Atlast，andjustbeforethedawn，agreenrocketshotupfromthefarsideofthevalleyofBersund，attheheadofthegorge，toshowthattheGoorkhaswereinposition。Aredlightfromtheinfantryatleftandrightansweredit，andthecavalryburntawhiteflare。Afghansinwinterarelatesleepers，anditwasnottillfulldaythattheGullaKuttaMullah’smenbegantostragglefromtheirhuts，rubbingtheireyes。Theysawmeningreen，andred，andbrownuniforms，leaningontheirarms，neatlyarrangedallroundthecraterofthevillageofBersund，inacordonthatnotevenawolfcouldhavebroken。Theyrubbedtheireyesthemorewhenapink-facedyoungman，whowasnotevenintheArmy，butrepresentedthePoliticalDepartment，trippeddownthehillsidewithtwoorderlies，rappedatthedooroftheGullaKuttaMullah’shouse，andtoldhimquietlytostepoutandbetiedupforsafetransport。Thatsameyoungmanpassedonthroughthehuts，tappinghereonecateranandthereanotherlightlywithhiscane；andaseachwaspointedout，sohewastiedup，staringhopelesslyatthecrownedheightsaroundwheretheEnglishsoldierslookeddownwithincuriouseyes。OnlytheMullahtriedtocarryitoffwithcursesandhighwords，tillasoldierwhowastyinghishandssaid：-
\"Noneo’yourlip！Whydidn’tyoucomeoutwhenyouwasordered，insteado’keepingusawakeallnight？You’renobetterthanmyownbarrack-sweeper，youwhite-’eadedoldpolyanthus！Kimup！\"
HalfanhourlaterthetroopshadgoneawaywiththeMullahandhisthirteenfriends。Thedazedvillagerswerelookingruefullyatapileofbrokenmusketsandsnappedswords，andwonderinghowintheworldtheyhadcomesotomiscalculatetheforbearanceoftheIndianGovernment。
Itwasaveryneatlittleaffair，neatlycarriedout，andthemenconcernedwereunofficiallythankedfortheirservices。
Yetitseemstomethatmuchcreditisalsoduetoanotherregimentwhosenamedidnotappearinbrigadeorders，andwhoseveryexistenceisindangerofbeingforgotten。
THEDRUMSOFTHEFOREANDAFT
IntheArmyListtheystillstandas\"TheForeandFitPrincessHohenzollern-Sigmaringen-Anspach’sMerther-TydfilshireOwnRoyalLoyalLightInfantry，RegimentalDistrict329A，\"buttheArmythroughallitsbarracksandcanteensknowsthemnowasthe\"ForeandAft。\"Theymayintimedosomethingthatshallmaketheirnewtitlehonourable，butatpresenttheyarebitterlyashamed，andthemanwhocallsthem\"ForeandAft\"doessoattheriskoftheheadwhichisonhisshoulders。
TwowordsbreathedintothestablesofacertainCavalryRegimentwillbringthemenoutintothestreetswithbeltsandmopsandbadlanguage；butawhisperof\"ForeandAft\"willbringoutthisregimentwithrifles。
Theironeexcuseisthattheycameagainanddidtheirbesttofinishthejobinstyle。Butforatimealltheirworldknowsthattheywereopenlybeaten，whipped，dumb-cowed，shakingandafraid。
Themenknowit；theirofficersknowit；theHorseGuardsknowit，andwhenthenextwarcomestheenemywillknowitalso。TherearetwoorthreeregimentsoftheLinethathaveablackmarkagainsttheirnameswhichtheywillthenwipeout；anditwillbeexcessivelyinconvenientforthetroopsuponwhomtheydotheirwiping。
ThecourageoftheBritishsoldierisofficiallysupposedtobeaboveproof，and，asageneralrule，itisso。Theexceptionsaredecentlyshovelledoutofsight，onlytobereferredtointhefreshestofunguardedtalkthatoccasionallyswampsaMess-tableatmidnight。Thenonehearsstrangeandhorriblestoriesofmennotfollowingtheirofficers，ofordersbeinggivenbythosewhohadnorighttogivethem，andofdisgracethat，butforthestandingluckoftheBritishArmy，mighthaveendedinbrilliantdisaster。Theseareunpleasantstoriestolistento，andtheMessestellthemundertheirbreath，sittingbythebigwoodfires，andtheyoungofficerbowshisheadandthinkstohimself，pleaseGod，hismenshallneverbehaveunhandily。
TheBritishsoldierisnotaltogethertobeblamedforoccasionallapses；butthisverdictheshouldnotknow。AmoderatelyintelligentGeneralwillwastesixmonthsinmasteringthecraftoftheparticularwarthathemaybewaging；aColonelmayutterlymisunderstandthecapacityofhisregimentforthreemonthsafterithastakenthefield，andevenaCompanyCommandermayerrandbedeceivedastothetemperandtemperamentofhisownhandful：
whereforethesoldier，andthesoldierofto-daymoreparticularly，shouldnotbeblamedforfa1lingback。Heshouldbeshotorhangedafterwards-toencouragetheothers；butheshouldnotbevilifiedinnewspapers，forthatiswantoftactandwasteofspace。
Hehas，letussay，beenintheserviceoftheEmpressfor，perhaps，fouryears。Hewillleaveinanothertwoyears。Hehasnoinheritedmorals，andfouryearsarenotsufficienttodrivetoughnessintohisfibre，ortoteachhimhowholyathingishisRegiment。Hewantstodrink，hewantstoenjoyhimself-inIndiahewantstosavemoney-andhedoesnotintheleastlikegettinghurt。Hehasreceivedjustsufficienteducationtomakehimunderstandhalfthepurportoftheordershereceives，andtospeculateonthenatureofclean，incised，andshatteringwounds。
Thus，ifheistoldtodeployunderfirepreparatorytoanattack，heknowsthatherunsaverygreatriskofbeingkilledwhileheisdeploying，andsuspectsthatheisbeingthrownawaytogaintenminutes’time。Hemayeitherdeploywithdesperateswiftness，orhemayshuffle，orbunch，orbreak，accordingtothedisciplineunderwhichhehaslainforfouryears。
