Themenfairworshippedhim，an’he’ddiedatAuMusjidontheroaddown。Theywaitedtilltheremnintavthebattalionwasup，andthin-claneagainstordhers，forwhowantedthatchunethatday？-theywintbacktoPeshawurslow-timean’tearin’thebowilsoutavivrymanthatheard，wid’TheDeadMarch。’Rightacrossourlinetheywint，an’yeknowtheiruniformsareasblackastheSweeps，crawlin’pastlikethedead，an’theotherbandsdamnin’
themtoletbe。
"Littletheycared。Thecarpsewaswidthem，an’they’dha’takenutsothroughaCoronation。OurordherswastogointoPeshawur，an’wewinthot-futpasttheFly-by-Nights，notsingin’，tolavethatchunebehindus。Thatwashowwetuktheroadoftheothercorps。
"’Twasringin’inmyearsstillwhinIfeltinthebonesofmethatDinahwascomin’，an’Iheardashout，an’thinIsawahorsean’atattoolatherin’downtheroad，helltoshplit，underwomen。
Iknew-Iknew！WanwastheTyroneColonel’swife-ouldBeeker’slady-hergrayhairflyin’an’herfatroundcarkissrowlin’inthesaddle，an’theotherwasDinah，thatshudha’beenatPindi。
TheColonel’sladyshechargedattheheadavourcolumnlikeastonewall，an’sheallbutknockedBeekeroffhishorsethrowin’
herarmsroundhisneckan’blubberin’，’Mebhoy！Mebhoy！’an’
Dinahwheeledleftan’camedownourflank，an’Iletayellthathadsufferedinsideavmeformonths，and-Dinahcame。WillI
iverforgetthatwhileIlive！She’dcomeonpassfromPindi，an’
theColonel’sladyhadlintherthetattoo。They’dbeenhuggin’
an’cryin’ineachother’sarmsallthelongnight。
"Soshewalkedalongwidherhandinmine，askin’fortyquestionstowanst，an’beggin’meontheVirgintomakeoaththattherewasnotabulletconsaledinme，unbeknownstsomewhere，an’thinI
remimberedLove-o’-Women。Hewaswatchin’us，an’hisfacewaslikethefaceavadivilthathasbeencookedtoolong。IdidnotwishDinahtoseeut，forwhinawoman’srunnin’overwidhappinessshe’sliketobetouched，forharmaftherwards，bythelastelittlethinginlife。SoIdhrewthecurtain，an’Love-o’-
Womenlaybackandgroaned。
"WhinwemarchedintoPeshawur，Dinahwinttobarrackstowaitforme，an’mefeelin’sorichthattide，IwintontotakeLove-o’-
Womentohospital。ItwasthelastIcuddo，an’tosavehimthedustan’thesmotherIturnedthedoolie-mendownaroadwellclearavtherestavthethroops，anwewintalong，metalkin’
throughthecurtains。AvasuddenIheardhimsay：-
"’Letmelook。FortheMercyavHiven，letmelook！’Ihadbeensotukupwidgettin’himoutavthedustandthinkin’ofDinahthat1hadnotkeptmyeyesaboutme。Therewasawomanridin’alittlebehindavus，an’，talkin’utoverwidDinahaftherwards，thatsamewomanmustha’ridnotfarontheJumroodroad。Dinahsaidthatshehadbeenhoverin’likeakiteontheleftflankavthecolumn。
"Ihaltedthedoolietosetthecurtains，an’sherodebywalkin’-
pace，an’Love-o’-Women’seyeswintaftherherasifhewouldfairhaulherdownfromthesaddle。
"’Followthere，’wasallhesez，butIniverheardamanspakeinthatvoicebeforeorsince，an’Iknewbythosetwowanwordsan’
thelookinhisfacethatshewasDi’monds-an’-Pearlsthathe’dtalkedavinhisdisthresses。
"WefollowedtillsheturnedintothegateavalittlehousethatstudneartheEdwardes’sGate。Therewastwogirlsintheverandah，an’theyraninwhintheysawus。Faith，atlongeye-
rangeutdidnottakemeawinktoseefwhatkindavhouseutwas。
Thethroopsbein’therean’all，therewasthreeorfoursuch，butaftherwardsthepolisbadethemgo。AttheverandahLove-o’-Womensez，catchin’hisbreath，’Stophere，’an’thin，an’thin，widagruntthatmustha’toretheheartupfromhisstomach，heswunghimselfoutavthedoolie，an’mytrothhestuduponhisfeetwidthesweatpourin’downhisface。IfMackiewastowalkinherenowI’dbelesstukbackthanIwasthin。Wherehe’ddhrawnhispowerfrom，Godknowsorthedivil-but’twasadeadmanwalkin’inthesunwidthefaceavadeadmanandthebreathavadeadmanheldupbythePower，an’thelegsan’thearmsofthecarpseobeyin’ordhers！-
"Thewomanstudintheverandah。She’dbeenabeautytoo，thoughhereyeswassunkinherhead，an’shelookedLove-o’-Womenupan’
downterrible。’An’，’shesez，kickin’backthetailavherhabit，-’An’，’shesez，’fwhatareyoudoin’here，marriedman？’
"Love-o’-Womensaidnothin’，butalittlefrothcametohislips，an’hewipedutoffwidhishandan’lookedatheran’thepaintonher，an’looked，an’looked，an’looked。
