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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blue Lights, by R.M. Ballantyne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Blue Lights
+       Hot Work in the Soudan
+
+Author: R.M. Ballantyne
+
+Release Date: June 7, 2007 [EBook #21719]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLUE LIGHTS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+BLUE LIGHTS, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+HOT WORK IN THE SOUDAN.
+
+THE FALSE STEP.
+
+There is a dividing ridge in the great northern wilderness of America,
+whereon lies a lakelet of not more than twenty yards in diameter.  It is
+of crystal clearness and profound depth, and on the still evenings of
+the Indian summer its surface forms a perfect mirror, which might serve
+as a toilet-glass for a Redskin princess.
+
+We have stood by the side of that lakelet and failed to note the
+slightest symptom of motion in it, yet somewhere in its centre there was
+going on a constant and mysterious division of watery particles, and
+those of them which glided imperceptibly to the right flowed southward
+to the Atlantic, while those that trembled to the left found a
+resting-place by the frozen shores of Hudson's Bay.
+
+As it is with the flow and final exit of those waters, so is it,
+sometimes, if not always, with the spirit and destiny of man.
+
+Miles Milton, our hero, at the age of nineteen, stood at the dividing
+ridge of his life.  If the oscillating spirit, trembling between right
+and wrong, had decided to lean to the right, what might have been his
+fate no one can tell.  He paused on the balance a short time, then he
+leaned over to the left, and what his fate was it is the purpose of this
+volume to disclose.  At the outset, we may remark that it was not
+unmixed good.  Neither was it unmitigated evil.
+
+Miles had a strong body, a strong will, and a somewhat passionate
+temper: a compound which is closely allied to dynamite!
+
+His father, unfortunately, was composed of much the same materials.  The
+consequences were sometimes explosive.  It might have profited the son
+much had he studied the Scripture lesson, "Children, obey your parents
+in the Lord."  Not less might it have benefited the father to have
+pondered the words, "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath."
+
+Young Milton had set his heart on going into the army.  Old Milton had
+resolved to thwart the desire of his son.  The mother Milton, a meek and
+loving soul, experienced some hard times between the two.  Both loved
+_her_ intensely, and each loved himself, not better perhaps, but too
+much!
+
+It is a sad task to have to recount the disputes between a father and a
+son.  We shrink from it and turn away.  Suffice it to say that one day
+Miles and his father had a Vesuvian meeting on the subject of the army.
+The son became petulant and unreasonable; the father fierce and
+tyrannical.  The end was that they parted in anger.
+
+"Go, sir," cried the father sternly; "when you are in a better frame of
+mind you may return."
+
+"Yes, father, I will go," cried the son, starting up, "and I will
+_never_ return."
+
+Poor youth!  He was both right and wrong in this prophetic speech.  He
+did return home, but he did not return to his father.
+
+With fevered pulse and throbbing heart he rushed into a plantation that
+lay at the back of his father's house.  He had no definite intention
+save to relieve his feelings by violent action.  Running at full speed,
+he came suddenly to a disused quarry that was full of water.  It had
+long been a familiar haunt as a bathing-pool.  Many a time in years past
+had he leaped off its precipitous margin into the deep water, and
+wantoned there in all the abandonment of exuberant youth.  The leap was
+about thirty feet, the depth of water probably greater.  Constant
+practice had rendered Miles so expert at diving and swimming that he had
+come to feel as much at home in the water as a New-Zealander.
+
+Casting off his garments, he took the accustomed plunge by way of
+cooling his heart and brain.  He came up from the depths refreshed, but
+not restored to equanimity.  While dressing, the sense of injustice
+returned as strongly as before, and, with it, the hot indignation, so
+that, on afterwards reaching the highway, he paused only for a few
+moments.  This was the critical point.  Slowly but decidedly he leaned
+to the left.  He turned his back on his father's house, and caused the
+stones to spurt from under his heels as he walked rapidly away.
+
+If Miles Milton had thought of his mother at that time he might have
+escaped many a day of bitter repentance, for she was as gentle as her
+husband was harsh; but the angry youth either forgot her at the moment,
+or, more probably, thrust the thought of her away.
+
+Poor mother! if she had only known what a conflict between good and evil
+was going on in the breast of her boy, how she would have agonised in
+prayer for him!  But she did not know.  There was, however, One who did
+know, who loved him better even than his mother, and who watched and
+guarded him throughout all his chequered career.
+
+It is not improbable that in spite of his resolves Miles would have
+relented before night and returned home had not a very singular incident
+intervened and closed the door behind him.
+
+That day a notorious swindler had been tracked by a red-haired detective
+to the manufacturing city, to which Miles first directed his steps.  The
+bills describing the swindler set forth that he was quite young, tall,
+handsome, broad-shouldered, with black curling hair, and a budding
+moustache; that he was dressed in grey tweeds, and had a prepossessing
+manner.  Now this chanced to be in some respects an exact description of
+Miles Milton!
+
+The budding moustache, to be sure, was barely discernible, still it was
+sufficiently so for a detective to found on.  His dress, too, was brown
+tweed, not grey; but of course dresses can be changed; and as to his
+manner, there could not be two opinions about that.
+
+Now it chanced to be past one o'clock when Miles entered the town and
+felt himself impelled by familiar sensations to pause in front of an
+eating-house.  It was a poor eating-house in a low district, but Miles
+was not particular; still further, it was a temperance coffee-house, but
+Miles cared nothing for strong drink.  Strong health and spirits had
+served his purpose admirably up to that date.
+
+Inside the eating-house there sat several men of the artisan class, and
+a few of the nondescript variety.  Among the latter was the red-haired
+detective.  He was engaged with a solid beef-steak.
+
+"Oho!" escaped softly from his lips, when his sharp eyes caught sight of
+our hero.  So softly did he utter the exclamation that it might have
+been a mere remark of appreciation addressed to the steak, from which he
+did not again raise his eyes for a considerable time.
+
+The place was very full of people--so full that there seemed scarcely
+room for another guest; but by some almost imperceptible motion the
+red-haired man made a little space close to himself.  The man next to
+him, with a hook-nose, widened the space by similar action, and Miles,
+perceiving that there was room, sat down.
+
+"Bread and cheese," he said to the waiter.
+
+"Bread an' cheese, sir?  Yessir."
+
+Miles was soon actively engaged in mechanically feeding, while his mind
+was busy as to future plans.
+
+Presently he became aware that the men on either side of him were
+scanning his features and person with peculiar attention.
+
+"Coldish weather," remarked the red-haired man, looking at him in a
+friendly way.
+
+"It is," replied Miles, civilly enough.
+
+"Rather cold for bathin', ain't it, sir?" continued the detective
+carelessly, picking his teeth with a quill.
+
+"How did you know that I've been bathing?" demanded Miles in surprise.
+
+"I didn't know it."
+
+"How did you guess it then?"
+
+"Vell, it ain't difficult to guess that a young feller 'as bin 'avin' a
+swim w'en you see the 'air of 'is 'ead hall vet, an' 'is
+pocket-'ankercher lookin' as if it 'ad done dooty for a towel, not to
+mention 'is veskit 'avin' bin putt on in a 'urry, so as the buttons
+ain't got into the right 'oles, you see!"
+
+Miles laughed, and resumed his bread and cheese.
+
+"You are observant, I perceive," he said.
+
+"Not wery partiklarly so," returned Redhair; "but I do obsarve that your
+boots tell of country roads.  Was it a long way hout of town as you was
+bathin' this forenoon, now?"
+
+There was a free and easy familiarity about the man's tone which Miles
+resented, but, not wishing to run the risk of a disagreement in such
+company, he answered quietly--"Yes, a considerable distance; it was in
+an old quarry where I often bathe, close to my father's house."
+
+"Ha! jest so, about 'alf-way to the willage of Ramplin', w'ere you slep'
+last night, if report speaks true, an' w'ere you left the _grey tweeds_,
+unless, p'r'aps, you sunk 'em in the old quarry."
+
+"Why, what on earth do you mean?" asked Miles, with a look of such
+genuine surprise that Redhair was puzzled, and the man with the hooked
+nose, who had been listening attentively, looked slightly confused.
+
+"Read that, sir," said the detective, extracting a newspaper cutting
+from his pocket and laying it on the table before Miles.
+
+While he read, the two men watched him with interest, so did some of
+those who sat near, for they began to perceive that something was "in
+the wind."
+
+The tell-tale blood sprang to the youth's brow as he read and perceived
+the meaning of the man's remarks.  At this Redhair and Hook-nose nodded
+to each other significantly.
+
+"You don't mean to say," exclaimed Miles, in a tone of grand indignation
+which confirmed the men in their suspicion, "that you think this
+description applies to _me_?"
+
+"I wouldn't insinivate too much, sir, though I have got my suspicions,"
+said Redhair blandly; "but of course that's easy settled, for if your
+father's 'ouse is anyw'ere hereabouts, your father won't object to
+identify his son."
+
+"Ridiculous!" exclaimed Miles, rising angrily at this interruption to
+his plans.  The two men rose promptly at the same moment.  "Of course my
+father will prove that you have made a mistake, but--"
+
+He hesitated in some confusion, for the idea of re-appearing before his
+father so soon, and in such company, after so stoutly asserting that he
+would _never_ more return, was humiliating.  The detective observed the
+hesitation and became jocose.
+
+"If you'd rather not trouble your parent," said Redhair, "you've got no
+call to do it.  The station ain't far off, and the sooner we get there
+the better for all parties."
+
+A slight clink of metal at this point made Miles aware of the fact that
+Hook-nose was drawing a pair of handcuffs from one of his pockets.
+
+The full significance of his position suddenly burst upon him.  The
+thought of being led home a prisoner, or conveyed to the police-station
+handcuffed, maddened him; and the idea of being thus unjustly checked at
+the very outset of his independent career made him furious.  For a few
+moments he stood so perfectly still and quiet that the detectives were
+thrown slightly off their guard.  Then there was an explosion of some
+sort within the breast of Miles Milton.  It expended itself in a sudden
+impulse, which sent Redhead flat on the table among the crockery, and
+drove Hook-nose into the fireplace among the fire-irons.  A fat little
+man chanced to be standing in the door-way.  The same impulse, modified,
+shot that little man into the street like a cork out of a bottle, and
+next moment Miles was flying along the pavement at racing speed,
+horrified at what he had done, but utterly reckless as to what might
+follow!
+
+Hearing the shouts of pursuers behind him, and being incommoded by
+passers-by in the crowded thoroughfare, Miles turned sharply into a
+by-street, and would have easily made his escape--being uncommonly swift
+of foot--had he not been observed by an active little man of supple
+frame and presumptuous tendencies.  Unlike the mass of mankind around
+him--who stared and wondered--the active little man took in the
+situation at a glance, joined in the pursuit, kept well up, thus forming
+a sort of connecting-link between the fugitive and pursuers, and even
+took upon himself to shout "Stop thief!" as he ran.  Miles endeavoured
+to throw him off by putting on, as schoolboys have it, "a spurt."  But
+the active little man also spurted and did not fall far behind.  Then
+Miles tried a second double, and got into a narrow street, which a
+single glance showed him was a blind alley!  Disappointment and anger
+hereupon took possession of him, and he turned at bay with the
+tiger-like resolve to run a-muck!
+
+Fortunately for himself he observed a pot of whitewash standing near a
+half-whitened wall, with a dirty canvas frock and a soiled billycock
+lying beside it.  The owner of the property had left it inopportunely,
+for, quick as thought, Miles wriggled into the frock, flung on the
+billycock, seized the pot, and walked in a leisurely way to the head of
+the alley.  He reached it just as the active little man turned into it,
+at the rate of ten miles an hour.  A yell of "Stop thief!" issued from
+the man's presumptuous lips at the moment.
+
+His injunction was obeyed to the letter, for the would-be thief of an
+honest man's character on insufficient evidence was stopped by Miles's
+bulky person so violently that the whitewash was scattered all about,
+and part of it went into the active man's eyes.
+
+To squash the large brush into the little man's face, and thus
+effectually complete what his own recklessness had begun, was the work
+of an instant.  As he did it, Miles assumed the role of the injured
+party, suiting his language to his condition.
+
+"What d'ee mean by that, you houtrageous willain?" he cried savagely, to
+the great amusement of the bystanders, who instantly formed a crowd
+round them.  "Look wot a mess you've bin an' made o' my clean frock!
+Don't you see?"
+
+The poor little man could not see.  He could only cough and gasp and
+wipe his face with his coat-tails.
+
+"I'd give you in charge o' the pleece, I would, if it wasn't that you've
+pretty well punished yourself a'ready," continued Miles.  "Take 'im to a
+pump some o' you, 'cause I ain't got time.  Good-day, spider-legs, an'
+don't go for to run into a hartist again, with a paint-pot in 'is 'and."
+
+So saying, Miles pushed through the laughing crowd and sauntered away.
+He turned into the first street he came to, and then went forward as
+fast as was consistent with the idea of an artisan in a hurry.  Being
+utterly ignorant of the particular locality into which he had
+penetrated--though well enough acquainted with the main thoroughfares of
+the city--his only care was to put as many intricate streets and lanes
+as possible between himself and the detectives.  This was soon done, and
+thereafter, turning into a darkish passage, he got rid of the paint-pot
+and borrowed costume.
+
+Fortunately he had thrust his own soft helmet-shaped cap into his breast
+at the time he put on the billycock, and was thus enabled to issue from
+the dark passage very much like his former self, with the exception of a
+few spots of whitewash, which were soon removed.
+
+Feeling now pretty safe, our hero walked a considerable distance through
+the unknown parts of the city, before he ventured to inquire the way to
+thoroughfares with which he was familiar.  Once in these, he proceeded
+at a smart pace to one of the railway stations, intending to leave town,
+though as yet he had formed no definite plan of action.  In truth, his
+mind was much troubled and confused by the action of his conscience, for
+when the thought of leaving home and entering the army as a private
+soldier, against his father's wishes, crossed his mind, Conscience
+faithfully shook his head; and when softer feelings prevailed, and the
+question arose irresistibly, "Shall I return home?" the same faithful
+friend whispered, "Yes."
+
+In a state of indecision, Miles found himself borne along by a human
+stream to the booking-office.  Immediately in front of him were two
+soldiers,--one a sergeant, and the other a private of the line.
+
+Both were tall handsome men, straight as arrows, and with that air of
+self-sufficient power which is as far removed from arrogance as it is
+from cowardice, and is by no means an uncommon feature in men of the
+British army.
+
+Miles felt a strong, unaccountable attraction towards the young private.
+He had not yet heard his voice nor encountered his eye; indeed, being
+behind him, he had only seen his side-face, and as the expression on it
+was that of stern gravity, the attractive power could not have lain in
+that.  It might have lain in the youthful look of the lad, for albeit a
+goodly man in person, he was almost a boy in countenance, being
+apparently not yet twenty years of age.
+
+Miles was at last roused to the necessity for prompt and decisive action
+by the voice of the sergeant saying in tones of authority--
+
+"Portsmouth--third--two--single."
+
+"That's the way to go it, lobster!" remarked a shabby man, next in the
+line behind Miles.
+
+The grave sergeant paid no more regard to this remark than if it had
+been the squeak of a mouse.
+
+"Now, then, sir, your carridge stops the way.  'Eave a'ead.  Shall I
+'elp you?" said the shabby man.
+
+Thus admonished, Miles, scarce knowing what he said, repeated the
+sergeant's words--
+
+"Portsmouth--third--two--single."
+
+"Vy, you ain't agoin' to pay for _me_, are you?" exclaimed the shabby
+man in smiling surprise.
+
+"Oh! beg pardon.  I mean _one_," said Miles to the clerk, quickly.
+
+The clerk retracted the second ticket with stolid indifference, and
+Miles, hastening to the platform, sat down on a seat, deeply and
+uncomfortably impressed with the fact that he possessed little or no
+money!  This unsatisfactory state of things had suddenly burst upon him
+while in the act of paying for his ticket.  He now made a careful
+examination of his purse, and found its contents to be exactly seven
+shillings and sixpence, besides a few coppers in his trousers-pocket.
+
+Again indecision assailed him.  Should he return?  It was not too late.
+"Yes," said Conscience, with emphasis.  "No," said Shame.  False pride
+echoed the word, and Self-will re-echoed it.  Still our hero hesitated,
+and there is no saying what the upshot might have been if the bell had
+not rung at the moment, and, "Now, then, take your seats!" put an end to
+the controversy.
+
+Another minute, and Miles Milton was seated opposite the two soldiers,
+rushing towards our great southern seaport at the rate of forty miles an
+hour.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+SHOWS SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALSE STEP, AND INTRODUCES THE
+READER TO PECULIAR COMPANY.
+
+Our hero soon discovered that the sergeant was an old campaigner, having
+been out in Egypt at the beginning of the war, and fought at the famous
+battle of Tel-el-Kebir.
+
+In his grave and undemonstrative way and quiet voice, this man related
+some of his experiences, so as not only to gain the attention of his
+companion in arms, but to fascinate all who chanced to be within earshot
+of him--not the least interested among whom, of course, was our friend
+Miles.
+
+As the sergeant continued to expatiate on those incidents of the war
+which had come under his own observation, three points impressed
+themselves on our hero: first, that the sergeant was evidently a man of
+serious, if not religious, spirit; second, that while he gave all due
+credit to his comrades for their bravery in action, he dwelt chiefly on
+those incidents which brought out the higher qualities of the men, such
+as uncomplaining endurance, forbearance, etcetera, and he never boasted
+of having given "a thorough licking" to the Egyptians, nor spoke
+disparagingly of the native troops; lastly, that he seemed to lay
+himself out with a special view to the unflagging entertainment of his
+young comrade.
+
+The reason for this last purpose he learned during a short halt at one
+of the stations.  Seeing the sergeant standing alone there, Miles, after
+accosting him with the inevitable references to the state of the
+weather, remarked that his comrade seemed to be almost too young for the
+rough work of soldiering.
+
+"Yes, he is young enough, but older than he looks," answered the
+sergeant.  "Poor lad!  I'm sorry for him."
+
+"Indeed!  He does not seem to me a fit subject for pity.  Young, strong,
+handsome, intelligent, he seems pretty well furnished to begin the
+battle of life--especially in the army."
+
+"`Things are not what they seem,'" returned the soldier, regarding his
+young questioner with something between a compassionate and an amused
+look.  "`All is not gold that glitters.'  Soldiering is not made up of
+brass bands, swords, and red coats!"
+
+"Having read a good deal of history I am well aware of that," retorted
+Miles, who was somewhat offended by the implication contained in the
+sergeant's remarks.
+
+"Well, then, you see," continued the sergeant, "all the advantages that
+you have mentioned, and which my comrade certainly possesses, weigh
+nothing with him at all just now, because this sudden call to the wars
+separates him from his poor young wife."
+
+"Wife!" exclaimed Miles; "why, he seems to me little more than a boy--
+except in size, and perhaps in gravity."
+
+"He is over twenty, and, as to gravity--well, most young fellows would
+be grave enough if they had to leave a pretty young wife after six
+months of wedded life.  You see, he married without leave, and so, even
+if it were a time of peace, his wife would not be recognised by the
+service.  In wartime he must of course leave her behind him.  It has
+been a hard job to prevent him from deserting, and now it's all I can do
+to divert his attention from his sorrow by stirring him up with tales of
+the recent wars."
+
+At this point the inexorable bell rang, doors were banged, whistles
+sounded, and the journey was resumed.
+
+Arrived at Portsmouth, Miles was quickly involved in the bustle of the
+platform.  He had made up his mind to have some private conversation
+with the sergeant as to the possibility of entering her Majesty's
+service as a private soldier, and was on the point of accompanying his
+military travelling companions into the comparative quiet of the street
+when a porter touched his cap--
+
+"Any luggage, sir?"
+
+"Luggage?--a--no--no luggage!"
+
+It was the first moment since leaving home that the thought of luggage
+had entered into his brain!  That thought naturally aroused other
+thoughts, such as lodgings, food, friends, funds, and the like.  On
+turning to the spot where his military companions had stood, he
+discovered that they were gone.  Running to the nearest door-way he
+found it to be the wrong one, and before he found the right one and
+reached the street the two soldiers had vanished from the scene.
+
+"You seem to be a stranger here, sir.  Can I direct you?" said an
+insinuating voice at his elbow.
+
+The speaker was an elderly man of shabby-genteel appearance and polite
+address.  Miles did not quite like the look of him.  In the
+circumstances, however, and with a strangely desolate feeling of
+loneliness creeping over him, he did not see his way to reject a civil
+offer.
+
+"Thank you.  I am indeed a stranger, and happen to have neither friend
+nor acquaintance in the town, so if you can put me in the way of finding
+a respectable lodging--a--a _cheap_ one, you will greatly oblige me."
+
+"With pleasure," said the man, "if you will accompany--"
+
+"Stay, don't trouble yourself to show me the way," interrupted Miles;
+"just name a house and the street, that will--"
+
+"No trouble at all, sir," said the man.  "I happen to be going in the
+direction of the docks, and know of excellent as well as cheap lodgings
+there."
+
+Making no further objection, Miles followed his new friend into the
+street.  For some time, the crowd being considerable and noisy, they
+walked in silence.
+
+At the time we write of, Portsmouth was ringing with martial music and
+preparations for war.
+
+At all times the red-coats and the blue-jackets are prominent in the
+streets of that seaport; for almost the whole of our army passes through
+it at one period or another, either in going to or returning from
+"foreign parts."  But at this time there was the additional bustle
+resulting from the Egyptian war.  Exceptional activity prevailed in its
+yards, and hurry in its streets.  Recruits, recently enlisted, flocked
+into it from all quarters, while on its jetties were frequently landed
+the sad fruits of war in the form of wounded men.
+
+"Have you ever been in Portsmouth before?" asked the shabby-genteel man,
+on reaching a part of the town which was more open and less crowded.
+
+"Never.  I had no idea it was so large and bustling," said Miles.
+
+"The crowding and bustling is largely increased just now, of course, in
+consequence of the war in Egypt," returned the man.  "Troops are
+constantly embarking, and others returning.  It is a noble service!  Men
+start in thousands from this port young, hearty, healthy, and full of
+spirit; they return--those of them who return at all--sickly,
+broken-down, and with no spirit at all except what they soon get poured
+into them by the publicans.  Yes; commend me to the service of my Queen
+and country!"
+
+There was a sneering tone in the man's voice which fired his companion's
+easily roused indignation.
+
+"Mind what you say about our Queen while in _my_ company," said Miles
+sternly, stopping short and looking the man full in the face.  "I am a
+loyal subject, and will listen to nothing said in disparagement of the
+Queen or of her Majesty's forces."
+
+"Bless you, sir," said the man quickly, "I'm a loyal subject myself, and
+wouldn't for the world say a word against her Majesty.  No more would I
+disparage her troops; but, after all, the army ain't perfect, you know.
