Cautiouslyashehadbeeninstructed，tenderlyandwithmuchbeer，Mulcahyopenedhisprojectstosuchashedeemedfittesttolisten。Andthesewere，oneandall，ofthatquaint，crooked，sweet，profoundlyirresponsibleandprofoundlylovableracethatfightlikefiends，arguelikechildren，reasonlikewomen，obeylikemen，andjestliketheirowngoblinsoftheraththroughrebellion，loyalty，want，woe，orwar。Theundergroundworkofaconspiracyisalwaysdullandverymuchthesametheworldover。
Attheendofsixmonths-theseedalwaysfallingongoodground-Mulcahyspokealmostexplicitly，hintingdarklyintheapprovedfashionatdreadpowersbehindhim，andadvisingnothingmorenorlessthanmutiny。Weretheynotdogs，evillytreated？hadtheynotalltheirownandtheirnationalrevengestosatisfy？Whointhesedayswoulddoaughttoninehundredmeninrebellion？Who，again，couldstaythemiftheybrokeforthesea，lickingupontheirwayotherregimentsonlytooanxioustojoin？Andafterwards……
herefollowedwindypromisesofgoldandpreferment，officeandhonour，everdeartoacertaintypeofIrishman。
Ashefinishedhisspeech，intheduskofatwilight，tohischosenassociates，therewasasoundofarapidlyunslungbeltbehindhim。ThearmofoneDanGradyflewoutinthegloomandarrestedsomething。ThensaidDan-
"Mulcahy，you’reagreatman，an’youdocredittowhoeversentyou。Walkaboutabitwhilewethinkofit。"Mulcahydepartedelate。Heknewhiswordswouldsinkdeep。
"Whythetriple-dashedasterisksdidyenotletmebelthim’？"
gruntedavoice。
"BecauseI’mnotafat-headedfool。Boys，’tiswhathe’sbeendrivingatthesesixmonths-oursuperiorcorp’rilwithhiseducationandhiscopiesoftheIrishpapersandhiseverlastingbeer。He’sbeensentforthepurpose，andthat’swherethemoneycomesfrom。Canyenotsee？Thatman’sagold-mine，whichHorseEganherewouldhavedestroyedwithabelt-buckle。ItwouldbethrowingawaythegiftsofProvidencenottofallinwithhislittleplans。Ofcoorsewe’llmut’nytillall’sdry。Shootthecolonelontheparade-ground，massacreethecompanyofficers，ransackthearsenal，andthen-Boys，didhetellyouwhatnext？
Hetoldmetheothernightwhenhewasbeginningtotalkwild。
Thenwe’retojoinwiththeniggers，andlookforhelpfromDhulipSinghandtheRussians！"
"AndspoilthebestcampaignthateverwasthissideofHell！
Danny，I’dhavelostthebeertoha’givenhimthebeltingherequires。"
"Oh，lethimgothisawhile，man！He’sgotno-noconstructiveness，butthat’stheegg-meatofhisplan，andyoumustunderstandthatI’minwithit，an’soareyou。We’llwantoceansofbeertoconvinceus-firmamentsfull。We’llgivehimtalkforhismoney，andonebyonealltheboys’llcomeinandhe’llhaveanestofninehundredmutineerstosquatinan’givedrinkto。"
"Whatmakesmekilling-madishiswantingustodowhattheniggersdidthirtyyearsgone。Thatan’hispig’scheekinsayingthatotherregimentswouldcomealong，"saidaKerryman。
"That’snotsobadashintin’weshouldlooseoffonthecolonel。"
"Colonelbesugared！I’dassoonasnotputashotthroughhishelmettoseehimjumpandclutchhisoldhorse’shead。ButMulcahytalkso’shootin’ourcomp’nyorf’cersaccidental。"
"Hesaidthat，didhe？"saidHorseEgan。
"Somethin’likethat，anyways。Can’tyefancyouldBarberBradywidabulletinhislungs，coughin’likeasickmonkey，an’
sayin’，’Bhoys，Idonotmindyourgettin’dhrunk，butyoumusthouldyourliquorlikemen。Themanthatshotmeisdhrunk。I’llsuspendinvestigationsforsixhours，whileIgetthisbulletcutout，andthen-’"
"’An’then，"continuedHorseEgan，forthepepperyMajor’speculiaritiesofspeechandmannerwereaswellknownashistannedface；"’an’then，yedissolute，half-baked，putty-facedscumo’Connemara，ifIfindamansomuchaslookin’confused，begad，I’llcoort-martialthewholecompany。Amanthatcan’tgetoverhisliquorinsixhoursisnotfittobelongtotheMavericks！’"
Ashoutoflaughterborewitnesstothetruthofthesketch。
"It’sprettytothinkof，"saidtheKerrymanslowly。"Mulcahywouldhaveusdoallthedevilmint，andgetclearhimself，someways。Hewudn’tbetakin’allthisfool’sthroubleinshpoilin’thereputationoftheregimint-"
"Reputationofyourgrandmother’spig！"saidDan。
"Well，an’hehadagoodreputationtu；soit’sallright。Mulcahymustseehiswaytoclearoutbehindhim，orhe’dnotha’comesofar，talkin’powersofdarkness。"
"DidyouhearanythingofaregimentalcoortmartialamongtheBlackBoneens，thesedays？Halfacompanyof’emtookoneofthenewdraftan’hangedhimbyhisarmswithatent-ropefromathird-storyverandah。Theygavenoreasonforsodoin’，buthewashalfdead。I’mthinkingthattheBoneensareshort-sighted。ItwasafriendofMulcahy’s，oramaninthesametrade。They’dadealbetterha’takenhisbeer，"returnedDanreflectively。
"Betterstillha’handedhimuptotheColonel，"saidHorseEgan，"onless-butsurethenewswudbealloverthecounthryan’givethereg’mentabadname。"
"An’there’dbenorewardforthatman-hebutwentabouttalkin’，"saidtheKerrymanartlessly。
"Youspeakbyyourbreed，"saidDan，withalaugh。"TherewasneveraKerrymanyetthatwudn’tsellhisbrotherforapipeo’
tobaccoan’apatonthebackfromap’liceman。"
"PraiseGodI’mnotabloomin’Orangeman，"wastheanswer。