"’An’yet，’shesez，widalaugh。（DidyouhearMrs。RaineslaughwhinMackiedied？Yedidnot？Wellforyou。）’An’yet，’shesez，’whobutyouhavebettherright，’sezshe。’Youtaughtmetheroad。Youshowedmetheway，’shesez。’Ay，look，’shesez，’for’tisyourwork；youthattouldme-d’youremimberit？-thatawomanwhowasfalsetowanmancudbefalsetotwo。Ihavebeenthat，’shesez，’thatan’more，foryoualwayssaidIwasaquicklearner，Ellis。Lookwell，’shesez，’foritismethatyoucalledyourwifeinthesightavGodlongsince！’An’shelaughed。
"Love-o’-Womenstudstillinthesunwidoutanswerin’。Thinhegroanedan’coughedtowanst，an’Ithought’twasthedeath-
rattle，buthenivertukhiseyesoffherfacenotforawink。Yecudha’puthereyelashesthroughthefliesavanE。P。tent，theyweresolong。
"’Fwhatdoyoudohere？’shesez，wordbyword，’thathavetakenawaymyjoyinmymanthisfiveyearsgone-thathavebrokenmyrestan’killedmybodyan’damnedmysoulforthesakeavseem’
how’twasdone？DidyourexpayrienceaftherwardsbringyouacrostanywomanthatgavemorethanIdid？WudInotha’diedforyouan’widyou，Ellis？Yeknowthat，man！Ifeveryourlyin’sowlsawtruthinutslifeyeknowthat。’
"An’Love-o’-Womenlifteduphisheadandsaid，’Iknew，’an’thatwasall。Whileshewasspakin’thePowerhildhimupparade-setinthe’sun，anthesweatdhroppedundherhishelmet。’Twasmorean’
morethroubleforhimtotalk，an’hismouthwasrunnin’
twistways。
"Fwhatdoyoudohere？’shesez，an’hervoicewhitup。’Twaslikebellstollin’before。’Timewaswhinyouwerequickenoughwidyourwords，-youthattalkedmedowntohell。Areyedumbnow？’
An’Love-o’-Womengothistongue，an’sezsimple，likealittlechild，’MayIcomein？’hesez。
"Thehouseisopendayan’night，’shesez，widalaugh；an’Love-
o’-Womenduckedhisheadan’hilduphishandastho’hewasgyardin’。ThePowerwasonhimstill-ithildhimupstill，for，bymysowl，asI’llneversaveut，hewalkeduptheverandahstepsthathadbeenalivin’corpseinhospitalforamonth！
"’An’now’？’shesez，lookin’athim；an’theredpaintstudloneonthewhiteavherfacelikeabull’s-eyeonatarget。
"Helifteduphiseyes，slowan’veryslow，an’helookedatherlongan’verylong，an’hetukhisspachebetunehisteethwidawrenchthatshukhim。
"’I’mdyin’，Aigypt-dyin’，’hesez；ay，thosewerehiswords，forIremimberthenamehecalledher。Hewasturnin’thedeath-
colour，buthiseyesniverrowled。Theywereset-setonher。
Widoutwordorwarnin’sheopenedherarmsfullstretch，an’
’Here！’shesez。（Oh，fwhatagoldenmericleavavoiceutwas！）
’Diehere，’shesez；an’Love-o’-Womendhroppedforward，an’shehildhimup，forshewasafinebigwoman。
"Ihadnotimetoturn，bekazethatminutIheardthesowlquithim-toreoutinthedeath-rattle-an’shelaidhimbackinalongchair，an’sheseztome，’Misthersoldier，’shesez，’willyenotgoinan’talktowanavthegirls。Thissun’stoomuchforhim。’
"WellIknewtherewasnosunhe’diversee，butIcudnotspake，soIwintawaywidtheemptydoolietofindthedocthor。He’dbeenbreakfastin’an’lunchin’eversincewe’dcomein，an’hewasasfullasatick。
"Faithye’vegotdhrunkmightysoon，’hesez，whinI’dtouldhim，’toseethatmanwalk。Barrin’apuffortwoavlife，hewasacorpsebeforeweleftJumrood。I’veagreatmind，’hesez，’toconfineyou。’
"There’sadaleavliquorrunnin’about，docthor，’Isez，solemnasahard-boiledegg。’Maybe’tisso，butwillyenotcomean’seethecorpseatthehouse？’
"Tisdishgraceful，’hesez，’thatIwouldbeexpectedtogotoaplacelikethat。Wassheaprettywoman？’’hesez，an’atthathesetoffdoublequick。
"IcudseethatthetwowasintheverandahwereI’dleftthem，an’Iknewbythehangavherheadan’thenoiseavthecrowsfwhathadhappened。’TwasthefirstandthelasttimethatI’deverknownwomantousethepistol。Theydreadtheshotasarule，butDi’monds-an’-Pearlsshedidnot-shedidnot。
"Thedocthortouchedthelongblackhairavherhead（’twasalllooseuponLove-o’-Women’schest），an’thatclearedtheliquoroutavhim。Hestudconsidherin’alongtime，hishandsinhispockets，an’atlastheseztome，’Here’sadoubledeathfromnaturilcauses，mostnaturilcauses；an’inthepresintstateavaffairstherig’mintwillbethankfulforwangravethelesstodig。Issiwasti，’hesez，’Issiwasti，PrivitMulvaney，thesetwowillbeburiedtogetherintheCivilCemet’ryatmyexpinse，an’
maythegoodGod，’hesez，’makeitSOmuchformewhinmytimecomes。Gotoyourwife，’hesez；’goan’behappy。I’llseetothisall。’
"Ilefthimstillconsidherin’。TheywasburiedintheCivilCemet’rytogether，widaChurchofEnglandservice。Therewastoomanyburyin’sthintoaskquestions，an’thedocthor-heranawaywidMajor-MajorVanDyce’sladythatyear-hesawtoutall。
