第9章

ButBarryhadcaughtthemajor’swords。Foramomenthestoodirresolute；thenwalkedquietlytowardthegroup。

"Icouldn’thelphearingyou，MajorBustead，"hesaid，inavoicepleasantandunderperfectcontrol。"Igatheryouwerereferringtome。"

"Iwas，sir，"saidthemajordefiantly。

"AndwhyshouldIbesenttoCoventry，orexchanged，mayIask？"

Barry’svoicewasthatofaninterestedoutsider。

"Because，"stutteredtheMajor，"Iconsider，sir，that——that——youhavebeenguiltyofapieceofdamnableimpertinencetowardyourCommandingOfficer。Ineverheardanythinglikeitinmylife。

Infernalcheek，Icallit，sir。"

Whilethemajorwasspeaking，Barrystoodlisteningwithanairofrespectfulattention。

"Iwonder！"hesaid，afteramoment’sthought。"IfIthoughtIhadbeenimpertinent，Ishouldatonceapologise。But，sir，doyouthinkitispartofmydutytoallowanyman，evenmyCommandingOfficer，to——pardonthedisgustingmetaphor，itisnotsodisgustingastheactioncomplainedof——tospitinmysoup，andtakeitwithoutprotest？Doyou，sir？"

"I——you——"Themajorgrewveryredintheface。"Youneedtolearnyourplaceinthisbattalion，sir。"

"Ido，"saidBarry，stillpreservinghisquietvoiceandmanner。

"Iwanttolearn——Iamreallyanxioustolearnit。Doyoumindansweringmyquestion？"Histonewasthatofamanwhoisearnestlybutquiterespectfullyseekinginformationfromasuperiorofficer。

"Yourquestion，sir？"stutteredthemajor，"your——your——question。

Damnyourquestion，andyourselftoo。"

Themajorturnedabruptlyaway。Barryheardhimquiteunmoved，stoodlookingafterhiminsilenceamomentortwo，then，shakinghishead，withapuzzledexpressiononhisface，movedslowlyawayfromthegroup。

"Oh，myauntCaroline，"breathedSallyintohisfriendHopeton’sear，restingheavilymeanwhileagainsthisshoulder。"Whatascore！Whatascore！"

"Abull，begad！acleanbull！"murmuredHopeton，supportinghisfriendoutoftheroomasheadded，"Alittlefreshair，asapreventativeofvertigo，astheolddocsays，eh，Sally。"

"GoodLord，ishejustaplainass，orwhat？"inquiredyoungBooth，hiseyefollowingBarrydowntheroom。

"Ass！Amule，Ishouldsay。Andonewithagoodlotofkickinhim，"repliedCaptainTrain。"Idon’tknowthatIcareforthatkindofananimal，though。"

Beforemanyhourshadpassed，thewholebattalionhadreceivedwithundilutedjoyanaccountoftheincident，forthoughtheCommandingOfficerwaspopularwithhismen，tohavehimcalleddownathisownmessbyoneofhisownofficerswasaneventtoothrillingtogiveanythingbutunalloyeddelighttothosewhohadtosufferinsilencesimilarindignitiesatthehandsoftheirofficers。

Anotableexceptioninthebattalion，however，wasSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，who，becauseofhismilitaryexperience，andofhisreputationasadisciplinarian，hadbeenrecentlytransferredtothebattalion。TothesergeantmajorthisactofBarry’swasbutanotherandmoreflagrantexampleofhisfondnessfor"buttin’in，"

andthesergeantmajorletitbeknownthathestronglycondemnedthechaplainforwhathedeclaredwasanunheardofbreachofmilitarydiscipline。