+Even _you_ must admit that, sir.  With all its noble qualities there's
+room for improvement."
+
+There was such an air of sincerity--or at least of assumed humility--in
+the man's tone and manner that Miles felt it unjustifiable to retain his
+indignation.  At the same time, he could not all at once repress it, and
+was hesitating whether to fling off from the man or to forgive him, when
+the sound of many voices, and of feet tramping in regular time, struck
+his ear and diverted his attention.  Next moment the head of a regiment,
+accompanied by a crowd of juvenile admirers, swept round the corner of
+the street.  At the same instant a forest of bayonets gleamed upon the
+youth's vision, and a brass band burst with crashing grandeur upon his
+ear, sending a quiver of enthusiasm into the deepest recesses of his
+soul, and stirring the very marrow in his bones!
+
+Miles stood entranced until the regiment had passed, and the martial
+strains were softened by distance; then he looked up and perceived that
+his shabby companion was regarding him with a peculiar smile.
+
+"I think you've a notion of being a soldier," he said, with a smile.
+
+"Where is that regiment going?" asked Miles, instead of answering the
+question.
+
+"To barracks at present; to Egypt in a few days.  There'll be more
+followin' it before long."
+
+It was a distracting as well as an exciting walk that Miles had through
+the town, for at every turn he passed couples or groups of soldiers, or
+sailors, or marines, and innumerable questions sprang into and jostled
+each other in his mind, while, at the same moment, his thoughts and
+feelings were busy with his present circumstances and future prospects.
+The distraction was increased by the remarks and comments of his guide,
+and he would fain have got rid of him; but good-feeling, as well as
+common-sense, forbade his casting him off without sufficient reason.
+
+Presently he stopped, without very well knowing why, in front of a large
+imposing edifice.  Looking up, he observed the words SOLDIERS' INSTITUTE
+in large letters on the front of it.
+
+"What sort of an Institute is that?" he asked.
+
+"Oh! it's a miserable affair, where soldiers are taken in cheap, as they
+say, an' done for," returned the shabby man hurriedly, as if the subject
+were distasteful to him.  "Come along with me and I'll show you places
+where soldiers--ay, and civilians too--can enjoy themselves like
+gentlemen, an' get value for their money."
+
+As he spoke, two fine-looking men issued from a small street close to
+them, and crossed the road--one a soldier of the line, the other a
+marine.
+
+"Here it is, Jack," exclaimed the soldier to his friend; "Miss Sarah
+Robinson's Institoot, that you've heard so much about.  Come an' I'll
+show you where you can write your letter in peace--"
+
+Thus much was overheard by Miles as they turned into a side-street, and
+entered what was obviously one of the poorer districts of the town.
+
+"Evidently that soldier's opinion does not agree with yours," remarked
+Miles, as they walked along.
+
+"More's the pity!" returned the shabby man, whose name he had informed
+his companion was Sloper.  "Now we are getting among places, you see,
+where there's a good deal of drinking going on."
+
+"I scarcely require to be told that," returned Miles, curtly; for he was
+beginning to feel his original dislike to Mister Sloper intensified.
+
+It did not indeed require any better instructor than eyes and ears to
+inform our hero that the grog-shops around him were full, and that a
+large proportion of the shouting and swearing revellers inside were
+soldiers and seamen.
+
+By this time it was growing dark, and most of the gin-palaces were
+beginning to send forth that glare of intense and warm light with which
+they so knowingly attract the human moths that constitute their prey.
+
+"Here we are," said Sloper, stopping in front of a public-house in a
+narrow street.  "This is one o' the _respectable_ lodgin's.  Most o' the
+others are disreputable.  It's not much of a neighbourhood, I admit."
+
+"It certainly is not very attractive," said Miles, hesitating.
+
+"You said you wanted a cheap one," returned Sloper, "and you can't
+expect to have it cheap and fashionable, you know.  You've no occasion
+to be afraid.  Come in."
+
+The arguments of Mr Sloper might have failed to move Miles, but the
+idea of his being _afraid_ to go anywhere was too much for him.
+
+"Go in, then," he said, firmly, and followed.
+
+The room into which he was ushered was a moderately large public-house,
+with a bar and a number of tables round the room, at which many men and
+a few women were seated; some gambling, others singing or disputing, and
+all drinking and smoking.  It is only right to say that Miles was
+shocked.  Hitherto he had lived a quiet and comparatively innocent
+country life.  He knew of such places chiefly from books or hearsay, or
+had gathered merely the superficial knowledge that comes through the
+opening of a swing-door.  For the first time in his life he stood inside
+a low drinking-shop, breathing its polluted atmosphere and listening to
+its foul language.  His first impulse was to retreat, but false shame,
+the knowledge that he had no friend in Portsmouth, or place to go to,
+that the state of his purse forbade his indulging in more suitable
+accommodation, and a certain pride of character which made him always
+determine to carry out what he had resolved to do--all these
+considerations and facts combined to prevent his acting on the better
+impulse.  He doggedly followed his guide to a small round table and sat
+down.
+
+Prudence, however, began to operate within him.  He felt that he had
+done wrong; but it was too late now, he thought, to retrace his steps.
+He would, however, be on his guard; would not encourage the slightest
+familiarity on the part of any one, and would keep his eyes open.  For a
+youth who had seen nothing of the world this was a highly commendable
+resolve.
+
+"What'll you drink?" asked Mr Sloper.
+
+Miles was on the point of saying "Coffee," but, reflecting that the
+beverage might not be readily obtainable in such a place, he substituted
+"Beer."
+
+Instead of calling the waiter, Mr Sloper went himself to the bar to
+fetch the liquor.  While he was thus engaged, Miles glanced round the
+room, and was particularly struck with the appearance of a large,
+fine-looking sailor who sat at the small table next to him, with hands
+thrust deep into his trousers-pockets, his chin resting on his broad
+chest, and a solemn, owlish stare in his semi-drunken yet manly
+countenance.  He sat alone, and was obviously in a very sulky frame of
+mind--a condition which he occasionally indicated through a growl of
+dissatisfaction.
+
+As Miles sat wondering what could have upset the temper of a tar whose
+visage was marked by the unmistakable lines and dimples of good-humour,
+he overheard part of the conversation that passed between the barman and
+Mr Sloper.
+
+"What! have they got hold o' Rattling Bill?" asked the former, as he
+drew the beer.
+
+"Ay, worse luck," returned Sloper.  "I saw the sergeant as I came along
+lead him over to Miss Robinson's trap--confound her!"
+
+"Don't you go fur to say anything agin Miss Robinson, old man," suddenly
+growled the big sailor, in a voice so deep and strong that it silenced
+for a moment the rest of the company.  "Leastways, you may if you like,
+but if you do, I'll knock in your daylights, an' polish up your
+figur'-head so as your own mother would mistake you fur a battered
+saucepan!"
+
+The seaman did not move from his semi-recumbent position as he uttered
+this alarming threat, but he accompanied it with a portentous frown and
+an owlish wink of both eyes.
+
+"What! have _you_ joined the Blue Lights?" asked Sloper, with a smile,
+referring to the name by which the religious and temperance men of the
+army were known.
+
+"No, I ha'n't.  Better for me, p'r'aps, if I had.  Here, waiter, fetch
+me another gin-an'-warer.  An' more o' the gin than the warer, mind.
+Heave ahead or I'll sink you!"
+
+Having been supplied with a fresh dose of gin and water, the seaman
+appeared to go to sleep, and Miles, for want of anything better to do,
+accepted Sloper's invitation to play a game of dominoes.
+
+"Are the beds here pretty good?" he asked, as they were about to begin.
+
+"Yes, first-rate--for the money," answered Sloper.
+
+"That's a lie!" growled the big sailor.  "They're bad at any price--
+stuffed wi' cocoa-nuts and marline-spikes."
+
+Mr Sloper received this observation with the smiling urbanity of a man
+who eschews war at all costs.
+
+"You don't drink," he said after a time, referring to Miles's pot of
+beer, which he had not yet touched.
+
+Miles made no reply, but by way of answer took up the pot and put it to
+his lips.
+
+He had not drunk much of it when the big seaman rose hurriedly and
+staggered between the two tables.  In doing so, he accidentally knocked
+the pot out of the youth's hand, and sent the contents into Mr Sloper's
+face and down into his bosom, to the immense amusement of the company.
+
+That man of peace accepted the baptism meekly, but Miles sprang up in
+sudden anger.
+
+The seaman turned to him, however, with a benignantly apologetic smile.
+
+"Hallo! messmate.  I ax your parding.  They don't leave room even for a
+scarecrow to go about in this here cabin.  I'll stand you another glass.
+Give us your flipper!"
+
+There was no resisting this, it was said so heartily.  Miles grasped the
+huge hand that was extended and shook it warmly.
+
+"All right," he said, laughing.  "I don't mind the beer, and there's
+plenty more where that came from, but I fear you have done some damage
+to my fr--"
+
+"Your _friend_.  Out with it, sir.  Never be ashamed to acknowledge your
+friends," exclaimed the shabby man, as he wiped his face.  "Hold on a
+bit," he added, rising; "I'll have to change my shirt.  Won't keep you
+waitin' long."
+
+"Another pot o' beer for this 'ere gen'lem'n," said the sailor to the
+barman as Sloper left the room.
+
+Paying for the drink, he returned and put the pot on the table.  Then,
+turning to Miles, he said in a low voice and with an intelligent look--
+
+"Come outside for a bit, messmate.  I wants to speak to 'ee."
+
+Miles rose and followed the man in much surprise.
+
+"You'll excuse me, sir," he said, when a few yards away from the door;
+"but I see that you're green, an' don't know what a rascally place
+you've got into.  I've been fleeced there myself, and yet I'm fool
+enough to go back!  Most o' the parties there--except the sailors an'
+sodgers--are thieves an' blackguards.  They've drugged your beer, I
+know; that's why I capsized it for you, and the feller that has got hold
+o' you is a well-known decoy-duck.  I don't know how much of the ready
+you may have about you, but this I does know, whether it be much or
+little, you wouldn't have a rap of it in the mornin' if you stayed the
+night in this here house."
+
+"Are you sure of this, friend?" asked Miles, eyeing his companion
+doubtfully.
+
+"Ay, as sure as I am that my name's Jack Molloy."
+
+"But you've been shamming drunk all this time.  How am I to know that
+you are not shamming friendship now?"
+
+"No, young man," returned the seaman with blinking solemnity.  "I'm not
+shammin' drunk.  I on'y wish I was, for I'm three sheets in the wind at
+this minute, an' I've a splittin' headache due i' the mornin'.  The way
+as you've got to find out whether I'm fair an' above-board is to look me
+straight in the face an' don't wink.  If that don't settle the question,
+p'r'aps it'll convince you w'en I tells you that I don't care a rap
+whether you go back to that there grog-shop or not.  Only I'll clear my
+conscience--leastways, wot's left of it--by tellin' ye that if you do--
+you--you'll wish as how you hadn't--supposin' they leave you the power
+to wish anything at all."
+
+"Well, I believe you are a true man, Mister Molloy--"
+
+"Don't Mister me, mate," interrupted the seaman.
+
+"My name's Jack Molloy, at your service, an' that name don't require no
+handle--either Mister or Esquire--to prop it up."
+
+The way in which the sailor squared his broad shoulders when he said
+this rendered it necessary to prop himself up.  Seeing which, Miles
+afforded the needful aid by taking his arm in a friendly way.
+
+"But come, let us go back," he said.  "I must pay for my beer, you
+know."
+
+"Your beer is paid for, young man," said Molloy, stopping and refusing
+to move.  "_I_ paid for it, so you've on'y got to settle with _me_.
+Besides, if you go back you're done for.  And you've no call to go back
+to say farewell to your dear friend Sloper, for he'll on'y grieve over
+the loss of your tin.  As to the unpurliteness o' the partin'--he won't
+break his heart over that.  No--you'll come wi' me down to the _Sailors'
+Welcome_ near the dock-gates, where you can get a good bed for sixpence
+a night, a heavy blow-out for tenpence, with a splendid readin'-room,
+full o' rockin' chairs, an' all the rest of it for nothin'.  An there's
+a lavatory--that's the name that they give to a place for cleanin' of
+yourself up--a lavatory--where you can wash yourself, if you like, till
+your skin comes off!  W'en I first putt up at the _Welcome_, the
+messmate as took me there said to me, says he, `Jack,' says he, `you was
+always fond o' water.'  `Right you are,' says I.  `Well,' says he,
+`there's a place in the _Sailors' Welcome_ where you can wash yourself
+all day, if you like, for nothing!'
+
+"I do b'lieve it was that as indooced me to give in.  I went an' saw
+this lavatory, an' I was so took up with it that I washed my hands in
+every bason in the place--one arter the other--an' used up ever so much
+soap, an'--would you believe it?--my hands wasn't clean after all!  Yes,
+it's one the wery best things in Portsm'uth, is Miss Robinson's
+Welcome--"
+
+"Miss Robinson again!" exclaimed Miles.
+
+"Ay--wot have you got to find fault wi' Miss Robinson?" demanded the
+sailor sternly.
+
+"No fault to find at all," replied Miles, suffering himself to be
+hurried away by his new friend; "but wherever I have gone since arriving
+in Portsmouth her name has cropped up!"
+
+"In Portsmouth!" echoed the sailor.  "Let me tell you, young man, that
+wherever you go all over the world, if there's a British soldier there,
+Miss Sarah Robinson's name will be sure to crop up.  Why, don't you know
+that she's `The Soldiers' Friend'?"
+
+"I'm afraid I must confess to ignorance on the point--yet, stay, now you
+couple her name with `The Soldier's Friend,' I have got a faint
+remembrance of having heard it before.  Have I not heard of a Miss
+Weston, too, in connection with a work of some sort among sailors?"
+
+"Ay, no doubt ye have.  She has a grand Institoot in Portsm'uth too, but
+she goes in for sailors _only_--all over the kingdom--w'ereas Miss
+Robinson goes in for soldiers an' sailors both, though mainly for the
+soldiers.  She set agoin' the _Sailors' Welcome_ before Miss Weston
+began in Portsm'uth, an' so she keeps it up, but there ain't no
+opposition or rivalry.  Their aims is pretty much alike, an' so they
+keep stroke together wi' the oars.  But I'll tell you more about that
+when you get inside.  Here we are!  There's the dock-gates, you see, and
+that's Queen Street, an' the _Welcome's_ close at hand.  It's a teetotal
+house, you know.  All Miss Robinson's Institoots is that."
+
+"Indeed!  How comes it, then, that a man--excuse me--`three sheets in
+the wind,' can gain admittance?"
+
+"Oh! as to that, any sailor or soldier may get admittance, even if he's
+as drunk as a fiddler, if he on'y behaves his-self.  But they won't
+supply drink on the premises, or allow it to be brought in--'cept inside
+o' you, of coorse.  Cause why? you can't help that--leastwise not
+without the help of a stomach-pump.  Plenty o' men who ain't abstainers
+go to sleep every night at the _Welcome_, 'cause they find the beds and
+other things so comfortable.  In fact, some hard topers have been
+indooced to take the pledge in consekince o' what they've heard an' seen
+in this _Welcome_, though they came at first only for the readin'-room
+an' beds.  Here, let me look at you under this here lamp.  Yes.  You'll
+do.  You're something like a sea-dog already.  You won't object to
+change hats wi' me?"
+
+"Why?" asked Miles, somewhat amused.
+
+"Never you mind that, mate.  You just putt yourself under my orders if
+you'd sail comfortably before the wind.  I'll arrange matters, an' you
+can square up in the morning."
+
+As Miles saw no particular reason for objecting to this fancy of his
+eccentric friend, he exchanged his soft cap for the sailor's straw hat,
+and they entered the _Welcome_ together.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+THE "SAILORS' WELCOME"--MILES HAS A NIGHT OF IT AND ENLISTS--HIS FRIEND
+ARMSTRONG HAS AN AGREEABLE SURPRISE AT THE SOLDIERS' INSTITUTE.
+
+It was not long before our hero discovered the reason of Jack Molloy's
+solicitude about his appearance.  It was that he, Miles, should pass for
+a sailor, and thus be in a position to claim the hospitality of the
+_Sailors' Welcome_,--to the inner life of which, civilians were not
+admitted, though they were privileged, with the public in general, to
+the use of the outer refreshment-room.
+
+"Come here, Jack Molloy," he said, leading his friend aside, when he
+made this discovery.  "You pride yourself on being a true-blue British
+tar, don't you?"
+
+"I does," said Jack, with a profound solemnity of decision that
+comported well with his character and condition.
+
+"And you would scorn to serve under the French flag, or the Turkish
+flag, or the Black flag, or any flag but the Union Jack, wouldn't you?"
+
+"Right you are, mate; them's my sentiments to a tee!"
+
+"Well, then, you can't expect _me_ to sail under false colours any more
+than yourself," continued Miles.  "I scorn to sail into this port under
+your straw hat, so I'll strike these colours, bid you good-bye, and make
+sail for another port where a civilian will be welcome."
+
+Molloy frowned at the floor for some moments in stern perplexity.
+
+"You've took the wind out o' my sails entirely, you have," he replied at
+last; "an' you're right, young man, but I'm troubled about you.  If you
+don't run into this here port you'll have to beat about in the offing
+all night, or cast anchor in the streets, for I don't know of another
+lodgin' in Portsm'uth w'ere you could hang out except them disrepitible
+grog-shops.  In coorse, there's the big hotels; but I heerd you say to
+Sloper that you was bound to do things cheap, bein' hard up."
+
+"Never mind, my friend," said Miles quickly.  "I will manage somehow; so
+good-night, and many thanks to you for the interest you have taken in--"
+
+"Avast, mate! there's no call to go into action in sitch a hurry.  This
+here _Sailors' Welcome_ opens the doors of its bar an' refreshment-room,
+an' spreads its purvisions before all an' sundry as can afford to pay
+its moderate demands.  It's on'y the after-cabin you're not free to.  So
+you'll have a bit supper wi' me before you set sail on your night
+cruise."
+
+Being by that time rather hungry as well as fatigued, Miles agreed to
+remain for supper.  While they were engaged with it, he was greatly
+impressed with the number of sailors and marines who passed into the
+reading-room beyond the bar, or who sat down at the numerous tables
+around to have a hearty supper, which they washed down with tea and
+coffee instead of beer or gin--apparently with tremendous appetite and
+much satisfaction.
+
+"Look ye here," said Jack Molloy, rising when their "feed" was about
+concluded, "I've no doubt they won't object to your taking a squint at
+the readin'-room, though they won't let you use it."  Following his
+companion, Miles passed by a glass double door into an enormous
+well-lighted, warm room, seventy feet long, and of proportionate width
+and height, in which a goodly number of men of the sea were busy as
+bees--some of them reading books or turning over illustrated papers and
+magazines, others smoking their pipes, and enjoying themselves in
+rocking-chairs in front of the glowing fire, chatting, laughing, and
+yarning as free-and-easily as if in their native fo'c's'ls, while a few
+were examining the pictures on the walls, or the large models of ships
+which stood at one side of the room.  At the upper end a full-sized
+billiard-table afforded amusement to several players, and profound
+interest to a number of spectators, who passed their comments on the
+play with that off-hand freedom which seems to be a product of fresh
+gales and salt-water.  A door standing partly open at the upper end of
+this apartment revealed a large hall, from which issued faintly the
+sound of soft music.
+
+"Ain't it snug? and there's no gamblin' agoin' on there," remarked
+Molloy, as they returned to their table; "that's not allowed--nor
+drinkin', nor card-playin', but that's all they putt a stop to.  She's a
+wise woman is Miss Robinson.  She don't hamper us wi' no rules.  Why,
+bless you, Jack ashore would never submit to rules!  He gits more than
+enough o' them afloat.  No; it's liberty hall here.  We may come an' go
+as we like, at all hours o' the day and night, an' do exactly as we
+please, so long as we don't smash up the furnitur', or feed without
+payin', or make ourselves a gineral noosance.  They don't even forbid
+swearin'.  They say they leave the matter o' lingo to our own good taste
+and good sense.  An' d'you know, it's wonderful what an' amount o' both
+we've got w'en we ain't worried about it!  You'll scarce hear an oath in
+this house from mornin' to evenin', though you'll hear a deal o' snorin'
+doorin' the night!  That's how the place takes so well, d'ee see?"
+
+"Then the _Welcome_ is well patronised, I suppose?"
+
+"Patronised!" exclaimed the seaman; "that's so, an' no mistake.  Why,
+mate--But what's your name?  I've forgot to ax you that all this time!"
+
+"Call me Miles," said our hero, with some hesitation.
+
+"_Call_ you Miles!  _Ain't_ you Miles?"
+
+"Well, yes, I am; only there's more of my name than that, but that's
+enough for your purpose, I daresay."
+
+"All right.  Well, Miles, you was askin' how the house is patronised.
+I'll tell 'ee.  They make up about two hundred an' twenty beds in it
+altogether, an' these are chock-full a'most every night.  One way or
+another they had forty-four thousand men, more or less, as slep' under
+this roof last year--so I've bin told.  That's patronisin', ain't it?
+To say nothin' o' the fellers as comes for--grub, which, as you've
+found, is good for the money, and the attendants is civil.  You see,
+they're always kind an' attentive here, 'cause they professes to think
+more of our souls than our bodies--which we've no objection to, d'ee
+see, for the lookin' arter our souls includes the lookin' arter our
+bodies!  An' they don't bother us in no way to attend their
+Bible-readin's an' sitchlike.  There they are in separate rooms; if you
+want 'em you may go; if you don't, you can let 'em alone.  No
+compulsion, which comes quite handy to some on us, for I don't myself
+care much about sitchlike things.  So long's my body's all right, I
+leaves my soul to look arter itself."
+
+As the seaman said this with a good-natured smile of indifference, there
+sprang to the mind of his young companion words that had often been
+impressed on him by his mother: "What shall it profit a man if he should
+gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" but he made no reference
+to this at the time.
+
+"Hows'ever," continued Molloy, "as they don't worrit us about religion,
+except to give us a good word an' a blessin' now an' again, and may-hap
+a little book to read, we all patronises the house; an it's my opinion,
+if it was twice as big as it is, we'd fill it chock-full.  I would board
+as well as sleep in it myself--for it's full o' conveniences, sitch as
+lockers to putt our things in, an' baths, and what not, besides all the
+other things I've mentioned--but the want o' drink staggers me.  I can't
+git along without a drop o' drink."
+
+Miles thought that his nautical friend appeared to be unable to get
+along without a good many drops of drink, but he was too polite to say
+so.
+
+"Man alive!" continued Jack Molloy, striking his huge fist on his thigh
+with emphasis; "it's a wonderful place is this _Welcome_!  An' it's a
+lively place too.  Why, a fellow hanged his-self in one o' the bunks
+overhead not long ago."