Fwhattherightan’thewrongavLove-o’-Womenan’Di’monds-an’-
PearlswasIniverknew，an’Iwillniverknow；butI’vetouldutasIcameacrostut-herean’thereinlittlepieces。So，beingfwhatIam，an’knowin’fwhatIknow，that’sfwhyIsayinthisshootin’-casehere，Mackiethat’sdeadan’inhellistheluckyman。Therearetimes，Sorr，whin’tisbettherforthemantodiethantolive，an’byconsequincefortymilliontimesbettherforthewoman。"
"H’upthere！"saidOrtheris。"It’stimetogo。"Thewitnessesandguardformedupinthethickwhitedustoftheparchedtwilightandswungoff，marchingeasyandwhistling。DowntheroadtothegreenbythechurchIcouldhearOrtheris，theblackBook-liestilluncleansedonhislips，setting，withafinesenseofthefitnessofthings，theshrillquick-stepthatruns-
"Oh，donotdespisetheadviceofthewise，Learnwisdomfromthosethatareolder，Anddon’ttryforthingsthatareoutofyourreach-
An’that’swhattheGirltoldtheSoldierSoldier！Soldier！
Oh，that’swhattheGirltoldtheSoldier！"
THEBIGDRUNKDRAF’
We’regoin’’ome，we’regoin’’ome-
Ourshipisattheshore，An’youmus’packyour’aversack，Forwewon’tcomebacknomore。
Ho，don’tyougrieveforme，MylovelyMaryAnn，ForI’llmarryyouyetonafourp’nybit，Asatime-expiredma-a-anBarrackRoomBallad。
ANawfulthinghashappened！Myfriend，PrivateMulvaney，whowenthomeintheSerapis，time-expired，notverylongago，hascomebacktoIndiaasacivilian！ItwasallDinahShadd’sfault。Shecouldnotstandthepokylittlelodgings，andshemissedherservantAbdullahmorethanwordscouldtell。ThefactwasthattheMulvaneyshadbeenoutheretoolong，andhadlosttouchofEngland。
MulvaneyknewacontractorononeofthenewCentralIndialines，andwrotetohimforsomesortofwork。ThecontractorsaidthatifMulvaneycouldpaythepassagehewouldgivehimcommandofagangofcooliesforoldsake’ssake。Thepaywaseighty-fiverupeesamonth，andDinahShaddsaidthatifTerencedidnotacceptshewouldmakehislifea"bastedpurgathory。"ThereforetheMulvaneyscameoutas"civilians，"whichwasagreatandterriblefall；thoughMulvaneytriedtodisguiseitbysayingthathewas"Ker’nelontherailwayline，an’aconsequinshalman。"
Hewrotemeaninvitation，onatool-indentform，tovisithim；
andIcamedowntothefunnylittle"construction"bungalowatthesideoftheline。DinahShaddhadplantedpeasaboutandabout，andnaturehadspreadallmannerofgreenstuffroundtheplace。
TherewasnochangeinMulvaneyexceptthechangeofclothing，whichwasdeplorable，butcouldnotbehelped。Hewasstandinguponhistrolly，haranguingagangman，andhisshoulderswereaswelldrilledandhisbig，thickchinwasasclean-shavenasever。
"I’maciviliannow，"saidMulvaney。"CudyoutellthatIwasiveramartialman’？Don’tanswer，Sorr，avyou’restrainin’betuneacomplimintan’alie。There’snohouldin’DinahShaddnowshe’sgotahouseavherown。Goinside，an’dhrinktayoutavchinyinthedrrrrawin’-room，an’thinwe’lldhrinklikeChristiansundherthetreehere。Scutt，yenaygur-folk！There’saSahibcometocallonme，an’that’smorethanhe’lliverdoforyouonlessyourun！
Getout，an’goonpilin’uptheearth，quick，tillsundown。"
Whenwethreewerecomfortablysettledunderthebigsishaminfrontofthebungalow，andthefirstrushofquestionsandanswersaboutPrivatesOrtherisandLearoydandoldtimesandplaceshaddiedaway，Mulvaneysaid，reflectively-"Glorybe，there’snop’radeto-morrow，an’nobun-headedCorp’ril-bhoytogiveyouhislip。An’yitIdon’tknow。’Tisharrdtobesomethingyeniverwerean’nivermeanttobe，an’alltheoulddaysshutupalongwidyourpapers。Eyah！I’mgrowin’rusty，an’’tisthewillavGodthatamanmustn’tservehisQuanefortimean’all。"
Hehelpedhimselftoafreshpeg，andsighedfuriously。
"Letyourbeardgrow，Mulvaney，"saidI，"andthenyouwon’tbetroubledwiththosenotions。You’llbearealcivilian。"
DinahShaddhadtoldmeinthedrawing-roomofherdesiretocoaxMulvaneyintolettinghisbeardgrow。"’Twassocivilian-like，"
saidpoorDinah，whohatedherhusband’shankeringforhisoldlife。
"DinahShadd，you’readishgracetoanhonust，clane-scrapedman！
"saidMulvaney，withoutreplyingtome。"Growabeardonyourownchin，darlint，andlavemyrazorsalone。They’reallthatstandbetunemeanddis-ris-pect-ability。AvIdidn’tshave，Iwudbetormintedwidanoutrajisthurrst；forthere’snothin’sodhryin’
tothethroatasabigbilly-goatbeardwaggin’undherthechin。