Ofcoursetherewereotherswhoopenlyapproved，andwhoadmiredthechaplain’s"nerveinstandinguptotheoldman。"Intheiropinionhewasentirelyjustifiedinwhathehadsaid。TheO。C。

hadinsultedhim，andeveryofficeratthemess，byhisoff—colourstory，butonthewholethegeneralresultoftheincidentwasthatBarry’slifebecamemoreandmoreoneofisolationfrombothofficersandmen。Forthisreasonandbecauseofahauntingsenseoffailurethemonthsoftrainingprecedingthebattalion’sdepartureforEnglandwereforBarryonelongandalmostuninterruptedmisery。

Itseemedimpossibletoestablishanypointofcontactwitheithertheofficersorthemen。Intheirathletics，intheirsocialgatherings，intheirreading，hewasquietlyignoredandmadetofeelthathewasinnowaynecessary。Animpalpablebutveryrealbarrierpreventedhisnearapproachtothosewhomhewassoeagertoserve。

Thisunexpressedoppositionwasquickenedintoactivehostilitybythechaplain’suncompromisingattitudeontheliquorquestion。Bythearmyregulations，thebattalioncanteenwasdry，butinspiteofthismany，bothoftheofficersandthemen，freelyindulgedintheuseofintoxicatingdrink。Theeffectupondisciplinewas，ofcourse，deplorable，andinhispublicaddressesaswellasprivateconversation，Barryconstantlydenouncedthesedemoralisinghabits，winningtherebytheviolentdislikeofthoseespeciallyaffected，andthelatenthostilityofthemajorityofthemenwhoagreedwiththesergeantmajorinresentingthechaplain’s"buttin’in。"

Itwas，therefore，withunspeakablejoythatBarrylearnedthatthebattalionwaswarnedforoverseasservice。Anychangeinhislotwouldbeanimprovement，forhewasconvincedthathehadreachedthelimitofwretchednessintheexerciseofhisdutyaschaplainofthebattalion。

Inthisconviction，however，hewasmistaken。Onshipboard，hediscoveredthattherewerestilldepthsofmiserywhichhewascalledupontoplumb。Assignedtoamiserablestateroominanuncomfortablepartoftheship，hesufferedhorriblyfromseasickness，andforthefirsthalfofthevoyagelayfoodlessandspiritlessinhisbunk，indifferenttohisenvironmentortohisfate。Hissolefriendwashisbatman，HarryHobbs，but，ofcourse，hecouldnotconfidetoHarrythemiseryofhisbody，orthedeepermiseryofhissoul。

ItwasHarry，however，thatbroughtrelief，foritwashethatcalledtheM。O。tohisofficer’sbedside。TheM。O。wasshockedtofindthechaplaininastateofextremephysicalweakness，andmentaldepression。Atonce，hegaveordersthatBarryshouldberemovedtohisownstateroom，whichwaslargeandairyandopentotheseabreezes。Theeffectwasimmediatelyapparent，forthechangeofroom，andmoreespeciallythetouchofhumansympathy，didmuchtorestoreBarrytohisnormalhealthandspirits。A

friendshipsprangupbetweentheM。O。andthechaplain。WiththisfriendshipanewinterestcameintoBarry’slife，andwithsurprisingrapidityheregainedbothhisphysicalandmentaltone。

Thedoctortookhimresolutelyinhand，pressedhimtotakehispartinthedailyphysicaldrill，inducedhimtosharethedailyprogrammeofsports，and，bestofall，discoveringaviolinonboard，insistedonhistakingaplaceonthemusicalprogrammerenderednightlyinthesalon。Asmightbeexpected，hisviolinwonhimfriendsamongallofthemusicloversonboardship，andlifeforBarrybeganoncemoretobebearable。

Returningstrength，however，recalledhimtotheperformanceofhisdutiesaschaplain，andstraightwayintheexerciseofwhatheconsideredhisduty，hecameintoconflictwithnolessapersonagethanthesergeantmajorhimself。Thetroublearoseoverhisbatman，HarryHobbs。