"No，norneverwillbe，"saidDan。"TheybreedmeninUlster。
Wouldyouliketothrythetasteofone？"
TheKerrymanlookedandlonged，butforbore。Theoddsofbattleweretoogreat。
"Thenyou’llnotevengiveMulcahya-astrikeforhismoney，"
saidthevoiceofHorseEgan，whoregardedwhathecalled"trouble"ofanykindasthepinnacleoffelicity。
Dananswerednotatall，butcreptontip-toe，withlongstrides，tothemess-room，themenfollowing。Theroomwasempty。Inacorner，casedliketheKingofDahomey’sstateumbrella，stoodtheregimentalColours。DanliftedthemtenderlyandunrolledinthelightofthecandlestherecordoftheMavericks-tattered，worn，andhacked。Thewhitesatinwasdarkenedeverywherewithbigbrownstains，thegoldthreadsonthecrownedharpwerefrayedanddiscoloured，andtheRedBull，thetotemoftheMavericks，wascoffee-hued。Thestiff，embroideredfolds，whosepriceishumanlife，rustleddownslowly。TheMaverickskeeptheircolourslongandguardthemverysacredly。
"Vittoria，Salamanca，Toulouse，Waterloo，Moodkee，Ferozshah，an’
Sobraon-thatwasfoughtclosenextdoorhere，againsttheverybeggarshewantsustojoin。Inkerman，TheAlma，Sebastopol！’WhatarethoselittlebusinessescomparedtothecampaignsofGeneralMulcahy？TheMut’ny，thinko’that；theMut’nyan’somedirtylittlemattersinAfghanistan；an’forthatan’thesean’those"-
Danpointedtothenamesofgloriousbattles-"thatYankeemanwiththepartin’inhishaircomesan’saysaseasyas’haveadrink’……HolyMoses，there’sthecaptain！"
Butitwasthemess-sergeantwhocameinjustasthemenclatteredout，andfoundthecoloursuncased。
FromthatdaydatedthemutinyoftheMavericks，tothejoyofMulcahyandtheprideofhismotherinNewYork-thegoodladywhosentthemoneyforthebeer。Never，sofaraswordswent，wassuchamutiny。Theconspirators，ledbyDanGradyandHorseEgan，pouredindaily。Theyweresoundmen，mentobetrusted，andtheyallwantedblood；butfirsttheymusthavebeer。TheycursedtheQueen，theymournedoverIreland，theysuggestedhideousplunderoftheIndiancountry-side，andthen，alas-someoftheyoungermenwouldgoforthandwallowonthegroundinspasmsofwickedlaughterThegeniusoftheIrishforconspiraciesisremarkable。
Nonethelesstheywouldswearnooathsbutthoseoftheirownmaking，whichwererareandcurious，andtheywerealwaysatpainstoimpressMulcahywiththeriskstheyran。Naturallythefloodofbeerwroughtdemoralisation。ButMulcahyconfusedthecausesofthings，andwhenaverymuzzyMavericksmoteasergeantonthenoseorcalledhiscommandingofficerabald-headedoldlard-
bladderandevenworsenames，hefanciedthatrebellionandnotliquorwasatthebottomoftheoutbreak。Othergentlemenwhohaveconcernedthemselvesinlargerconspiracieshavemadethesameerror。
Thehotseason，inwhichtheyprotestednomancouldrebel，cametoanend，andMulcahysuggestedavisiblereturnforhisteachings。Astotheactualupshotofthemutinyhecarednothing。
ItwouldbeenoughiftheEnglish，infatuatedlytrustingtotheintegrityoftheirarmy，shouldbestartledwithnewsofanIrishregimentrevoltingfrompoliticalconsiderations。Hispersistentdemandswouldhaveended，atDan’sinstigation，inaregimentalbeltingwhichinallprobabilitywouldhavekilledhimandcutoffthesupplyofbeer，hadnothebeensentonspecialdutysomefiftymilesawayfromtheCantonmenttocoolhisheelsinamudfortanddismountobsoleteartillery。ThenthecoloneloftheMavericks，readinghisnewspaperdiligently，andscentingFrontiertroublefromafar，postedtothearmyheadquartersandpledwiththeCommander-in-chiefforcertainprivileges，tobegrantedundercertaincontingencies，；whichcontingenciescameaboutonlyaweeklater，whentheannuallittlewarontheborderdevelopeditselfandthecolonelreturnedtocarrythegoodnewstotheMavericks。
HeheldthepromiseoftheChiefforactiveservice，andthemenmustgetready。
Ontheeveningofthesameday，Mulcahy，anunconsideredcorporal-yetgreatinconspiracy-returnedtocantonments，andheardsoundsofstrifeandhowlingsfromafaroff。ThemutinyhadbrokenoutandthebarracksoftheMaverickswereonewhite-washedpandemonium。Aprivatetearingthroughthebarrack-square，gaspedinhisear，"Service！Activeservice。It’saburnin’shame。"Ohjoy，theMaverickshadrisenontheeveofbattle！Theywouldnot-nobleandloyalsonsofIreland-servetheQueenlonger。Thenewswouldflashthroughthecountry-sideandovertoEngland，andhe-Mulcahy-thetrustedoftheThirdThree，hadbroughtaboutthecrash。Theprivatestoodinthemiddleofthesquareandcursedcolonel，regiment，officers，anddoctor，particularlythedoctor，byhisgods。Anorderlyofthenativecavalryregimentclatteredthroughthemobofsoldiers。Hewashalflifted，halfdraggedfromhishorse，beatenonthebackwithmightyhand-clapstillhiseyeswatered，andcalledallmannerofendearingnames。
Yes，theMaverickshadfraternizedwiththenativetroops。WhothenwastheagentamongthelatterthathadblindlywroughtwithMulcahysowell？
Anofficerslunk，almostran，fromthemesstoabarrack。Hewasmobbedbytheinfuriatedsoldiery，whoclosedroundbutdidnotkillhim，forhefoughthiswaytoshelter，flyingforthelife。