Armedwithimperfectknowledge，cursedwiththerudimentsofanimagination，hamperedbytheintenseselfishnessofthelowerclasses，andunsupportedbyanyregimentalassociations，thisyoungmanissuddenlyintroducedtoanenemywhoineasternlandsisalwaysugly，generallytallandhairy，andfrequentlynoisy。Ifhelookstotherightandtheleftandseesoldsoldiers-menoftwelveyears’service，who，heknows，knowwhattheyareabout-takingacharge，rush，ordemonstrationwithoutembarrassment，heisconsoledandapplieshisshouldertothebuttofhisriflewithastoutheart。Hispeaceisthegreaterifhehearsasenior，whohastaughthimhissoldieringandbrokenhisheadonoccasion，whispering：\"They’llshoutandcarryonlikethisforfiveminutes。Thenthey’llrushin，andthenwe’vegot’embytheshorthairs！\"
But，ontheotherhand，ifheseesonlymenofhisowntermofservice，turningwhiteandplayingwiththeirtriggersandsaying：
\"WhattheHell’supnow？\"whiletheCompanyCommandersaresweatingintotheirsword-hiltsandshouting：\"Frontrank，fixbayonets。Steadythere-steady！Sightforthreehundred-no，forfive！Liedown，all！Steady！Frontrankkneel！\"andsoforth，hebecomesunhappy，andgrowsacutelymiserablewhenhehearsacomradeturnoverwiththerattleoffire-ironsfallingintothefender，andthegruntofapole-axedox。Ifhecanbemovedaboutalittleandallowedtowatchtheeffectofhisownfireontheenemyhefeelsmerrier，andmaybethenworkeduptotheblindpassionoffighting，whichis，contrarytogeneralbelief，controlledbyachillyDevilandshakesmenlikeague。Ifheisnotmovedabout，andbeginstofeelcoldatthepitofthestomach，andinthatcrisisisbadlymauledandhearsordersthatwerenevergiven，hewillbreak，andhewillbreakbadly，andofallthingsunderthelightoftheSunthereisnothingmoreterriblethanabrokenBritishregiment。Whentheworstcomestotheworstandthepanicisreallyepidemic，themenmustbee’enletgo，andtheCompanyCommandershadbetterescapetotheenemyandstaythereforsafety’ssake。Iftheycanbemadetocomeagaintheyarenotpleasantmentomeet；becausetheywillnotbreaktwice。
Aboutthirtyyearsfromthisdate，whenwehavesucceededinhalf-
educatingeverythingthatwearstrousers，ourArmywillbeabeautifullyunreliablemachine。Itwillknowtoomuchanditwilldotoolittle。Laterstill，whenallmenareatthementalleveloftheofficerofto-day，itwillsweeptheearth。Speakingroughly，youmustemployeitherblackguardsorgentlemen，or，bestofall，blackguardscommandedbygentlemen，todobutcher’sworkwithefficiencyanddespatch。Theidealsoldiershould，ofcourse，thinkforhimself-the\"Pocket-book\"saysso。Unfortunately，toattainthisvirtue，hehastopassthroughthephaseofthinkingofhimself，andthatismisdirectedgenius。Ablackguardmaybeslowtothinkforhimself，butheisgenuinelyanxioustokill，andalittlepunishmentteacheshimhowtoguardhisownskinandperforateanother’s。ApowerfullyprayerfulHighlandRegiment，officeredbyrankPresbyterians，is，perhaps，onedegreemoreterribleinactionthanahard-bittenthousandofirresponsibleIrishruffiansledbymostimproperyoungunbelievers。Butthesethingsprovetherule-whichisthatthemidwaymenarenottobetrustedalone。Theyhaveideasaboutthevalueoflifeandanupbringingthathasnottaughtthemtogoonandtakethechances。
Theyarecarefullyunprovidedwithabackingofcomradeswhohavebeenshotover，anduntilthatbackingisre-introduced，asagreatmanyRegimentalCommandersintenditshallbe，theyaremoreliabletodisgracethemselvesthanthesizeoftheEmpireorthedignityoftheArmyallows。Theirofficersareasgoodasgoodcanbe，becausetheirtrainingbeginsearly，andGodhasarrangedthataclean-runyouthoftheBritishmiddleclassesshall，inthematterofbackbone，brains，andbowels，surpassallotheryouths。
Forthisreasonachildofeighteenwillstandup，doingnothing，withatinswordinhishandandjoyinhisheartuntilheisdropped。Ifhedies，hedieslikeagentleman。Ifhelives，hewritesHomethathehasbeen\"potted，\"\"sniped，\"\"chipped，\"or\"cutover，\"andsitsdowntobesiegeGovernmentforawound-
gratuityuntilthenextlittlewarbreaksout，whenheperjureshimselfbeforeaMedicalBoard，blarneyshisColonel，burnsincenseroundhisAdjutant，andisallowedtogototheFrontoncemore。
WhichhomilybringsmedirectlytoabraceofthemostfinishedlittlefiendsthateverbangeddrumortootledfifeintheBandofaBritishRegiment。Theyendedtheirsinfulcareerbyopenandflagrantmutinyandwereshotforit。TheirnameswereJakinandLew-PiggyLewandtheywerebold，baddrummer-boys，bothofthemfrequentlybirchedbytheDrum-MajoroftheForeandAft-
Jakinwasastuntedchildoffourteen，andLewwasaboutthesameage。Whennotlookedafter，theysmokedanddrank。TheysworehabituallyafterthemanneroftheBarrack-room，whichiscoldswearingandcomesfrombetweenclenchedteeth，andtheyfoughtreligiouslyonceaweek。JakinhadsprungfromsomeLondongutter，andmayormaynothavepassedthroughDr。Barnardo’shandserehearrivedatthedignityofdrummer-boy。LewcouldremembernothingexcepttheRegimentandthedelightoflisteningtotheBandfromhisearliestyears。Hehidsomewhereinhisgrimylittlesoulagenuineloveformusic，andwasmostmistakenlyfurnishedwiththeheadofacherub：insomuchthatbeautifulladieswhowatchedtheRegimentinchurchwerewonttospeakofhimasa\"darling。\"Theyneverheardhisvitrioliccommentsontheirmannersandmorals，ashewalkedbacktobarrackswiththeBandandmaturedfreshcausesofoffenceagainstJakin。