Harrywasamanwho，inhisyouthfuldays，hadbeenadiligentpatronoftheLondonmusichalls，andinconsequencehadbecomehimselfanamateurentertainerofveryconsiderableability。Hissailor’shornpipes，Irishjigs，hisoldEnglishNorth—countryballadsandhiscostersongswereanunendingjoytohiscomrades。

TheirgratitudeandadmirationtookformsthatprovedpoorHarry’sundoing，andbesidessomeofthemtookanunholyjoyinsendingthechaplain’sbatmantohisofficerincapableofservice。

Barry’sindignationandgriefwerebeyondwords。HedealtfaithfullywiththeerringHobbs，ashisminister，ashisofficer，aschaplain，butthedownwarddragofhisenvironmentprovedtoogreatforhisbatman’spowersofresistance。OnceandagainBarrysoughttheaidofthesergeantmajortorescueHarryfromhisdownwardcourse，buttheoldsergeantmajorwasunimpressedwiththeaccountofHarry’slapses。

"Isyourbatmanunfitforduty，sir？"heinquired。

"Yes，heis，often，"saidBarryindignantly。

"Didyoureporthim，sir？"inquiredthesergeantmajor。

"No，Ididnot。"

"Then，sir，IamafraidthatuntilyoudoyourdutyIcandonothing，"answeredthesergeantmajor，withsuaverespect。

"Ifyoudidyourduty，"Barrywasmovedtosay，"thenHobbswouldnotneedtobereported。Theregulationsgoverningthatcanteenshouldpreventthesefrequentexamplesofdrunkenness，whichareadisgracetothebattalion。"

"DoIunderstand，sir，"inquiredthesergeantmajor，withquietrespect，"thatyouareaccusingmeofafailureinduty？"

"Iamsayingthatiftheregulationswereobservedmybatmanandotherswouldnotbesofrequentlydrunk，andtheenforcingoftheseregulations，Iunderstand，isapartofyourduty。"

"Then，sir，"repliedthesergeantmajor，"perhapsIhadbetterreportmyselftotheCommandingOfficer。"

"Youcanpleaseyourself，"saidBarry，shortly，asheturnedaway。

"Verygood，sir，"repliedthesergeantmajor。"Ishallreportmyselfatonce。"

Thedayfollowing，thechaplainreceivedanordertoappearbeforetheO。C。intheorderlyroom。

"CaptainDunbar，IunderstandthatyouaremakingachargeagainstSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，"wasColonelLeighton’sgreeting。

"Iammakingnochargeagainstanyone，sir，"repliedBarryquietly。

"Whatdoyousaytothat，SergeantMajorMcFetteridge？"

Inreply，thesergeantmajorgaveafullandfairstatementofthepassagebetweenthechaplainandhimselfthedaybefore。

"Isthiscorrect，CaptainDunbar？"askedtheO。C。

"Substantiallycorrect，sir，exceptthatthesergeantmajorishereonhisownsuggestion，andonnoorderofmine。"

"ThenIunderstandthatyouwithdrawyourchargeagainstthesergeantmajor。"

"Iwithdrawnothing，sir。Ihadnointentionoflayingacharge，andIhavelaidnochargeagainstthesergeantmajor；butatthesametimeIhavenohesitationinsayingthattheregulationsgoverningthecanteenarenotobserved，and，asIunderstandthattheresponsibilityforenforcingtheseregulationsisinthesergeantmajor’shands，inthatsenseIconsiderthathehasfailedinhisduty。"

Butthesergeantmajorwastoooldasoldiertobecaughtnapping。

Hehadhiswitnessesreadyathandtotestifythatthecanteenwasconductedaccordingtoregulations，andthatifthechaplain’sbatmanoranyotherstookmoreliquorthantheyshould，neitherthecorporalinchargeofthecanteennorthesergeantmajorwastobeblamed。

"AllIcansay，sir，"repliedBarry，"isthatsoldiersarefrequentlydrunkonthisship，andImyselfhaveseenthemwhentheworseforliquorgoingintothecanteen。"

