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。