Theotherdrummer-boyshatedbothladsonaccountoftheirillogicalconduct。JakinmightbepoundingLew，orLewmightberubbingJakin’sheadinthedirt，butanyattemptataggressiononthepartofanoutsiderwasmetbythecombinedforcesofLewandJakin；andtheconsequenceswerepainful。TheboysweretheIshmaelsofthecorps，butwealthyIshmaels，fortheysoldbattlesinalternateweeksforthesportofthebarrackswhentheywerenotpittedagainstotherboys；andthusamassedmoney。
Onthisparticulardaytherewasdissensioninthecamp。Theyhadjustbeenconvictedafreshofsmoking，whichisbadforlittleboyswhouseplug-tobacco，andLew’scontentionwasthatJakinhad\"stunkso’orridbadfromkeepin’thepipeinpocket，\"thatheandhealonewasresponsibleforthebirchingtheywerebothtinglingunder。
\"ItellyouI’idthepipebacko’barracks，\"saidJakinpacifically。
\"You’reabloomin’liar，\"saidLewwithoutheat。
\"You’reabloomin’littlebarstard，\"saidJakin，strongintheknowledgethathisownancestrywasunknown。
Nowthereisonewordintheextendedvocabularyofbarrack-roomabusethatcannotpasswithoutcomment。Youmaycallamanathiefandrisknothing。Youmayevencallhimacowardwithoutfindingmorethanabootwhizpastyourear，butyoumustnotcallamanabastardunlessyouarepreparedtoproveitonhisfrontteeth。
\"Youmightha’kep’thattillIwasn’tsosore，\"saidLewsorrowfully，dodgingroundJakin’sguard。
\"I’llmakeyousorer，\"saidJakingenially，andgothomeonLew’salabasterforehead。Allwouldhavegonewellandthisstory，asthebookssay，wouldneverhavebeenwritten，hadnothisevilfatepromptedtheBazar-Sergeant’sson，along，employlessmanoffive-and-twenty，toputinanappearanceafterthefirstround。Hewaseternallyinneedofmoney，andknewthattheboyshadsilver。
\"Fightingagain，\"saidhe。\"I’llreportyoutomyfather，andhe’llreportyoutotheColour-Sergeant。\"
\"What’sthattoyou？\"saidJakinwithanunpleasantdilationofthenostrils。
\"Oh！nothingtome。You’llgetintotrouble，andyou’vebeenuptoooftentoaffordthat。\"
\"WhattheHelldoyouknowaboutwhatwe’vedone？\"askedLewtheSeraph。\"Youaren’tintheArmy，youlousy，cadgingcivilian。\"
Heclosedinontheman’sleftflank。
\"Jes’’causeyoufindtwogentlemensettlin’theirdiff’renceswiththeirfistesyoustickinyouruglynosewhereyouaren’twanted。Run’ometoyour’arf-casteslutofaMa-orwe’llgiveyouwhat-for，\"saidJakin。
Themanattemptedreprisalsbyknockingtheboys’headstogether。
TheschemewouldhavesucceededhadnotJakinpunchedhimvehementlyinthestomach，orhadLewrefrainedfromkickinghisshins。Theyfoughttogether，bleedingandbreathless，forhalfanhour，and，afterheavypunishment，triumphantlypulleddowntheiropponentasterrierspulldownajackal。
\"Now，\"gaspedJakin，\"I’llgiveyouwhat-for。\"Heproceededtopoundtheman’sfeatureswhileLewstampedontheoutlyingportionsofhisanatomy。Chivalryisnotastrongpointinthecompositionoftheaveragedrummer-boy。Hefights，asdohisbetters，tomakehismark。
Ghastlywastheruinthatescaped，andawfulwasthewrathoftheBazar-Sergeant。AwfultoowasthesceneinOrderly-roomwhenthetworeprobatesappearedtoanswerthechargeofhalf-murderinga\"civilian。\"TheBazar-Sergeantthirstedforacriminalaction，andhissonlied。Theboysstoodtoattentionwhiletheblackcloudsofevidenceaccumulated。
\"YoulittledevilsaremoretroublethantherestoftheRegimentputtogether，\"saidtheColonelangrily。\"Onemightaswelladmonishthistledown，andIcan’twellputyouincellsorunderstoppages。Youmustbebirchedagain。\"
\"Begy’pardon，Sir。Can’twesaynothin’inourowndefence，Sir？\"shrilledJakin。
\"Hey！What？Areyougoingtoarguewithme？\"saidtheColonel。
\"No，Sir，\"saidLew。\"Butifamancometoyou，Sir，andsaidhewasgoingtoreportyou，Sir，for’avingabitofaturn-upwithafriend，Sir，an’wantedtogetmoneyouto’you，Sir-\"
TheOrderly-roomexplodedinaroaroflaughter。\"Well？\"saidtheColonel。
\"Thatwaswhatthatmeaslyjarnwartheredid，Sir，and’e’d’a’
doneit，Sir，ifwe’adn’tprevented’im。Wedidn’t’it’immuch，Sir。’E’adn’tnomannero’righttointerferewithus，Sir。I
don’tmindbein’birchedbytheDrum-Major，Sir，noryetreportedbyanyCorp’ral，butI’m-butIdon’tthinkit’sfair，Sir，foraciviliantocomean’talkoveramanintheArmy。\"
AsecondshoutoflaughtershooktheOrderly-room，buttheColonelwasgrave。
\"Whatsortofcharactershavetheseboys？\"heaskedoftheRegimentalSergeant-Major。
\"Accordin’totheBandmaster，Sir，\"returnedthatreveredofficial-theonlysoulintheRegimentwhomtheboysfeared-\"theydoeverythingbutlie，Sir。\"
\"Isitlikewe’dgoforthatmanforfun，Sir？\"saidLew，pointingtotheplaintiff。
\"Oh，admonished-admonished！\"saidtheColoneltestily，andwhentheboyshadgonehereadtheBazar-Sergeant’ssonalectureonthesinofunprofitablemeddling，andgaveordersthattheBandmastershouldkeeptheDrumsinbetterdiscipline。
\"Ifeitherofyoucometopracticeagainwithsomuchasascratchonyourtwouglylittlefaces，\"thunderedtheBandmaster，\"I’lltelltheDrum-Majortotaketheskinoffyourbacks。Understandthat，youyoungdevils。\"