"Anddidyoureportthesementotheirofficersortome，CaptainDunbar，ordidyoureportthecorporalinchargeofthecanteen？"

"No，sir，Ididnot。"

"Thensir，doyouknowthatyouhavebeenguiltyofseriousneglectofduty？"saidthecolonelsternly。

"DoIunderstand，sir，thatitismydutytoreporttoyoueverymanIseetheworseforliquoronthisship？"

"Mostcertainly，"repliedthecolonel，emphatically。"Everybreachofdisciplinemustbereported。"

"Iunderstood，sir，thatanofficerhadacertainamountofdiscretioninamatterofthiskind。"

"Wheredidyougetthatnotion？"inquiredthecolonel。"Letmetellyouthatyouarewrong。Discretionarypowersliesolelywithme。"

"Then，sir，IamtounderstandthatImustreporteverymanwhomI

seetheworseforliquor？"

"Certainly，sir，"

"Andeveryofficer，aswell，sir？"

Thecolonelhesitatedamoment，fumbledwithhispapers，andthenblurtedout：

"Certainly，sir。Andletmesay，CaptainDunbar，thatanofficer，especiallyanofficerinyourposition，oughttobeverycarefulinmakingachargeagainstaN。C。O。，moreparticularlythesergeantmajorofhisbattalion。Nothingismorecalculatedtodragdowndiscipline。Thecaseisdismissed。"

"Sir，"saidBarry，maintaininghisplacebeforethetable。"MayI

askonequestion？"

"Thecaseisdismissed，CaptainDunbar。Whatdoyouwant？"askedthecolonelbrusquely。

"Iwanttobequiteclearastomyduty，inthefuture，sir。DoI

understandthatifanymanorofficerisfoundundertheinfluenceofliquor，anywhereinthisship，andatanyhourofthedayornight，heistobereportedatoncetotheorderlyroom，eventhoughthatofficershouldbe，say，eventheadjutantoryourself？"

Barrysaid，gazingupatthecolonelwithafaceinwhichearnestnessandcandourwereequallyblended。

Thecolonelgazedbackathimwithafaceinwhichrageandperplexitywereequallyapparent。Forsomemoments，hewasspeechless，whilethewholeorderlyroomhelditsbreath。

"Imean——thatyou——youunderstand——ofcourse，"stutteredthecolonel，"thatanofficermustusecommonsense。Hemustbedamnedsureofwhathesays，inotherwords，"saidthecolonel，rushinghisspeech。

"But，sir，"continuedBarry。

"Oh，gotothedevil，sir，"roaredthecolonel。"Thecaseisdismissed。"

Barrysalutedandlefttheroom。

"Isthemananinfernalandcondemnedfool，orwhatisthematterwithhim？"exclaimedthecolonel，turningtohisadjutantinahelplessappeal，whiletheorderlyroomstruggledwithitsgrins。

"Thedevilonlyknows，"saidMajorBustead。"Hebeatsme。Heisaninterferingandimpertinentass，inmyopinion，butwhatelseheis，Idon’tknow。"

Itisfairtosaythatthesergeantmajorborethechaplainnogrudgeforhispartintheaffair。Thewholebattalion，however，soonbecamepossessedofthetale，adornedandexpandedtoanunrecognisableextent，andrevelledinecstasyoverthediscomfortoftheC。O。Theconsensusofopinionwasthatonthewholethesergeantmajorhadcomeoffwithpremierhonours，andasbetweenthe"oldman"andthe"SkyPilot，"asBarrywascomingtobecalled，itwasaboutanevenbreak。AsforthePilot，heremainedmorethaneveramystery，andonthewhole，thebattalionwasinclinedtoleavehimalone。

Thechaplain，however，hadpartially，atleast，achievedhisaim，inthattheregulationsgoverningthecanteenweremorestrictlyenforced，tothevastimprovementofdisciplinegenerally，andtotheimmenseadvantageofHarryHobbsinparticular。