+
+"You don't mean that?" exclaimed Miles, rather shocked.
+
+"In course I does.  But they heard 'im gaspin', an cut him down in time
+to save him.  It was drink they say as made him do it, and they got him
+to sign the pledge arterwards.  I believe he's kep' it too.  Leastwise I
+know many a hard drinker as have bin indooced to give it up and stuck to
+it--all through comin' here to have a snooze in a comfortable hunk.
+They give the bunks names--cubicles they calls 'em in the lump.
+Separately, there's the `Commodore Goodenough Cot,' an' the `Little
+Nellie Cot,' an' the `Sunshine Cot'--so called 'cause it hain't got a
+port-hole to let in the daylight at all; and the `Billy Rough 'un'--"
+
+"The what?"
+
+"`The Billy Rough 'un'--arter the ship o' that name, you know--"
+
+"Oh! you mean the _Bellerophon_."
+
+"Well, young man, an' didn't I _say_ the `Billy Rough 'un'?  Then
+there's the--But what's your hurry?" said the seaman, as Miles rose.
+
+"It's getting late now, friend.  If I'm to find another lodging I must
+be off.  Doubtless, I'll find some respectable house to take me in for
+the night."  Miles suppressed a yawn as he put on his cap.
+
+"I don't believe you will," returned Molloy, also rising, and giving
+full vent to a sympathetic and vociferous yawn.  "Hows'ever, w'en a
+young feller insists on havin' his way, it's best to give him plenty of
+cable and let him swing.  He's sure to find out his mistake by
+experience.  But look ye here, Miles, I've took a fancy to you, an' I'd
+be sorry to think you was in difficulties.  If," he continued, thrusting
+a hand into his breeches-pocket, and bringing up therefrom a mass of
+mixed gold, silver, and copper--"if you don't objec' to accep' of a loan
+of--"
+
+"Thank you--no, my friend.  It is very kind of you," said Miles quickly;
+"but I have quite enough for present necessities.  So good-night."
+
+"All right," returned the sailor, thrusting the money back into his
+pocket.  "But if you should ever want a jaw with Jack Molloy while
+you're in this here port you've only got to hail him at the _Sailors'
+Welcome_, an' if he should happen to be out, they always can tell you
+where he's cruisin'.  Good-night, an' luck go wi' ye!"
+
+Another tremendous yawn finished the speech, and next moment Miles found
+himself in the street, oppressed with a strange and miserable sensation
+which he had never before experienced.  Indeed, he had to lean against
+the house for a few minutes after coming out into the fresh air, and
+felt as if the power of connected thought was leaving him.
+
+He was aroused from this condition by the flashing of a light in his
+eyes.  Opening them wide, he beheld a policeman looking at him
+earnestly.
+
+"Now, then, young fellow," said the guardian of the night; "d'you think
+you can take care of yourself?"
+
+"Oh! yes, quite well.  It's only a giddy feeling that came over me.  I'm
+all right," said Miles, rousing himself and passing on.
+
+He staggered slightly, however, and a short "Humph!" from the policeman
+showed that he believed the youth to be something more than giddy.
+
+Ashamed to be even unjustly supposed to be intoxicated, Miles hurried
+away, wondering very much what could be the matter with him, for he had
+not tasted a drop of strong drink, except the half-glass of beer he had
+swallowed before Molloy chanced to knock it out of his hand.  Suddenly
+he remembered that the sailor had said the beer was drugged.  If he
+could have asked the barman who had served him, that worthy could have
+told him that this was true; that the whole glassful, if swallowed,
+would, ere long, have rendered him insensible, and that what he had
+already taken was enough to do him considerable damage.
+
+As he walked onward, he became rapidly worse; the people and the streets
+seemed to swim before him; an intense desire to sleep overpowered every
+other feeling, and at last, turning into a dark entry, he lay down and
+pillowed his head on a door-step.  Here he was found by a policeman; a
+stretcher was fetched, and he was conveyed to the station as "drunk and
+incapable!"
+
+When brought before the Inspector the following morning, shame and
+reckless despair were the tenants of his breast.  Those tenants were not
+expelled, but rather confirmed in possession, when the Inspector--after
+numerous questions, to which Miles returned vague unsatisfactory
+replies--adopted the role of the faithful friend, and gave him a great
+deal of paternal advice, especially with reference to the avoidance of
+strong drink and bad companions.
+
+Miles had the wisdom, however, to conceal his feelings, and to take the
+reproof and advice in good part.  Afterwards, on being set free, he met
+a recruiting sergeant, who, regarding him as a suitable subject for the
+service of her Majesty, immediately laid siege to him.  In his then
+state of mind the siege was an easy one.  In short, he capitulated at
+once and entered the Queen's service, under the name of John Miles.
+
+We need scarcely say that his heart misgave him, that his conscience
+condemned him, and that, do what he would, he could not shut out the
+fact that his taking so hasty and irrevocable a step was a poor return
+for all the care and anxiety of his parents in years gone by.  But, as
+we have said, or hinted, Miles was one of those youths who, when they
+have once made up their minds to a certain course of action, fancy that
+they are bound to pursue it to the end.  Hence it was that he gave his
+name as John Miles instead of Miles Milton, so that he might baffle any
+inquiries as to what had become of him.
+
+Once enlisted, he soon began to realise the fact that he was no longer a
+free agent--at least not in the sense in which he had been so up to that
+period of his life.  Constant drill was the order of the day for some
+weeks; for there was a demand for more troops for Egypt at the time, and
+regiments were being made up to their full strength as fast as possible.
+
+During this period Miles saw little of his companions in arms
+personally, save that group of recruits who were being "licked into
+shape" along with him.  At first he was disappointed with these, for
+most of them were shy, unlettered men; some, raw lads from the country;
+and others, men who seemed to have been loafers before joining, and were
+by no means attractive.
+
+The drill-sergeant, however, was a good, though stern man, and soon
+recognised the differences in character, aptitude, and willingness among
+his raw recruits.  This man, whose name was Hardy, made a powerful
+impression on our hero from the first; there was something so quiet and
+even gentle about him, in spite of his firm and inflexible demands in
+regard to the matters of drill and duty.  To please this man, Miles gave
+himself heart and soul to his work, and was soon so efficient as to be
+allowed to join the regiment.
+
+And here he found, to his surprise and satisfaction, that the sergeant
+and young soldier with whom he had travelled to Portsmouth, were members
+of the company to which he was attached.  As we have said, Miles had
+taken a great fancy at first sight to the young private, whose name was
+William Armstrong.  Our hero was of an affectionate disposition, and
+would have allowed his warm feelings to expend themselves on a dog
+rather than have denied them free play.  No wonder, then, that he was
+attracted by the handsome manly countenance and deferential manner of
+Armstrong, who, although an uneducated youth, and reared in the lower
+ranks of life, was gifted with those qualities of the true gentleman
+which mere social position can neither bestow nor take away.  His
+intellect also was of that active and vigorous fibre which cannot be
+entirely repressed by the want of scholastic training.
+
+The affection was mutual, for the contrasts and similarities of the two
+men were alike calculated to draw them together.  Both were tall, broad,
+square-shouldered, erect, and soldierly, yet, withal, modest as well in
+demeanour as in feeling, and so exactly like to each other in size and
+figure, and in the quiet gravity of their expressions, that they might
+well have been taken for twin brothers.  When, in uniform, the two
+strode along the streets of Portsmouth, people were apt to turn and look
+at them, and think, no doubt, that with many such men in the British
+army it would go hard with the foes of Old England!
+
+The bond of union was still further strengthened by the fact that, while
+the comparatively learned Miles was enthusiastic and communicative, the
+unlettered Armstrong was inquisitive and receptive, fond of prying into
+the nature of things, and always ready as well as competent to discuss--
+not merely to _argue_.  Observe the distinction, good reader.
+Discussion means the shaking of any subject into its component parts
+with a desire to understand it.  Argument has come very much to signify
+the enravelment of any subject with a view to the confusion and conquest
+of an opponent.  Both young men abhorred the latter and liked the
+former.  Hence much of their harmony and friendship.
+
+"Will you come with me up town?" said Armstrong to Miles one day, as he
+was about to quit the barrack-room.  "I'm going to see if there's any
+news of my Emmy."
+
+"I did not know you expected her," said Miles.  "Come along, I'm ready."
+
+"I don't expect her yet," returned Armstrong, as they left the barracks;
+"I only look for a letter, because it was on Wednesday that I wrote
+telling her of my going to Egypt, and she can scarce have had time to
+get ready to come down, poor girl!  In fact I am going to engage a room
+for her.  By the way, I heard this morning that there's to be another
+draft for Egypt, so you'll have a chance to go."
+
+"I'm rejoiced to hear it," returned Miles; "for, to say the truth, I had
+been growing envious of your good fortune in being ordered on active
+service."
+
+"Hooroo, Armstrong, where away now?" cried an unmistakably Irish voice,
+as a smart little soldier crossed the street to them, and was introduced
+to Miles as Corporal Flynn, belonging to another company in his own
+regiment.
+
+"My blissin' on ye, Miles.  John, is it?"
+
+"Yes, John," replied our hero, much amused at the free-and-easy address
+of the little corporal.
+
+"Well, John Miles," he said, "I don't know whether ye'll laugh or cry
+whin I tell ye that you'll likely be warned this evenin' for the draft
+that's goin' to Aigypt."
+
+"I certainly won't cry," returned Miles, with a laugh.  Yet the news
+brought a sudden feeling into his breast which was strongly allied to
+the opposite of laughter, for the thought of parting from father and
+mother without bidding them farewell fell upon his spirit with crushing
+weight; but, like too many men who know they are about to do wrong,
+Miles hardened his heart with the delusive argument that, having fairly
+taken the step, it was impossible for him now to retrace it.  He knew--
+at least he thought--that there was still the possibility of being
+bought off, and that his stern father would only be too glad to help
+him.  He also knew that at least he had time to write and let them know
+his circumstances, so that they might run down to Portsmouth and bid him
+good-bye; but he had taken the bit in his teeth, and now he resolved to
+abide the consequences.
+
+Turning from his companions while they conversed, he looked into a
+shop-window.
+
+"Your chum's in the blues," said the lively corporal, in a lower voice.
+
+"Young fellows are often in that state after joining, ain't they?"
+returned Armstrong.
+
+"True for ye--an' more shame to them, whin they ought to be as proud as
+paycocks at wearin' her gracious Majesty's uniform.  But good luck to
+'ee!  I must be off, for I'm bound for Aigypt mesilf."
+
+"I am glad that I shall have the chance of seeing your wife, for I've
+been much interested in her since your friend Sergeant Gilroy told me
+about her," said Miles, as they resumed their walk.  "Surely it is hard
+of them to refuse to let her go with the regiment."
+
+"Well, it _is_ hard," returned the young soldier; "but after all I
+cannot find fault with the powers that be, for I married with my eyes
+open.  I knew the rule that those who marry without leave must leave
+their wives at home, for only a certain number of families can go abroad
+with a regiment--and that only in peace-time."
+
+"It might have been well," continued Armstrong, slowly, while a sad
+expression clouded his face for a few moments, "if I had waited, and
+many a time has my conscience smitten me for my haste.  But what could I
+do?  Emmy most unaccountably fell in love wi' me--_thank God_! for I do
+think that the greatest earthly blessing that can be given to mortal man
+is the love of a gentle, true-hearted girl.  The wealth of the Indies
+cannot purchase that, and nothing else in life can supply the want of
+it.  Can you wonder that I grasped the treasure when within my reach?"
+
+"I certainly cannot; and as certainly I do not blame you," returned the
+sympathetic Miles.
+
+"Of course I fell in love with Emmy," continued the soldier, with a
+slightly confused look.  "I could no more help that than I could help
+growing up.  Could I?"
+
+"Certainly not," said Miles.
+
+"Well, you see," continued his friend, "as the affair was arranged in
+heaven, according to general belief, what was I that I should resist?
+You see, Emmy's father, who's a well-to-do farmer, was willing, and we
+never gave a thought to Egypt or the war at the time.  She will be well
+looked after while I'm away, and I'll send her every penny of my pay
+that I can spare, but--"
+
+He stopped abruptly, and Miles, respecting his feelings, remarked, by
+way of changing the subject, that, the pay of a private soldier being so
+small, very little could be saved out of that.
+
+"Not much," assented his comrade; "but, little as it is, we can increase
+it in various ways.  For one thing, I have given up smoking.  That will
+save a little; though, to say truth, I have never expended much on
+baccy.  Then I have joined Miss Robinson's Temperance Band--"
+
+"Strange how often that lady's name has been in my ears since I came to
+Portsmouth!" said Miles.
+
+"Not so strange after all," returned Armstrong, "when one reflects that
+she has been the means of almost changing the character of the town
+within the last few years--as far at least as concerns the condition of
+soldiers, as well as many of the poorer classes among its inhabitants--
+so Sergeant Gilroy tells me."
+
+As some of the information given by Sergeant Gilroy to the young soldier
+may be interesting to many readers, we quote a few of his own words.
+
+"Why, some years ago," he said, "the soldiers' wives, mothers, and
+sisters who came down here to see the poor fellows set sail for foreign
+parts, found it almost impossible to obtain lodgings, except in
+drinking-houses which no respectable woman could enter.  Some poor women
+even preferred to spend a winter night under railway arches, or some
+such shelter, rather than enter these places.  And soldiers out of
+barracks had nowhere else to go to for amusement, while sailors on leave
+had to spend their nights in them or walk the streets.  Now all that is
+changed.  The Soldiers' Institute supplies 140 beds, and furnishes board
+and lodging to our sisters and wives at the lowest possible rates,
+besides reception-rooms where we can meet our friends; a splendid
+reading-room, where we find newspapers and magazines, and can write our
+letters, if we like, in peace and quiet; a bar where tea and coffee,
+bread and butter, buns, etcetera, can be had at all reasonable hours for
+a mere trifle; a coffee and smoking room, opening out of which are two
+billiard-rooms, and beyond these a garden, where we can get on the flat
+roof of a house and watch the arrival and departure of shipping.  There
+is a small charge to billiard-players, which pays all expenses of the
+tables, so that not a penny of the Institute funds is spent on the
+games.  Of course no gambling is allowed in any of Miss Robinson's
+Institutes.  Then there are Bible-class rooms, and women's work-rooms,
+and a lending library, and bathrooms, and a great hall, big enough to
+hold a thousand people, where there are held temperance meetings,
+lectures with dissolving views, entertainments, and `tea-fights,' and
+Sunday services.  No wonder that, with such an agency at work for the
+glory of God and the good of men, Portsmouth is almost a new place.
+Indeed, although Miss Robinson met with powerful opposition at first
+from the powers that be, her Institute is now heartily recognised and
+encouraged in every way at the Horse Guards.  Indeed, it has recently
+been visited by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, and
+highly approved of by these and other grandees."
+
+While the two soldiers were chatting about the past and present of the
+Institute they arrived at its door.
+
+"Here we are.  Come into the reception-room, Miles, while I make inquiry
+about my letters."
+
+They entered the house as he spoke.  The reception-room is on the right
+of the passage.  Armstrong opened the door and looked in, but, instead
+of advancing, he stood transfixed, gazing before him open-mouthed as
+though he had seen a spectre, for there, in front of the fire, sat a
+beautiful, refined-looking girl, with golden hair and blue eyes, gazing
+pensively at the flickering flames.
+
+Miles was not kept long in suspense as to who she was.
+
+"Emmy!"
+
+"Oh, Willie!"
+
+These were exclamations which would have revealed all in a moment, even
+though Emmy had not sprung up and rushed into Willie's open arms.  How
+she ever emerged from the embrace of those arms with unbroken bones is a
+mystery which cannot be solved, but she did emerge in safety, and with
+some confusion on observing that Miles had witnessed the incident with
+admiring gaze!
+
+"Never mind him, Emmy," said the young soldier, laughing; "he's a good
+friend, a comrade.  Shake hands with him."
+
+The action, and the ease of manner with which Emmy obeyed, proved that
+grace and small hands are not altogether dependent on rank or station.
+
+"Excuse me," said Miles, after a few words of salutation; "I'll go and
+have a look at the library."
+
+So saying he quitted the room, leaving the young couple alone; for there
+chanced to be no other visitors to the reception-room at the time.  In
+the lobby he found several soldiers and a couple of sailors enjoying
+coffee at the bar, and was about to join them when a man came forward
+whose dress was that of a civilian, though his bearing proclaimed him a
+soldier.
+
+"Hallo, Brown," exclaimed one of the soldiers, "d'ye know that a
+troop-ship has just come in!"
+
+"Know it? of course I do; you may trust the people of this house to be
+first in hearing such news."
+
+"Mr Tufnell told me of it.  I'm just going down to the jetty to boil
+the kettle for them."
+
+As he spoke, two ladies of the Institute descended the broad staircase,
+each with a basket on her arm.
+
+They entered into conversation for a few minutes with the soldiers at
+the bar, and it was abundantly evident to Miles, from the kindly tone of
+the former and the respectful air of the latter, that they were familiar
+acquaintances, and on the best of terms.
+
+"Are you all ready, Brown?" asked one of the ladies of the soldier-like
+civilian, whom we have already mentioned.
+
+"All ready, Miss; a man has already gone to order the bread and butter
+and light the fire.  I hear the vessel is crowded, so we may expect a
+full house to-night."
+
+Miles pricked up his ears on hearing this, and when Brown went out,
+leaving the two ladies to finish their conversation with the soldiers,
+he followed him.
+
+"Pardon me," he said, on overtaking the man.  "Did I understand
+correctly that a troop-ship has just arrived?"
+
+"Right," said Brown.  "I am just going down to the embarkation jetty to
+get coffee ready for the men.  You seem to have joined but a short time,
+apparently, for though I am familiar with your uniform I have not seen
+yourself before."
+
+"True, it is not long since I joined, and this is my first visit to the
+Institute."
+
+"I hope it won't be the last, friend," returned Brown heartily.  "Every
+soldier is welcome there, and, for the matter of that, so is every
+sailor and marine."
+
+"I have heard as much.  May I accompany you to this jetty to see the
+troops arrive, and this coffee business that you speak of?"
+
+"You may, and welcome," said Brown, leading his companion through the
+town in the direction of the docks, and chatting, as they walked along,
+about the army and navy; about his own experiences in the former; and
+about the condition of soldiers at the present time as contrasted with
+that of the days gone by.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+THE EMBARKATION JETTY--AND NIPPED IN THE BUD.
+
+Bronzed faces under white helmets crowded the ports and bulwarks of the
+great white leviathan of the deep--the troop-ship _Orontes_--as she
+steamed slowly and cautiously up to the embarkation jetty in Portsmouth
+harbour.
+
+On the jetty itself a few anxious wives, mothers, and sisters stood
+eagerly scanning the sea of faces, in the almost hopeless endeavour to
+distinguish those for which they sought.  Yet ever and anon an
+exclamation on the jetty, and an answering wave of an arm on the
+troop-ship, told that some at least of the anxious ones had been
+successful in the search.
+
+"Don't they look weather-beaten?" remarked Miles to his companion.
+
+"Sure it's more like sun-dried they are," answered a voice at his side.
+Brown had gone to the shed to prepare his coffee and bread against the
+landing of the troops, and a stout Irishwoman had taken his place.
+Close to her stood the two ladies from the Institute with baskets on
+their arms.
+
+"You are right," returned Miles, with a smile; "they look like men who
+have seen service.  Is your husband among them?"
+
+"Faix, I'd be sorprised if he _was_," returned the woman; "for I left
+him in owld Ireland, in the only landed property he iver held in this
+world--six futt by two, an' five deep.  He's been in possession six
+years now, an' it wouldn't be aisy to drive him out o' that, anyhow.
+No, it's my son Terence I've come to look afther.  Och! there he is!
+Look, look, that's him close by the funnel!  Don't ye see 'im?  Blissins
+on his good-lookin' face!  Hooroo!  Terence--Terence Flynn, don't ye
+recognise yer owld mother?  Sure an' he does, though we haven't met for
+tin year.  My! hasn't he got the hair on his lips too--an' his cheeks
+are like shoe-leather--my darlint!"
+
+As the enthusiastic mother spoke in the tones of a public orator, there
+was a general laugh among those who were nearest to her; but she was
+forgotten immediately, for all were too deeply intent on their own
+interests to pay much regard to each other just then.
+
+The great vessel was slow in getting alongside and making fast to the
+jetty--slow at least in the estimation of the impatient--for although
+she might leap and career grandly in wanton playfulness while on her
+native billows, in port a careless touch from her ponderous sides would
+have crushed part of the jetty into fragments.  Miles therefore had
+ample time to look about him at the various groups around.
+
+One young woman specially attracted his attention, for she stood apart
+from every one, and seemed scarcely able to stand because of weakness.
+She was young and good-looking.  Her face, which was deadly pale,
+contrasted strongly with her glossy raven-black hair, and the character
+of her dress denoted extreme poverty.
+
+The ladies from the Institute had also observed this poor girl, and one
+of them, going to her side, quietly addressed her.  Miles, from the
+position in which he stood, could not avoid overhearing what was said.
+
+"Yes, Miss, I expect my husband," said the woman in answer to a
+question.  "He's coming home on sick-leave.  I had a letter from him a
+good while ago saying he was coming home in the _Orontes_."
+
+"I hope you will find that the sea air has done him good," said the
+lady, in that tone of unobtrusive sympathy which is so powerfully
+attractive,--especially to those who are in trouble.  "A sea voyage
+frequently has a wonderful effect in restoring invalids.  What is his
+name?"
+
+"Martin--Fred Martin.  He's a corporal now."
+
+"You have not recognised him yet, I suppose?"
+
+"Not yet, Miss," answered Mrs Martin, with an anxious look, and
+shivering slightly as she drew a thin worn shawl of many patches closer
+round her shoulders.  "But he wouldn't expect me to meet him, you see,
+knowing that I'm so poor, and live far from Portsmouth.  But I was so
+anxious, you see, Miss, that our kind Vicar gave me enough money to come
+down."
+
+"Where did you spend the night?" asked the lady, quickly.
+
+The poor woman hesitated, and at last said she had spent the night
+walking about the streets.
+
+"You see, Miss," she explained apologetically, "I didn't know a soul in
+the town, and I couldn't a-bear to go into any o' the public-houses;
+besides, I had no money, for the journey down took nearly all of it."
+
+"Oh, I am so sorry that you didn't know of our Institute," said the
+lady, with much sympathy in voice and look; "for we provide
+accommodation for soldiers' wives who come, like you, to meet their
+husbands returning from abroad, and we charge little, or even nothing,
+if they are too poor to pay."
+
+"Indeed, Miss!  I wish I had known of it.  But in the morning I had the
+luck to meet a policeman who directed me to a coffee-tavern in a place
+called Nobbs Lane--you'll not know it, Miss, for it's in a very poor
+part o' the town--where I got a breakfast of as much hot pea-soup and
+bread as I could eat for three-ha'pence, an' had a good rest beside the
+fire too.  They told me it was kept by a Miss Robinson.  God bless her
+whoever she is! for I do believe I should have been dead by now if I
+hadn't got the rest and the breakfast."