Yewudn’thavemedhrinkalways，DinahShadd’？Bythesametoken，you’rekapin’mecrooldhrynow。Letmelookatthatwhiskey。"
Thewhiskeywaslentandreturned，butDinahShadd，whohadbeenjustaseagerasherhusbandinaskingafteroldfriends，rentmewith-
"Itakeshameforyou，Sorr，comingdownherethoughtheSaintsknowyou’reaswelkimasthedaylightwhinyoudocome-an’
upsettin’Terence’sheadwidyournonsenseabout-aboutfwhat’smuchbettherforgotten。Hebein’aciviliannow，an’youniverwasaughtelse。CanyounotlettheArrmyrest？’TisnotgoodforTerence。"
ItookrefugebyMulvaney，forDinahShaddhasatemperofherown。
"Letbe-letbe，"saidMulvaney。"’TisonlywanstinawayIcantalkabouttheoulddays。"Thentome-"YesayDhrumshticksiswell，an’hisladytu’？IniverknewhowIlikedthegraygarrontillIwasshutavhiman’Asia。"-"Dhrumshticks"wasthenicknameoftheColonelcommandingMulvaney’soldregiment-"
Willyoubeseein’himagain？Youwill。Thintellhim"-
Mulvaney’seyesbegantotwinkle-"tellhimwidPrivit-"-
"Mister，Terence，"interruptedDinahShadd。"NowtheDivilan’allhisangilsan’theFirmamentavHivenflyawaywidthe’Mister，’
an’thesinavmakin’meswearbeonyourconfession，DinahShadd！
Privit，Itellye。WidPrivitMulvaney’sbestobedience，thatbutformethelasttime-expiredwudbestillpullin’hairontheirwaytothesea。"
Hethrewhimselfbackinthechair，chuckled，andwassilent。
"Mrs。Mulvaney，"Isaid，"pleasetakeupthewhiskey，anddon’tlethimhaveituntilhehastoldthestory。"
DinahShadddexterouslywhippedthebottleaway，sayingatthesametime，"’Tisnothingtobeproudav，"andthuscapturedbytheenemy，Mulvaneyspake：-
"’TwasonChusedayweek。Iwasbehaderin’roundwidthegangsonthe’bankmint-I’vetaughtthehoppershowtokapestepan’stopscreechin’-whinahead-gangmancomesuptome，widabouttwoinchesavshirt-tailhangingroundhisneckan’adisthressfullightinhisoi。’Sahib，’sezhe，’there’sareg’mintan’ahalfavsoldiersupatthejunction，knockin’redcindersoutavivrythingan’ivrybody！Theythriedtohangmeinmycloth，’hesez，’an’therewillbemurdheran’ruinan’rapeintheplacebeforenightfall！Theysaythey’recomin’downheretowakeusup。
Whatwillwedowidourwomen-folk？’
"’Fetchmythrolly！’sezI；’myheart’ssickinmyribsforawinkatanythingwidtheQuane’suniformonut。Fetchmythrolly，an’
sixavthejildiestmen，andrunmeupinshtyle。’"
"Hetukhisbestcoat，"saidDinahShadd，reproachfully。
"’TwastodohonourtotheWiddy。Icudha’donenoless，DinahShadd。Youandyourdigresshinsinterferewidthecoorseavthenarrative。HaveyouiverconsidheredfwhatIwudlooklikewidmeheadshavedaswellasmechin？Youbearthatinyourmind，Dinahdarlin’。
"Iwasthrolliedupsixmiles，alltogetashquintatthatdraf’。
Iknew’twasaspringdraf’goin’home，forthere’snorig’minthereabouts，more’sthepity。"
"PraisetheVirgin！"murmuredDinahShadd。ButMulvaneydidnothear。
"WhinIwasaboutthree-quartersavamileofftherest-camp，powtherin’alongfittoburrst，Iheardthenoiseavthemen，an’，onmysowl，Sorr，IcudcatchthevoiceavPegBarneybellowin’
likeabisonwidthebelly-ache。YouremimberPegBarneythatwasinDComp’ny-ared，hairyscraun，widascaronhisjaw？PegBarneythatclearedouttheBlueLights’Jubileemeetin’widthecook-roommoplastyear？
"ThinIknewutwasadraf’avtheOuldRig’mint，an’Iwasconshumedwidsorrowforthebhoythatwasincharge。Wewasharrdscrapin’satanytime。DidIivertellyouhowHorkerKelleywintintoclinknakidasPhoebusApollonius，widtheshirtsavtheCorp’rilan’fileundherhisarrum？An’bewasamoildman！ButI’mdigresshin’。’Tisashamebothtotherig’mintsandtheArrmysendin’downlittleorf’cerbhoyswidadraf’avstrongmenmadwidliquoran’thechanstavgettin’shutavIndia，an’niverapunishmentthat’sfittobegivenrightdownan’awayfromcantonmintstothedock！’Tisthisnonsinse。WhinIamservin’mytime，I’mundhertheArticlesavWar，an’canbewhippedonthepegforthim。ButwhinI’veservedmytime，I’maReserveman，an’
theArticlesavWarhaven’tanyhouldonme。Anorf’cercan’tdoanythin’toatime-expiredsavin’confinin’himtobarricks。’Tisawiserig’lation，bekazeatime-expireddoesnothaveanybarricks；bein’onthemoveallthetime。’TisaSolomonavarig’lation，isthat。Iwudliketobeinthroducedtothemanthatmadeut。’TiseasiertogetcoltsfromaKibbereenhorse-fairintoGalwaythantotakeabaddraf’overtenmilesavcounthry。