Soonafterthis，anothereventoccurredwhichaidedmateriallyinbringingaboutthissameresult，andwhichalsoledtoamodificationofopinioninthebattalioninregardtotheirchaplain。

Totheciviliansoldierthepunctilioofmilitaryetiquetteisfrequentlynotonlyabore，butattimestakesontheappearanceofwilfulinsultwhichnogrownmanshouldbeexpectedtotolerate。

TotheciviliansoldierbornandbroughtupinwidespacesofthefarNorthwestthisisespeciallythecase。

Itisnotsurprising，therefore，thatMcCuaig，freshfromhisthirty—fiveyearsoflifeintheAthabascawilds，shouldfindtheroutineofmilitarydisciplineextremelyirksomeandthenicetiesofmilitaryetiquetteasfromaprivatetoanofficernotonlyfoolishbutdegradingbothtoofficerandman。UnderthepatientshepherdingofBarry’sfather，hehadenduredmuchwithoutprotestorcomplaint，but，withtheadventofSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，withhisrigidmilitarydisciplineandhisstrictinsistenceuponetiquette，McCuaigpassedintoanewatmosphere。TothefreebornandfreebredrecruitfromtheAthabascaplains，thestiffandsomewhatexaggeratedmilitarybearingofthesergeantmajorwasatfirstasourceofquietamusement，laterofperplexity，andfinallyofannoyance。ForMcFetteridgeandhisminutiaeofmilitarydisciplineMcCuaigheldonlycontempt。Tohim，thewholebusinesswasapieceofsillynonsenseunworthyofseriousmen。

ItwasinevitablethatthesergeantmajorshouldsoonerorlaterdiscoverthisopinioninPrivateMcCuaig，andthatheshouldconsidertheholdingofthisopinionasatendencytowardinsubordination。Itwasalsoinevitablethatthesergeantmajorshouldorderacourseofspecialfatiguescalculatedtosubduethespiritoftheinsubordinateprivate。

IttookMcCuaigsomedaystodiscoverthatinthesefrequentfatiguesandspecialduties，hewasundergoingpunishment，butoncemade，thediscoverywroughtinhimacoldandsilentrage，whichdrovehimtoanundueandquiteunwonteddevotiontothecanteen，whichinturntransformedthereserved，self—controlledmanofthewildsintoademonstrative，disorderlyandquarrelsome"rookie"

achingfortrouble。

Underthesecircumstances，anoutburstwasinevitable。CorporalFerry，inchargeofthecanteen，furnishedtheoccasion。

"Nomoreforyou，McCuaig。You’vegotmoreaboardnowthanyoucancarry。"

Totheinjuryofbeingdeniedanotherbeerwasaddedtheinsultofsuggestinghisinabilitytocarrywhathehad。ThistoamanofMcCuaig’sexperienceineverybarandcampandroadhousefromEdmontontotheArcticcircle，wasnottobeendured。

Heleanedovertheimprovisedbar，untilhisfacealmosttouchedthecorporal’s。

"What？"heejaculated，butinthesingleexpletivetheredartedoutsuchconcentratedfury，thatthelittlecorporalsprangbackasfromastrikingsnake。

"Youcan’thaveanymorebeer，McCuaig，"saidthecorporal，fromasafedistance。

"Watchme，sonny！"repliedMcCuaig。

Withasinglesweepofhishand，hesnatchedtwobottlesfromtheledgebehindthecorporal’shead。Holdingonealoft，heknockedthetopofftheother，drankitscontentsslowlyandsmashedtheemptybottleatthespotwherethecorporal’sheadhadbeen；

knockedthetopoffthesecondbottleandwasproceedingtodrinkit，inamoreorlessleisurelyfashion。

"PrivateTimms！PrivateMulligan！"shoutedCorporalFerry，reappearingfrombeneaththecounter。"Arrestthatman！"