Mulcahycouldhaveweptwithpurejoyandthankfulness。Theveryprisonersintheguard-roomwereshakingthebarsoftheircellsandhowlinglikewildbeasts，andfromeverybarrackpouredtheboomingasofabigwar-drum。
Mulcahyhastenedtohisownbarrack。Hecouldhardlyhearhimselfspeak。Eightymenwerepoundingwithfistandheelthetablesandtrestles-eightymen，flushedwithmutiny，strippedtotheirshirtsleeves，theirknapsackshalf-packedforthemarchtothesea，madethetwo-inchboardsthunderagainastheychanted，toatunethatMulcahyknewwell，theSacredWarSongoftheMavericks-
Listeninthenorth，myboys，there’stroubleonthewind；
Trampo’Cossackhoovesinfront，graygreat-coatsbehind，TroubleontheFrontierofamostamazin’kind，Troubleonthewaterso’theOxus！
Then，asthetablebrokeunderthefuriousaccompaniment-
Hurrah！hurrah！it’snorthbywestwego；
Hurrah！hurrah！thechancewewantedso；
Let’emhearthechorusfromUmballatoMoscow，Aswegomarchin’totheKremling。
"Motherofallthesaintsinblissandallthedevilsincinders，where’smyfinenewsockwidouttheheel？"howledHorseEgan，ransackingeverybody’svalisebuthisown。Hewasengagedinmakingupdeficienciesofkitpreparatorytoacampaign，andinthatworkhestealsbestwhostealslast。"Ah，Mulcahy，you’reingoodtime，"heshouted，"We’vegottheroute，andwe’reoffonThursdayforapic-nicwidtheLancersnextdoor。"
Anambulanceorderlyappearedwithahugebasketfulloflintrolls，providedbytheforethoughtoftheQueenforsuchasmightneedthemlateron。HorseEganunrolledhisbandage，andflickeditunderMulcahy’snose，chanting-
"Sheepskinan’bees’wax，thunder，pitch，andplaster，Themoreyoutrytopullitoff，themoreitsticksthefaster。
AsIwasgoin’toNewOrleans-
"Youknowtherestofit，myIrishAmerican-Jewboy。Bygad，yehavetofightfortheQueenintheinsideavafortnight，mydarlin’"
Aroaroflaughterinterrupted。Mulcahylookedvacantlydowntheroom。Bidaboydefyhisfatherwhenthepantomime-cabisatthedoor，oragirldevelopawillofherownwhenhermotherisputtingthelasttouchestothefirstball-dress，butdonotaskanIrishregimenttoembarkuponmutinyontheeveofacampaign，whenithasfraternisedwiththenativeregimentthataccompaniesit，anddrivenitsofficersintoretirementwithtenthousandclamorousquestions，andtheprisonersdanceforjoy，andthesickmenstandintheopencallingdownallknowndiseasesontheheadofthedoctor，whohascertifiedthattheyare"medicallyunfitforactiveservice。"AteventheMavericksmighthavebeenmistakenformutineersbyonesounversedintheirnaturesasMulcahy。Atdawnagirls’schoolmighthavelearneddeportmentfromthem。Theyknewthattheircolonel’shandhadclosed，andthathewhobrokethatirondisciplinewouldnotgotothefront：nothingintheworldwillpersuadeoneofoursoldiers，whenheisorderedtothenorthonthesmallestofaffairs，thatheisnotimmediatelygoinggloriouslytoslayCossacksandcookhiskettlesinthepalaceoftheCzar。AfewoftheyoungermenmournedforMulcahy’sbeer，becausethecampaignwastobeconductedonstricttemperanceprinciples，butasDanandHorseEgansaidsternly，"We’vegotthebeer-manwithus。Heshalldrinknowonhisownhook。"
Mulcahyhadnottakenintoaccountthepossibilityofbeingsentonactiveservice。Hehadmadeuphismindthathewouldnotgounderanycircumstances，butfortunewasagainsthim。
"Sick-you？"saidthedoctor，whohadservedanunholyapprenticeshiptohistradeinTraleepoorhouses。"You’reonlyhome-sick，andwhatyoucallvaricoseveinscomefromover-eating。
Alittlegentleexercisewillcurethat。"Andlater，"Mulcahy，myman，everybodyisallowedtoapplyforasick-certificateonce。Ifhetriesittwicewecallhimbyanuglyname。Gobacktoyourduty，andlet’shearnomoreofyourdiseases。"
IamashamedtosaythatHorseEganenjoyedthestudyofMulcahy’ssoulinthosedays，andDantookanequalinterest。Togethertheywouldcommunicatetotheircorporalallthedarkloreofdeathwhichistheportionofthosewhohaveseenmendie。Eganhadthelargerexperience，butDanthefinerimagination。Mulcahyshiveredwhentheformerspokeoftheknifeasanintimateacquaintance，orthelatterdweltwithlovingparticularityonthefateofthosewho，woundedandhelpless，hadbeenoverlookedbytheambulances，andhadfallenintothehandsoftheAfghanwomen-folk。
Mulcahyknewthatthemutiny，forthepresentatleast，wasdead；
knew，too，thatachangehadcomeoverDan’susuallyrespectfulattitudetowardshim，andHorseEgan’slaughterandfrequentallusionstoabortiveconspiraciesemphasisedallthattheconspiratorhadguessed。Thehorriblefascinationofthedeath-
stories，however，madehimseekthemen’ssociety。Helearnedmuchmorethanhehadbargainedfor；andinthismanner。Itwasonthelastnightbeforetheregimententrainedtothefront。Thebarrackswerestrippedofeverythingmovable，andthemenweretooexcitedtosleep。Thebarewallsgaveoutaheavyhospitalsmellofchlorideoflime。
"Andwhat，"saidMulcahyinanawe-strickenwhisper，aftersomeconversationontheeternalsubject，"areyougoingtodotome，Dan？"Thismighthavebeenthelanguageofanableconspiratorconciliatingaweakspirit。
"You’llsee，"saidDangrimly，turningoverinhiscot，"orI