+
+The woman shivered again as she spoke, and drew the thin shawl still
+closer, for a sharp east wind was blowing over the jetty at the time.
+
+"Come with me; you are cold.  I know Nobbs Lane well.  We have a shed
+and fire here on the jetty to shelter people while waiting.  There, you
+need not fear to miss your husband, for the men won't land for a long
+time yet."
+
+"May I follow you, madam?" said Miles, stepping forward and touching his
+cap in what he supposed to be the deferential manner of a private
+soldier.  "I am interested in your work, and would like to see the shed
+you speak of."
+
+The lady looked up quickly at the tall young soldier who thus addressed
+her.
+
+"I saw you in the lobby of the Institute this morning, did I not?"
+
+"You did, madam.  I was waiting for a friend who is a frequenter of the
+Institute.  One of your own people brought me down here to see the
+arrival of the _Orontes_, and the coffee-shed; but I have lost him in
+the crowd, and know not where the shed is."
+
+"Here it is," returned the lady, pointing to an iron structure just
+behind them.  "You will find Mr Brown there busy with the coffee, and
+that small shed beside it is the shelter-room.  You are welcome to
+inspect all our buildings at any time."
+
+So saying, the lady led Mrs Martin into the shed last referred to, and
+Miles followed her.
+
+There was a small stove, in the solitary iron room of which the shed
+consisted, which diffused a genial warmth around.  Several soldiers'
+wives and female relatives were seated beside it, engaged in quieting
+refractory infants, or fitting a few woollen garments on children of
+various ages.  These garments had been brought from the Institute,
+chiefly for the purpose of supplying the wives and children returning
+from warmer climes to England; and one of them, a thick knitted shawl,
+was immediately presented to Mrs Martin as a gift, and placed round her
+shoulders by the lady's own hands.
+
+"You are _very_ kind, Miss," she said, an unbidden tear rolling down her
+cheek as she surveyed the garment and folded it over her breast.
+
+"Have you any children?" asked the lady.
+
+"None.  We had one--a dear baby boy," answered the young wife sadly,
+"born after his father left England.  God took him home when he was two
+years old.  His father never saw him; but we shall all meet again," she
+added, brightly, "in the better land."
+
+"Ah! it makes me glad to hear you say that God took him _home_.  Only
+the spirit of Jesus could make you regard heaven as the home where you
+are all to meet again.  Now I would advise you to sit here and keep warm
+till I go and make inquiry about your husband.  It is quite possible,
+you know, that he may be in the sick bay, and they won't let any one on
+board till the vessel is made fast.  You are quite sure, I suppose, that
+it was the _Orontes_ in which your husband said he was coming?"
+
+"Yes, quite sure."
+
+The lady had asked the question because a vague fear possessed her
+regarding the cause of the soldier's not having been seen looking
+eagerly over the side like the other men.
+
+Hurrying from the shed, with her basket on her arm, she made for the
+gangway, which had just been placed in position.  She was accompanied by
+her companion, also carrying her basket.  Miles took the liberty of
+following them closely, but not obviously, for he formed only one of a
+stream of men and women who pushed on board the instant that permission
+was given.
+
+While one of the ladies went in search of one of the chief officers, the
+other quietly and unobtrusively advanced among the returning warriors,
+and, opening her basket, drew therefrom and offered to each soldier an
+envelope containing one or two booklets and texts, and a hearty
+invitation to make free use of the Soldiers' Institute during their stay
+in Portsmouth.
+
+A most bewildering scene was presented on the deck of that great white
+vessel.  There were hundreds of soldiers in her, returning home after
+longer or shorter absences in China, India, the Cape, and other far-away
+parts of the earth.  Some were stalwart and bronzed by the southern sun;
+others were gaunt, weak, and cadaverous, from the effect of sickness,
+exposure, or wounds; but all were more or less excited at having once
+again set eyes on Old England, and at the near prospect of once more
+embracing wives, mothers, and sweethearts, and meeting with old friends.
+The continual noise of manly voices hailing, exclaiming, chaffing, or
+conversing, and the general babel of sounds is indescribable.  To Miles
+Milton, who had never before even imagined anything of the sort, it
+seemed more like a vivid dream than a reality.  He became so bewildered
+with trying to attend to everything at once that he lost sight of the
+shorter of the ladies, whom he was following, but, pushing ahead, soon
+found her again in the midst of a group of old friends--though still
+young soldiers--who had known the Institute before leaving for foreign
+service, and were eagerly inquiring after the health of Miss Robinson,
+and Tufnell the manager, and others.
+
+During his progress through this bustling scene, Miles observed that the
+soldiers invariably received the gifts from the lady with respect, and,
+many of them, with hearty expressions of thanks, while a few stopped her
+to speak about the contents of the envelopes.  So numerous were the men
+that the work had to be done with business-like celerity, but the
+visitor was experienced.  While wasting no time in useless delay, she
+never hurried her movements, or refused to stop and speak, or forced her
+way through the moving throng.  Almost unobserved, save by the men who
+chanced to be next to her, she glided in and out amongst them like a
+spirit of light--which, in the highest sense, she was--intent on her
+beneficent mission.  Her sole aim was to save the men from the
+tremendous dangers that awaited them on landing in Portsmouth, and bring
+them under Christian influence.
+
+Those dangers may be imagined when it is told that soldiers returning
+from abroad are often in possession of large sums of money, and that
+harpies of all kinds are eagerly waiting to plunder them on their
+arrival.  On one occasion a regiment came home, and in a few days
+squandered three thousand pounds in Portsmouth.  Much more might be said
+on this point, but enough has been indicated to move thoughtful minds--
+and our story waits.
+
+Suddenly the attention of Miles, and every one near him, was attracted
+by the loud Hibernian yell of a female voice exclaiming--
+
+"Oh, Terence, me darlin' son, here ye are; an' is it yersilf lookin'
+purtier a long way than the day ye left me; an' niver so much as a
+scratch on yer face for all the wars ye've bin in--bad luck to thim!"
+
+Need we say that this was Mrs Flynn?  In her anxiety to meet her son
+she had run against innumerable men and women, who remonstrated with her
+variously, according to temperament, without, however, the slightest
+effect.  Her wild career was not checked until she had flung herself
+into the arms of a tall, stalwart trooper with drooping moustache, who
+would have done credit to any nationality under the sun, and whose
+enthusiasm at the happy meeting with his mother was almost as
+demonstrative as her own, but more dignified.
+
+Others there were, however, whose case was very different.  One who came
+there to meet the strong healthy man, to whom she had said good-bye at
+the same spot several years before, received him back a worn and wasted
+invalid, upright still with the martial air of discipline, but feeble,
+and with something like the stamp of death upon his brow.  Another woman
+found her son, strong indeed and healthy, as of yore, but with an empty
+sleeve where his right arm should have been--his days of warfare over
+before his earthly sun had reached the zenith!
+
+Whilst Miles was taking note of these things, and moralising in spite of
+his distaste just then to that phase of mental occupation, the other
+lady of the Institute appeared and spoke hurriedly to her companion.
+
+"Go," she said, "tell Mrs Martin that her husband is _not_ on board the
+_Orontes_.  Let Tufnell, if he is at the shed, or our missionary, take
+her up to the Institute without delay.  Let them take this note to Miss
+Robinson at the same time."
+
+The younger lady looked inquiringly at her companion, but the latter
+pushed on hurriedly and was soon lost in the crowd, so she went at once
+on shore to obey her instructions.
+
+Being thus left to look after himself, Miles went about gazing at the
+varied, interesting, and curious scenes that the vessel presented.  No
+one took any notice of him, for he was only one soldier among hundreds,
+and so many people from the shore had been admitted by that time that
+strange faces attracted no attention.
+
+We have referred chiefly to soldiers' friends, but these, after all,
+formed a small minority of the visitors, many of whom were tradesmen of
+the town--tailors, shoemakers, and vendors of fancy articles--who had
+come down with their wares to tempt the returning voyagers to part with
+their superfluous cash.  Even in the midst of all the pushing and
+confusion, one man was seen trying on a pair of boots; near to him was a
+sailor, carefully inspecting a tailor's book of patterns with a view to
+shore-going clothes; while another, more prompt in action, was already
+being measured for a suit of the same.
+
+Descending to the 'tween-decks, our hero found that the confusion and
+noise there were naturally greater, the space being more limited and the
+noise confined.  There was the addition of bad air and disagreeable
+smells here; and Miles could not help reflecting on the prospect before
+him of long voyages under cramped circumstances, in the midst of similar
+surroundings.  But, being young and enthusiastic, he whispered to
+himself that he was not particular, and was ready to "rough it" in his
+country's cause!
+
+In a remarkably dark region to which he penetrated, he found himself in
+the women's quarters, the disagreeables of which were increased by the
+cries of discontented children, and the yells of inconsolable infants--
+some of whom had first seen the light of this world in the sad twilight
+of 'tween-decks!  Shrinking from that locality, Miles pursued his
+investigations, and gradually became aware that sundry parrots and other
+pets which the soldiers and sailors had brought home were adding their
+notes of discord to the chorus of sounds.
+
+While he was looking at, and attempting to pat, a small monkey, which
+received his advances with looks of astonished indignation, he became
+conscious of the fact that a number of eyes were looking down on him
+through a crevice at the top of a partition close to his side.
+
+"Who are these?" he asked of a sailor, who stood near him.
+
+"Why, them are the long-term men."
+
+"I suppose you mean prisoners?"
+
+"Yes; that's about it," replied the tar.  "Soldiers as has committed
+murder--or suthin' o' that sort--an' got twenty year or more for all I
+knows.  The other fellers further on there, in chains, is short-term
+men.  Bin an' done suthin' or other not quite so bad, I suppose."
+
+Miles advanced "further on," and found eight men seated on the deck and
+leaning against the bulkhead.  If his attention had not been drawn to
+them, he might have supposed they were merely resting, but a closer
+glance showed that they were all chained to an iron bar.  They did not
+seem very different from the other men around them, save that they were,
+most of them, stern and silent.
+
+A powerful feeling of compassion rose in our hero's breast as he looked
+at these moral wrecks of humanity; for their characters and prospects
+were ruined, though their physique was not much impaired.  It seemed to
+him such an awful home-coming, after, perhaps, long years of absence,
+thus, in the midst of all the bustle and joy of meetings and of pleasant
+anticipations, to be waiting there for the arrival of the prison-van,
+and looking forward to years of imprisonment instead of reunion with
+friends and kindred.
+
+At sight of them a thought sprang irresistibly into our hero's mind,
+"This is the result of wrong-doing!"
+
+His conscience was uncomfortably active and faithful that morning.
+Somehow it pointed out to him that wrong-doing was a long ladder; that
+the chained criminals before him had reached the foot; and that he stood
+on the topmost rung.  That was all the difference between them and
+himself--a difference of degree, not of principle.
+
+Pushing his way a little closer to these men, he found that his was not
+the only heart that pitied them.  His friend, the younger lady, was
+there speaking to them.  He could not hear what she said, for the noise
+drowned her voice; but her earnest, eager look and her gesticulations
+told well enough that she was pointing them to the Saviour of sinners--
+with what effect, of course, he could not tell, but it was evident that
+the prisoners at least gave her their attention.
+
+Leaving her thus engaged, Miles continued for a considerable time his
+progress through the ship.  Afterwards he observed, by a movement among
+the men, that a detachment was about to land.  Indeed he found that some
+of the soldiers had already landed, and were making their way to the
+coffee-shed.
+
+Following these quickly to the same place, he found that innumerable
+cups of hot coffee and solid slices of bread and butter were being
+served out as fast as they could be filled and cut.  A large hole or
+window opened in the side of the shed, the shutter of which was hinged
+at the bottom, and when let down formed a convenient counter.
+
+Behind this counter stood the two ubiquitous ladies of the Institute
+acting the part of barmaids, as if to the manner born, and with the same
+business-like, active, yet modest, ready-for-anything air which marked
+all their proceedings.
+
+And truly their post was no sinecure.  To supply the demands of hundreds
+of hungry and thirsty warriors was not child's-play.  Inside the shed,
+Miles found his friend Brown busy with a mighty caldron of hot water,
+numerous packets of coffee, and immense quantities of sugar and
+preserved milk.  Brown was the fountain-head.  The ladies were the
+distributing pipes--if we may say so; and although the fountain produced
+can after can of the coveted liquid with amazing rapidity, and with a
+prodigality of material that would have made the hair of a private
+housewife stand on end, it was barely possible to keep pace with the
+demand.
+
+At a large table one of the missionaries of the Institute cut up and
+buttered loaves at a rate which gave the impression that he was a
+conjurer engaged in a species of sleight-of-hand.  The butter, however,
+troubled him, for, the weather being cold, it was hard, and would not
+spread easily.  To overcome this he put a pound or so of it on a plate
+beside the boiler-fire to soften.  Unfortunately, he temporarily forgot
+it, and on afterwards going for it, found that it had been reduced to a
+yellow liquid.  However, hungry soldiers, rejoicing in the fact of
+having at last reached home, are not particular.  Some of them,
+unaccustomed, no doubt, to be served by ladies, asked for their supply
+deferentially, accepted it politely, and drank it with additional
+appreciation.
+
+"We want more, Brown," said one of the ladies, glancing back over her
+shoulder as she poured out the last drop from her large jug; "and more
+buns and bread, please."
+
+"Here you are, Miss," cried Brown, who was warm by that time in spite of
+the weather, as he bore his brimming and steaming pitcher to the
+window--or hole in the wall--and replenished the jugs.  "The buns are
+all done, an' the bread won't hold out long, but I've sent for more; it
+won't be long.  I see we shall need several more brews," he added, as he
+turned again towards the inexhaustible boiler.
+
+"Shall I assist you?" said Miles, stepping into the shed and seizing a
+loaf and a knife.
+
+"Thank you.  Go ahead," said Brown.
+
+"Put another lump of butter near the fire," said the missionary to our
+hero; "not too close.  I melted the last lump altogether."
+
+"A cup o' coffee for my Terence, an' wan for mesilf, my dear," exclaimed
+a loud voice outside.
+
+There was no mistaking the speaker.  Some of the men who crowded round
+the counter laughed, others partially choked, when the strapping Terence
+said in a hoarse whisper, "Whist, mother, be civil; don't ye see that
+it's ladies, no less, is sarvin' of us?"
+
+"Please, ma'am, can I 'ave some coffee?" asked a modest soldier's wife,
+who looked pale and weary after the long voyage, with three children to
+look after.
+
+A cup was promptly supplied, and three of the newly-arrived buns stopped
+the mouths of her clamorous offspring.
+
+"Can ye give me a cup o' tea?" demanded another soldier's wife, who was
+neither so polite nor so young as the previous applicant.
+
+It is probable that the ladies did not observe the nature of her demand,
+else they would doubtless have explained that they had no tea, but a cup
+of coffee was silently handed to her.
+
+"Ah! this is _real_ home-tea, this is," she said, smacking her lips
+after the first sip.  "A mighty difference 'tween this an' what we've
+bin used to in the ship."
+
+"Yes, indeed," assented her companion.  Whether it was tea she had been
+accustomed to drink on board the troop-ship we cannot tell, but probably
+she was correct as to the "mighty difference."  It may be that the
+beverages supplied in foreign lands had somewhat damaged the power of
+discrimination as to matters of taste in these soldiers' wives.  At all
+events an incident which occurred about the same time justifies this
+belief.
+
+"Mr Miles," said the missionary, pausing a moment to wipe his brow in
+the midst of his labours, "will you fetch the butter now?"
+
+Miles turned to obey with alacrity--with too much alacrity, indeed, for
+in his haste he knocked the plate over, and sent the lump of butter into
+the last prepared "brew" of coffee!
+
+"Hallo!  I say!" exclaimed Brown, in consternation.  "More coffee,
+Brown," demanded the ladies simultaneously, at that inauspicious moment.
+
+"Yes, Miss, I--I'm coming--directly," cried Brown.
+
+"Do be quick, please!"
+
+"What's to be done?" said Brown, making futile endeavours to fish out
+the slippery mass with the stirring-stick.
+
+"Shove it down and stir it well about," suggested Miles.
+
+Whether conscience was inoperative at that moment we know not, but Brown
+acted on the suggestion, and briskly amalgamated the butter with the
+coffee, while the crowd at the port-hole politely but continuously
+demanded more.
+
+"Don't be in a 'urry, Tom," cried a corporal, removing his pith helmet
+in order to run his fingers through his hair; "it's a 'eavenly state o'
+things now to what it was a few years ago, w'en we an' our poor wives
+'ad to sit 'ere for hours in the heat or cold, wet or dry, without
+shelter, or a morsel to eat, or a drop to drink, till we got away up
+town to the grog-shops."
+
+"Well, this _is_ civilisation at last!" remarked a handsome and hearty
+young fellow, who had apparently been ignorant of the treat in store for
+him, and who sauntered up to the shed just as the butter-brew was
+beginning to be served out.
+
+"Why, I declare, it's chocolate!" exclaimed one of the women, who had
+been already served with a cup, and had resolved to "go in," as she
+said, for another pennyworth.
+
+"So it is.  My! ain't it nice?" said her companion, smacking her lips.
+
+Whether the soldiers fell into the same mistake, or were too polite to
+take notice of it, we cannot tell, for they drank it without comment,
+and with evident satisfaction, like men of simple tastes and uncritical
+minds.
+
+We turn now to a very different scene.
+
+In one of the private sitting-rooms of the Institute sat poor young Mrs
+Martin, the very embodiment of blank despair.  The terrible truth that
+her husband had died, and been buried at sea, had been gently and
+tenderly broken to her by Miss Robinson.
+
+At first the poor girl could not--would not--believe it.  Then, as the
+truth gradually forced itself into her brain, she subsided into a
+tearless, expressionless, state of quiescence that seemed to indicate a
+mind unhinged.  In this state she remained for some time, apparently
+unconscious of the kind words of Christian love that were addressed to
+her.
+
+At last she seemed to rouse herself and gazed wildly round the room.
+
+"Let me go," she said.  "I will find him somewhere.  Don't hinder me,
+please."
+
+"But you cannot go anywhere till you have had food and rest, dear
+child," said her sympathetic comforter, laying her hand gently on the
+girl's arm.  "Come with me."
+
+She sought to lead her away, but the girl shook her off.
+
+"No," she exclaimed, starting up hastily, so that the mass of her dark
+hair fell loose upon her shoulders, contrasting forcibly with the dead
+whiteness of her face and lips.  "No.  I cannot go with you.  Fred will
+be getting impatient.  D'you think I'll ever believe it?  Dead and
+buried in the sea?  Never!"
+
+Even while she spoke, the gasp in her voice, and the pressure of both
+hands on her poor heart, told very plainly that the young widow did
+indeed believe it.
+
+"Oh! may God Himself comfort you, dear child," said the lady, taking her
+softly by the hand.  "Come--come with me."
+
+Mrs Martin no longer refused.  Her spirit, which had flashed up for a
+moment, seemed to collapse, and without another word of remonstrance she
+meekly suffered herself to be guided to a private room, where she was
+put to bed.
+
+She never rose from that bed.  Friendless, and without means, she would
+probably have perished in the streets, or in one of the dens of
+Portsmouth, had she not been led to this refuge.  As it was, they nursed
+her there, and did all that human skill and Christian love could devise;
+but her heart was broken.  Towards the end she told them, in a faint
+voice, that her Fred had been stationed at Alexandria, and that while
+there he had been led to put his trust in the Saviour.  She knew nothing
+of the details.  All these, and much more, she had expected to hear from
+his own lips.
+
+"But he will tell me all about it soon, thank God!" were the last words
+she uttered as she turned her eyes gratefully on the loving strangers
+who had found and cared for her in the dark day of her calamity.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+DIFFICULTIES MET AND OVERCOME.
+
+Miles and his friend Brown, after their work at the jetty, had chanced
+to return to the Institute at the moment referred to in the last
+chapter, when the poor young widow, having become resigned, had been led
+through the passage to her bedroom.  Our hero happened to catch sight of
+her face, and it made a very powerful impression on him--an impression
+which was greatly deepened afterwards on hearing of her death.
+
+In the reception-room he found Armstrong still in earnest conversation
+with his wife.
+
+"Hallo, Armstrong! still here?  Have you been sitting there since I left
+you?" he asked, with a smile and look of surprise.
+
+"Oh no!" answered his friend; "not all the time.  We have been out
+walking about town, and we have had dinner here--an excellent feed, let
+me tell you, and cheap too.  But where did you run off to?"
+
+"Sit down and I'll tell you," said Miles.
+
+Thereupon he related all about his day's experiences.  When he had
+finished, Armstrong told him that his own prospect of testing the merits
+of a troop-ship were pretty fair, as he was ordered for inspection on
+the following day.
+
+"So you see," continued the young soldier, "if you are accepted--as you
+are sure to be--you and I will go out together in the same vessel."
+
+"I'm glad to hear that, anyhow," returned Miles.
+
+"And _I_ am very glad too," said little Emily, with a beaming smile,
+"for Willie has told me about you, Mr Miles; and how you first met and
+took a fancy to each other; and it _will_ be so nice to think that
+there's somebody to care about my Willie when he is far away from me."
+
+The little woman blushed and half-laughed, and nearly cried as she said
+this, for she felt that it was rather a bold thing to say to a stranger,
+and yet she had such a strong desire to mitigate her husband's
+desolation when absent from her that she forcibly overcame her modesty.
+"And I want you to do me a favour, Mr Miles," she added.
+
+"I'll do it with pleasure," returned our gallant hero.
+
+"I want you to call him Willie," said the little woman, blushing and
+looking down.
+
+"Certainly I will--if your husband permits me."
+
+"You see," she continued, "I want him to keep familiar with the name
+I've been used to call him--for comrades will call him Armstrong, I
+suppose, and--"
+
+"Oh!  Emmy," interrupted the soldier reproachfully, "do you think I
+require to be _kept in remembrance_ of that name?  Won't your voice,
+repeating it, haunt me day and night till the happy day when I meet you
+again on the Portsmouth jetty, or may-hap in this very room?"
+
+Miles thought, when he heard this speech, of the hoped-for meeting
+between poor Mrs Martin and her Fred; and a feeling of profound sadness
+crept over him as he reflected how many chances there were against their
+ever again meeting in this world.  Naturally these thoughts turned his
+mind to his own case.  His sinful haste in quitting home, and the agony
+of his mother on finding that he was really gone, were more than ever
+impressed on him, but again the fatal idea that what was done could not
+be undone, coupled with pride and false shame, kept him firm to his
+purpose.
