternwhohadjustspoken。

"Lookafteryourrearguard，"saidtheMajor。"Someofyourinfernalthieveshavegotlost。They’reattheheadofthesquadron，andyou’reaseveralkindsofidiot。"

"ShallItelloffmymen，sir？"saidthesubalternsulkily，forhewasfeelingwetandcold。

"Tell’emoff！"saidtheMajor。"Whip’emoff，byGad！You’resquanderingthemallovertheplace。There’satroopbehindyounow！"

"SoIwasthinking，"saidthesubalterncalmly。"Ihaveallmymenhere，sir。BetterspeaktoCarter。"

"CarterSahibsendssalaamandwantstoknowwhytheregimentisstopping，"saidatroopertoLieutenantHalley。

"WhereunderheavenisCarter，"saidtheMajor。

"Forwardwithhistroop，"wastheanswer。

"Arewewalkinginaring，then，orarewethecentreofablessedbrigade？"saidtheMajor。

Bythistimetherewassilenceallalongthecolumn。Thehorseswerestill；but，throughthedriveofthefinerain，mencouldhearthefeetofmanyhorsesmovingoverstonyground。

"We’rebeingstalked，"saidLieutenantHalley。

"They’venohorseshere。Besidesthey’dhavefiredbeforethis，"

saidtheMajor。"It’s-it’svillagers’ponies。"

"Thenourhorseswouldhaveneighedandspoilttheattacklongago。Theymusthavebeennearusforhalfanhour，"saidthesubaltern。

"Queerthatwecan’tsmellthehorses，"saidtheMajor，dampinghisfingerandrubbingitonhisnoseashesniffedupwind。

"Well，it’sabadstart，"saidthesubaltern，shakingthewetfromhisovercoat。"Whatshallwedo，sir？"

"Geton，"saidtheMajor。"Weshallcatchitto-night。"

Thecolumnmovedforwardverygingerlyforafewpaces。Thentherewasanoath，ashowerofbluesparksasshodhoovescrashedonsmallstones，andamanrolledoverwithajangleofaccoutrementsthatwouldhavewakedthedead。

"Nowwe’vegoneanddoneit，"saidLieutenantHalley。"Allthehillsideawakeandallthehillsidetoclimbinthefaceofmusketry-fire！Thiscomesoftryingtodonight-hawkwork。"

Thetremblingtrooperpickedhimselfupandtriedtoexplainthathishorsehadfallenoveroneofthelittlecairnsthatarebuiltofloosestonesonthespotwhereamanhasbeenmurdered。Therewasnoneedtogivereasons。TheMajor’sbigAustralianchargerblunderednext，andthecolumncametoahaltinwhatseemedtobeaverygraveyardoflittlecairns，allabouttwofeethigh。Themanoeuvresofthesquadronarenotreported。Mensaidthatitfeltlikemountedquadrilleswithouttrainingandwithoutthemusic；

butatlastthehorses，breakingrankandchoosingtheirownway，walkedclearofthecairns，tilleverymanofthesquadronreformedanddrewreinafewyardsuptheslopeofthehill。Then，accordingtoLieutenantHalley，therewasanothersceneveryliketheonewhichhasbeendescribed。TheMajorandCarterinsistedthatallthemenhadnotjoinedrank，andthatthereweremoreofthemintherear，clickingandblunderingamongthedeadmen’scairns。LieutenantHalleytoldoffhisowntroopersagainandresignedhimselftowait。Lateronhesaidtome：

"Ididn’tmuchknowandIdidn’tmuchcarewhatwasgoingon。Therowofthattrooperfallingoughttohavescaredhalfthecountry，andIwouldtakemyoaththatwewerebeingstalkedbyafullregimentintherear，andtheyweremakingrowenoughtorouseallAfghanistan。Isattight，butnothinghappened。"

Themysteriouspartofthenight’sworkwasthesilenceonthehillside。EverybodyknewthattheGullaKuttaMullahhadhisoutpost-hutsonthereversesideofthehill，andeverybodyexpected，bythetimethattheMajorhadswornhimselfintoquiet，thatthewatchmentherewouldopenfire。Whennothinghappened，theysaidthatthegustsoftherainhaddeadenedthesoundofthehorses，andthankedProvidence。AtlasttheMajorsatisfiedhimself（a）thathehadleftnoonebehindamongthecairns，and（b）thathewasnotbeingtakenintherearbyalargeandpowerfulbodyofcavalry。Themen’stemperswerethoroughlyspoiled，thehorseswerelatheredandunquiet，andoneandallprayedforthedaylight。