rathershudsayyou’llnotsee。"
Thiswashardlythelanguageofaweakspirit。Mulcahyshookunderthebed-clothes。
"Bceasywithhim，"putinEganfromthenextcot。"Hehasgothischansto’goin’clean。Listen，Mulcahy，allwewantisforthegoodsakeoftheregimentthatyoutakeyourdeathstandingup，asamanshud。There’sbeheapsan’heapsofenemy-plenshusheaps。
Gotherean’doallyoucananddiedecent。You’lldiewithagoodnamethere。’Tisnotahardthingconsiderin’。"-
AgainMulcahyshivered。
"An’howcouldamanwishtodiebetterthanfightin’？"addedDanconsolingly。
"AndifIwon’t？"saidthecorporalinadrywhisper。
"There’llbeadaleofsmoke，"returnedDan，sittingupandtickingoffthesituationonhisfingers，"suretobe，an’thenoiseofthefirin’llbetremenjus，an’we’llberunningaboutupanddown，theregimentwill。Butwe，HorseandI-we’llstaybyyou，Mulcahy，andneverletyougo。Maybethere’llbeanaccident。"
"It’splayingitlowonme。Letmego。Forpity’ssake，letmego。
Ineverdidyouharm，and-andIstoodyouasmuchbeerasI
could。Oh，don’tbehardonme，Dan！Youare-youwereinittoo。
Youwon’tkillmeupthere，willyou？"
"I’mnotthinkin’ofthetreason；thoughyoushudbegladanyhonestboysdrankwithyou。It’sfortheregiment。Wecan’thavetheshameo’youbringin’shameonus。Youwenttothedoctorquietasasickcattogetandstaybehindan’livewiththewomenatthedepot-youthatwantedustoruntotheseainwolf-packsliketherebelsnoneofyourblackblooddaredtobe！Butweknewaboutyourgoin’tothedoctor，forhetoldinmess，andit’sallovertheregiment。Bein’，asweare，yourbestfriends，wedidn’tallowanyonetomolestyouyet。Wewillseetoyouourselves。
Fightwhichyouwill-usortheenemyyou’llneverlieinthatcotagain，andthere’smoregloryandmaybelesskicksfromfightin’theenemy。That’sfairspeakin’。"-
"Andhetoldusbywordofmouthtogoandjoinwiththeniggers-
you’veforgottenthat，Dan，"saidHorseEgan，tojustifysentence。
"What’stheuseofplaguin’’theman？Oneshotpaysforall。Sleepyesound，Mulcahy。Butyouonderstand，doyenot？"
Mulcahyforsomeweeksunderstoodverylittleofanythingatallsavethateverathiselbow，incamporatparade，stoodtwobigmenwithsoftvoicesadjuringhimtocommithari-karilestaworsethingshouldhappen-todieforthehonouroftheregimentindecencyamongthenearestknives。ButMulcahydreadeddeath。Herememberedcertainthingsthatpriestshadsaidinhisinfancy，andhismother-nottheoneatNewYork-startingfromhersleepwithshriekstoprayforahusband’ssoulintorment。Itiswelltobeofaculturedintelligence，butintimeoftroubletheweakhumanmindreturnstothecreeditsuckedinatthebreast，andifthatcreedbenotaprettyonetroublefollows。Also，thedeathhewouldhavetofacewouldbephysicallypainful。Mostconspiratorshavelargeimaginations。Mulcahycouldseehimself，ashelayontheearthinthenight，dyingbyvariouscauses。Theywereallhorrible；themotherinNewYorkwasveryfaraway，andtheRegiment，theenginethat，onceyoufallinitsgrip，movesyouforwardwhetheryouwillorwon’t，wasdailycomingclosertotheenemy！
TheywerebroughttothefieldofMarzunKatai，andwiththeBlackBoneenstoaid，theyfoughtafightthathasneverbeensetdowninthenewspapers。Inresponse，manybelieve，totheferventprayersofFatherDennis，theenemynotonlyelectedtofightintheopen，butmadeabeautifulfight，asmanyweepingIrishmothersknewlater。Theygatheredbehindwallsorflickeredacrosstheopeninshoutingmasses，andwerepot-valiantinartillery。Itwasexpedienttoholdalargereserveandwaitforthepsychologicalmomentthatwasbeingpreparedbytheshriekingshrapnel。ThereforetheMaverickslaydowninopenorderonthebrowofahilltowatchtheplaytilltheircallshouldcome。
FatherDennis，whosedutywasintherear，tosmooththetroubleofthewounded，hadnaturallymanagedtomakehiswaytotheforemostofhisboys，andlaylikeablackporpoise，atlengthonthegrass。TohimcrawledMulcahy，ashen-gray，demandingabsolution。
"’Waittillyou’reshot，"saidFatherDennissweetly。"There’satimeforeverything。"
DanGradychuckledasheblewforthefiftiethtimeintothebreechofhisspecklessrifle。Mulcahygroanedandburiedhisheadinhisarmstillastrayshotspokelikeasnipeimmediatelyabovehishead，andageneralheaveandtremourrippledtheline。Othershotsfollowedandafewtookeffect，asashriekoragruntattested。Theofficers，whohadbeenlyingdownwiththemen，roseandbegantowalksteadilyupanddownthefrontoftheircompanies。
Thismanoeuvre，executed，notforpublication，butasaguaranteeofgoodfaith，tosoothemen，demandsnerve。Youmustnothurry，youmustnotlooknervous，thoughyouknowthatyouareamarkforeveryriflewithinextremerange，andaboveallifyouaresmittenyoumustmakeaslittlenoiseaspossibleandrollinwardsthroughthefiles。Itisatthishour，whenthebreezebringsthefirstsaltwhiffofthepowdertonosesrathercoldatthetip，andtheeyecanquietlytakeintheappearanceofeachredcasualty，thatthestrainonthenervesisstrongest。Scotchregimentscanendureforhalfadayandabatenowhitoftheirzealattheend；Englishregimentssometimessulkunderpunishment，whiletheIrish，liketheFrench，areapttorunforwardbyonesandtwos，whichisjustasbadasrunningback。Thetrulywisecommandantofhighly-strungtroopsallowsthem，inseasonsofwaiting，tohearthesoundoftheirownvoicesupliftedinsong。ThereisalegendofanEnglishregimentthatlaybyitsarmsunderfirechaunting"SamHall，"tothehorrorofitsnewlyappointedandpiouscolonel。TheBlackBoneens，whoweresufferingmorethantheMavericks，onahillhalfamileaway，beganpresentlytoexplaintoallwhocaredtolisten-