ThenherepentedofhisspeechforjustthelengthoftimethatLew，lookinglikeaseraphinredworstedembellishments，tooktheplaceofoneofthetrumpets-inhospital-andrenderedtheechoofabattle-piece。Lewcertainlywasamusician，andhadofteninhismoreexaltedmomentsexpressedayearningtomastereveryinstrumentoftheBand。
\"There’snothingtopreventyourbecomingaBandmaster，Lew，\"saidtheBandmaster，whohadcomposedwaltzesofhisown，andworkeddayandnightintheinterestsoftheBand。
\"Whatdidhesay？\"demandedJakinafterpractice。
\"SaidImightbeabloomin’Bandmaster，an’beaskedinto’aveaglasso’sherrywineonMess-nights。\"
\"Ho！’Saidyoumightbeabloomin’noncombatant，did’e！That’sjustaboutwot’ewouldsay。WhenI’veputinmyboy’sserviceit’sabloomin’shamethatdoesn’tcountforpension-I’lltakeonasaprivit。ThenI’llbeaLanceinayear-knowin’whatI
knowabouttheinsan’outso’things。InthreeyearsI’llbeabloomin’Sergeant。Iwon’tmarrythen，notI！I’ll’oldonandlearntheorf’cers’waysan’applyforexchangeintoareg’mentthatdoesn’tknowallaboutme。ThenI’llbeabloomin’orf’cer。
ThenI’llaskyouto’aveaglasso’sherrywine，MisterLew，an’
you’llbloomin’well’avetostayinthehanty-roomwhiletheMess-Sergeantbringsittoyourdirty’ands。\"-
\"S’poseI’mgoingtobeaBandmaster？NotI，quite。I’llbeaorf’certoo。There’snothin’liketakin’toathingan’stickin’
toit，theSchoolmastersays。TheReg’mentdon’tgo’omeforanothersevenyears。I’llbeaLancethenornearto。\"
Thustheboysdiscussedtheirfutures，andconductedthemselvespiouslyforaweek。Thatistosay，LewstartedaflirtationwiththeColour-Sergeant’sdaughter，agedthirteen-\"not，\"asheexplainedtoJakin，\"withanyintentiono’matrimony，butbywayo’keepin’my’andin。\"Andtheblack-hairedCrisDelighanenjoyedthatflirtationmorethanpreviousones，andtheotherdrummer-boysragedfuriouslytogether，andJakinpreachedsermonsonthedangersofbein’tangledalongo’petticoats。\"
ButneitherlovenorvirtuewouldhaveheldLewlonginthepathsofproprietyhadnottherumourgoneabroadthattheRegimentwastobesentonactiveservice，totakepartinawarwhich，forthesakeofbrevity，wewillcall\"TheWaroftheLostTribes。\"
ThebarrackshadtherumouralmostbeforetheMess-room，andofalltheninehundredmeninbarracks，nottenhadseenashotfiredinanger。TheColonelhad，twentyyearsago，assistedataFrontierexpedition；oneoftheMajorshadseenserviceattheCape；aconfirmeddeserterinECompanyhadhelpedtoclearstreetsinIreland；butthatwasall。TheRegimenthadbeenputbyformanyyears。Theoverwhelmingmassofitsrankandfilehadfromthreetofouryears’service；thenon-commissionedofficerswereunderthirtyyearsold；andmenandsergeantsalikehadforgottentospeakofthestorieswritteninbriefupontheColours-theNewColoursthathadbeenformallyblessedbyanArchbishopinEnglanderetheRegimentcameaway。TheywantedtogototheFront-theywereenthusiasticallyanxioustogo-buttheyhadnoknowledgeofwhatwarmeant，andtherewasnonetotellthem。Theywereaneducatedregiment，thepercentageofschool-certificatesintheirrankswashigh，andmostofthemencoulddomorethanreadandwrite。Theyhadbeenrecruitedinloyalobservanceoftheterritorialidea；buttheythemselveshadnonotionofthatidea。Theyweremadeupofdraftsfromanover-
populatedmanufacturingdistrict。Thesystemhadputfleshandmuscleupontheirsmallbones，butitcouldnotputheartintothesonsofthosewhoforgenerationshaddoneovermuchworkforoverscantypay，hadsweatedindrying-rooms，stoopedoverlooms，coughedamongwhite-lead，andshiveredonlime-barges。ThemenhadfoundfoodandrestintheArmy，andnowtheyweregoingtofight\"niggers\"-peoplewhoranawayifyoushookastickatthem。
Whereforetheycheeredlustilywhentherumourran，andtheshrewd，clerklynon-commissionedofficersspeculatedonthechancesofbattaandofsavingtheirpay。AtHeadquartersmensaid：\"TheForeandFithaveneverbeenunderfirewithinthelastgeneration。Letus，therefore，breakthemineasilybysettingthemtoguardlinesofcommunication。\"AndthiswouldhavebeendonebutforthefactthatBritishRegimentswerewanted-badlywanted-attheFront，andthereweredoubtfulNativeRegimentsthatcouldfilltheminorduties。\"Brigade’emwithtwostrongRegiments，\"saidHeadquarters。\"Theymaybeknockedaboutabit，butthey’lllearntheirbusinessbeforetheycomethrough。Nothinglikeanight-alarmandalittlecutting-upofstragglerstomakeaRegimentsmartinthefield。Waittillthey’vehadhalfadozensentries’throatscut。\"
TheColonelwrotewithdelightthatthetemperofhismenwasexcellent，thattheRegimentwasallthatcouldbewished，andassoundasabell。TheMajorssmiledwithasoberjoy，andthesubalternswaltzedinpairsdowntheMess-roomafterdinner，andnearlyshotthemselvesatrevolver-practice。ButtherewasconsternationintheheartsofJakinandLew。WhatwastobedonewiththeDrums？WouldtheBandgototheFront？HowmanyoftheDrumswouldaccompanytheRegiment？
Theytookcounseltogether，sittinginatreeandsmoking。
\"It’smorethanabloomin’toss-upthey’llleaveusbe’indattheDepotwiththewomen。You’lllikethat，\"saidJakinsarcastically。
\"Causeo’Cris，y’mean？Wot’sawoman，ora’olebloomin’depoto’women，’longsideo’thechanstoffield-service？YouknowI’maskeenongoin’asyou，\"saidLew。
\"WishIwasabloomin’bugler，\"saidJakinsadly。\"They’lltakeTomKiddalong，thatIcanplasterawallwith，an’likeasnottheywon’ttakeus。\"