+
+That evening, in barracks, Miles was told by his company sergeant to
+hold himself in readiness to appear before the doctor next morning for
+inspection as to his physical fitness for active service in Egypt.
+
+Our hero was by this time beginning to find out that the life of a
+private soldier, into which he had rushed, was a very different thing
+indeed from that of an officer--to which he had aspired.  Here again
+pride came to his aid--in a certain sense,--for if it could not
+reconcile him to his position, it at all events closed his mouth, and
+made him resolve to bear the consequences of his act like a man.
+
+In the morning he had to turn out before daylight, and with a small band
+of men similarly situated, to muster in the drill-shed a little after
+eight.  Thence they marched to the doctor's quarters.
+
+It was an anxious ordeal for all of them; for, like most young soldiers,
+they were enthusiastically anxious to go on active service, and there
+was, of course, some uncertainty as to their passing the examination.
+
+The first man called came out of the inspection room with a beaming
+countenance, saying that he was "all right," which raised the hopes and
+spirits of the rest; but the second appeared after inspection with a
+woe-begone countenance which required no interpretation.  No reason was
+given for his rejection; he was simply told that it would be better for
+him not to go.
+
+Miles was the third called.
+
+As he presented himself, the doctor yawned vociferously, as if he felt
+that the hour for such work was unreasonably early.  Then he looked at
+his subject with the critical air of a farmer inspecting a prize ox.
+
+"How old are you?" he asked.
+
+"Nineteen, sir."
+
+"Are you married?"
+
+Miles smiled.
+
+"Did you hear me?" asked the doctor sharply.  "You don't need to smile.
+Many a boy as long-legged and as young as you is fool enough to marry.
+Are you married?"
+
+Miles flushed, looked suddenly stern, squared his shoulders, drew
+himself up with an air that implied, "You won't catch _me_ tripping
+again;" and said firmly, yet quite respectfully--
+
+"No, sir."
+
+The doctor here took another good look at his subject, with a meaning
+twinkle in his eye, as if he felt that he had touched a tender point.
+Then he felt his victim's pulse, sounded his chest, and ordered him to
+strip.  Being apparently satisfied with the result of his examination,
+he asked him if he "felt all right."
+
+Reflecting that his mother had often told him he was made up of body,
+soul, and spirit, and that in regard to the latter two he was rather
+hazy, Miles felt strongly inclined for a moment to say, "Certainly not,"
+but, thinking better of it, he answered, "Yes, sir," with decision.
+
+"Have you anything to complain of?" asked the doctor.
+
+The mind of our hero was what we may style rapidly reflective.  In
+regard to the decrees of Fate, things in general, and his father's
+conduct in particular, he had a decided wish to complain, but again he
+laid restraint on himself and said, "No, sir."
+
+"And do you wish to go to Egypt?"
+
+"Yes, sir!" was answered with prompt decision.
+
+"Then you may go," said the doctor, turning away with an air of a man
+who dismisses a subject from his mind.
+
+When all the men had thus passed the medical examination, those of them
+who were accepted mustered their bags and kits before Captain Lacey,
+commander of the company to which they were attached, and those who
+wanted anything were allowed to draw it from the stores.
+
+Captain Lacey was a fine specimen of a British soldier--grave, but kind
+in expression and in heart; tall, handsome, powerful, about thirty years
+of age, with that urbanity of manner which wins affection at first
+sight, and that cool, quiet decision of character which inspires
+unlimited confidence.
+
+As the troop-ship which was to convey them to Egypt was to start sooner
+than had been intended, there was little time for thought during the few
+hours in England that remained to the regiment.  The men had to draw
+their pith helmets, and fit the ornaments thereon; then go the
+quartermaster's stores to be fitted with white clothing, after which
+they had to parade before the Colonel, fully arrayed in the martial
+habiliments which were needful in tropical climes.  Besides these
+matters there were friends to be seen, in some cases relatives to be
+parted from, and letters innumerable to be written.  Miles Milton was
+among those who, on the last day in Portsmouth, attempted to write home.
+He had been taken by Sergeant Gilroy the previous night to one of the
+Institute entertainments in the great hall.  The Sergeant had tried to
+induce him to go to the Bible-class with him, but Miles was in no mood
+for that at the time, and he was greatly relieved to find that neither
+the Sergeant nor any of the people of the Institute annoyed him by
+thrusting religious matters on his attention.  Food, lodging, games,
+library, baths, Bible-classes, prayer-meetings, entertainments were all
+there to be used or let alone as he chose; perfect freedom of action
+being one of the methods by which it was sought to render the place
+attractive to the soldiers.
+
+But although Miles at once refused to go to the class, he had no
+objection to go to the entertainment.
+
+It was a curious mixture of song, recitation, addresses, and readings,
+in which many noble sentiments were uttered, and not a few humorous
+anecdotes and incidents related.  It was presided over by Tufnell, the
+manager, a soldierly-looking man, who had himself originally been in the
+army, and who had, for many years, been Miss Robinson's right-hand man.
+There could not have been fewer than a thousand people in the hall, a
+large proportion of whom were red-coats and blue-jackets, the rest being
+civilians; and the way in which these applauded the sentiments, laughed
+at the humour, and rejoiced in the music, showed that the provision for
+their amusement was thoroughly appreciated.
+
+Whether it was the feeling of good-fellowship and sympathy that pervaded
+the meeting, or some word that was dropped at a venture and found root
+in his heart, Miles could not tell, but certain it is that at that
+entertainment he formed the resolution to write home before leaving.
+Not that he had yet repented of the step he had taken, but he was sorry
+for the manner in which he had done so, and for allowing so much time to
+elapse that now the opportunity of seeing his parents before starting
+was lost.
+
+As it was impossible for him to write his letter in the noise of the
+barrack-room, he went off next day to the reading-room of the Institute,
+and there, with no other sounds to disturb him than the deep breathing
+of some studious red-coats, and the chirping pen of a comrade engaged
+like himself, he began to write.
+
+But his thoughts somehow would not work.  His pen would not write.  He
+even fancied that it had a sort of objection to spell.  So it had, when
+not properly guided by his hesitating hand.  The first part went
+swimmingly enough:--
+
+  "Dearest mother,
+  I'm so sorry--"
+
+But here he stopped, for the memory of his father's severity re-aroused
+his indignation, and he felt some doubt as to whether he really was
+sorry.  Then, under the impulse of this doubt, he wrote a long letter,
+in imagination, in which he defended his conduct pretty warmly, on the
+ground that he had been driven to it.
+
+"Driven to what?" asked Something within him.  "To the course which I
+have taken and am now defending," replied Something-else within him
+hotly.
+
+"Then the course was a wrong one, else you wouldn't have to defend it!"
+rejoined the first Something.
+
+"Well--yes--n-no, it wasn't," returned the second Something doggedly.
+
+Before this internal dispute could be carried further, Miles was aroused
+by a sudden burst of noisy voices, as if a lunatic asylum had been let
+loose into the hall below.  Rising quickly, he hurried down with his
+studious comrades to see what it could be all about.
+
+"It's only another troop-ship come in, and they've all come up here
+without giving us warning to get ready," said Tufnell, as he bustled
+about, endeavouring to introduce order into what appeared to Miles to be
+the reproduction of Babel, _minus_ the bricks.
+
+The fact was that a troop-ship having arrived rather suddenly, a
+sergeant had driven up in hot haste from the docks to make arrangements
+for the reception of the soldiers' wives and children!
+
+"Look sharp!" he cried, on entering the hall abruptly; "sixteen families
+are on their way to you."
+
+"All right; we can take 'em in," was the prompt reply; and orders were
+given to set the food-producing machinery of the establishment instantly
+in motion.  But almost before the preparation had fairly begun, the
+advance-guard of the army, largely composed of infantry, burst upon them
+like a thunder-clap, and continued to pour in like a torrent.  There
+were men shouting, women chattering, tired children whining, and excited
+children laughing; babies yelling or crowing miscellaneously; parrots
+screaming; people running up and down stairs in search of dormitories;
+plates and cups clattering at the bar, as the overwhelmed barmaids did
+their best to appease the impatient and supply the hungry; while the
+rumbling of control-wagons bringing up the baggage formed a sort of bass
+accompaniment to the concert.
+
+"You see, it varies with us a good deal," remarked Brown to Miles,
+during a lucid interval, "Sometimes we are almost empty, a few hours
+later we are overflowing.  It comes hard on the housekeeper, of course.
+But we lay our account wi' that, and, do you know, it is wonderful what
+can be done in trying circumstances, when we lay our account wi' them!--
+Yes, Miss, it's all ready!" shouted the speaker, in reply to a soft
+female voice that came down the wide staircase, as it were, over the
+heads of the turbulent crowd.
+
+In a moment he disappeared, and Tufnell stood, as if by magic, in his
+place.
+
+"Yes," said the manager, taking up his discourse where the other had
+left off; "and in a few minutes you'll see that most of these wives and
+children of the soldiers will be distributed through the house in their
+bed-rooms, when our ladies will set to work to make acquaintance with
+them; and then we'll open our stores of warm clothing, of which the poor
+things, coming as they do from warm climates, are often nearly or quite
+destitute."
+
+"But where do you get these supplies from?" asked Miles.
+
+"From kind-hearted Christians throughout the country, who send us gifts
+of old and new garments, boots and shoes, shawls and socks, etcetera,
+which we have always in readiness to meet sudden demands; and I may add
+that the demands are pretty constant.  Brown told you just now that we
+have varied experience.  I remember once we got a message from the
+Assistant Quartermaster-General's office to ask how many women and
+children we could accommodate, as a shipful was expected.  We replied
+that we could take 140, and set to work with preparations.  After all,
+only one woman came!  To-day we expected nobody, and--you see what we
+have got!"
+
+The genial countenance of the manager beamed with satisfaction.  It was
+evident that "what he had got" did not at all discompose him, as he
+hurried away to look after his flock, while the originator--the heart
+and soul of all this--although confined to her room at that time with
+spine complaint, and unable to take part in the active work, as she had
+been wont to do in years gone by, heard in her chamber the softened
+sound of the human storm, and was able to thank God that her Soldiers'
+Institute was fulfilling its destiny.
+
+"Hallo!  Miles!" exclaimed Armstrong, over the heads of the crowd; "I've
+been looking for you everywhere.  D'you know we run a chance of being
+late?  Come along, quick!"
+
+Our hero, who, in his interest in the scene, had forgotten the flight of
+time, hurried out after his comrade as the band struck up "Home, sweet
+Home," and returned to barracks, utterly oblivious of the fact that he
+had left the unfinished letter to his mother on the table in the
+reading-room.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+THE UNFINISHED LETTER--TOO LATE!
+
+Next morning young Milton--or, as he was called by his comrades, John
+Miles--rose with the depressing thought that it was to be his last day
+in England.  As he was dressing, it flashed across him that he had left
+his unfinished letter on the reading-room table, and, concluding that it
+would be swept away in the rush of people there--at all events that, not
+having been folded or addressed, it could not be posted--his depression
+was deepened.
+
+The first thing that roused him to a better frame of mind was the smell
+of tea!
+
+Most people are more or less familiar with teapots; with the few
+teaspoonfuls of the precious leaf which thrifty housekeepers put into
+these pots, and the fragrant liquid that results.  But who among
+civilians, (save the informed), can imagine a barrack-room teapot?
+
+Open your ears, O ye thrifty ones! while we state a few facts, and there
+will be no need to tell you to open your eyes.
+
+Into the teapot which supplied Miles with his morning cup there was put,
+for _one_ making, eight pounds of tea!--not ounces, observe, but
+pounds,--twenty-nine pounds of sugar, and six gallons--an absolute
+cowful--of milk!  The pot itself consisted of eight enormous coppers,
+which were filled with boiling water to the brim.
+
+"Yes, sir," remarked the military cook, who concocted the beverage, to a
+speechless visitor one day; "it _is_ a pretty extensive brew; but then,
+you see, we have a large family!"
+
+A considerable portion of this large family was soon actively engaged in
+preparation for immediate embarkation for Egypt.  Then the General made
+the men a farewell speech.  It was a peculiar speech--not altogether
+suited to cheer timid hearts, had any such been there, but admirably
+adapted to British soldiers.
+
+"Men," said he, "I am very glad to see you parade looking so well and
+clean and comfortable and ready for active service.  You will be dirty
+enough, sometimes, where you are going, for the country is hot and
+unhealthy, and not over clean.  You will have hardships, hard times, and
+plenty of hard work, as well as hard beds now and then, and very likely
+the most of you will never come back again; but you would be unworthy of
+the name of British soldiers if you allowed such thoughts to trouble
+your minds.  I sincerely express the hope, however, that you will all
+come home again safe and sound.  I have not the slightest doubt that
+every man of you will do his duty in the field faithfully and well; but
+I'm not so sure of your wisdom in camp and barracks, so I will give you
+a word of advice.  There is far more danger in getting drunk in hot
+countries than in England.  Let me advise you, then, not to get drunk;
+and I would warn you particularly against the vile stuff they will offer
+for sale in Egypt.  It is rank poison.  If you had stomachs lined with
+brass you might perhaps stand it--not otherwise.  Then I would warn you
+against the sun.  In Egypt the sun is sometimes like a fiery furnace.
+Never expose yourself when you can avoid doing so, and, above all, never
+go outside your tents without your helmets on.  If you do, you'll repent
+it, and repentance will probably come too late.  I wish you all a
+prosperous voyage, and may God keep you all!"
+
+Delivered in a sharp, stern, unsentimental tone, this brief speech had
+probably a much more powerful effect on the men than a more elaborate
+exhortation would have had.  The impression was deepened by the remarks
+of an old officer, who made a very brief, soldierly speech after the
+General, winding up with the information that he had himself been in
+Egypt, and assuring them that if they did not take care of themselves
+there was little chance of a man of them returning alive!
+
+"May you have a pleasant passage out," he said, in conclusion; "and, in
+the name of the Portsmouth Division, I wish you victory in all your
+battles, and a hearty good-bye."
+
+The men who were not going away were then called on to give their
+departing friends three cheers, which they did with right good-will.
+Captain Lacey, who was in charge of the detachment, stepped to the
+front, drew his sword, gave the order to shoulder arms, form fours,
+right turn, quick march, and away they went with the united bands of two
+regiments playing "The girl I left behind me!"
+
+The girls they were about to leave behind them were awaiting them at the
+barrack-gates, with a considerable sprinkling of somewhat older girls to
+keep them company.  Many of the poor creatures were in tears for the men
+whom they might never see again, and lumps in several manly throats
+rather interfered with the parting cheer delivered by the detachment at
+the gate.  Most of them accompanied the soldiers as far as the Dockyard
+gates.  Emily Armstrong was not among them.  She had parted the previous
+night from her husband at his earnest request, and returned by rail to
+her father's house, there to await, as patiently as she might, the
+return of her "Willie."
+
+"Noble defenders of our country!" observed an enthusiastic citizen, as
+they passed through the gates.
+
+"Food for powder," remarked a sarcastic publican, as he turned away to
+resume his special work of robbing powder of its food and his country of
+its defenders.
+
+Proceeding to the Embarkation Jetty, the detachment was marched on board
+the troop-ship, where the men were at once told off to their respective
+messes, and proceeded without delay to make themselves at home by taking
+possession of their allotted portion of the huge white-painted fabric
+that was to bear them over the waves to distant lands.
+
+Taking off their belts and stowing them overhead, they got hold of their
+bags, exchanged their smart uniforms for old suits of clothes, and
+otherwise prepared themselves for the endurance of life on board a
+transport.
+
+To his great satisfaction, Miles found that several of the comrades for
+whom he had by that time acquired a special liking, were appointed to
+the same mess with himself.  Among these were his friend Willie
+Armstrong, Sergeants Gilroy and Hardy, Corporal Flynn, a private named
+Gaspard Redgrave, who was a capital musician, and had a magnificent
+tenor voice, Robert Macleod, a big-boned Scotsman, and Moses Pyne, a
+long-legged, cadaverous nondescript, who was generally credited with
+being half-mad, though with a good deal of method in his madness, and
+who was possessed of gentleness of spirit, and a cheerful readiness to
+oblige, which seemed a flat contradiction of his personal appearance,
+and rendered him a general favourite.
+
+While these were busy arranging their quarters a soldier passed with
+several books in his hand, which he had just received from one of the
+ladies from the Institute.
+
+"Hallo, Jack!" cried Moses Pyne; "have the ladies been aboard?"
+
+"Of course they have.  They've been all over the ship already
+distributin' books an' good-byes.  If you want to see 'em you'll have to
+look sharp, Moses, for they're just goin' on shore."
+
+"See 'em!" echoed Moses; "of course I wants to see 'em.  But for them,
+I'd be--"
+
+The rest of the sentence was lost in the clatter of Moses' feet as he
+stumbled up the ladder-way.  Remembering his letter at that moment,
+Miles followed him, and reached the gangway just as the visitors were
+leaving.
+
+"Excuse me," he said to one of them, stopping her.
+
+"Oh!  I'm so glad to have found you," she said.
+
+"I have been looking for you everywhere.  Miss Robinson sent you this
+little parcel of books, with her best wishes, and hopes that you will
+read them."
+
+"Thanks, very much.  I will, with pleasure.  And will you do me a
+favour?  I left a letter on the reading-room table--"
+
+A sudden and peremptory order of some sort caused a rush which separated
+Miles from the visitor and cut short the sentence, and the necessity for
+the immediate departure of all visitors rendered its being finished
+impossible.
+
+But Miss Robinson's representative did not require to be told that a
+forgotten letter could only want posting.  On returning, therefore, to
+the Institute, she went at once to the reading-room, where she found no
+letter!  Making inquiry, she learned from one of the maids that a sheet
+of paper had been found with nothing on it but the words, "Dearest
+mother, I'm so sorry"; and that the same had been duly conveyed to Miss
+Robinson's room.  Hasting to the apartment of her friend, she knocked,
+and was bidden enter.
+
+"You have got an unfinished letter, it seems?" she began.
+
+"Yes; here it is," interrupted Miss Robinson, handing the sheet to her
+assistant.  "What a pity that it gives no clew to the writer--no
+address!"
+
+"I am pretty sure as to the writer," returned the other.  "It must have
+been that fine-looking young soldier, John Miles, of whom we have seen a
+little and heard so much from Sergeant Gilroy."
+
+Hereupon an account was given of the hurried and interrupted meeting on
+board the troop-ship; and the two ladies came to the conclusion that as
+nothing was known about the parents or former residence of John Miles no
+steps of any kind were possible.  The letter was therefore carefully put
+by.
+
+That same evening there alighted at the railway station in Portsmouth an
+elderly lady with an expression of great anxiety on her countenance, and
+much perturbation in her manner.
+
+"Any luggage, ma'am?" asked a sympathetic porter--for railway porters
+are sometimes more sympathetic than might be expected of men so much
+accustomed to witness abrupt and tender partings.
+
+"No; no luggage.  Yes--a small valise--in the carriage.  That's it."
+
+"Four-wheeler, ma'am?"
+
+"Eh! no--yes--yes."
+
+"Where to, ma'am?" asked the sympathetic porter, after the lady was
+seated in the cab.
+
+"Where to?" echoed Mrs Milton, (for it was she), in great distress.
+"Oh! where--where shall I drive to?"
+
+"Really, ma'am, I couldn't say," answered the porter, with a modest
+look.
+
+"I've--I--my son!  My dear boy!  Where shall I go to inquire?  Oh! what
+_shall_ I do?"
+
+These would have been perplexing utterances even to an unsympathetic
+man.
+
+Turning away from the window, and looking up at the driver, the porter
+said solemnly--
+
+"To the best 'otel you know of, cabby, that's not too dear.  An' if
+you've bin gifted with compassion, cabby, don't overcharge your fare."
+
+Accepting the direction, and exercising his discretion as well as his
+compassion, that intelligent cabby drove, strange to say, straight to an
+hotel styled the "Officers' House," which is an offshoot of Miss
+Robinson's Institute, and stands close beside it!
+
+"A hofficer's lady," said the inventive cabby to the boy who opened the
+door.  "Wants to putt up in this 'ere 'ouse."
+
+When poor Mrs Milton had calmed her feelings sufficiently to admit of
+her talking with some degree of coherence, she rang the bell and sent
+for the landlord.
+
+Mr Tufnell, who was landlord of the Officers' House, as well as manager
+of the Institute, soon presented himself, and to him the poor lady
+confided her sorrows.
+
+"You see, landlord," she said, whimpering, "I don't know a soul in
+Portsmouth; and--and--in fact I don't even know how I came to your
+hotel, for I never heard of it before; but I think I must have been sent
+here, for I see from your looks that you will help me."
+
+"You may depend on my helping you to the best of my power, madam.  May I
+ask what you would have me do?"
+
+With much earnestness, and not a few tears, poor Mrs Milton related as
+much of her son's story as she thought necessary.
+
+"Well, you could not have come to a better place," said Tufnell, "for
+Miss Robinson and all her helpers sympathise deeply with soldiers.  If
+any one can find out about your son, _they_ can.  How were you led to
+suspect that he had come to Portsmouth?"
+
+"A friend suggested that he might possibly have done so.  Indeed, it
+seems natural, considering my dear boy's desire to enter the army, and
+the number of soldiers, who are always passing through this town."
+
+"Well, I will go at once and make inquiry.  The name Milton is not
+familiar to me, but so many come and go that we sometimes forget names."
+
+When poor Mrs Milton was afterwards introduced to Miss Robinson, she
+found her both sympathetic and anxious to do her utmost to gain
+information about her missing son, but the mother's graphic descriptions
+of him did not avail much.  The fact that he was young, tall, handsome,
+curly-haired, etcetera, applied to so many of the defenders of the
+country as to be scarcely distinctive enough; but when she spoke of "My
+dear Miles," a new light was thrown on the matter.  She was told that a
+young soldier answering to the description of her son had been there
+recently, but that his surname--not his Christian name--was Miles.
+Would she recognise his handwriting?
+
+"Recognise it?" exclaimed Mrs Milton, in a blaze of sudden hope.  "Ay,
+that I would; didn't I teach him every letter myself?  Didn't he insist
+on making his down-strokes crooked? and wasn't my heart almost broken
+over his square O's?"
+
+While the poor mother was speaking, the unfinished letter was laid
+before her, and the handwriting at once recognised.
+
+"That's his!  Bless him!  And he's sorry.  Didn't I say he would be
+sorry?  Didn't I tell his father so?  Darling Miles, I--"
+
+Here the poor creature broke down, and wept at the thought of her
+repentant son.  It was well, perhaps, that the blow was thus softened,
+for she almost fell on the floor when her new friend told her, in the
+gentlest possible manner, that Miles had that very day set sail for
+Egypt.