We’llsoundthejubilee，fromthecentretothesea，AndIrelandshallbefree，saystheShan-vanVogh。
"Sing，boys，"saidFatherDennissoftly。"ItlooksasifwecaredfortheirAfghanpeas。"
DanGradyraisedhimselftohiskneesandopenedhismouthinasongimpartedtohim，astomostofhiscomrades，inthestrictestconfidencebyMulcahy-thatMulcahythenlyinglimpandfaintingonthegrass，thechillfearofdeathuponhim。
Companyaftercompanycaughtupthewordswhich，theI。A。A。say，aretoheraldthegeneralrisingofErin，andtobreathewhich，excepttothosedulyappointedtohear，isdeath。Whereforetheyareprintedinthisplace。
TheSaxoninHeaven’sjustbalanceisweighed，HisdoomlikeBelshazzar’sindeathhasbeencast，AndthehandofthevengershallneverbestayedTillhisrace，faith，andspeechareadreamofthepast。
Theywereheart-fillinglinesandtheyranwithaswirl；theI。A。
A。arebetterservedbytheirpensthantheirpetards。DanclappedMulcahymerrilyontheback，askinghimtosingup。Theofficerslaydownagain。Therewasnoneedtowalkanymore。Theirmenweresoothingthemselvesthunderously，thus-
St。MaryinHeavenhaswrittenthevowThatthelandshallnotresttillthehereticblood，Fromthebabeatthebreasttothehandattheplough，HasrolledtotheoceanlikeShannoninflood！
"I’llspeaktoyouafterall’sover，"saidFatherDennisauthoritativelyinDan’sear。"What’stheuseofconfessingtomewhenyoudothisfoolishness？Dan，you’vebeenplayingwithfire！
I’lllayyoumorepenanceinaweekthan-"
"ComealongtoPurgatorywithus，Fatherdear。TheBoneensareonthemove；they’llletusgonow！"
Theregimentrosetotheblastofthebugleasoneman；butonemantherewaswhorosemoreswiftlythanalltheothers，forhalfaninchofbayonetwasinthefleshypartofhisleg。
"You’vegottodoit，"saidDangrimly。"Doitdecent，anyhow；"
andtheroaroftherushdrownedhiswords，fortherearcompaniesthrustforwardthefirst，stillsingingastheyswungdowntheslope-
FromthechildatthebreasttothehandattheploughShallrolltotheoceanlikeShannoninflood！
TheyshouldhavesungitinthefaceofEngland，notoftheAfghans，whomitimpressedasmuchasdidthewildIrishyell。
"Theycamedownsinging，"saidtheunofficialreportoftheenemy，bornefromvillagetovillagethenextday。"Theycontinuedtosing，anditwaswrittenthatourmencouldnotabidewhentheycame。Itisbelievedthattherewasmagicintheaforesaidsong。"
DanandHorseEgankeptthemselvesintheneighbourhoodofMulcahy。Twicethemanwouldhaveboltedbackintheconfusion。
Twicehewasheaved，kicked，andshoulderedbackagainintotheunpaintableinfernoofahotlycontestedcharge。
Attheend，thepanicexcessofhisfeardrovehimintomadnessbeyondallhumancourage。Hiseyesstaringatnothing，hismouthopenandfrothing，andbreathingasoneinacoldbath，hewentforwarddemented，whileDantoiledafterhim。Thechargecheckedatahighmudwall。ItwasMulcahywhoscrambleduptoothandnailandhurleddownamongthebayonetstheamazedAfghanwhobarredhisway。ItwasMulcahy，keepingtothestraightlineoftherabiddog，wholedacollectionofardentsoulsatanewlyunmaskedbatteryandflunghimselfonthemuzzleofagunashiscompanionsdancedamongthegunners。ItwasMulcahywhoranwildlyonfromthatbatteryintotheopenplain，wheretheenemywereretiringinsullengroups。Hishandswereempty，hehadlosthelmetandbelt，andhewasbleedingfromawoundintheneck。DanandHorseEgan，pantinganddistressed，hadthrownthemselvesdownonthegroundbythecapturedguns，whentheynoticedMulcahy’scharge。
"Mad，"saidHorseEgancritically。"Madwithfear！He’sgoingstraighttohisdeath，an’shouting’snouse。"
"Lethimgo。Watchnow！Ifwefirewe’llhithimmaybe。"
ThelastofahurryingcrowdofAfghansturnedatthenoiseofshodfeetbehindhim，andshiftedhisknifereadytohand。This，hesaw，wasnotimetotakeprisoners。Mulcahytoreon，sobbing；
thestraight-heldbladewenthomethroughthedefencelessbreast，andthebodypitchedforwardalmostbeforeashotfromDan’sriflebroughtdowntheslayerandstillfurtherhurriedtheAfghanretreat。ThetwoIrishmenwentouttobringintheirdead。
"Hewasgiventhepoint，andthatwasaneasydeath，"saidHorseEgan，viewingthecorpse。"Butwouldyouha’shothim，Danny，ifhehadlived？"
"Hedidn’tlive，sothere’snosayin’。ButIdoubtIwudhavebekazeofthefunhegaveus-letalonethebeer。Hikeuphislegs，Horse，andwe’llbringhimin。Perhaps’tisbetterthisway。"
Theyborethepoorlimpbodytothemassoftheregiment，lollingopen-mouthedontheirrifles；andtherewasageneralsniggerwhenoneoftheyoungersubalternssaid，"Thatwasagoodman！"
"Phew，"saidHorseEgan，whenaburial-partyhadtakenovertheburden。"I’mpowerfuldhry，andthisremindsmethere’llbenomorebeeratall。"