\"Thenlet’sgoan’makeTomKiddsobloomin’sick’ecan’tbuglenomore。You’old’is’andsan’I’llkickhim，\"saidLew，wrigglingonthebranch。
\"Thatain’tnogoodneither。Weain’tthesorto’characterstopresoomonourrep’tations-they’rebad。IftheyhavetheBandattheDepotwedon’tgo，andnoerrorthere。IftheytaketheBandwemaygetcastformedicalunfitness。Areyoumedicalfit，Piggy？\"saidJakin，diggingLewintheribswithforce。
\"Yus，\"saidLewwithanoath。\"TheDoctorsaysyour’eart’sweakthroughsmokin’onanemptystummick。Throwachestan’I’lltryyer。\"
Jakinthrewouthischest，whichLewsmotewithallhismight。
Jakinturnedverypale，gasped，crowed，screweduphiseyes，andsaid-\"That’sallright。\"
\"You’lldo，\"saidLew。\"I’ve’eardo’mendyingwhenyou’it’emfaironthebreastbone。\"
\"Don’tbringusnonearergoin’，though，\"saidJakin。\"Doyouknowwherewe’reordered？\"
\"Gawdknows，an’’Ewon’tsplitonapal。SomewheresuptotheFronttokillPaythans-hairybigbeggarsthatturnyouinsideoutiftheyget’oldo’you。Theysaytheirwomenaregood-
looking，too。\"
\"Anyloot？\"askedtheabandonedJakin。
\"Notabloomin’anna，theysay，unlessyoudigupthegroundan’
seewhattheniggers’ave’id。They’reapoorlot。\"Jakinstooduprightonthebranchandgazedacrosstheplain。
\"Lew，\"saidhe，\"there’stheColonelcoming。’Colonel’sagoodoldbeggar。Let’sgoan’talkto’im。\"
Lewnearlyfelloutofthetreeattheaudacityofthesuggestion。
LikeJakinhefearednotGod，neitherregardedheMan，buttherearelimitseventotheaudacityofadrummer-boy，andtospeaktoaColonelwas-
ButJakinhadsliddownthetrunkanddoubledinthedirectionoftheColonel。ThatofficerwaswalkingwrappedinthoughtandvisionsofaC。B。yes，evenaK。C。B。，forhadhenotatcommandoneofthebestRegimentsoftheLine-theForeandFit？Andhewasawareoftwosmallboyschargingdownuponhim。Oncebeforeithadbeensolemnlyreportedtohimthat\"theDrumswereinastateofmutiny，\"JakinandLewbeingtheringleaders。Thislookedlikeanorganisedconspiracy-
Theboyshaltedattwentyyards，walkedtotheregulationfourpaces，andsalutedtogether，eachaswellset-upasaramrodandlittletaller。
TheColonelwasinagenialmood；theboysappearedveryforlornandunprotectedonthedesolateplain，andoneofthemwashandsome。
\"Well！\"saidtheColonel，recognisingthem。\"Areyougoingtopullmedownintheopen？I’msureIneverinterferewithyou，eventhough\"-hesniffedsuspiciously-\"youhavebeensmoking。\"
Itwastimetostrikewhiletheironwashot。Theirheartsbeattumultuously。
\"Begy’pardon，Sir，\"beganJakin。\"TheReg’ment’sorderedonactiveservice，Sir？\"
\"SoIbelieve，\"saidtheColonelcourteously。
\"IstheBandgoin’，Sir？\"saidbothtogether。Then，withoutpause，\"We’regoin’，Sir，ain’twe？\"
\"You！\"saidtheColonel，steppingbackthemorefullytotakeinthetwosmallfigures。\"You！You’ddieinthefirstmarch。\"
\"No，wewouldn’t，Sir。WecanmarchwiththeReg’mentanywheres-
p’radean’anywhereelse，\"saidJakin。
\"IfTomKiddgoes’e’llshutuplikeaclasp-knife，\"saidLew。
\"Tom’asvery-closeveinsinboth’islegs，Sir。\"
\"Veryhowmuch？\"
\"Very-closeveins，Sir。That’swhytheyswellsafterlongp’rade，Sir。If’ecango，wecango，Sir。\"
AgaintheColonellookedatthemlongandintently。
\"Yes，theBandisgoing，\"hesaidasgravelyasthoughhehadbeenaddressingabrotherofficer。\"Haveyouanyparents，eitherofyoutwo？\"
\"No，Sir，\"rejoicinglyfromLewandJakin。\"We’rebothorphans，Sir。There’snoonetobeconsideredofonouraccount，Sir。\"
\"Youpoorlittlesprats，andyouwanttogouptotheFrontwiththeRegiment，doyou？Why？\"
\"I’veworetheQueen’sUniformfortwoyears，\"saidJakin。\"It’svery’ard，Sir，thatamandon’tgetnorecompensefordoin’of’isdooty，Sir。\"
\"An’-an’ifIdon’tgo，Sir，\"interruptedLew，\"theBandmaster’esays’e’llcatchan’makeabloo-ablessedmusiciano’me，Sir。
BeforeI’veseenanyservice，Sir。\"
TheColonelmadenoanswerforalongtime。Thenhesaidquietly：
\"Ifyou’repassedbytheDoctorIdaresayyoucango。Ishouldn’tsmokeifIwereyou。\"
Theboyssalutedanddisappeared。TheColonelwalkedhomeandtoldthestorytohiswife，whonearlycriedoverit。TheColonelwaswellpleased。Ifthatwasthetemperofthechildren，whatwouldnotthemendo？
JakinandLewenteredtheboys’barrack-roomwithgreatstateliness，andrefusedtoholdanyconversationwiththeircomradesforatleasttenminutes。Then，burstingwithpride，Jakindrawled：\"I’vebinintervooin’theColonel。GoodoldbeggaristheColonel。SaysIto’im，’Colonel，’saysI，’letmegototheFront，alongo’theReg’ment-’TotheFrontyoushallgo，’
says’e，’an’Ionlywishtherewasmorelikeyouamongthedirtylittledevilsthatbangthebloomin’drums。’Kidd，ifyouthrowyour’courtrementsatmefortellin’youthetruthtoyourownadvantage，yourlegs’llswell。\"
NonethelesstherewasaBattle-Royalinthebarrack-room，fortheboyswereconsumedwithenvyandhate，andneitherJakinnorLewbehavedinconciliatorywise。
\"I’mgoin’outtosayadootomygirl，\"saidLew，tocaptheclimax。\"Don’tnoneo’youtouchmykitbecauseit’swantedforactiveservice；mebein’speciallyinvitedtogobytheColonel。\"
HestrolledforthandwhistledintheclumpoftreesatthebackoftheMarriedQuarterstillCriscametohim，and，thepreliminarykissesbeinggivenandtaken，Lewbegantoexplainthesituation。
\"I’mgoin’totheFrontwiththeReg’ment，\"hesaidvaliantly。