+
+They kept her at the Institute that night, however, and consoled her
+much, as well as aroused her gratitude, by telling of the good men who
+formed part of her son's regiment; and of the books and kind words that
+had been bestowed on him at parting; and by making the most they could
+of the good hope that the fighting in Egypt would soon be over, and that
+her son would ere long return to her, God willing, sound and well.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+MILES BEGINS TO DISCOVER HIMSELF--HAS A FEW ROUGH EXPERIENCES--AND FALLS
+INTO PEA-SOUP, SALT-WATER, AND LOVE.
+
+While his mother was hunting for him in Portsmouth, Miles Milton was
+cleaving his way through the watery highway of the world, at the rate of
+fifteen knots.
+
+He was at the time in that lowest condition of misery, mental and
+physical, which is not unfrequently the result of "a chopping sea in the
+Channel."  It seemed to him, just then, an unbelievable mystery how he
+could, at any time, have experienced pleasure at the contemplation of
+food!  The heaving of the great white ship was nothing to the heaving--
+well, it may perhaps be wiser to refrain from particulars; but he felt
+that the beating of the two thousand horse-power engines--more or less--
+was child's-play to the throbbing of his brain!
+
+"And this," he thought, in the bitterness of his soul, "this is what I
+have sacrificed home, friends, position, prospects in life for!  This
+is--soldiering!"
+
+The merest shadow of the power to reason--if such a shadow had been
+left--might have convinced him that that was _not_ soldiering; that, as
+far as it went, it was not even sailoring!
+
+"You're very bad, I fear," remarked a gentle voice at the side of his
+hammock.
+
+Miles looked round.  It was good-natured, lanky, cadaverous Moses Pyne.
+
+"Who told you I was bad?" asked Miles savagely, putting a wrong--but too
+true--interpretation on the word.
+
+"The colour of your cheeks tells me, poor fellow!"
+
+"Bah!" exclaimed Miles.  He was too sick to say more.  He might have
+said less with advantage.
+
+"Shall I fetch you some soup?" asked Moses, in the kindness of his
+heart.  Moses, you see, was one of those lucky individuals who are born
+with an incapacity to be sick at sea, and was utterly ignorant of the
+cruelty he perpetrated.  "Or some lobscouse?" he added.
+
+"Go away!" gasped Miles.
+
+"A basin of--"
+
+Miles exploded, literally as well as metaphorically, and Moses retired.
+
+"Strange," thought that healthy soldier, as he stalked away on further
+errands of mercy, stooping as he went to avoid beams--"strange that
+Miles is so changeable in character.  I had come to think him a steady,
+reliable sort of chap."
+
+Puzzling over this difficulty, he advanced to the side of another
+hammock, from which heavy groans were issuing.
+
+"Are you very bad, corporal?" he asked in his usual tone of sympathy.
+
+"Bad is it?" said Flynn.  "Och! it's worse nor bad I am!  Couldn't ye ax
+the captin to heave-to for a--"
+
+The suggestive influence of heaving-to was too much for Flynn.  He
+pulled up dead.  After a few moments he groaned--
+
+"Arrah! be off, Moses, av ye don't want my fist on yer nose."
+
+"Extraordinary!" murmured the kindly man, as he removed to another
+hammock, the occupant of which was differently constituted.
+
+"Moses," he said, as the visitant approached.
+
+"Yes, Gaspard," was the eager reply, "can I do anything for you?"
+
+"Yes; if you'd go on deck, refresh yourself with a walk, and leave us
+all alone, you'll con--fer--on--"
+
+Gaspard ceased to speak; he had already spoken too much; and Moses Pyne,
+still wondering, quietly took his advice.
+
+But if the Channel was bad, the Bay of Biscay was, according to Flynn,
+"far badder."
+
+Before reaching that celebrated bay, however, most of the men had
+recovered, and, with more or less lugubrious aspects and yellow-green
+complexions, were staggering about, attending to their various duties.
+No doubt their movements about the vessel were for some time
+characterised by that disagreement between action and will which is
+sometimes observed in feeble chickens during a high wind, but, on the
+whole, activity and cheerfulness soon began to re-animate the frames and
+spirits of Britain's warriors.
+
+And now Miles Milton began to find out, as well as to fix, in some
+degree, his natural character.  Up to this period in his life, a mild
+existence in a quiet home, under a fairly good though irascible father
+and a loving Christian mother, had not afforded him much opportunity of
+discovering what he was made of.  Recent events had taught him pretty
+sharply that there was much room for improvement.  He also discovered
+that he possessed a very determined will in the carrying out of his
+intentions, especially when those intentions were based upon his
+desires.  Whether he would be equally resolute in carrying out
+intentions that did _not_ harmonise with his desires remained to be
+seen.
+
+His mother, among her other teachings, had often tried to impress on his
+young mind the difference between obstinacy and firmness.
+
+"My boy," she was wont to say, while smoothing his curly head, "don't
+mistake obstinacy for firmness.  A man who says `I _will_ do this or
+that in spite of all the world,' against advice, and simply because he
+_wants_ to do it, is obstinate.  A man who says, `I _will_ do this or
+that in spite of all the world,' against advice, against his own
+desires, and simply because it is the right thing to do, is firm."
+
+Remembering this, and repenting bitterly his having so cruelly forsaken
+his mother, our hero cast about in his mind how best he could put some
+of her precepts into practice, as being the only consolation that was
+now possible to him.  You see, the good seed sown in those early days
+was beginning to spring up in unlikely circumstances.  Of course the
+habit of prayer, and reading a few verses from the Bible night and
+morning, recurred to him.  This had been given up since he left home.
+He now resumed it, though, for convenience, he prayed while stretched in
+his hammock!
+
+But this did not satisfy him.  He must needs undertake some disagreeable
+work, and carry it out with that degree of obstinacy which would amount
+to firmness.  After mature consideration, he sought and obtained
+permission to become one of the two cooks to his mess.  Moses Pyne was
+the other.
+
+Nothing, he felt, could be more alien to his nature, more disgusting in
+every way to his feelings--and he was right.  His dislike to the duties
+seemed rather to increase than to diminish day by day.  Bitterly did he
+repent of having undertaken the duty, and earnestly did he consider
+whether there might not be some possible and honourable way of drawing
+back, but he discovered none; and soon he proved--to himself as well as
+to others--that he did indeed possess, at least in some degree, firmness
+of character.
+
+The duties that devolved on him were trying.  He had to scrub and keep
+the mess clean and tidy; to draw all the provisions and prepare them for
+cooking; then, to take them to the galley, and fetch them when cooked.
+That this last was no simple matter, such as any shore-going tail-coated
+waiter might undertake, was brought forcibly out one day during what
+seamen style dirty weather.
+
+It was raining at the time.  The sea was grey, the sky was greyer, and
+as the steamer itself was whitey-grey, it was a grave business
+altogether.
+
+"Is the soup ready, Moses?" asked Miles, as he ascended towards the deck
+and met his _confrere_ coming down.
+
+"I don't know.  Shall I go an' see?"
+
+"No; you can go and look after the table.  I will fetch the soup."
+
+"A nasty sea on," remarked a voice, which sounded familiar in Miles's
+ears as he stepped on deck.
+
+"Hallo!  Jack Molloy!" he exclaimed, catching hold of a stanchion to
+steady himself, as a tremendous roll of the vessel caused a sea to flash
+over the side and send a shower-bath in his face.  "What part of the sky
+did you drop from?  I thought I had left you snug in the _Sailors'
+Welcome_."
+
+"Werry likely you did, John Miles," answered the tar, balancing himself
+with perfect ease, and caring no more for spray than if he had been a
+dolphin; "but I'm here for all that--one o' the crew o' this here
+transport, though I means to wolunteer for active sarvice when I gets
+out.  An' no wonder we didn't come across each other sooner!  In sitch a
+enormous tubful o' lobsters, etceterer, it's a wonder we've met at all.
+An' p'r'aps you've bin a good deal under hatches since you come
+a-boord?"
+
+Molloy said this with a knowing look and a grin.  Miles met the remark
+in a similar spirit.
+
+"Yes, Jack, I've been paying tribute to Neptune lately."
+
+"You looks like it, Miles, judgin' by the colour o' your jib.  Where
+away now?"
+
+"Going for our soup."
+
+"What! made you cook o' the mess?"
+
+"Ay; don't you wish you were me?"
+
+Another roll and flash of spray ended the conversation and separated the
+friends.
+
+The pea-soup was ready when our hero reached the galley.  Having filled
+the mess-tureen with the appetising mixture, he commenced the return
+journey with great care, for he was now dependent entirely on his legs,
+both hands being engaged.  Miles was handy, if we may say so, with his
+legs.  Once or twice he had to rush and thrust a shoulder against the
+bulwarks, and a dash of spray served for salt to the soup; but he was
+progressing favourably and had traversed full three-quarters of the
+distance to the hatch when a loud "Hooroo!" caused him to look round
+smartly.
+
+He had just time to see Corporal Flynn, who had slipped and fallen, come
+rolling towards him like a sack of flour.  Next moment he was swept off
+his legs, and went into the lee scuppers with his comrade in a bath of
+pea-soup and salt-water!
+
+Fortunately, the obliging wave which came in-board at the same moment
+mingled with the soup, and saved both men from a scalding.
+
+Such mishaps, however, were rare, and they served rather to enliven the
+voyage than otherwise.
+
+Besides the duties already mentioned, our hero had to wash up all the
+dishes and other things at meal-hours; to polish up the mess-kettles and
+tin dishes; and, generally, to put things away in their places, and keep
+things in apple-pie order.  Recollecting another of his mother's
+teachings--"Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well"--he
+tried his best, and was so ably seconded by the amiable Moses, that the
+Miles-Moses mess came to be at last regarded as the best-kept one on
+board.
+
+One morning, after clearing up the dishes and putting things in order,
+Miles went on deck for a little fresh air.  On the way up he met an
+elderly gentleman whose dress proclaimed him a clergyman.
+
+He looked earnestly at our hero, and, nodding kindly, spoke a few words
+to him in passing.  Miles had been aware that there was a clergyman on
+board going out to Egypt with his family--whether in connection with the
+troops or for health he did not know.  He was much impressed with the
+looks and expression of this man.  It seemed to him as if there were
+some sort of attractive power about him which was unaccountably strong,
+and he felt quite interested in the prospect of hearing him preach on
+the following Sunday.
+
+While on deck the previous day, he had seen the figures of two ladies,
+whom he rightly judged to be the family above referred to, but as there
+was nearly the whole distance of the ship's length between them, he
+could not distinguish their faces.
+
+On taking his place when Sunday came, he observed that the family were
+present, seated, however, in such a position that he could only see
+their backs.  Speculating in a listless way as to what sort of faces
+they had, he whiled away the few minutes before the service began.
+
+He was recalled from this condition by the tones of the clergyman's
+voice, which seemed to have the same effect on him as his look and
+manner had the day they first met.  During the sermon Miles's attention
+was riveted, insomuch that he almost forgot where he was.  The text was
+a familiar one--"God is Love,"--but the treatment of it seemed entirely
+new: the boundless nature of that love; its incomprehensible and
+almighty force; its enduring certainty and its overwhelming immensity,
+embracing, as it did, the whole universe in Christ, were themes on which
+the preacher expatiated in a way that Miles had never before dreamed of.
+
+"All subordinate love," said the preacher, in concluding, "has its
+source in this.  No wonder, then, that it is spoken of in Scripture as a
+love `which passeth knowledge.'"
+
+When the men rose to leave, it could be easily seen that they were
+deeply impressed.  As they went out slowly, Miles passed close to the
+place where the ladies sat.  The slighter of the two was talking in a
+low tone to her companion, and the young soldier was struck with the
+wonderful resemblance in her tone to that of the preacher.  He wondered
+if her face also resembled his in any degree, and glanced back, but the
+head was turned away.
+
+"I like that parson.  He has got _brains_," remarked Sergeant Hardy, as
+he walked along the deck with Sergeant Gilroy and Corporal Flynn.
+
+"Sur' an' I like him too," said the corporal, "for he's got _heart_!"
+
+"Heart and brains," returned Gilroy: "a grand combination!  What more
+could we want?"
+
+"Don't you think that _tongue_ is also essential?" asked Miles.  "But
+for the preacher's eloquence his heart and brain would have worked in
+vain."
+
+"Come now, John Miles, don't you be risin' up into poethry.  It's not
+yer natur--though ye think it is.  Besides, av a man's heart an' brains
+is all right, he can make good use of 'em widout much tongue.  Me own
+notion is that it's thim as hasn't got much to spake of, aither of heart
+or brain, as is over-fond o' waggin' the tongue."
+
+"That's so, Flynn.  You're a living example of the truth of your own
+opinion," retorted Miles.
+
+"Och! is it angered ye are at gittin' the worst o' the argiment?"
+rejoined the corporal.  "Niver mind, boy, you'll do better by and by--"
+
+As Flynn descended the ladder while he spoke, the sense of what he said
+was lost, but the truth of his opinion still continued to receive
+illustration from the rumbling of his voice, until it was swallowed up
+in the depths of the vessel.
+
+Next day our hero received a shock from which he never finally
+recovered!
+
+Be not alarmed, reader; it was not paralytic in its nature.  It happened
+on this wise:
+
+Miles had occasion to go to the fore part of the ship on some culinary
+business, without his coat, and with his sleeves rolled up above his
+elbows.  Arrived there, he found that the captain was taking the ladies
+round the ship to point out some of its interesting details.  As Miles
+came up, the younger lady turned round so as to present her full face to
+him.  It was then that poor Miles received the shock above referred to.
+At that moment a little boy with wings and a bow stepped right in front
+of the young lady and shot straight at Miles Milton!  The arrow entered
+his heart, and he--no, he did not fall; true men in such circumstances
+never fall!  They stand transfixed, sometimes, or stupefied.  Thus stood
+Miles and stared.  Yes, though naturally modest and polite, he stood and
+stared!
+
+And small blame to him, as Flynn might have said, for before him stood
+his ideal of a fairy, an angel, a sylph--or anything beautiful that best
+suits your fancy, reader!  Sunny hair, sunny eyes--earnest and inquiring
+eyes--sunny smiles, and eyebrows to match.  Yes, she had eyebrows
+distinctly darker than her hair, and well-defined over a pair of large
+brown eyes.
+
+Poor Miles was stricken, as we have said; but--would you believe it?--
+there were men there looking at that girl at that time who, to use their
+own phraseology, would not have accepted a dozen of her for the girls
+they had left behind them!  One young fellow in particular murmured to
+himself as follows--"Yes, very well in her way, no doubt, but she
+couldn't hold a candle to my Emmy!"  Perhaps the most cutting remark of
+all--made mentally, of course--was that of Sergeant Grady, who, for
+reasons best known to himself, had left a wife, describable as a stout
+well-favoured girl of forty, behind him.
+
+"In twenty years or so," he thought, "she may perhaps be near as
+good-lookin' as my Susy, but she'll never come quite up to her--never!"
+
+"Come this way, Mrs Drew," said the captain.  "I will show you the
+men's quarters.  Out of the way, my man!"
+
+Flushing to the roots of his hair, Miles stepped hastily aside.
+
+As he did so there was heard an awful rend of a sort that tests the
+temper of women!  It was followed by a musical scream.  The girl's dress
+had caught on a block tackle.
+
+Miles leaped forward and unhooked it.  He was rewarded with a smiling
+"Thank you," which was followed by a blush of confusion as Miss Drew's
+mother exclaimed, "Oh!  Marion--how _could_ you?" by way of making
+things easier for her, no doubt!
+
+"You did that, young man, about as smart as I could a' done it myself,"
+growled a voice behind him.
+
+The speaker was Jack Molloy, and a general titter followed Miles as he
+hurried away.
+
+As we have said, the weather became much worse when the troop-ship drew
+near to the Bay of Biscay; and it soon became evident that they were not
+to cross that famous portion of the Atlantic, without experiencing some
+of the violent action for which it is famed.  But by that time most of
+the soldiers, according to Molloy, had got their sea-legs on, and rather
+enjoyed the tossing than otherwise.
+
+"I do like this sort o' thing," said a beardless young fellow, as a
+number of the men sat on camp-stools, or stood on the weather-side of
+the deck, chatting together about past times and future prospects.
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed a seaman, who stood near them coiling up a rope; "hold
+on till you've got a taste o' the Bay.  This is a mill-pond to that.
+And you'll have the chance to-night.  If you don't, I'm a Dutchman."
+
+"If I do, you'll have a taste of it too, old salt-water, for we're in
+the same boat," retorted the young red-coat.
+
+"True, but we ain't in the same body;" returned the sailor.  "I should
+just like to see your four-futt legs wobblin' about in a nor'-west gale.
+You'd sing another song."
+
+"Come, Macleod," cried Moses Pyne, "tip us a Gaelic song."
+
+"Hoots, man, wull ye be wantin' to be made sea-seek?--for that's what'll
+do it," said the big Scotsman.  "Na, na, let Gaspard sing us `The Bay o'
+Biscay O!'  That'll be mair appropriate."
+
+There was a general chorus of assent to this; and as Gaspard Redgrave
+was an obliging man, untroubled by false modesty, he cleared his throat
+and began.  His voice, being a really splendid one, attracted all the
+men who chanced to be within range of it: among others, Miles, who was
+passing at the moment with a bag of biscuits in one hand and a meat-can
+in the other.  He leaned up against one of those funnels which send
+fresh air down to the stokers of steam-ships.  He had listened only a
+few moments when Marion Drew glided amongst the men, and seemed to stand
+as if entranced with delight in front of him, steadying herself by a
+rope, for the vessel was pitching a good deal as well as rolling
+considerably.
+
+At the first chorus the crowd burst forth with wild enthusiasm--
+
+  "As we lay, on that day,
+  In the Bay of Biscay O!"
+
+Dwelling with unnecessary length and emphasis on the "O!"
+
+At the close of the second verse the men were preparing to burst forth
+again when Miles observed an approaching billow which caused him to
+start in alarm.  Although unused to the aspect of waves, he had an
+instinctive feeling that there was danger approaching.  Voices of
+warning were promptly raised from different parts of the vessel, but
+already the loud chorus had begun and drowned every other sound.  Miles
+dropped his biscuits and sprang towards Marion, who, with flashing eyes
+and parted lips, was gazing at Gaspard.  He just reached her when the
+wave burst over the side, and, catching most of the men quite
+unprepared, swept them with terrible violence towards the lee-side of
+the deck.
+
+Marion was standing directly in the line of this human cataract, but
+Miles swung her deftly round into the lee of the funnel, a handle of
+which she happily caught, and clung to it like a limpet.
+
+Her preserver was not so fortunate.  The edge of the cataract struck
+him, swept him off his legs, and hurled him with many comrades against
+the lee bulwarks, where he lay stunned and helpless in the swishing
+water.
+
+Of course soldiers and sailors ran from all parts of the vessel to the
+rescue, and soon the injured men were carried below and attended to by
+the doctors; and, considering the nature of the accident, it was matter
+for surprise that the result was no worse than some pretty severe
+contusions and a few broken ribs.
+
+When Miles recovered consciousness, he found himself in his hammock,
+with considerable pain in various parts of his body, and the Reverend
+James Drew bending over him.
+
+"You're all right now, my fine fellow," he said, in a low comforting
+voice.  "No bones broken, so the doctors say.  Only a little bruised."
+
+"Tell me, sir," said Miles, rousing himself, "is--is your daughter
+safe?"
+
+"Yes, thanks be to God, and to your prompt assistance, she is none the
+worse--save the fright and a wetting."
+
+Miles sank back on his pillows with a feeling of profound satisfaction.
+
+"Now, you must try to sleep if you can," said the clergyman; "it will do
+you good."
+
+But Miles did not want anything to do him good.  He was quite content to
+lie still and enjoy the simple fact that he had rescued Marion, perhaps
+from death--at all events from serious injury!  As for pain--what was
+that to him? was he not a soldier--one whose profession requires him to
+suffer _anything_ cheerfully in the discharge of duty!  And was not love
+the highest duty?
+
+On the strength of some such thoughts he forgot his pain and calmly went
+to sleep.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+HAS REFERENCE TO MANY THINGS CONNECTED WITH MIND, MATTER, AND
+AFFECTIONS.
+
+The wave which had burst with such disastrous effect on the deck of the
+troop-ship was but the herald of one of those short, wild storms which
+occasionally sweep with desolating violence over the Atlantic Ocean, and
+too frequently strew with wreck the western shores of Europe.
+
+In the Bay of Biscay, as usual, the power of the gale was felt more
+severely than elsewhere.
+
+"There's some sort o' mystery about the matter," said Jack Molloy to
+William Armstrong, as they cowered together under the shelter of the
+bridge.  "Why the Atlantic should tumble into this 'ere bay with greater
+wiolence than elsewhere is beyond my comprehension.  But any man wi'
+half an eye can see that it _do_ do it!  Jist look at that!"
+
+There was something indeed to look at, for, even while he spoke, a
+mighty wave tumbled on board of the vessel, rushed over the fore deck
+like Niagara rapids in miniature, and slushed wildly about for a
+considerable time before it found its way through the scuppers, into the
+grey wilderness of heaving billows from which it sprang.
+
+The great ship quivered, and seemed for a moment to stagger under the
+blow, while the wind shrieked through the rigging as if laughing at the
+success of its efforts, but the whitey-grey hull rose heavily, yet
+steadily, out of the churning foam, rode triumphant over the
+broad-backed billow that had struck her, and dived ponderously into the
+valley of waters beyond.
+
+"Don't you think," said the young soldier, whose general knowledge was a
+little more extensive than that of the seaman, "that the Gulf Stream may
+have something to do with it?"
+
+Molloy looked at the deck with philosophically solemn countenance.
+Deriving no apparent inspiration from that quarter, he gazed on the
+tumultuous chaos of salt-water with a perplexed expression.  Finally and
+gravely he shook his weather-beaten head--
+
+"Can't see that nohow," he said.  "In course I knows that the Gulf
+Stream comes out the Gulf o' Mexico, cuts across the Atlantic in a
+nor'-easterly direction, goes slap agin the west of England, Ireland,
+and Scotland, and then scurries away up the coast o' Norway--though
+_why_ it should do so is best known to itself; p'r'aps it's arter the
+fashion of an angry woman, accordin' to its own sweet will; but what has
+that got for to do wi' the Bay of Biscay O?  That's wot I wants to
+know."
+
+"More to do with it than you think, Jack," answered the soldier.  "In
+the first place, you're not quite, though partly, correct about the Gulf
+Stream--"
+
+"Well, I ain't zactly a scienkrific stoodent, you know.  Don't purfess
+to be."
+
+"Just so, Jack.  Neither am I, but I have inquired into this matter in a
+general way, an' here's _my_ notions about it."
+
+"Draw it fine, Willum; don't be flowery," said the sailor, renewing his
+quid.  "Moreover, if you'll take the advice of an old salt you'll keep a
+tighter grip o' that belayin'-pin you've got hold of, unless you wants
+to be washed overboard.  Now then, fire away!  I'm all attention, as the
+cat said at the mouth o' the mouse-hole."