"Fwhynot？"saidDan，withatwinkleinhiseyeashestretchedhimselfforrest。"Arewenotconspirin’allwecan，an’whileweconspirearewenotentitledtofreedhrinks？SurehisouldmotherinNewYorkwouldnotletherson’scomradesperishofdrouth-ifshecanbereachedattheendofaletter。"
"You’reajanius，"saidHorseEgan。"0’coorseshewillnot。I
wishthiscroolwarwasover，an’we’dgetbacktocanteen。Faith，theCommander-in-chiefoughttobehangedinhisownlittlesword-
beltformakin’usworkonwather。"
TheMavericksweregenerallyofHorseEgan’sopinion。Sotheymadehastetogettheirworkdoneassoonaspossible，andtheirindustrywasrewardedbyunexpectedpeace。"WecanfightthesonsofAdam，"saidthetribesmen，"butwecannotfightthesonsofEblis，andthisregimentneverstaysstillinoneplace。Letusthereforecomein。"Theycamein，and"thisregiment"withdrewtoconspireundertheleadershipofDanGrady。
Excellentasasubordinate，Danfailedaltogetherasachief-in-
command-possiblybecausehewastoomuchswayedbytheadviceoftheonlymanintheregimentwhocouldmanufacturemorethanonekindofhandwriting。ThesamemailthatboretoMulcahy’smotherinNewYorkaletterfromthecoloneltellingherhowvaliantlyhersonhadfoughtfortheQueen，andhowassuredlyhewouldhavebeenrecommendedfortheVictoriaCrosshadhesurvived，carriedacommunicationsigned，Igrievetosay，bythatsamecolonelandalltheofficersoftheregiment，explainingtheirwillingnesstodo"anythingwhichiscontrarytotheregulationsandallkindsofrevolutions"ifonlyalittlemoneycouldbeforwardedtocoverincidentalexpenses。DanielGrady，Esquire，wouldreceivefunds，viceMulcahy，who"wasunwellatthispresenttimeofwriting。"
BothletterswereforwardedfromNewYorktoTehamaStreet，SanFrancisco，withmarginalcommentsasbriefastheywerebitter。
TheThirdThreereadandlookedateachother。ThentheSecondConspirator-hewhobelievedin"joininghandswiththepracticalbranches"-begantolaugh，andonrecoveringhisgravitysaid，"Gentlemen，Iconsiderthiswillbealessontous。We’releftagain。ThosecursedIrishhaveletusdown。Iknewtheywould，but"-herehelaughedafresh-"I’dgiveconsiderabletoknowwhatwasatthebackofitall。"
HiscuriositywouldhavebeensatisfiedhadheseenDanGrady，discreditedregimentalconspirator，tryingtoexplaintohisthirstycomradesinIndiathenon-arrivaloffundsfromNewYork。
THEMANWHOWAS
TheEarthgaveupherdeadthattide，Intoourcamphecame，Andsaidhissay，andwenthisway，Andleftourheartsaflame。
Keeptally-onthegun-buttscoreThevengeancewemusttake，WhenGodshallbringfullreckoning，Forourdeadcomrade’ssake。
Ballad。
LetitbeclearlyunderstoodthattheRussianisadelightfulpersontillhetucksinhisshirt。AsanOrientalheischarming。
Itisonlywhenheinsistsuponbeingtreatedasthemosteasterlyofwesternpeoplesinsteadofthemostwesterlyofeasternsthathebecomesaracialanomalyextremelydifficulttohandle。Thehostneverknowswhichsideofhisnatureisgoingtoturnupnext。
DirkovitchwasaRussian-aRussianoftheRussians-whoappearedtogethisbreadbyservingtheCzarasanofficerinaCossackregiment，andcorrespondingforaRussiannewspaperwithanamethatwasnevertwicealike。HewasahandsomeyoungOriental，fondofwanderingthroughunexploredportionsoftheearth，andhearrivedinIndiafromnowhereinparticular。AtleastnolivingmancouldascertainwhetheritwasbywayofBalkh，Badakshan，Chitral，Beluchistan，orNepaul，oranywhereelse。TheIndianGovernment，beinginanunusuallyaffablemood，gaveordersthathewastobecivillytreatedandshowneverythingthatwastobeseen。Sohedrifted，talkingbadEnglishandworseFrench，fromonecitytoanother，tillheforegatheredwithHerMajesty’sWhiteHussarsinthecityofPeshawur，whichstandsatthemouthofthatnarrowswordcutinthehillsthatmencalltheKhyberPass。Hewasundoubtedlyanofficer，andhewasdecoratedafterthemanneroftheRussianswithlittleenamelledcrosses，andhecouldtalk，and（thoughthishasnothingtodowithhismerits）hehadbeengivenupasahopelesstask，orcask，bytheBlackTyrone，whoindividuallyandcollectively，withhotwhiskeyandhoney，mulledbrandy，andmixedspiritsofeverykind，hadstriveninallhospitalitytomakehimdrunk。AndwhentheBlackTyrone，whoareexclusivelyIrish，failtodisturbthepeaceofheadofaforeigner-thatforeigneriscertaintobeasuperiorman。
TheWhiteHussarswereasconscientiousinchoosingtheirwineasinchargingtheenemy。Allthattheypossessed，includingsomewondrousbrandy，wasplacedattheabsolutedispositionofDirkovitch，andheenjoyedhimselfhugely-evenmorethanamongtheBlackTyrones。
ButheremaineddistressinglyEuropeanthroughitall。TheWhiteHussarswere"Mydeartruefriends，""Fellow-soldiersglorious，"
and"Brothersinseparable。"HewouldunburdenhimselfbythehouronthegloriousfuturethatawaitedthecombinedarmsofEnglandandRussiawhentheirheartsandtheirterritoriesshouldrunsidebyside，andthegreatmissionofcivilisingAsiashouldbegin。
Thatwasunsatisfactory，becauseAsiaisnotgoingtobecivilisedafterthemethodsoftheWest。ThereistoomuchAsiaandsheistooold。Youcannotreformaladyofmanylovers，andAsiahasbeeninsatiableinherflirtationsaforetime。ShewillneverattendSunday-schoolorlearntovotesavewithswordsfortickets。