\"Piggy，you’realittleliar，\"saidCris，butherheartmisgaveher，forLewwasnotinthehabitoflying。
\"Liaryourself，Cris，\"saidLew，slippinganarmroundher。\"I’mgoin’。WhentheReg’mentmarchesoutyou’llseemewith’em，allgalliantandgay。Giveusanotherkiss，Cris，onthestrengthofit。\"
\"Ifyou’don’ya-stayedattheDepot-whereyououghttoha’bin-youcouldgetasmanyof’emas-asyoudamplease，\"whimperedCris，puttinguphermouth。
\"It’s’ard，Cris。Igrantyouit’s’ard，Butwhat’samantodo？
IfI’da-stayedattheDepot，youwouldn’tthinkanythingofme。\"
\"Likeasnot，butI’d’aveyouwithme，Piggy。An’allthethinkin’intheworldisn’tlikekissin’。\"
\"An’allthekissin’intheworldisn’tlike’avin’amedaltowearonthefronto’yourcoat。\"
\"Youwon’tgetnomedal。\"
\"Oh，yus，Ishallthough。Mean’Jakinaretheonlyacting-
drummersthat’llbetookalong。Alltherestisfullmen，an’
we’llgetourmedalswiththem。\"
\"Theymightha’takenanybodybutyou，Piggy。You’llgetkilled-
you’resoventuresome。Staywithme，Piggydarlin’，downattheDepot，an’I’llloveyoutrue，forever。\"
\"Ain’tyougoin’todothatnow，Cris？Yousaidyouwas。\"
\"0’courseIam，butth’other’smorecomfortable。Waittillyou’vegrowedabit，Piggy。Youaren’tnotallerthanmenow。\"
\"I’vebinintheArmyfortwoyears，an’I’mnotgoin’togetoutofachansto’seein’service，an’don’tyoutrytomakemedoso。
I’llcomeback，Cris，an’whenItakeonasamanI’llmarryyou-
marryyouwhenI’maLance。\"
\"Promise，Piggy。\"
LewreflectedonthefutureasarrangedbyJakinashorttimepreviously，butCris’smouthwasveryneartohisown。
\"Ipromise，s’elpmeGawd！\"saidhe。
Crisslidanarmroundhisneck。
\"Iwon’t’oldyoubacknomore，Piggy。Goawayan’getyourmedal，an’I’llmakeyouanewbutton-bagasniceasIknowhow，\"shewhispered。
\"Putsomeo’your’airintoit，Cris，an’I’llkeepitinmypocketsolong’sI’malive。\"
ThenCrisweptanew，andtheinterviewended。Publicfeelingamongthedrummer-boysrosetofeverpitch，andthelivesofJakinandLewbecameunenviable。Notonlyhadtheybeenpermittedtoenlisttwoyearsbeforetheregulationboy’sage-fourteen-but，byvirtue，itseemed，oftheirextremeyouth，theywereallowedtogototheFront-whichthinghadnothappenedtoacting-drummerswithintheknowledgeofboy。TheBandwhichwastoaccompanytheRegimenthadbeencutdowntotheregulationtwentymen，thesurplusreturningtotheranks。JakinandLewwereattachedtotheBandassupernumeraries，thoughtheywouldmuchhavepreferredbeingcompanybuglers。
\"Don’tmattermuch，\"saidJakinafterthemedicalinspection。\"Bethankfulthatwe’re’lowedtogoatall。TheDoctor’esaidthatifwecouldstandwhatwetookfromtheBazar-Sergeant’ssonwe’dstandprettynighanything。\"
\"Whichwewill，\"saidLew，lookingtenderlyattheraggedandill-
madehousewifethatCrishadgivenhim，withalockofherhairworkedintoasprawling\"L\"uponthecover。
\"ItwasthebestIcould，\"shesobbed。\"Iwouldn’tletmothernortheSergeant’stailor’elpme。Keepitalways，Piggy，an’rememberIloveyoutrue。\"
Theymarchedtotherailwaystation，ninehundredandsixtystrong，andeverysoulincantonmentsturnedouttoseethemgo。
ThedrummersgnashedtheirteethatJakinandLewmarchingwiththeBand，themarriedwomenweptupontheplatform，andtheRegimentcheereditsnobleselfblackintheface。
\"Anicelevellot，\"saidtheColoneltotheSecond-in-Commandastheywatchedthefirstfourcompaniesentraining。
\"Fittodoanything，\"saidtheSecond-in-Commandenthusiastically。
\"Butitseemstomethey’reathoughttooyoungandtenderfortheworkinhand。It’sbittercoldupattheFrontnow。\"
\"They’resoundenough，\"saidtheColonel。\"Wemusttakeourchanceofsickcasualties。\"
Sotheywentnorthward，evernorthward，pastdrovesanddrovesofcamels，armiesofcamp-followers，andlegionsofladenmules，thethrongthickeningdaybyday，tillwithashriekthetrainpulledupatahopelesslycongestedjunctionwheresixlinesoftemporarytrackaccommodatedsixforty-waggontrains；wherewhistlesblew，Babussweated，andCommissariatofficerssworefromdawntillfarintothenight，amidthewind-drivenchaffofthefodder-balesandthelowingofathousandsteers。
\"Hurryup-you’rebadlywantedattheFront，\"wasthemessagethatgreetedtheForeandAft，andtheoccupantsoftheRedCrosscarriagestoldthesametale。
\"Tisn’tsomuchthebloomin’fightin’，\"gaspedaheadboundtrooperofHussarstoaknotofadmiringForeandAfts。\"Tisn’tsomuchthebloomin’fightin’，thoughthere’senougho’that。It’sthebloomin’foodan’thebloomin’climate。Frostallnight’ceptwhenithails，andb’ilingsunallday，andthewaterstinksfittoknockyoudown。Igotmy’eadchippedlikeaegg；I’vegotpneumoniatoo，an’mygutsisallouto’order。’Tain’tnobloomin’picnicinthoseparts，Icantellyou。\"
\"Wotaretheniggerslike？\"demandedaprivate。
\"There’ssomeprisonersinthattrainyonder。Goan’lookat’em。
They’rethearistocracyo’thecountry。Thecommonfolkareadashedsightuglier。Ifyouwanttoknowwhattheyfightwith，reachundermyseatan’pulloutthelongknifethat’sthere。\"
Theydraggedoutandbeheldforthefirsttimethegrim，bone-
handled，triangularAfghanknife。ItwasalmostaslongasLew。
\"That’sthethingtoj’intye，\"saidthetrooperfeebly。\"Itcantakeoffaman’sarmattheshoulderaseasyasslicingbutter。I