Consiquintlythatrig’lation-forfearthatthemenwudbehurtbythelittleorf’cerbhoy。Nomatther。Thenearermythrollycametotherest-camp，thewoilderwastheshine，an’thelouderwasthevoiceofPegBarney。"TisgoodIamhere，’thinksItomysilf，’forPegaloneisemploymintfortwoorthree。’Hebein’，Iwellknew，ascoppedasadhrover。
"Faith，thatrest-campwasasight！Thetent-ropeswasallskew-
nosed，an’thepegslookedasdhrunkasthemen-fiftyavthim-
thescourin’s，an’rinsin’s，an’Divil’slavin’savtheOuldRig’mint。Itellyou，Sorr，theyweredhrunkerthananymenyou’veeverseeninyourmortiallife。Howdoesadraf’getdhrunk？Howdoesafroggetfat？Theysukutinthroughtheirshkins。
"TherewasPegBarneysittin’onthegroun’inhisshirt-wanshoeoffan’wanshoeon-whackin’atent-pegovertheheadwidhisboot，an’singin’fittowakethedead。’Twasnoclanesongthathesung，though。’TwastheDivil’sMass。"
"What’sthat？"Iasked。
"WhinabadeggisshutavtheArmy，hesingstheDivil’sMassforagoodriddance；an’thatmanesswearin’ativrythingfromtheCommandher-in-ChiefdowntotheRoom-Corp’ril，suchasyouniverinyourdaysheard。Somemencanswearsoastomakegreenturfcrack！HaveyouiverheardtheCurseinanOrangeLodge？TheDivil’sMassistentimesworse，an’PegBarneywassingin’ut，whackin’thetent-pegontheheadwidhisbootforeachmanthathecursed。ApowerfulbigvoicehadPegBarney，an’ahardswearerhewaswhinsober。Istoodforninsthim，an’’twasnotmeoialonethatcudtellPegwasdhrunkasacoot。
354
"Goodmornin’，Peg，’Isez，whinhedhrewbreathaftherdursin’
theAdj’tint-Gen’ral；’I’veputonmybestcoattoseeyou，PegBarney，’sezI。
"ThintakeUtoffagain，’sezPegBarney，latherin’awaywidtheboot；’takeutoffan’dance，yelousycivilian！’
"Widthathebeginscursin’ouldDhrumshticks，beingsofullhedanedisrernimberstheBrigade-Majoran’theJudge-Advokit-
Gen’ral。
"Doyounotknowme，Peg？’sezI，thoughmebloodwashotinmewidbeingcalledacivilian。"
"An’himadecentmarriedman！"wailedDinahShadd。
Idonot，’sezPeg，’butdhrunkorsoberI’lltearthehideoffyourbackwidashovelwhinI’vestoppedsingin’。’
"’Sayyouso，PegBarney？’sezI。"Tisclearasmudyou’veforgottenme。I’llassistyourautobiography。’WidthatI
stretchedPegBarney，bootan’all，an’wintintothecamp。Anawfulsightutwas！
"’Where’stheorf’cerinchargeavthedetachment？’sezItoScrubGreene-themanestlittlewormthateverwalked。
"’There’snoorf’cer，yeouldcook，’sezScrub；’we’reabloomin’
Republic。’
"’Areyouthat？’sezI；’thinI’mO’ConnelltheDictator，an’bythisyouwilllarntokapeaciviltongueinyourrag-box。’
"WidthatIstretchedScrubGreenean’winttotheorf’cer’stent。
’Twasanewlittlebhoy-notwanI’diverseenbefore。Hewassittin’inhistent，purtendin’notto’aveearavtheracket。
"Isaluted-butforthelifeavmeIminttoshakehandswhinI
wentin。’Twastheswordhangin’onthetent-polechangedmywill。
"’Can’tIhelp，Sorr？’sezI；’’tisastrongman’sjobthey’vegivenyou，an’you’llbewantin’helpbysundown。’Hewasabhoywidbowils，thatchild，an’aralegintleman。
"’Sitdown，’sezhe。
"’Notbeforemyorf’cer，’sezI；an’Itouldhimfwhatmyservicewas。
"’I’veheardavyou，’sezhe。’YoutukthetownavLungtungpennakid。’
"’Faith，’thinksI，’that’sHonouran’Glory’；for’twasLift’nintBrazenosedidthatjob。’I’mwidye，Sorr，’sezI，’ifI’mavuse。
Theyshudniverha’sentyoudownwidthedraf’。Savin’yourpresince，Sorr，’Isez，’’tisonlyLift’nintHackerstonintheOuldRig’mintcanmanageaHomedraf’。’
"’I’veniverhadchargeofmenlikethisbefore，’sezhe，playin’
widthepensonthetable；’an’IseebytheRig’lations-’
"’ShutyouroitotheRig’lations，Sorr，’Isez，’tillthethrooper’sintobluewather。BytheRig’lationsyou’vegottotuckthimupforthenight，orthey’llberunnin’foulavmycooliesan’makin’ashiverariumhalfthroughthecounthry。Canyoutrustyournoncoms，Sorr？’
"’Yes，’sezhe。
"’Good，’sezI；’there’llbethroublebeforethenight。Areyoumarchin’，Sorr？’
"’Tothenextstation，’sezhe。
"’Bettherstill，’sezI；’there’llbebigthrouble。’
"’Can’tbetoohardonaHomedraf，’sezhe；’thegreatthingistogetthimin-ship。’
"’Faith，you’velarntthehalfavyourlesson，Sorr，’sezI，’butavyoushticktotheRig’lationsyou’llnivergetthiminshipatall，atall。Ortherewon’tbearagavkitbetunethimwhinyoudo。’
"’Twasadearlittleorf’cerbhoy，an’bywayavkapin’hisheartup，ItouldhimfwhatIsawwanstinadrafinEgypt。"
"Whatwasthat，Mulvaney？"saidI。