Dirkovitchknewthisaswellasanyoneelse，butitsuitedhimtotalkspecial-correspondentlyandtomakehimselfasgenialashecould。Nowandthenhevolunteeredalittle，averylittle，informationabouthisownsotniaofCossacks，leftapparentlytolookafterthemselvessomewhereatthebackofbeyond。HehaddoneroughworkinCentralAsia，andhadseenrathermorehelp-yourselffightingthanmostmenofhisyears。Buthewascarefulnevertobetrayhissuperiority，andmorethancarefultopraiseonalloccasionstheappearance，drill，uniform，andorganisationofHerMajesty’sWhiteHussars。Andindeedtheywerearegimenttobeadmired。WhenLadyDurgan，widowofthelateSirJohnDurgan，arrivedintheirstation，andafterashorttimehadbeenproposedtobyeverysinglemanatmess，sheputthepublicsentimentveryneatlywhensheexplainedthattheywereallsonicethatunlessshecouldmarrythemall，includingthecolonelandsomemajorsalreadymarried，shewasnotgoingtocontentherselfwithonehussar。Whereforesheweddedalittlemaninarifleregiment，beingbynaturecontradictious；andtheWhiteHussarsweregoingtowearcrapeontheirarms，butcompromisedbyattendingtheweddinginfullforce，andliningtheaislewithunutterablereproach。Shehadjiltedthemall-fromBasset-HolmertheseniorcaptaintolittleMildredthejuniorsubaltern，whocouldhavegivenherfourthousandayearandatitle。
TheonlypersonswhodidnotsharethegeneralregardfortheWhiteHussarswereafewthousandgentlemenofJewishextractionwholivedacrosstheborder，andansweredtothenameofPathan。
Theyhadoncemettheregimentofficiallyandforsomethinglessthantwentyminutes，buttheinterview，whichwascomplicatedwithmanycasualties，hadfilledthemwithprejudice。TheyevencalledtheWhiteHussarschildrenofthedevilandsonsofpersonswhomitwouldbeperfectlyimpossibletomeetindecentsociety。Yettheywerenotabovemakingtheiraversionfilltheirmoney-belts。
Theregimentpossessedcarbines-beautifulMartini-Henrycarbinesthatwouldlobabulletintoanenemy’scampatonethousandyards，andwereevenhandierthanthelongrifle。Thereforetheywerecovetedallalongtheborder，andsincedemandinevitablybreedssupply，theyweresuppliedattheriskoflifeandlimbforexactlytheirweightincoinedsilver-sevenandonehalfpounds’
weightofrupees，orsixteenpoundssterlingreckoningtherupeeatpar。Theywerestolenatnightbysnaky-hairedthieveswhocrawledontheirstomachsunderthenoseofthesentries；theydisappearedmysteriouslyfromlockedarm-racks，andinthehotweather，whenallthebarrackdoorsandwindowswereopen，theyvanishedlikepuffsoftheirownsmoke。Theborderpeopledesiredthemforfamilyvendettasandcontingencies。ButinthelongcoldnightsofthenorthernIndianwintertheywerestolenmostextensively。Thetrafficofmurderwasliveliestamongthehillsatthatseason，andpricesruledhigh。Theregimentalguardswerefirstdoubledandthentrebled。Atrooperdoesnotmuchcareifhelosesaweapon-Governmentmustmakeitgood-buthedeeplyresentsthelossofhissleep。Theregimentgrewveryangry，andonerifle-thiefbearsthevisiblemarksoftheirangeruponhimtothishour。Thatincidentstoppedtheburglariesforatime，andtheguardswerereducedaccordingly，andtheregimentdevoteditselftopolowithunexpectedresults；foritbeatbytwogoalstoonethatveryterriblepolocorpstheLushkarLightHorse，thoughthelatterhadfourponiesapieceforashorthour’sfight，aswellasanativeofficerwhoplayedlikealambentflameacrosstheground。
Theygaveadinnertocelebratetheevent。TheLushkarteamcame，andDirkovitchcame，inthefullestfulluniformofaCossackofficer，whichisasfullasadressing-gown，andwasintroducedtotheLushkars，andopenedhiseyesasheregarded。TheywerelightermenthantheHussars，andtheycarriedthemselveswiththeswingthatisthepeculiarrightofthePunjabFrontierForceandallIrregularHorse。LikeeverythingelseintheServiceithastobelearnt，but，unlikemanythings，itisneverforgotten，andremainsonthebodytilldeath。
Thegreatbeam-roofedmess-roomoftheWhiteHussarswasasighttoberemembered。Allthemessplatewasoutonthelongtable-
thesametablethathadservedupthebodiesoffiveofficersafteraforgottenfightlongandlongago-thedingy，batteredstandardsfacedthedoorofentrance，clumpsofwinter-roseslaybetweenthesilvercandlesticks，andtheportraitsofeminentofficersdeceasedlookeddownontheirsuccessorsfrombetweentheheadsofsambhur，nilghai，markhor，and，prideofallthemess，twogrinningsnow-leopardsthathadcostBasset-Holmerfourmonths’leavethathemighthavespentinEngland，insteadofontheroadtoThibetandthedailyriskofhislifebyledge，snow-
slide，andgrassyslope。
Theservantsinspotlesswhitemuslinandthecrestoftheirregimentsonthebrowoftheirturbanswaitedbehindtheirmasters，whowerecladinthescarletandgoldoftheWhiteHussars，andthecreamandsilveroftheLushkarLightHorse。