halvedthebeggarthatusedthatun，butthere’smoreofhislikesupabove。Theydon’tunderstandthrustin’，butthey’redevilstoslice。\"
ThemenstrolledacrossthetrackstoinspecttheAfghanprisoners。Theywereunlikeany\"niggers\"thattheForeandAfthadevermet-thesehuge，black-haired，scowlingsonsoftheBeni-Israel。AsthemenstaredtheAfghansspatfreelyandmutteredonetoanotherwithloweredeyes。
\"Myeyes！Wotawfulswine！\"saidJakin，whowasintherearoftheprocession。\"Say，oleman，howyougotpuckrowed，eh？Kiswastiyouwasn’thangedforyouruglyface，hey？\"
Thetallestofthecompanyturned，hisleg-ironsclankingatthemovement，andstaredattheboy。\"See！\"hecriedtohisfellowsinPushto。\"Theysendchildrenagainstus。Whatapeople，andwhatfools！\"
\"Hya。\"saidJakin，noddinghisheadcheerily。\"Yougodown-
country。Khanaget，peenikapaneeget-livelikeabloomin’Rajakemarfik。That’sabetterbandobustthanbaynitgetitinyourinnards。Good-bye，oleman。Takecareo’yourbeautifulfigure-
’ead，an’trytolookkushy。\"
Themenlaughedandfellinfortheirfirstmarch，whentheybegantorealisethatasoldier’slifeisnotallbeerandskittles。
Theyweremuchimpressedwiththesizeandbestialferocityoftheniggerswhomtheyhadnowlearnedtocall\"Paythans，\"andmorewiththeexceedingdiscomfortoftheirownsurroundings。Twentyoldsoldiersinthecorpswouldhavetaughtthemhowtomakethemselvesmoderatelysnugatnight，buttheyhadnooldsoldiers，and，asthetroopsonthelineofmarchsaid，\"theylivedlikepigs。\"Theylearnedtheheart-breakingcussednessofcamp-kitchensandcamelsandthedepravityofanE。P。tentandawither-wrungmule。Theystudiedanimalculaeinwater，anddevelopedafewcasesofdysenteryintheirstudy。
Attheendoftheirthirdmarchtheyweredisagreeablysurprisedbythearrivalintheircampofahammeredironslugwhich，firedfromasteadyrestatsevenhundredyards，flickedoutthebrainsofaprivateseatedbythefire。Thisrobbedthemoftheirpeaceforanight，andwasthebeginningofalong-rangefirecarefullycalculatedtothatend。Inthedaytimetheysawnothingexceptanunpleasantpuffofsmokefromacragabovethelineofmarch。Atnightthereweredistantspurtsofflameandoccasionalcasualties，whichsetthewholecampblazingintothegloomand，occasionally，intooppositetents。Thentheysworevehementlyandvowedthatthiswasmagnificentbutnotwar。
Indeeditwasnot。TheRegimentcouldnothaltforreprisalsagainstthesharpshootersofthecountry-side。ItsdutywastogoforwardandmakeconnectioonwiththeScotchandGoorkhatroopswithwhichitwasbrigaded。TheAfghansknewthis，andknewtoo，aftertheirfirsttentativeshots，thattheyweredealingwitharawregimentThereaftertheydevotedthemselvestothetaskofkeepingtheForeandAftonthestrain。Notforanythingwouldtheyhavetakenequallibertieswithaseasonedcorps-withthewickedlittleGoorkhas，whosedelightitwastolieoutintheopenonadarknightandstalktheirstalkers-withtheterriblebigmendressedinwomen’sclothes，whocouldbeheardprayingtotheirGodinthenight-watches，andwhosepeaceofmindnoamountof\"sniping\"couldshake-orwiththosevileSikhs，whomarchedsoostentatiouslyunpreparedandwhodealtoutsuchgrimrewardtothosewhotriedtoprofitbythatunpreparedness。Thiswhiteregimentwasdifferent-quitedifferent。Itsleptlikeahog，and，likeahog，chargedineverydirectionwhenitwasroused。
Itssentrieswalkedwithafootfallthatcouldbeheardforaquarterofamile；wouldfireatanythingthatmoved-evenadrivendonkey-andwhentheyhadoncefired，couldbescientifically\"rushed\"andlaidoutahorrorandanoffenceagainstthemorningsun。Thentherewerecamp-followerswhostraggledandcouldbecutupwithoutfear。Theirshriekswoulddisturbthewhiteboys，andthelossoftheirserviceswouldinconveniencethemsorely。
Thus，ateverymarch，thehiddenenemybecamebolderandtheRegimentwrithedandtwistedunderattacksitcouldnotavenge。
Thecrowningtriumphwasasuddennight-rushendinginthecuttingofmanytent-ropes，thecollapseofthesoddencanvas，andagloriousknifingofthemenwhostruggledandkickedbelow。Itwasagreatdeed，neatlycarriedout，anditshookthealreadyshakennervesoftheForeandAft。Allthecouragethattheyhadbeenrequiredtoexerciseuptothispointwasthe\"twoo’clockinthemorningcourage\"；and，sofar，theyhadonlysucceededinshootingtheircomradesandlosingtheirsleep。
Sullen，discontented，cold，savage，sick，withtheiruniformsdulledandunclean，theForeandAftjoinedtheirBrigade。
\"Ihearyouhadatoughtimeofitcomingup，\"saidtheBrigadier。
Butwhenhesawthehospital-sheetshisfacefell。
\"Thisisbad，\"saidhetohimself。\"They’reasrottenassheep。\"
AndaloudtotheColonel-\"I’mafraidwecan’tspareyoujustyet。Wewantallwehave，elseIshouldhavegivenyoutendaystorecoverin。\"
TheColonelwinced。\"Onmyhonour，Sir，\"hereturned，\"thereisnottheleastnecessitytothinkofsparingus。Mymenhavebeenrathermauledandupsetwithoutafairreturn。Theyonlywanttogoinsomewherewheretheycanseewhat’sbeforethem。\"
\"Can’tsayIthinkmuchoftheForeandFit，\"saidtheBrigadierinconfidencetohisBrigade-Major。\"They’velostalltheirsoldiering，and，bythetrimofthem，mighthavemarchedthroughthecountryfromtheotherside。Amorefagged-outsetofmenI
neverputeyeson。\"