"Wait，sonny；givemeachance，"criedMcCuaig，inawild，high，singsongvoice。Liftinghisbottletohislips，hecontinuedtodrinkslowly，keepinghiseyeuponthetwoprivates，whowereconsideringthebestmethodofcarryingouttheirorders。

"There，sonny，fillthatupagain，"criedMcCuaig，good—naturedly，whenhehadfinishedhisdrink，tossingthesecondbottleattheheadofthecorporal，who，beingonthealert，againmadeasuccessfuldisappearance。

"Now，then，boys，comeon，"saidMcCuaig，backingtowardthewall，anddroppinghishandstohiships。Withacurseofdisappointmentthathefoundhimselfwithouthisusualweaponsofdefence，McCuaigraisedashout，sprangintotheair，crackedhisheelstogetherinadoublerap，andswinginghisarmsaroundhishead，yelled：

"Comeon，myboys！I’mhungry，Iam！Meat！Meat！Meat！"

Witheach"meat，"hiswhiteteethcametogetherwithasnaplikethatofahungrywolf。SuchwasthebeastlyferocityinhisfaceandposturethatbothPrivateTimmsandPrivateMulligan，themselvesmenofmorethanaveragestrength，pausedandlookedatthecorporalforfurtherorders。

"Arrestthatman，"saidthecorporalagain，preservingatthesametimeanattitudethatrevealedacompletereadinessforswiftdisappearance。"PrivateMcTavish，"headded，callinguponatallHighlanderwhowasgazingwithadmiringeyesupontheragingMcCuaig，"assistPrivateTimmsandPrivateMulliganinarrestingthatman。"

"Whydon’tyoucomeyourself，sonny？"inquiredMcCuaig。Withaswiftsidestepandaswifterswoopofhislongarm，hereachedforthecorporal，whooncemorefoundsafetyinswiftdisappearance。

Atthatinstant，theHighlander，seeinghisopportunity，flunghimselfuponMcCuaig，andwindinghisarmsaroundhim，hungtohimgrimly，cryingout：

"Getholdofhislegs！Queeck！Willyou？"

Whenthesergeantmajor，attractedbytheunwonteduproar，appeareduponthescene，therewasamanoneveryoneofMcQuaig’slimbs，andanotheroneastridehisstomach。"Heavin’likesawlogsshootin’arapid，"asPrivateCorbin，alumberjackfromtheEauClaire，waslaterheardtoremark。

"Whatishelikenow？"inquiredthecolonel，afterlisteningtothesergeantmajor’sreportoftheHomericcombat。

"Heisinacompartmentinthehold，sir，andraginglikeonedemented。HeverynearlydidforMajorBustead，smashingathimwithascantlingthatherippedfromtheship’stimbers，sir。Hestillhasthescantling，sir。"

"Lethimcooloffallnight，"saidtheCommandingOfficer，afterconsultationwiththeadjutant。

Barry，whowithdifficultyhadrestrainedhimselfduringthesergeantmajor’sreport，slippedfromtheroom，foundtheM。O。，towhomhedetailedthestoryanddraggedhimofftovisittheragingMcCuaig。

Theyfoundacorporalonguardoutside。

"Iwouldnotopenthedoor，sir。Heisreallydangerous。"

"Oh，rot！"repliedtheM。O。"Openupthedoor！"

"Excuseme，sir，"saidthecorporal，"itisnotsafe。Atpresent，heiscleancrazy。Heisoffhisnutentirely。"

TheM。O。stoodlisteningatthedoor。Fromwithincamemoaningsoundsasfromasufferingbeast。

"Thatmanissuffering。Openthedoor！"orderedtheM。O。

peremptorily。

Thecorporal，withgreatreluctance，unlockedthepadlock，shotbackthebolt，andthenstoodawayfromthedoor。