Dirkovitch’sdullgreenuniformwastheonlydarkspotattheboard，buthisbigonyxeyesmadeupforit。HewasfraternisingeffusivelywiththecaptainoftheLushkarteam，whowaswonderinghowmanyofDirkovitch’sCossackshisowndarkwirydown-
countrymencouldaccountforinafaircharge。Butonedoesnotspeakofthesethingsopenly。
Thetalkrosehigherandhigher，andtheregimentalbandplayedbetweenthecourses，asistheimmemorialcustom，tillalltonguesceasedforamomentwiththeremovalofthedinner-slipsandthefirsttoastofobligation，whenanofficerrisingsaid，"Mr。Vice，theQueen，"andlittleMildredfromthebottomofthetableanswered，"TheQueen，Godblessher，"andthebigspursclankedasthebigmenheavedthemselvesupanddranktheQueenuponwhosepaytheywerefalselysupposedtosettletheirmess-bills。ThatSacramentoftheMessnevergrowsold，andneverceasestobringalumpintothethroatofthelistenerwhereverhebebyseaorbyland。Dirkovitchrosewithhis"brothersglorious，"buthecouldnotunderstand。Noonebutanofficercantellwhatthetoastmeans；andthebulkhavemoresentimentthancomprehension。
ImmediatelyafterthelittlesilencethatfollowsontheceremonythereenteredthenativeofficerwhohadplayedfortheLushkarteam。Hecouldnot，ofcourse，eatwiththemess，buthecameinatdessert，allsixfeetofhim，withtheblueandsilverturbanatop，andthebigblackbootsbelow。ThemessrosejoyouslyashethrustforwardthehiltofhissabreintokenoffealtyforthecoloneloftheWhiteHussarstotouch，anddroppedintoavacantchairamidshoutsof："Rungho，HiraSingh！"（whichbeingtranslatedmeans"Goinandwin"）。"DidIwhackyouovertheknee，oldman？""RessaidarSahib，whatthedevilmadeyouplaythatkickingpigofaponyinthelasttenminutes？""Shabash，RessaidarSahib！"Thenthevoiceofthecolonel，"ThehealthofRessaidarHiraSingh！"
AftertheshoutinghaddiedawayHiraSinghrosetoreply，forhewasthecadetofaroyalhouse，thesonofaking’sson，andknewwhatwasdueontheseoccasions。Thushespokeinthevernacular：-
"ColonelSahibandofficersofthisregiment。Muchhonourhaveyoudoneme。ThiswillIremember。Wecamedownfromafartoplayyou。Butwewerebeaten。"（"Nofaultofyours，RessaidarSahib。
Playedonourownground，y’know。Yourponieswerecrampedfromtherailway。Don’tapologise！"）"Thereforeperhapswewillcomeagainifitbesoordained。"（"Hear！Hear！Hear，indeed！Bravo！
Hsh！"）"Thenwewillplayyouafresh"（"Happytomeetyou。"）"tillthereareleftnofeetuponourponies。Thusfarforsport。"Hedroppedonehandonhissword-hiltandhiseyewanderedtoDirkovitchlollingbackinhischair。"ButifbythewillofGodtherearisesanyothergamewhichisnotthepologame，thenbeassured，ColonelSahibandofficers，thatwewillplayitoutsidebyside，thoughthey，"againhiseyesoughtDirkovitch，"thoughthey，Isay，havefiftyponiestoouronehorse。"Andwithadeep-
mouthedRungho！thatsoundedlikeamusket-buttonflagstoneshesatdownamidleapingglasses。
Dirkovitch，whohaddevotedhimselfsteadilytothebrandy-theterriblebrandyaforementioned-didnotunderstand，nordidtheexpurgatedtranslationsofferedtohimatallconveythepoint。
DecidedlyHiraSingh’swasthespeechoftheevening，andtheclamourmighthavecontinuedtothedawnhaditnotbeenbrokenbythenoiseofashotwithoutthatsenteverymanfeelingathisdefenselessleftside。Thentherewasascuffleandayellofpain。
"Carbine-stealingagain！"saidtheadjutant，calmlysinkingbackinhischair。"Thiscomesofreducingtheguards。Ihopethesentrieshavekilledhim。"
Thefeetofarmedmenpoundedontheverandahflags，anditwasasthoughsomethingwasbeingdragged。
"Whydon’ttheyputhiminthecellstillthemorning？"saidthecoloneltestily。"Seeifthey’vedamagedhim，sergeant。"
Themesssergeantfledoutintothedarknessandreturnedwithtwotroopersandacorporal，allverymuchperplexed。
"Caughtamanstealin’carbines，sir，"saidthecorporal。
"Leastways’ewascrawlin’towardsthebarricks，sir，pastthemainroadsentries，an’thesentry’esez，sir-"
Thelimpheapofragsupheldbythethreemengroaned。NeverwasseensodestituteanddemoralisedanAfghan。Hewasturbanless，shoeless，cakedwithdirt，andallbutdeadwithroughhandling。
HiraSinghstartedslightlyatthesoundoftheman’spain。
Dirkovitchtookanotherglassofbrandy。
"Whatdoesthesentrysay？"saidthecolonel。
"Sez’espeaksEnglish，sir，"saidthecorporal。
"Soyoubroughthimintomessinsteadofhandinghimovertothesergeant！IfhespokealltheTonguesofthePentecostyou’venobusiness-"
Againthebundlegroanedandmuttered。LittleMildredhadrisenfromhisplacetoinspect。Hejumpedbackasthoughhehadbeenshot。
"Perhapsitwouldbebetter，sir，tosendthemenaway，"saidhetothecolonel，forhewasamuchprivilegedsubaltern。Heputhisarmsroundtherag-boundhorrorashespoke，anddroppedhimintoachair。ItmaynothavebeenexplainedthatthelittlenessofMildredlayinhisbeingsixfeetfourandbiginproportion。Thecorporalseeingthatanofficerwasdisposedtolookafterthecapture，andthatthecolonel’seyewasbeginningtoblaze，promptlyremovedhimselfandhismen。Themesswasleftalonewiththecarbine-thief，wholaidhisheadonthetableandweptbitterly，hopelessly，andinconsolablyaslittlechildrenweep。
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