+
+"Well, then," began Armstrong, with the slightly conscious air of
+superior knowledge, "the Gulf Stream does _not_ rise in the Gulf of
+Mexico--"
+
+"Did I say that it did, Willum?"
+
+"Well, you said that it _came out of_ the Gulf of Mexico--and, no doubt,
+so far you are right, but what I mean is that it does not originate
+there."
+
+"W'y don't you say what you mean, then, Willum, instead o' pitchin' into
+a poor chap as makes no pretence to be a purfessor?  Heave ahead!"
+
+"Well, Jack," continued the soldier, with more care as to his
+statements, "I believe, on the best authority, that the Gulf Stream is
+only part of a great ocean current which originates at the equator, and
+a small bit of which flows north into the Atlantic, where it drives into
+the Gulf of Mexico.  Finding no outlet there it rushes violently round
+the gulf--"
+
+"Gits angry, no doubt, an' that's what makes it hot?" suggested the
+sailor.
+
+"Perhaps!  Anyhow, it then flows, as you say, in a nor'-easterly
+direction to the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland.  But it does more
+than that.  It spreads as it goes, and also rushes straight at the
+coasts of France and Spain.  Here, however, it meets a strong counter
+current running south along these same coasts of France an' Spain.  That
+is difficulty number one.  It has to do battle wi' that current, and you
+know, Jack, wherever there's a battle there's apt to be convulsions of
+some sort.  Well, then, a nor'-westerly gale comes on and rolls the
+whole o' the North Atlantic Ocean against these coasts.  So here you
+have this part of the Gulf Stream caught in another direction--on the
+port quarter, as you sailors might call it--"
+
+"Never mind wot us sailors might call it, Willum.  Wotever you say on
+that pint you're sure to be wrong.  Heave ahead!"
+
+"Well, then," continued Armstrong, with a laugh, "that's trouble number
+two; and these troubles, you'll observe, apply to the whole west coast
+of both countries; but in the Bay of Biscay there is still another
+difficulty, for when these rushing and tormented waters try to escape,
+they are met fair in the face by the whole north coast of Spain, and
+thus--"
+
+"_I_ sees it!" exclaimed Molloy, with a sudden beam of intelligence,
+"you've hit the nail on the head, Willum.  Gulf Stream flies at France
+in a hot rage, finds a cool current, or customer, flowin' down south
+that shouts `Belay there!'  At it they go, tooth an' nail, when down
+comes a nor'-wester like a wolf on the fold, takes the Stream on the
+port quarter, as you say, an' drives both it an' the cool customer into
+the bay, where the north o' Spain cries `Avast heavin', both o' you!'
+an' drives 'em back to where the nor'-wester's drivin' 'em on!  No
+wonder there's a mortal hullaballoo in the Bay o' Biscay!  Why, mate,
+where got ye all that larnin'?"
+
+Before his friend could reply, a terrific plunge of the vessel, a
+vicious shriek of the wind, and the entrance of another tremendous sea,
+suggested that the elements were roused to unusual fury at having the
+secrets of their operations thus ruthlessly revealed, and also suggested
+the propriety of the two friends seeking better shelter down below.
+
+While this storm was raging, Miles lay in his hammock, subjected to
+storms of the bosom with occasional calms between.  He was enjoying one
+of the calms when Armstrong passed his hammock and asked how he was
+getting on.
+
+"Very well, Willie.  Soon be all right, I think," he replied, with a
+contented smile.
+
+For at that moment he had been dwelling on the agreeable fact that he
+had really rescued Marion Drew from probable death, and that her parents
+gratefully recognised the service--as he learned from the clergyman
+himself, who expressed his gratitude in the form of frequent visits to
+and pleasant chats with the invalid.
+
+The interest and sympathy which Miles had felt on first seeing this man
+naturally increased, and at last he ventured to confide to him the story
+of his departure from home, but said nothing about the changed name.  It
+is needless to relate all that was said on the occasion.  One can easily
+imagine the bearing of a good deal of it.  The result on Miles was not
+very obvious at the time, but it bore fruit after many days.
+
+The calm in our hero's breast was not, however, of long duration.  The
+thought that, as a private in a marching regiment, he had not the means
+to maintain Marion, in the social position to which she had been
+accustomed, was a very bitter thought, and ruffled the sea of his
+feelings with a stiff breeze.  This freshened to something like a gale
+of rebellion when he reflected that his case was all but hopeless; for,
+whatever might have been the truth of the statement regarding the French
+army under Napoleon, that "every soldier carried a marshal's baton in
+his knapsack," it did not follow that soldiers in the British army of
+the present day carried commissions in _their_ knapsacks.  Indeed, he
+knew it was by no means a common thing for men to rise from the ranks,
+and he was well aware that those who did so were elevated in virtue of
+qualities which he did not possess.
+
+He was in the midst of one of his bosom storms when Sergeant Hardy came
+to inquire how he did.
+
+Somehow the quiet, grave, manly nature of that sergeant had a powerful
+effect, not only on Miles but on every one with whom he came in contact.
+It was not so much his words as his manner that commended him.  He was
+curiously contradictory, so to speak, in character and appearance.  The
+stern gravity of his countenance suggested a hard nature, but lines of
+good-humour lurking about the eyes and mouth put to flight the
+suggestion, and acts of womanly tenderness on many occasions turned the
+scale the other way.  A strong, tall, stiffly upright and slow-moving
+frame, led one to look only for elephantine force, but when
+circumstances required prompt action our sergeant displayed powers of
+cat-like activity, which were all the more tremendous that they seemed
+incongruous and were unexpected.  From his lips you looked for a voice
+of thunder--and at drill you were not disappointed--but on ordinary
+occasions his speech was soft and low; bass indeed as to its quality,
+but never harsh or loud.
+
+"A gale is brewing up from the nor'-west, so Jack Molloy says," remarked
+Hardy, as he was about to pass on.
+
+"Why, I thought it was blowing a gale _now_!" returned Miles.  "At least
+it seems so, if we may judge from the pitching and plunging."
+
+"Ah, lad, you are judging from the landlubber's view-point," returned
+the sergeant.  "Wait a bit, and you will understand better what Molloy
+means when he calls this only a `capful of wind.'"
+
+Miles had not to wait long.  The gale when fully "brewed up" proved to
+be no mean descendant of the family of storms which have tormented the
+celebrated bay since the present economy of nature began; and many of
+those who were on board of the troop-ship at that time had their eyes
+opened and their minds enlarged as to the nature of a thorough gale;
+when hatches have to be battened down, and the dead-lights closed; when
+steersmen have to be fastened in their places, and the maddened sea
+seems to roar defiance to the howling blast, and all things movable on
+deck are swept away as if they were straws, and many things not meant to
+be movable are wrenched from their fastenings with a violence that
+nothing formed by man can resist, and timbers creak and groan, and loose
+furniture gyrates about until smashed to pieces, and well-guarded glass
+and crockery leap out of bounds to irrecoverable ruin, and even the
+seamen plunge about and stagger, and landsmen hold on to ring-bolts and
+belaying-pins, or cling to bulkheads for dear life, while mighty
+billows, thundering in-board, hiss along the decks, and everything,
+above, below, and around, seems being swept into eternity by the besom
+of destruction!
+
+But the troop-ship weathered the storm nobly; and the good Lord sent
+fine weather and moderate winds thereafter; and ere long the soldiers
+were enjoying the sunshine, the sparkling waters, and the sight of the
+lovely shores of the blue Mediterranean.
+
+Soon after that broken bones began to mend, and bruises to disappear;
+and our hero, thoroughly recovered from his accident, as well as greatly
+improved in general health, returned to his duties.
+
+But Miles was not a happy man, for day by day he felt more and more
+severely that he had put himself in a false position.  Besides the
+ever-increasing regret for having hastily forsaken home, he had now the
+bitter reflection that he had voluntarily thrown away the right to
+address Marion Drew as an equal.
+
+During the whole voyage he had scarcely an opportunity of speaking a
+word to her.  Of course the warm-hearted girl did not forget the
+important service that had been rendered to her by the young soldier,
+and she took more than one occasion to visit the fore part of the vessel
+for the purpose of expressing her gratitude and asking about his health,
+after he was able to come on deck; but as her father accompanied her on
+these occasions, the conversation was conducted chiefly between him and
+the reverend gentleman.  Still, it was some comfort to hear her voice
+and see her eyes beaming kindly on him.
+
+Once the youth inadvertently expressed his feelings in his look, so that
+Marion's eye-lids dropped, and a blush suffused her face, to hide which
+she instantly became unreasonably interested in the steam-winch beside
+which they were standing, and wanted to understand principles of
+engineering which had never troubled her before!
+
+"What _is_ the use of that curious machine?" she asked, turning towards
+it quickly.
+
+"W'y, Miss," answered Jack Molloy, who chanced to be sitting on a spare
+yard close at hand working a Turk's head on a manrope, "that's the
+steam-winch, that is the thing wot we uses w'en we wants to hoist things
+out o' the hold, or lower 'em into it."
+
+"Come, Marion, we must not keep our friend from his duties," said Mr
+Drew, nodding pleasantly to Miles as he turned away.
+
+The remark was called forth by the fact that Miles had been arrested
+while on his way to the galley with a dish of salt pork, and with his
+shirt-sleeves, as usual, tucked up!
+
+Only once during the voyage did our hero get the chance of talking with
+Marion alone.  The opportunity, like most pieces of good fortune, came
+unexpectedly.  It was on a magnificent night, just after the troop-ship
+had left Malta.  The sea was perfectly calm, yet affected by that oily
+motion which has the effect of breaking a reflected moon into a million
+fragments.  All nature appeared to be hushed, and the stars were
+resplendent.  It was enough, as Jack Molloy said, to make even a bad man
+feel good!
+
+"Do 'ee speak from personal experience, Jack?" asked a comrade on that
+occasion.
+
+"I might, Jim, if _you_ wasn't here," retorted Molloy; "but it's not
+easy to feel bad alongside o' _you_."
+
+"That's like a double-edged sword, Jack--cuts two ways.  W'ich way d'ee
+mean it?"
+
+"`W'ichever way you please,' as the man said w'en the alligator axed 'im
+w'ether he'd prefer to be chawed up or bolted whole."
+
+Concluding that, on the whole, the conversation of his friends did not
+tend to edification, Miles left them and went to one of the starboard
+gangways, from which he could take a contemplative view of Nature in her
+beautiful robe of night.  Curiously enough, Marion chanced to saunter
+towards the same gangway, and unexpectedly found him there.
+
+"A lovely night, Mr Miles," she remarked.
+
+Miles started, and turned with slight confusion in his face, which,
+happily, the imperfect light concealed.
+
+"Beautiful indeed!" he exclaimed, thinking of the face before him--not
+of the night!
+
+"A cool, beautiful night like this," continued the girl--who was of the
+romantic age of sixteen--"will remain long, I should think, in your
+memory, and perhaps mitigate, in some degree, the hardships that are
+before you on the burning sand of Egypt."
+
+"The memory of this night," returned Miles, with fervour, "will remain
+with me _for ever_!  It will not only mitigate what you are pleased to
+call hardships, but will cause me to forget them altogether--forget
+_everything_!"
+
+"Nay, that were impossible," rejoined Marion, with a slight laugh; "for
+a true soldier cannot forget Duty!"
+
+"True, true," said Miles dubiously; "at least it ought to be true; and I
+have no doubt is so in many cases, but--"
+
+What more he might have said cannot now be told, for they were
+interrupted at the moment by Captain Lacey, who, happening to walk in
+that direction, stopped and directed Miss Drew's attention to a
+picturesque craft, with high lateen sails, which had just entered into
+the silver pathway of the moon on the water.
+
+Miles felt that it would be inappropriate in him to remain or to join in
+the conversation.  With a heart full of disappointment and indignation
+he retired, and sought refuge in the darkest recesses of the pantry, to
+which he was welcome at all times, being a great favourite with the
+steward.
+
+Whether it was the smell of the cheese or the ketchup we know not, but
+here better thoughts came over our hero.  Insignificant causes often
+produce tremendous effects.  The touching of a trigger is but a small
+matter; the effects of such a touch are sometimes deadly as well as
+touching.  Possibly the sugar, if not the cinnamon, may have been an
+element in his change of mind.  At all events it is safe to say that the
+general smell of groceries was associated with it.
+
+Under the benign influence of this change he betook himself to the berth
+of the chief ship's-carpenter, with whom also he was a favourite.
+Finding the berth empty, and a light burning in it, he sat down to wait
+for his friend.  The place was comparatively quiet and retired.
+Bethinking himself of the little packet which he had received at
+Portsmouth, and which still lay unopened in the breast-pocket of his
+shell-jacket, he pulled it out.  Besides a Testament, it contained
+sundry prettily covered booklets written by Miss Robinson and others to
+interest the public in our soldiers, as well as to amuse the soldiers
+themselves.  In glancing through "Our Soldiers and Sailors," "Institute
+Memories," "Our Warfare," "The Victory," "Heaven's Light our Guide,"
+"Good-bye," and similar works, two facts were suddenly impressed upon
+his mind, and strongly illuminated--namely, that there is such a thing
+as living for the good of others, and that up to that time he had lived
+simply and solely for himself!
+
+The last sentence that had fallen from the lips of Marion that night was
+also strongly impressed upon him:--"a true soldier cannot forget Duty!"
+and he resolved that "Duty" should be his life's watchword
+thenceforward.  Such is the influence that a noble-minded woman may
+unconsciously have over even an unsteady man!
+
+Soon after this the troop-ship reached the end of her voyage, and cast
+anchor off the coast of Egypt, near the far-famed city of Alexandria.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+OUR HERO MEETS A FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY IN PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AND HAS
+A VERY STRANGE ENCOUNTER.
+
+Miles Milton's first experience in Alexandria was rather curious, and,
+like most surprising things, quite unlooked for.
+
+The troops were not permitted to land immediately on arrival, but of
+course no such prohibition lay on the passengers, who went off
+immediately.  In the hurry of doing so, the clergyman and his family
+missed saying good-bye to Miles, who happened to be on duty in some
+remote part of the vessel at the time, and the shore-boat could not be
+delayed.  This caused Mr and Mrs Drew much regret, but we cannot add
+that it caused the same to Miss Drew, because that young lady possessed
+considerable command of feature, and revealed no feeling at all on the
+occasion.
+
+Miles was greatly disappointed when he found that they had gone, but
+consoled himself with the hope that he could make use of his first day's
+leave to find them out in the town and say good-bye.
+
+"But why encourage hope?" thought Miles to himself, with bitterness in
+his heart; "I'm only a private.  Marion will never condescend to think
+of _me_.  What have I to offer her except my worthless self?"  (you see
+Miles was beginning to see through himself faintly.) "Even if my father
+were a rich man, able to buy me out of the army and leave me a fortune--
+which he is not--what right have I to expect that a girl like Marion
+would risk her happiness with a fellow who has no profession, no means
+of subsistence, and who has left home without money and without leave?
+Bah!  Miles, you are about the greatest goose that ever put on a red
+coat!"
+
+He was getting on, you see!  If he had put "sinner" for "goose," his
+shot would have been nearer the mark; as it was, all things considered,
+it was not a miss.  He smarted considerably under the self-condemnation.
+If a comrade had said as much he would have resented it hotly, but a
+man is wonderfully lenient to himself!
+
+Under the impulse of these feelings he sought and obtained leave to go
+into the town.  He wished to see how the new Soldiers' Institute being
+set up there was getting along.  He had promised Miss Robinson to pay it
+a visit.  That was his plea.  He did not feel called upon to inform his
+officer of his intention to visit the Drews!  That was quite a private
+matter--yet it was the main matter; for, on landing, instead of
+inquiring for the spot where the new Institute was being erected, he
+began a search among the various hotels where English visitors were wont
+to put up.  The search was successful.  He found the hotel, but the
+family had gone out, he was told, and were not expected back till
+evening.
+
+Disappointment, of course, was the result; but he would wait.  It is
+amazing what an amount of patience even impatient men will exercise when
+under the influence of hope!  There was plenty of time to run down and
+see the Institute, but he might miss his friends if they should chance
+to come in and go out again during his absence.  What should he do?
+
+"Bother the Institute!" he muttered to himself.  "It's only bricks an'
+mortar after all, and I don't know a soul there."
+
+He was wrong on both of these points, as we shall see.
+
+"What's the use of my going?" he murmured, after a reflective pause.
+
+"You promised the ladies of the Portsmouth Institute that you'd go to
+see it, and report progress," said that extraordinary Something inside
+of him, which had a most uncomfortable way of starting up and whispering
+when least expected to do so.
+
+"And," added Something, "every gentleman should keep his word."
+
+"True," replied Miles, almost angrily, though inaudibly; "but I'm _not_
+a gentleman, I'm only a private!"
+
+"Goose!" retorted that pertinacious Something; "is not every private a
+gentleman who acts like one?  And is not every gentleman a blackguard
+who behaves as such?"
+
+Miles was silenced.  He gave in, and went off at once to visit the
+Institute.
+
+As he walked down the long straight street leading to the Grand Square,
+which had been almost destroyed by the bombardment, he passed numerous
+dirty drinking-shops, and wondered that English soldiers would
+condescend to enter such disgusting places.  He was but a young soldier,
+and had yet to learn that, to men who have been fairly overcome by the
+power of the fiend Strong Drink, no place is too disgusting, and no
+action too mean, so that it but leads to the gratification of their
+intolerable craving.  It is said that in two streets only there were 500
+of these disreputable drinking-shops.
+
+All sorts and conditions of men passed him as he went along: Turks,
+Greeks, Arabs, Negroes, Frenchmen, Italians, and Englishmen, the gay
+colours of whose picturesque costumes lent additional brilliancy to the
+sunny scene.  The sight of the dark-skinned men and veiled women of the
+Arab quarter did more, however, than anything else to convince our hero
+that he had at last really reached the "East"--the land of the ancient
+Pharaohs, the Pyramids, the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, and of
+modern contention!
+
+Presently he came upon the piece of waste ground which had been chosen
+as the site of the new Institute.  It was covered with the ruins--
+shattered cement, glass, tiles, and general wreckage--of the buildings
+that had stood there before the bombardment, and on three sides it was
+surrounded by heaps of stones, shattered walls, and rubbish, some acres
+in extent.  But the place had the great advantage of being close to the
+old harbour, not far from the spot where ancient Alexandria stood, and
+was open to the fresh, cooling breezes that came in from the sea.
+
+Arab workmen were busily employed at the time on the foundations of the
+building, under the superintendence of an unmistakable and
+soldierly-looking Englishman, whose broad back was presented to Miles as
+he approached.  Turning suddenly round, Mr Tufnell, the manager of the
+Portsmouth Institute, confronted the visitor with a stern but perspiring
+visage, which instantly became illuminated with a beaming smile.
+
+"What!  Tufnell!" exclaimed our hero, in amazement.
+
+"Ay, Miles; as large as life."
+
+"Larger than life, if anything," said Miles, grasping the proffered
+hand, and shaking it warmly.  "Why, man, the air of Egypt seems to
+magnify you."
+
+"More likely that the heat of Egypt is making me grow.  What are you
+rubbing your eyes for?"
+
+"To make sure that they do not deceive," answered Miles.  "Did I not
+leave you behind me at Portsmouth?"
+
+"So you did, friend; but the voyage in a troop-ship is not the fastest
+method of reaching Egypt.  As you see, I've overshot you in the race.  I
+have come to put up the new building.  But come to my palace here and
+have a talk and a cup of coffee.  Glad to see that the voyage has agreed
+with you."
+
+They reached the palace to which the manager referred, and found it to
+be a cottage of corrugated iron amidst the rubbish.
+
+"Here," said Tufnell, offering his friend a chair, "I spend all my time
+and reign supreme--monarch of all I survey.  These are my subjects," he
+added, pointing to the Arab workmen; "that wilderness of rubbish is my
+kingdom; and yon heap of iron and stone, is the material out of which we
+mean to construct our Alexandria Institute.  To save time, (the most
+valuable article in the world, if you'll believe me), Miss Robinson, as,
+perhaps, you may have heard, bought an old iron edifice in London, known
+as the Brompton Oratory, and sent it out here--like a convict--at
+Government expense.  You see, not only the public, but Government, have
+now come to recognise the value of her work for soldiers."
+
+"And your subjects, the Arabs--are they obedient and loyal?" asked
+Miles.
+
+"Pretty well; but they give me some trouble now and then.  The other
+day, for instance, we had a sad accident, which at one time I feared
+would land us in serious difficulties.  It is necessary, you must know,
+in laying foundations here, to dig through the sand some twelve to
+fifteen feet till water is reached, and then we lay a solid stone
+foundation about nine feet wide.  Well, while digging this foundation,
+the sand fell in on one of the workmen.  I off coat at once and set to
+work with a shovel, shouting to the fellows to help me.  Instead of
+helping, they rushed at me in a body to prevent my interfering in the
+matter.  Then they quarrelled among themselves as to the best way of
+getting the man out, and the result was that the poor fellow was
+suffocated, though he might easily have been rescued by prompt action.
+But that was not the end of it!  The relations and friends of the man
+came down, made Eastern howling and lamentation over him, and laid his
+corpse at the door of my cottage, holding me responsible for his life,
+and demanding compensation!  And it was not till I had paid a few francs
+to every brother and cousin and relative belonging to him that their
+grief was appeased and the dead body carried away.
+
+"Still the matter did not end here, for next day the workmen said the
+accident was owing to the omission of a sacrifice at the commencement of
+the work, and they must have a lamb to kill on the ground, or more lives
+would certainly be lost.  So I bought them a lamb, which they duly
+killed, cooked, and ate, after sprinkling its blood on the four corners
+of the foundation and on the walls.  I had the skin of this lamb dressed
+and sent home as a curiosity."  See note 1.
+
+"You appear to have pretty rough times of it then, on the whole," said
+Miles.
+
+"I never counted on smooth times," returned Tufnell; "besides, being
+used to roughing it, I am always glad to do so in a good cause.  My
+palace, as you see, is not a bad one, though small.  It is pretty hot
+too, as you seem to feel; and they tell me there will be some
+interesting variety in my experiences when the rainy season sets in!  I
+wouldn't mind it so much if I could only be left to sleep in peace at
+nights.  I stay here, you see, night and day, and what wi' the Arabs
+prowling around, whispering and trying to get in, and the wild dogs
+makin' the neighbourhood a place o' public meeting--barking, howling,
+and quarrelling over their sorrows like human bein's, they don't give me
+much rest."
+
+"I have read of these dogs before," said Miles.  "Are they really as
+wild and dangerous as they get credit for?"
+
+"If you'd seen the fight I had wi' them the other night you'd have no
+doubt on that point.  Why, a gang of 'em made a regular attack on me,
+and if it hadn't been that I was pretty active with my sword-stick,
+they'd have torn me in bits.  Let me advise you never to go out after
+nightfall without one.  Is that one in your hand?"
