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。