\"Oh，they’llimproveastheworkgoeson。Theparadeglosshasbeenrubbedoffalittle，butthey’llputonfieldpolishbeforelong，\"saidtheBrigade-Major。\"They’vebeenmauled，andtheydon’tquiteunderstandit。\"
Theydidnot。Allthehittingwasononeside，anditwascruellyhardhittingwithaccessoriesthatmadethemsick。Therewasalsotherealsicknessthatlaidholdofastrongmananddraggedhimhowlingtothegrave。Worstofall，theirofficersknewjustaslittleofthecountryasthementhemselves，andlookedasiftheydid。TheForeandAftwereinathoroughlyunsatisfactorycondition，buttheybelievedthatallwouldbewelliftheycouldoncegetafairgo-inattheenemy。Pot-shotsupanddownthevalleyswereunsatisfactory，andthebayonetneverseemedtogetachance。Perhapsitwasaswell，foralong-limbedAfghanwithaknifehadareachofeightfeet，andcouldcarryawayleadthatwoulddisablethreeEnglishmen。
TheForeandAftwouldlikesomerifle-practiceattheenemy-allsevenhundredriflesblazingtogether。Thatwishshowedthemoodofthemen。
TheGoorkhaswalkedintotheircamp，andinbroken，barrack-roomEnglishstrovetofraternisewiththem：offeredthempipesoftobaccoandstoodthemtreatatthecanteen。ButtheForeandAft，notknowingmuchofthenatureoftheGoorkhas，treatedthemastheywouldtreatanyother\"niggers，\"andthelittlemeningreentrottedbacktotheirfirmfriendstheHighlanders，andwithmanygrinsconfidedtothem：\"Thatdamwhiteregimentnodamuse。Sulky-ugh！Dirty-ugh！Hya，anytotforJohnny？\"WhereattheHighlanderssmotetheGoorkhasastothehead，andtoldthemnottovilifyaBritishRegiment，andtheGoorkhasgrinnedcavernously，fortheHighlandersweretheirelderbrothersandentitledtotheprivilegesofkinship。ThecommonsoldierwhotouchesaGoorkhaismorethanlikelytohavehisheadslicedopen。
ThreedayslatertheBrigadierarrangedabattleaccordingtotherulesofwarandthepeculiarityoftheAfghantemperament。Theenemyweremassingininconvenientstrengthamongthehills，andthemovingofmanygreenstandardswarnedhimthatthetribeswere\"up\"inaidoftheAfghanregulartroops。AsquadronandahalfofBengalLancersrepresentedtheavailableCavalry，andtwoscrew-
guns，borrowedfromacolumnthirtymilesaway，theArtilleryattheGeneral’sdisposal。
\"Iftheystand，asI’veaverystrongnotionthattheywill，I
fancyweshallseeaninfantryfightthatwillbeworthwatching，\"
saidtheBrigadier。\"We’lldoitinstyle。EachregimentshallbeplayedintoactionbyitsBand，andwe’llholdtheCavalryinreserve。\"
\"Forallthereserve？\"somebodyasked。
\"Forallthereserve；becausewe’regoingtocrumplethemup，\"
saidtheBrigadier，whowasanextraordinaryBrigadier，anddidnotbelieveinthevalueofareservewhendealingwithAsiatics。
Indeed，whenyoucometothinkofit，hadtheBritishArmyconsistentlywaitedforreservesinallitslittleaffairs，theboundariesofOurEmpirewouldhavestoppedatBrightonbeach。
Thebattlewastobeagloriousbattle。
Thethreeregimentsdebouchingfromthreeseparategorges，afterdulycrowningtheheightsabove，weretoconvergefromthecentre，left，andrightuponwhatwewillcalltheAfghanarmy，thenstationedtowardsthelowerextremityofaflat-bottomedvalley。
ThusitwillbeseenthatthreesidesofthevalleypracticallybelongedtotheEnglish，whilethefourthwasstrictlyAfghanproperty。IntheeventofdefeattheAfghanshadtherockyhillstoflyto，wherethefirefromtheguerrillatribesinaidwouldcovertheirretreat。IntheeventofvictorythesesametribeswouldrushdownandlendtheirweighttotheroutoftheBritish。
Thescrew-gunsweretoshelltheheadofeachAfghanrushthatwasmadeincloseformation，andtheCavalry，heldinreserveintherightvalley，weretogentlystimulatethebreak-upwhichwouldfollowonthecombinedattack。TheBrigadier，sittinguponarockoverlookingthevalley，wouldwatchthebattleunrolledathisfeet。TheForeandAftwoulddebouchfromthecentralgorge，theGoorkhasfromtheleft，andtheHighlandersfromtheright，forthereasonthattheleftflankoftheenemyseemedasthoughitrequiredthemosthammering。ItwasnoteverydaythatanAfghanforcewouldtakegroundintheopen，andtheBrigadierwasresolvedtomakethemostofit。
\"Ifweonlyhadafewmoremen，\"hesaidplaintively，\"wecouldsurroundthecreaturesandcrumple’emupthoroughly。Asitis，I’mafraidwecanonlycutthemupastheyrun。It’sagreatpity。\"
TheForeandAfthadenjoyedunbrokenpeaceforfivedays，andwerebeginning，inspiteofdysentery，torecovertheirnerve。Buttheywerenothappy，fortheydidnotknowtheworkinhand，andhadtheyknown，wouldnothaveknownhowtodoit。Throughoutthosefivedaysinwhicholdsoldiersmighthavetaughtthemthecraftofthegame，theydiscussedtogethertheirmisadventuresinthepast-howsuchanonewasaliveatdawnanddeaderethedusk，andwithwhatshrieksandstrugglessuchanotherhadgivenuphissoulundertheAfghanknife。Deathwasanewandhorriblethingtothesonsofmechanicswhowereusedtodiedecentlyofzymoticdisease；andtheircarefulconservationinbarrackshaddonenothingtomakethemlookuponitwithlessdread。
Veryearlyinthedawnthebuglesbegantoblow，andtheForeandAft，filledwithamisguidedenthusiasm，turnedoutwithoutwaitingforacupofcoffeeandabiscuit；andwererewardedbybeingkeptunderarmsinthecoldwhiletheotherregimentsleisurelypreparedforthefray。AlltheworldknowsthatitisilltakingthebreeksoffaHighlander。Itismuchillertotrytomakehimstirunlessheisconvincedofthenecessityforhaste。