"Itisthemedicalofficer，McCuaig，"saidthedoctor，openingthedoorslightly。

Bang！Crash！camethescantlinguponthedoorjamb，shatteringittopieces。Thewholeguardflungthemselvesagainstthedoor，shoveditshut，andshotthebolt。

"Iwarnedyou，sir，"saidthepantingcorporal。"Betterleavehimuntilmorning。He’saregulardevil！"

"Heisnomoreadevilthanyouare，corporal，"saidBarry，inaloud，clearvoice。"Heisoneofthebestmeninthebattalion。

Morethanthat，heismyfriend，andifhespendsthenightthere，Ispenditwithhim。"

Sosaying，andbeforeanyonecouldstophim，Barryshotbackthebolt，openedthedoor，andwithhistorchlightflashingbeforehim，steppedinside。

"Hello，McCuaig，"hecalled，inaquiet，clearvoice，"whereareyou？It’sDunbar，youknow。"

Hedrewthedoorshutafterhim。Thecorporalwasforfollowinghim，buttheM。O。interposed。

"Stopout！"heordered。"Staywhereyouare！Youhavedoneenoughmischiefalready。"

"But，sir，he’llkillhim！"

"Thisismycase，"saidtheM。O。sharply。"Fallbackallofyou，outofsight！"

Togethertheystoodlisteninginawestrucksilence，expectingeverymomenttohearsoundsofconflict，andcriesforhelp，butalltheyheardwasthecool，evenflowofaquietvoice，andaftersomeminuteshadpassed，thesoundofmoans，mingledwithaterriblesobbing。

TheM。O。，movingtowardthecorporalandhisguard，saidinalowtone：

"TakeyourmendownthepassageandkeepthemthereuntilIcallforyou。"

"Sir，"beganthecorporal。

"Willyouobeymyorders？"saidtheM。O。"I’mincommandhere！

Go！"

Withoutfurtherwords，thecorporalmovedhismenaway。

Halfanhourlater，thesergeantmajor，goinghisrounds，receivedarudeshock。InthepassageleadingtoMcCuaig’scompartment，hemetfourmen，bearingonastretchertowardthesickbayalongsilentform。

"Whohaveyougotthere，corporal？"heinquiredinatoneofkindlyinterest。

"McCuaig，sir。"

"McCuaig？"roaredthesergeantmajor。"Andwho——"

"Medicalofficer’sorders。"

"Silencethere，"saidasharpvoiceintherear。"Carryon，men。"

Andpasttheastonishedsergeantmajor，theprocessionfiledwiththemedicalofficerandthechaplainatitstailend。

AfterthesergeantmajorhadmadehisreporttotheO。C。，aswashisduty，theM。O。wassentfor。Whattookplaceatthatinterviewwasneverdivulgedtothemess，butitwasknownthatwhereastheconversationbeganinveryloudtonesbytheOfficerCommanding，itendedhalfanhourlaterwiththeM。O。beingshownoutoftheroombythecolonelhimself，whowasheardtoremark：

"Averyfinebitofwork。TellhimIwanttoseehimwhenhehasafewminutes，andthankyou，doctor，thankyou！"

"Whodoestheoldmanwanttosee？"inquiredSally，who，withHopetonandBooth，happenedtobepassing。

"Thechaplain，"snappedtheM。O。，goingonhisway。

"Thechaplain？ByJove，he’saqueerone，eh？"

TheM。O。turnedsharplyback，andcomingveryclosetoSally，saidinawrathfulvoice：

"Aqueerone？Yes，aqueerone！Butifsomeofyoudamnedyoungidiotsthatsniffathimhadjusthalfhisguts，you’dbetwicethemenyouare。——Shutup，Hopeton！Listentome——"andinwordsoffieryragethatranclosetotears，herecountedhisexperienceofthelasthour。

"ByJove！Doc，someguts，eh？"saidSallyinalowtone，ashemovedaway。