"Sivinan’fiftymensittin’onthebankavacanal，laughin’atapoorlittlesquidgereenavanorf’certhatthey’dmadewadeintotheslushan’pitchthingsoutavtheboatsfortheirLordHighMightinesses。Thatmademeorf’cerbhoywoildwidindignation。
"’Softan’aisy，Sorr，’sezI；’you’veniverhadyourdraf’inhanndsinceyouleftcantonmintsWaittillthenight，an’yourworkwillbereadytoyou。Widyourpermission，Sorr，Iwillinvestigatethecamp，an’talktomeouldfrinds。’Tisnomanneravusethryin’toshtopthedivilmintnow。’
"WidthatIwintoutintothecampan’inthrojucedmysilftoivrymansoberenoughtoremimberme。Iwassomewanintheoulddays，an’thebhoyswasgladtoseeme-allexciptPegBarneywidaeyelikeatomatafivedaysinthebazar，an’anosetomatch。Theycomeroundmean’shukme，an’ItouldthimIwasinprivitemploywidanincomeavmeown，an’adrrrawin’-roomfittobatetheQuane’s；an’widmeliesan’meshtoriesan’nonsinsegin’rally，I
kept’emquietinwanwayan’another，knockin’roun’thecamp。
’TwasbadeventhinwhinIwastheAngilavPeace。
"Italkedtomeouldnon-coms-theywassober-an’betunemean’
thimweworethedraf’overintotheirtentsatthepropertime。
Thelittleorf’cerbhoyheconiesround，dacintan’civil-spokenasmightbe。
"’Roughquarthers，men，’sezhe，’butyoucan’tlooktobeascomfortableasinbarricks。Wemustmakethebestavthings。I’veshutmyeyestoadaleavdog’sthricksto-day，an’nowtheremustbenomoreavut。’
"Nomorewewill。Comean’haveadhrink，meson，’sezPegBarney，staggerin’wherehestud。Melittleorf’cerbhoykep’histimper。
"’You’reasulkyswine，youare，’sezPegBarney，an’atthatthemeninthetentbegantolaugh。
"Itouldyoumeorf’cerbhoyhadbowils。HecutPegBarneyasnearasmightbeontheoithatI’dsqushedwhinwefirstmet。Pegwintspinnin’acrostthetent。
"Peghimout，Sorr，’sezI，inawhishper。
"Peghimout！’sezmeorf’cerbhoy，uploud，justasif’twasbattalionp’radean’hepickin’hiswurrdsfromtheSargint。
"Thenon-comstukPegBarney-ahowlin’handfulhewas-an’inthreeminut’shewaspeggedout-chindown，tight-dhrawn-onhisstummick，atent-pegtoeacharman’leg，swearin’fittoturnanaygurwhite。
"Itukapegan’’jammedutintohisuglyjaw-’Biteonthat，PegBarney，’Isez；’thenightissettin’frosty，an’you’llbewantin’divarsionbeforethemornin’。ButfortheRig’lationsyou’dbebitin’onabulletnowatthethriangles，PegBarney，’
sezI。
"Allthedraf’wasoutavtheirtentswatchin’Barneybein’
pegged。
"’’TisagintheRig’lations！Hestrookhim！’screechesoutScrubGreene，whowasalwaysalawyer；an’someofthementukuptheshoutin’。
"’Pegoutthatman！’sezmeorf’cerbhoy，niverlosin’histimper；
an’thenon-comswintinandpeggedoutScrubGreenebythesideavPegBarney。
"Icudseethatthedraf’wascomin’roun’。Themenstudnotknowin’fwhattodo。
"’Gettoyourtents！’sezmeorf’cerbhoy。’Sargint，putasinthryoverthesetwomen。’
"Themenwintbackintothetentslikejackals，an’therestavthenighttherewasnonoiseatallexciptthestipavthesinthryoverthetwo，an’ScrubGreeneblubberin’likeachild。’Twasachillynight，an’faith，utsoberedPegBarney。
"JustbeforeRevelly，meorf’cerbhoycomesoutan’sez：’Loosethosemenan’sendthimtotheirtents！’ScrubGreenewintawaywidoutaword，butPegBarney，stiffwidthecowld，studlikeasheep，thryin’tomakehisorf’cerundherstandhewassorryforplayin’thegoat。
"Therewasnotuckerinthedraf’whinutfellinforthemarch，an’divilawurrdabout’illegality’cudIhear。
"IwinttotheouldColour-SargintandIsez：-’Letmedieinglory，’sezI。’I’veseenamanthisday！’
"’Amanheis，’sezouldHother；’thedraf’sassickasaherrin’。
They’llallgodowntothesealikelambs。ThatbhoyhasthebowilsavacantonmintavGin’rals。’
"’Amin，’sezI，’an’goodluckgowidhim，wheriverhebe，bylandorbysea。Letmeknowhowthedraf’getsclear。’
"An’doyouknowhowtheydid？Thatbhoy，soIwastouldbyletterfromBombay，bully-damned’emdowntothedock，tilltheycudn’tcalltheirsowlstheirown。Fromthetimetheyleftmeoitilltheywas’tweendecks，notwanavthimwasmorethandacintlydhrunk。An’bytheHolyArticlesavWar，whintheywintaboordtheycheeredhimtilltheycudn’tspake，an’that，markyou，hasnotcomeaboutwidadraf’inthemlm’ryavlivin’man！Youlooktothatlittleorf’cerbhoy。Hehasbowils。’TisnotivrychildthatwudchucktheRig’lationstoFlandersan’stretchPegBarneyonawinkfromabrokinan’dilapidatedouldcarkisslikemysilf。
I’dbeproudtoserve-"
"Terence，you’reacivilian，"saidDinahShaddwarningly。