Theysetthemselvestoclimbupthehill，eachmanleadinghismountcarefully。Beforetheyhadcoveredthelowerslopesorthebreast-plateshadbeguntotighten，athunderstormcameupbehind，rollingacrossthelowhillsanddrowninganynoiselessthanthatofcannon。Thefirstflashofthelightningshowedthebareribsoftheascent，thchill-creststandingsteely-blueagainsttheblacksky，thelittlefallinglinesoftherain，and，afewyardstotheirleftflank，anAfghanwatch-tower，two-storied，builtofstone，andenteredbyaladderfromtheupperstory。Theladderwasup，andamanwithariflewasleaningfromthewindow。Thedarknessandthethunderrolleddowninaninstant，and，whenthelullfollowed，avoicefromthewatch-towercried，"Whogoesthere？"

Thecavalrywereveryquiet，buteachmangrippedhiscarbineandstoodbesidehishorse。Againthevoicecalled，"Whogoesthere？"

andinalouderkey，"0brothers，givethealarm！"Now，everymaninthecavalrywouldhavediedinhislongbootssoonerthanhaveaskedforquarter，butitisafactthattheanswertothesecondcallwasalongwailof"Marfkaro！Marfkaro！"whichmeans，"Havemercy！Havemercy！"Itcamefromtheclimbingregiment。

Thecavalrystooddumbfoundered，tillthebigtroopershadtimetowhisperonetoanother：

"MirKhan，wasthatthyvoice？Abdullah，didstthoucall？"

LieutenantHalleystoodbesidehischargerandwaited。Solongasnofiringwasgoingonhewascontent。Anotherflashoflightningshowedthehorseswithheavingflanksandnoddingheads；themen，whiteeye-balled，glaringbesidethem，andthestonewatch-towertotheleft。Thistimetherewasnoheadatthewindow，andtherudeiron-clampedshutterthatcouldturnarifle-bulletwasclosed。

"Goon，men，"saidtheMajor。"Getuptothetopatanyrate！"Thesquadrontoiledforward，thehorseswaggingtheirtailsandthemenpullingatthebridles，thestonesrollingdownthehillsideandthesparksflying。LieutenantHalleydeclaresthatheneverheardasquadronmakesomuchnoiseinhislife。Theyscrambledup，hesaid，asthougheachhorsehadeightlegsandasparehorsetofollowhim。Eventhentherewasnosoundfromthewatch-tower，andthemenstoppedexhaustedontheridgethatoverlookedthepitofdarknessinwhichthevillageofBersundlay。Girthswereloosed，curb-chainsshifted，andsaddlesadjusted，andthemendroppeddownamongthestones。Whatevermighthappennow，theyheldtheuppergroundofanyattack。

Thethunderceased，andwithittherain，andthesoftthickdarknessofawinternightbeforethedawncoveredthemall。

Exceptforthesoundoffallingwateramongtheravinesbelow，everythingwasstill。Theyheardtheshutterofthewatch-towerbelowthemthrownbackwithaclang，andthevoiceofthewatchercalling，"Oh，HafizUllah！"

Theechoestookupthecall，"La-la-la！"andananswercamefromthewatch-towerhiddenroundthecurveofthehill，"Whatisit，ShahbazKhan？"

ShahbazKhanrepliedinthehigh-pitchedvoiceofthemountaineer：

"Hastthouseen？"

Theanswercameback："Yes。Goddeliverusfromallevilspirits！

Therewasapause，andthen："HafizUllah，Iamalone！Cometome。"

"ShahbazKhan，Iamalonealso；butIdarenotleavemypost！"

"Thatisalie；thouartafraid。"

Alongerpausefollowed，andthen："Iamafraid。Besilent！Theyarebelowusstill。PraytoGodandsleep。"