"SoIam-soIam。IsutlikelyIwudforgetut？Buthewasagran’bhoyallthesame，an’I’monlyamudtipperwidahodonmeshoulthers。Thewhiskey’sintheheelavyourhand，Sorr。Widyourgoodlavewe’lldhrinktotheOuldRig’mint-threefingers-
standin’up！"
Andwedrank。
THEMUTINEYOFTHEMAVERICKS
Sec。7（1）-CausingorConspiringwithotherpersonstocauseamutinyorseditioninforcesbelongingtoHerMajesty’sRegularforces，Reserveforces，Auxiliaryforces，orNavy。
WhenthreeobscuregentlemeninSanFranciscoarguedoninsufficientpremisestheycondemnedafellow-creaturetoamostunpleasantdeathinafarcountrywhichhadnothingwhatevertodowiththeUnitedStates。Theyforegatheredatthetopofatenement-houseinTehamaStreet，anunsavouryquarterofthecity，and，therecallingforcertaindrinks，theyconspiredbecausetheywereconspiratorsbytrade，officiallyknownastheThirdThreeoftheI。A。A-aninstitutionforthepropagationofpurelight，nottobeconfoundedwithanyothers，thoughitisaffiliatedtomany。TheSecondThreeliveinMontreal，andworkamongthepoorthere；theFirstThreehavetheirhomeinNewYork，notfarfromCastleGarden，andwriteregularlyonceaweektoasmallhousenearoneofthebighotelsatBoulogne。Whathappensafterthat，aparticularsectionofScotlandYardknowstoowellandlaughsat。
Aconspiratordetestsridicule。MoremenhavebeenstabbedwithLucreziaBorgiadaggersanddroppedintotheThamesforlaughingatHeadCentresandTrianglesthanforbetrayingsecrets；forthisishumannature。
TheThirdThreeconspiredoverwhiskeycocktailsandacleansheetofnote-paperagainsttheBritishEmpireandallthatlaytherein。
Thisworkisverylikewhatmenwithoutdiscernmentcallpoliticsbeforeageneralelection。Youpickoutanddiscuss，inthecompanyofcongenialfriends，alltheweakpointsinyouropponents’organisation，andunconsciouslydwelluponandexaggeratealltheirmishaps，tillitseemstoyouamiraclethatthehatedpartyholdstogetherforanhour。
"Ourprincipleisnotsomuchactivedemonstration-thatweleavetoothers-aspassiveembarrassment，toweakenandunnerve，"saidthefirstman。"Whereveranorganisationiscrippled，whereverconfusionisthrownintoanybranchofanydepartment，wegainastepforthosewhotakeonthework；wearebuttheforerunners。"
HewasaGermanenthusiast，andeditorofanewspaper，fromwhoseleadingarticleshequotedfrequently。
"ThatcursedEmpiremakessomanyblundersofherownthatunlesswedoubledtheyear’saverageIguessitwouldn’tstrikeheranythingspecialhadoccurred，"saidthesecondman。"Areyoupreparedtosaythatallourresourcesareequaltoblowingoffthemuzzleofahundred-tongunorspikingaten-thousand-tonshiponaplainrockincleardaylight？Theycanbeatusatourowngame。Betterjoinhandswiththepracticalbranches；we’reinfundsnow。Tryadirectscareinacrowdedstreet。Theyvaluetheirgreasyhides。"Hewasthedraguponthewheel，andanAmericanisedIrishmanofthesecondgeneration，despisinghisownraceandhatingtheother。Hehadlearnedcaution。
Thethirdmandrankhiscocktailandspokenoword。Hewasthestrategist，butunfortunatelyhisknowledgeoflifewaslimited。
Hepickedaletterfromhisbreast-pocketandthrewitacrossthetable。ThatepistletotheheathencontainedsomeveryconcisedirectionsfromtheFirstThreeinNewYork。
Itsaid-
"Theboominblackironhasalreadyaffectedtheeasternmarkets，whereouragentshavebeenforcingdowntheEnglish-heldstockamongthesmallerbuyerswhowatchtheturnofshares。Anyimmediateoperations，suchaswesternbears，wouldincreasetheirwillingnesstounload。This，however，cannotbeexpectedtilltheyseeclearlythatforeigniron-mastersarewillingtoco-operate。Mulcahyshouldbedispatchedtofeelthepulseofthemarket，andactaccordingly。Mavericksareatpresentthebestforourpurpose-P。D。Q。"
AsamessagereferringtoanironcrisisinPennsylvania，itwasinteresting，ifnotlucid。AsanewdepartureinorganizedattackonanoutlyingEnglishdependency，itwasmorethaninteresting。
Thesecondmanreaditthroughandmurmured-"
Already？Surelytheyareintoogreatahurry。AllthatDhulipSinghcoulddoinIndiahehasdone，downtothedistributionofhisphotographsamongthepeasantry。Ho！Ho！TheParisfirmarrangedthat，andhehasnosubstantialmoneybackingfromtheOtherPower。EvenouragentsinIndiaknowhehasn’t。Whatistheuseofourorganisationwastingmenonworkthatisalreadydone？
OfcoursetheIrishregimentsinIndiaarehalfmutinousastheystand。"
Thisshowshownearaliemaycometothetruth。AnIrishregiment，forjustsolongasitstandsstill，isgenerallyahardhandfultocontrol，beingrecklessandrough。When，however，itismovedinthedirectionofmusketry-firing，itbecomesstrangelyandunpatrioticallycontentwithitslot。IthasevenbeenheardtocheertheQueenwithenthusiasmontheseoccasions。
Butthenotionoftamperingwiththearmywas，fromthepointofviewofTehamaStreet，analtogethersoundone。ThereisnoshadowofstabilityinthepolicyofanEnglishGovernment，andthemostsacredoathsofEnglandwould，evenifengrossedonvellum，findveryfewbuyersamongcoloniesanddependenciesthathavesufferedfromvainbeliefs。ButthereremainstoEnglandalwaysherarmy。
Thatcannotchangeexceptinthematterofuniformandequipment。
TheofficersmaywritetothepapersdemandingtheheadsoftheHorseGuardsindefaultofcleanerredressforgrievances；themenmaybreaklooseacrossacountrytownandseriouslystartlethepublicans；butneitherofficersnormenhaveitintheircompositiontomutinyafterthecontinentalmanner。TheEnglishpeople，whentheytroubletothinkaboutthearmyatall，are，andwithjustice，absolutelyassuredthatitisabsolutelytrustworthy。ImagineforamomenttheiremotionsonrealisingthatsuchandsucharegimentwasinopenrevoltfromcausesdirectlyduetoEngland’smanagementofIreland。TheywouldprobablysendtheregimenttothepollsforthwithandexaminetheirownconsciencesastotheirdutytoErin；buttheywouldneverbeeasyanymore。Anditwasthisvague，unhappymistrustthattheI。A。
A。werelabouringtoproduce。
"Sheerwasteofbreath，"saidthesecondmanafterapauseinthecouncil。"Idon’tseetheuseoftamperingwiththeirfool-army，butithasbeentriedbeforeandwemusttryitagain。Itlookswellinthereports。Ifwesendonemanfromhereyoumaybetyourlifethatothermenaregoingtoo。OrderupMulcahy。"
Theyorderedhimup-aslim，slight，dark-hairedyoungman，devouredwiththatblindrancoroushatredofEnglandthatonlyreachesitsfullgrowthacrosstheAtlantic。Hehadsuckeditfromhismother’sbreastinthelittlecabinatthebackofthenorthernavenuesofNewYork；hehadbeentaughthisrightsandhiswrongs，inGermanandIrish，onthecanalfrontsofChicago；
andSanFranciscoheldmenwhotoldhimstrangeandawfulthingsofthegreatblindpowerovertheseas。Once，whenbusinesstookhimacrosstheAtlantic，hehadservedinanEnglishregiment，andbeinginsubordinatehadsufferedextremely。HedrewallhisideasofEnglandthatwerenotbredbythecheaperpatrioticprintsfromoneiron-fistedcolonelandanunbendingadjutant。
Hewouldgototheminesifneedbetoteachhisgospel。Andhewent，ashisinstructionsadvised，p。d。q-whichmeans"withspeed"-tointroduceembarrassmentintoanIrishregiment，"alreadyhalf-mutinous，quarteredamongSikhpeasantry，allwearingminiaturesofHisHighnessDhulipSingh，MaharajaofthePunjab，nexttheirhearts，andalleagerlyexpectinghisarrival。"
Otherinformationequallyvaluablewasgivenhimbyhismasters。
Hewastobecautious，butnevertogrudgeexpenseinwinningtheheartsofthemenintheregiment。HismotherinNewYorkwouldsupplyfunds，andhewastowritetoheronceamonth。LifeispleasantforamanwhohasamotherinNewYorktosendhimtwohundredpoundsayearoverandabovehisregimentalpay。
Inprocessoftime，thankstohisintimateknowledgeofdrillandmusketryexercise，theexcellentMulcahy，wearingthecorporal’sstripe，wentoutinatroopshipandjoinedHerMajesty’sRoyalLoyalMusketeers，commonlyknownasthe"Mavericks，"becausetheyweremasterlessandunbrandedcattle-sonsofsmallfarmersinCountyClare，shoelessvagabondsofKerry，herdersofBallyvegan，muchwanted"moonlighters"fromthebarerainyheadlandsofthesouthcoast，officeredbyO’Mores，Bradys，Hills，Kilreas，andthelike。Nevertooutwardseemingwastheremorepromisingmaterialtoworkon。TheFirstThreehadchosentheirregimentwell。ItfearednothingthatmovedortalkedsavethecolonelandtheregimentalRomanCatholicchaplain，thefatFatherDennis，whoheldthekeysofheavenandhell，andblaredlikeanangrybullwhenhedesiredtobeconvincing。Himalsoitlovedbecauseonoccasionsofstresshewasusedtotuckuphiscassockandchargewiththerestintothemerriestofthefray，wherehealwaysfound，goodman，thatthesaintssenthimarevolverwhentherewasafallenprivatetobeprotected，or-butthiscameasanafterthoughthisowngrayheadtobeguarded。
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