Thetrooperslistenedandwondered，fortheycouldnotunderstandwhatsaveearthandstonecouldliebelowthewatch-towers。

ShahbazKhanbegantocallagain："Theyarebelowus。Icanseethem！ForthepityofGodcomeovertome，HafizUllah！Myfatherslewtenofthem。Comeover！"

HafizUllahansweredinaveryloudvoice，"Minewasguiltless。

Hear，yeMenoftheNight，neithermyfathernormybloodhadanypartinthatsin。Bearthouthineownpunishment，ShahbazKhan。"

"Oh，someoneoughttostopthosetwochapscrowingawaylikecocksthere，"saidtheLieutenant，shiveringunderhisrock。

Hehadhardlyturnedroundtoexposeanewsideofhimtotherainbeforeabearded，long-locked，evil-smellingAfghanrushedupthehill，andtumbledintohisarms。Halleysatuponhim，andthrustasmuchofasword-hiltascouldbespareddowntheman’sgullet。

"Ifyoucryout，Ikillyou，"hesaidcheerfully。

Themanwasbeyondanyexpressionofterror。Helayandquaked，gasping。WhenHalleytookthesword-hiltfrombetweenhisteeth，hewasstillinarticulate，butclungtoHalley’sarm，feelingitfromelbowtowrist。

"TheRissala！ThedeadRissala！"hegasped，"Itisdownthere！"

"No；theRissala，theverymuchaliveRissala。Itisuphere，"

saidHalley，unshippinghiswatering-bridleandfasteningtheman’shands。"Whywereyouinthetowerssofoolishastoletuspass？"

"Thevalleyisfullofthedead，"saidtheAfghan。"ItisbettertofallintothehandsoftheEnglishthanthehandsofthedead。

Theymarchtoandfrobelowthere。Isawtheminthelightning。"

Herecoveredhiscomposureafteralittle，andwhispering，becauseHalley’spistolwasathisstomach，said："Whatisthis？Thereisnowarbetweenusnow，andtheMullahwillkillmefornotseeingyoupass！"

"Resteasy，"saidHalley；"wearecomingtokilltheMullah，ifGodplease。Histeethhavegrowntoolong。Noharmwillcometotheeunlessthedaylightshowstheeasafacewhichisdesiredbythegallowsforcrimedone。Butwhatofthedeadregiment？"

"Ionlykillwithinmyownborder，"saidtheman，immenselyrelieved。"Thedeadregimentisbelow。Themenmusthavepassedthroughitontheirjourney-fourhundreddeadonhorses，stumblingamongtheirowngraves，amongthelittleheaps-deadmenall，whomweslew。"

"Whew！"saidHalley。"ThataccountsformycursingCarterandtheMajorcursingme。Fourhundredsabres，eh？Nowonderwethoughttherewereafewextrameninthetroop。KurrukShah，"hewhisperedtoagrizzlednativeofficerthatlaywithinafewfeetofhim，"hastthouheardanythingofadeadRissalainthesehills？

"Assuredly，"saidKurrukShahwithagrimchuckle。"Otherwise，whydidI，whohaveservedtheQueenforseven-and-twentyyears，andkilledmanyhill-dogs，shoutaloudforquarterwhenthelightningrevealedustothewatch-towers？WhenIwasayoungmanIsawthekillinginthevalleyofSheor-K搕thereatourfeet，andIknowthetalethatgrewuptherefrom。ButhowcantheghostsofunbelieversprevailagainstuswhoareoftheFaith？Strapthatdog’shandsalittletighter，Sahib。AnAfghanislikeaneel。"

"ButadeadRissala，"saidHalley，jerkinghiscaptive’swrist。

"Thatisfoolishtalk，KurrukShah。Thedeadaredead。Holdstill，Sag。"TheAfghanwriggled。

"Thedeadaredead，andforthatreasontheywalkatnight。Whatneedtotalk？Webemen；wehaveoureyesandears。Thoucanstbothseeandhearthemdownthehillside，"saidKurrukShahcomposedly。

Halleystaredandlistenedlongandintently。Thevalleywasfullofstiflednoises，aseveryvalleymustbeatnight；butwhetherhesaworheardmorethanwasnaturalHalleyaloneknows，andhedoesnotchoosetospeakonthesubject。