+
+"No, it is merely a cane."
+
+"Well, exchange with me.  There's no saying when you may want it."
+
+Tufnell took a light sword-stick which lay on the table and handed it to
+Miles, who accepted it laughingly, and without the slightest belief that
+he should ever have occasion to use it.
+
+In chatting about the plans of the building and the prospects of
+success, our hero became at last so deeply interested--partly, no doubt,
+because of his friend's enthusiasm--that he forgot the flight of time,
+and the evening was advancing before he rose to leave.
+
+"Now, Tufnell," he said suddenly, "I must be off, I have another call of
+importance to make."
+
+"What! won't you stop and have a cup of coffee with me?"
+
+"Impossible.  My business is urgent.  I want to see friends whom I may
+not have the chance of seeing again.  Good-night."
+
+"Good-night, then, and have a care of the dogs, specially after
+nightfall."
+
+On returning to the hotel shortly after sunset, Miles came to the
+conclusion that his love must certainly be "true," for its course was
+not running "smooth."  His friends had not yet returned.  Mrs Drew had
+indeed come back, alone in a cab, but she had "von headik an' vas go to
+the bed."
+
+Waiting about in front of the hotel for an hoar or two proved to be too
+much for our hero's nerves; he therefore made up his mind to exhaust his
+nervous system by means of a smart walk.  Soon he found himself in a
+lonely place, half-way between the Grand Square and the Ramleh Gate,
+with a deliciously cool breeze playing on his brow, and a full moon
+sailing overhead.
+
+No one was moving about on the road along which he walked.  He had it
+all to himself at first, and the evening would have been quiet as well
+as beautiful but for the yelping dogs which had, by that time, come out
+of their day-dens to search and fight for food and hold their nightly
+revels.
+
+All round him were the heaps of rubbish caused by bombardment, and the
+ruined houses which war had rendered tenantless, though here and there
+the uprising of new buildings proved that the indomitable energy of man
+was not to be quelled by war or anything else.  A flickering oil-lamp
+placed here and there at intervals threw a sickly yellow light into dark
+recesses which the moonbeams failed to reach.  Intermingled with these
+were a few date-palms and bananas.  After a time he observed a couple of
+figures in advance of him--a man and woman--walking slowly in the same
+direction.
+
+Not wishing to have his thoughts disturbed, he pushed on, intending to
+pass the wayfarers.  He had got to within a hundred paces of them when
+he became aware of a violent pattering sound behind him.  Stopping and
+looking back he saw a pack of eight or nine of the wild, half-famished
+dogs of the place coming along the road at full gallop.  He was quite
+aware that they were the savage, masterless creatures which keep close
+in hiding during the day, and come out at night to search for something
+to devour, but he could not bring himself to believe that any sort of
+dog was a dangerous animal.  He therefore merely looked at them with
+interest as being natives of the place!
+
+They passed without taking notice of him--as ugly and wolfish a pack as
+one could wish to see--led by a big fellow like a ragged disreputable
+collie.  They also passed, with apparent indifference, the wayfarers in
+advance, who had stopped to look at them.
+
+Suddenly, and without a note of warning, the whole pack turned and
+rushed back, yelling fiercely, towards the man and woman.  The latter
+clung to the left arm of the former, who raised his stick, and brought
+it down with such good-will on the skull of the foremost dog that it
+reeled back with an angry howl.  It was not cowed, however, for it came
+on again, but the man, instead of striking it, thrust the end of his
+stick down its throat and checked it a second time.  Still unsubdued,
+the fierce animal flew at him once more, and would certainly have
+overcome him if Miles had not run to the rescue at the first sign of
+attack.  Coming up quickly, he brought his cane down on the dog's head
+with all his might, having quite forgotten the sword in the excitement
+of the moment!  The blow did nothing to the dog, but it shattered the
+cane, leaving the sword exposed!  This was fortunate.  A quick thrust
+sent the dog flying away with yells of pain and fear, followed by all
+his companions, who seemed to take their cue entirely from their leader.
+
+Turning to congratulate the wayfarers on their escape, Miles confronted
+Mr Drew and his daughter Marion!
+
+If he had encountered the glare of the great sea-serpent he could
+scarcely have been taken more completely aback.
+
+"My dear young friend," said the clergyman, recovering himself and
+grasping the passive hand of the young soldier with enthusiasm, though
+he could not help smiling at his obvious embarrassment, "you seem to
+have been raised up to be our rescuer!"
+
+"I hope I have been raised up for something even more satisfactory than
+that," thought Miles, but he did not say so!  What he did say--in a
+stammering fashion--was to the effect that he hoped he might be called
+on to--to--render many more such trifling services--no--he did not quite
+mean that, but _if_ they should ever again be in danger, he hoped they
+would call on him to--to--that is--
+
+"But I hope sincerely," he added, changing the subject abruptly, "that
+you are not hurt, Miss Drew?"
+
+"Oh dear no; only a little frightened.  But, father, are you sure that
+_you_ are not hurt?"
+
+"Quite sure; only a little sprain, I think, or twist in my right ankle.
+The attack was so sudden, you see, that in the hurry to meet it my foot
+turned over.  Give me your arm, my young friend.  There; it will be all
+right in a few minutes.  How you tremble, Marion!  Your nerves have
+received a greater shock than you imagine, and a lame man is but a poor
+support.  Give her your other arm, Mr Miles.  You are stout enough to
+support us both."
+
+Stout enough to support them both!  Ay, at that moment Miles felt stout
+enough to support the entire world, like Atlas, on his own broad
+shoulders!  With a blush, that the moon generously refused to reveal,
+Marion laid her hand lightly on the soldier's arm.  It was much too
+light a touch, and did not distribute with fairness the weight of his
+burden, for the old gentleman hung heavily on the other arm.  Mr Drew
+walked very slowly, and with evident pain, for the twist of the ankle
+had been much more severe than he at first imagined.
+
+"You will come in and sup with us," said Mr Drew, on at last reaching
+the hotel door.
+
+"Impossible.  I am exceedingly sorry, but my time has almost expired.
+Indeed, I fear it has expired already, and duty comes before everything
+else.  Your daughter taught me that lesson, sir, on board ship!"
+
+"Oh you hypocrite!" remarked his familiar and plain-spoken internal
+friend; "where was this grand sense of duty when you left home in a rage
+without `by your leave' to father or mother?"  Miles could make no
+reply.  He had a tendency to silence when this friend spoke, and
+returned to barracks in a pensive mood, just in time, as Armstrong said,
+to save his bacon.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Note 1.  This fleece is now, among other curiosities, at the Portsmouth
+Institute.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+OFF TO THE WARS.
+
+The troops sent out to Egypt at that time were much wanted to reinforce
+the southern frontier and defend it from the attacks of Osman Digna,
+who, with a large host of the dusky warriors of the Soudan, was giving
+the defenders much trouble, and keeping them incessantly on the _qui
+vive_.
+
+Miles Milton had no time while in Alexandria for anything but duty.  He
+saw Marion only once again before leaving, but did not find an
+opportunity to converse with her alone.  To do him justice, he had not
+the most distant intention of declaring the state of his feelings, even
+if the opportunity had been given.  He merely desired to be in her
+company for a little on any terms whatever!
+
+On that occasion, however, he contrived to scorch his heart with a
+double dose of jealousy, for he found two young men visiting the
+clergyman, each of whom seemed to be a friend of the family.  One was a
+spendthrift named Rentworth--a young traveller of that loose, easy-going
+type which is occasionally met with in foreign parts, squandering the
+money of a rich father.  He was a decidedly handsome young fellow, but
+with the stamp of dissipation already on his countenance.  The other was
+a telegraph engineer, with honesty and good-nature in every line of his
+plain countenance.
+
+Both of these youths paid marked attention to Marion--at least Miles
+thought so--and he hated them both accordingly; all the more that he
+_felt_ their eyes to be fixed upon him while he was bidding her
+"farewell."  He did not say "Good-bye."  That was too commonplace--in
+the circumstances almost childish.
+
+There was one gleam of comfort in the fact, however, that Marion echoed
+the word, and that he thought--indeed he was sure--her hand trembled
+slightly as she returned, or rather received, his squeeze.  Miles was
+very stern of countenance and remarkably upright in figure while these
+adieux were being said--for the glare of his rivals, he thought, was
+upon him.
+
+How the poor fellow got through the preparations and packing and parades
+that were necessary when the order came abruptly for the regiment to
+start for Suez we cannot tell.  He went about everything mechanically,
+or like a man in a dream.  And it was not till they had fairly started
+in the railway train that he became alive to the serious fact that he
+was actually off to the wars!
+
+The accommodation for passengers in that train was not good.  Distinctly
+bad, indeed, would be the proper term to apply to the kind of
+cattle-truck, in which Miles found himself with a detachment of the
+gallant 310th Infantry; and soon the blinding dust of Egypt reminded our
+young soldier that the real battle of life had fairly begun.
+
+"You'll get over it in time, my poor fellow," said his friend Armstrong,
+who sat beside him.
+
+"You need the same consolation yourself, friend Willie," retorted Miles,
+wiping the dust out of the corners of his eyes.
+
+"I didn't mean _that_," returned his friend.  "_You_ know what I mean!
+But cheer up; absence makes the heart grow fonder--at the same time it
+makes a fellow fit for duty.  I have gone through it myself, and know
+all about it."
+
+Miles flushed and felt inclined at first to resent this allusion to the
+state of his affections, but he was fortunately saved from taking any
+notice of it by a sudden burst of laughter among the men at a remark
+from Corporal Flynn, who, although this was his first visit to Egypt,
+had undertaken to point out to his comrades the various localities which
+he chose to assume were more or less connected with Scripture history!
+
+The first part of the journey was not particularly interesting, and what
+with the fine sand and the great heat, the men began to experience the
+discomforts of an Eastern climate, and to make frequent application to
+their water-bottles.  It would have been well if they had contented
+themselves with water, and with the cold tea which some of them had been
+provident enough to save up at breakfast; but when they reached the
+first station where there was a five minutes' halt, some of them managed
+to smuggle strong drink into the train.  One immediate result was that
+the men became more noisy.
+
+"Come, give us a song, Gaspard," cried several voices, apparently
+inspired at the same moment with the same idea and desire.
+
+"Wan wid a rousin' chorus, boy," cried Flynn.
+
+Gaspard complied, being ever ready to oblige, but whether it was the
+heat, or the dust, or the "rousin'" chorus, or the drink, the song was a
+partial failure.  Perhaps it was the excess of _tremulo_ induced by the
+motion of the train!  At all events it fell flat, and, when finished, a
+hilarious loud-voiced man named Simkin, or Rattling Bill, struck up
+"Rule Britannia," which more than made amends for the other, and was
+sung with intense vigour till the next station was reached.
+
+Here more drink was smuggled on board the train, and, as a natural
+consequence, men became troublesome.  A morose man named Sutherland, who
+was apt to grow argumentative and quarrelsome in his cups, made an
+assertion in reference to something terrestrial, which had no particular
+interest for any mortal man.  Simkin contradicted it.  Sutherland
+repeated it.  Simkin knocked Sutherland's helmet overboard.  Sutherland
+returned the compliment in kind, and their comrades had to quell an
+intestine war, while the lost head-pieces were left on the arid plain,
+where they were last seen surrounded by wonder-stricken and long-legged
+natives of the Flamingo tribe.
+
+This loss was a serious one, for exposure of the head to the sun in such
+a climate is exceedingly dangerous, and the old hands had great
+difficulty in impressing the fact on Rattling Bill and Sutherland, who,
+with the obstinacy of "greenhorns," made light of the danger, and
+expressed disbelief in sunstroke.
+
+Of course considerable interest was manifested when the station of
+Tel-el-Kebir was reached.
+
+"It's two mile from this, I've bin towld," said Flynn, "where the great
+battle was fowt."
+
+"How d'ee know that, Flynn?" asked one.
+
+"How do I know anything I'm towld but by belaivin' it?" returned the
+corporal.
+
+"It's my opeenion," said the big Scotsman Macleod, "that if there had
+been ony better troops than Egeeptians to fecht wi', oor men an' my Lord
+Wolseley wadna hae fund it sic an easy job."
+
+"But it is said that the Egyptians were brave enough, and fought and
+died like men till they were fairly overpowered," said Moses Pyne, who,
+being young and ardent, besides just, felt bound to stand up for dead
+foes.
+
+"I'm no objeckin' to their bravery," returned the Scot.  "They did the
+best they could; but what was to be expeckit o' a wheen men that was
+dragged to the field against their wull, an' made to fecht afore they
+weel kent hoo to use their airms?"
+
+"Anyhow they gave us a chance to show what British soldiers can do,"
+said Rattling Bill.
+
+"An' sure there's plenty more where they came from to give us another
+chance," said Flynn.
+
+"That's true, boys.  Three cheers for the heroes of Tel-el-Kebir, dead
+and livin'!" cried Armstrong, setting the example.
+
+The response was prompt and hearty, and for a few moments a forest of
+white helmets waved in the air.
+
+The enthusiasm was not allowed to cool, for the next station was
+Kassassin, where the Life Guards and our cavalry made their midnight
+charges; and where there occurred, perhaps, one of the longest day's
+fighting in the war of 1882.  Here, also, they saw the graves of the
+poor fellows who fell at that time, but the sight did not depress the
+men much.  The somewhat lugubrious Sutherland alone seemed to take a
+serious view of such matters.
+
+"It's a' vera weel for licht-hearted lads like you to laugh an' cheer,"
+he said, "but there's naething mair certain than that some o' you that's
+laughin' an' cheerin' yenoo, an' boastin' o' lickin' the Soudan neegers,
+'ll fill sandy graves afore lang."
+
+"You don't know that, Scotty.  Pr'a'ps we'll _all_ escape and return to
+old England together," said one of his comrades.
+
+"Arrah! if I _did_ git into wan o' the sandy graves ye spake of,"
+remarked Flynn, "I do belaive I'd rise out of it just for the pleasure
+o' contradictin' you, Sutherland."
+
+"H'm! nae doot.  Contradictiousness whiles maks fowk lively that wad be
+dull an' deed eneuch withoot it.  But did onybody iver hear o' a
+reg'ment gaun' oot to the wars an' comin' back jist as it went?  That's
+the question--"
+
+"As Hamlet's ghost said when he was takin' a night-walk to cool
+his-self," interposed Simkin.
+
+"It wasna his ghost; it was his faither's ghost," cried Sutherland; "an'
+I'm no' sure that--"
+
+"Howld yer tongues, both o' ye!" cried Flynn; "sure the loss o' yer
+helmets is beginning to tell on yer heads already.  What can the line be
+I see in the distance over there?  I do belaive it's another o' thim
+broad rivers that seem to cut up this land all into stripes."
+
+"Why, it's the canal, man," cried Moses Pyne, who was more or less
+enthusiastic about all the sights and scenes they were passing.  "Don't
+ye see the ships?"
+
+"Sure enough, you're right, Moses, as ye ginerally are whin you're not
+wrong.  There's some ships comin' wan way, an' some goin' the other.
+Och! but he _is_ a great jainius that Frenchman as tied the two says
+togither--Lips--Lisps--what is it they calls him?  I've clane forgot."
+
+"Lesseps," said Miles, as he gazed with unusual interest on this
+wonderful highway of nations.
+
+The troops reached Suez after a ten hours' journey, the distance being
+about 230 miles.  Our hero made the acquaintance here of a private of
+marines named Stevenson, with whom he afterwards served in the Soudan,
+and with whom he became very friendly, not only because their spirits
+were sympathetic, but because, having been brought up in the same part
+of England, they had similar memories and associations in regard to
+"home."  Only those who have wandered long and far from their native
+land can understand the attractive influence that arises between men who
+meet abroad, and find that they can chat about the same places and
+persons in the "old country."
+
+It was Saturday when the troops arrived at Suez, and the heavy dew that
+fell rendered the night bitterly cold, and felt to be so all the more
+because of the intense heat of the day.  Sunday began with "rousing out"
+at six, breakfast at seven, parade at eight, and "divine service"
+thereafter.  As there was no clergyman at the place at the time, the
+duty was performed by one of the officers.  Doubtless among the officers
+there are men who not only can "read prayers" well, but who have the
+spirit of prayer in them.  That such, however, is not always the case
+may be gathered from the remark of one of the men upon this occasion.
+
+"W'y, you know, Tom," said this rather severe critic to his comrade
+confidentially, "there's one advantage in fast readin', that it gets the
+business soon over, which is some sort o' comfort to fellows that has
+got to attend whether they like it or not, hot or cold, fresh or tired,
+unless dooty prevents.  But the hofficer that did dooty to-day seemed to
+me to 'ave made a wager to read the prayers against time, an' that can
+do no good at all to any one, you know.  Far better, in my opinion, to
+'ave no service at all.  No wonder men won't listen.  Why, it's a
+mockery--that's what it is."
+
+A walk round Suez with Armstrong and Stevenson till tattoo at 9:30
+finished the day, and convinced Miles and his friends that the sooner
+they bade adieu to that place the better for all of them.
+
+Their wishes were gratified almost sooner than they wished!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+NEW AND SAD MINGLED WITH CURIOUS EXPERIENCES.
+
+At Suez Miles Milton first made acquaintance with the shady side of war.
+
+Before the commanding officer, after parade next morning, they received
+marching orders, and kit-muster followed.  In the afternoon the
+_Loch-Ard_ steamer came in from Suakim, with sick, wounded, and
+invalids, and a large party was told off to assist in landing them and
+their baggage.  Miles was one of the party.  The dock where the vessel
+lay was three miles off, and the greater part of this distance the
+invalids were brought by train; but the latter part of the journey had
+to be done on foot by those who could walk, and on stretchers by those
+who could not.
+
+Oh! it was pitiful to see those battered, sunburnt, bloodless young men,
+with deep lines of suffering on their faces, aged before their time, and
+the mere wrecks of what they once were.  Men who had gone to that region
+strong, active, ruddy, enthusiastic, and who, after a few months,
+returned thus feeble and shattered--some irreparably so; others with
+perhaps years of joyless life before them; a few with the unmistakable
+stamp of death already on their brows.
+
+There were about forty altogether.  Some, as we have said, were carried
+from the vessel, and not one of the forlorn band could get on without
+the assistance of their fresh comrades from England.
+
+One tall, deep-chested young soldier, who must have been a splendid
+specimen of manhood when he landed in Egypt, was supported on one side
+by Miles, and on the other by Stevenson.
+
+"Halt a moment," said the invalid, in a weak voice and with an
+apologetic smile.  "I--I can't get along quite as fast as I used to."
+
+His trembling legs and bowed back did not require the tongue or the
+large sunken eyes to confirm that obvious truth.
+
+"Poor fellow!" said Miles--with difficulty, owing to the lump in his
+throat--"you ought to have had a stretcher.  Here, sit down a bit on
+this stone.  Have you been wounded?"
+
+"Ay," returned the man with a look of quiet resignation that seemed to
+have become habitual to him, "I have been wounded, but not by spear or
+bullet.  It's the climate that has done for me.  I used to think that
+nothing under the sun could quell me, but the Lord has seen fit to bring
+down my pride in that matter.  At the same time, it's only fair to say
+that He has also raised me up, and given me greater blessings than He
+has taken away.  They told me in Portsmouth that He would, and it has
+come true."
+
+"At the Institute?" asked Stevenson, eagerly.
+
+"Ay--the Soldiers' Institute," answered the invalid.
+
+"God bless you!" returned the marine, grasping his hand.  "It was there
+I was brought to God myself.  Cheer up, brother!  You'll soon be in
+hospital, where good food an' physic an' nursing will bring you round,
+may-hap, an' make you as ship-shape as ever."
+
+"It may be so, if He wills it so," returned the trooper softly; "but I
+have a little book called `Our Warfare,' and a letter from the
+`Soldier's Friend' in my pocket, which has done me more good than all
+the hospitals and physic in Egypt can do.  Come, let us go on.  I'm
+better now."
+
+Rising and putting a long arm round the shoulders of each of his new
+friends, the trooper slowly brought up the rear of the touching
+procession which had already passed them on its way to Suez.
+
+In the vessel which had brought those unfortunate men from Suakim, Miles
+and his comrades soon found themselves advancing down that region of
+sweltering heat called the Red Sea.  The sight of the disabled men had
+naturally, at first, a depressing effect on the men; but the influence
+of robust health, youth, strong hope, and that light-hearted courage
+which makes the British soldier so formidable to his foes, soon restored
+to most of them their wonted free-and-easy enjoyment of the present and
+disregard for the future.  Even the serving out of cholera-belts and
+pocket-filters failed to allay their exuberant spirits.
+
+The _Loch-Ard_, although doubtless a good ship for carrying coals, was
+very ill-suited to convey troops.  But in times of war, and in distant
+lands, soldiers lay their account with roughing it.
+
+They soon found that a little of the physic which is supposed to be
+"rough on rats" would have been of advantage; for the very first night
+many of the men were awakened by those creatures nibbling at their toes!
+Everything on board was dirty: the tin pannikins were rusty, the
+biscuit was mouldy and full of creatures that the captain called weevils
+and Macleod styled wee-deevils.  Some of the biscuit was so bad that it
+had to be thrown away, and the remainder eaten, as Moses said, with
+closed eyes!
+
+"It's an ill wind that blaws naebody guid," said Macleod to Moses Pyne,
+as he came on deck to enjoy a pipe after their first dinner on board.
+"What d'ee think that queer cratur Flynn is doin' doon below?"
+
+"Nothing very useful, I daresay," said Moses.
+
+"Ye're wrang for ance.  He's lyin' in ambush there, makin' war on the
+rats--ay, an' he's killed twa or three a'ready!"
+
+"You don't say so!  I'll go and see the fun."
+
+So saying Moses went below, but had just reached the foot of the ladder
+when a boot caught him violently on the shins.
+
+"Hi! hallo! ho!" shouted Moses.
+
+"Och! git out o' the line o' fire wid ye!  There's another!" growled
+Flynn, as he fired a second boot, which whizzed past the intruder, and a
+sharp squeak told that it had not been fired in vain!
+
+Moses beat a hasty retreat, and the Irishman continued the fight with
+that indomitable perseverance for which his countrymen are famous.
+There is no saying how long the action would have lasted, but in his
+energy he knocked away the support of a shelf behind him and a small
+cask of large nails, taking him in rear, sent him sprawling on the deck
+and routed him.
+
+This misadventure did not, however, terminate the war.  On the contrary,
+rat-hunting became a favourite pastime during the voyage down the Red
+Sea.  Our hero, of course, took his turn at the fighting, but we believe
+that he never received a medal for his share in that war.
+
+They spent one Sunday on the deep, but the only record made of it, in
+the journal of the soldier from which most of our facts are gathered, is
+that they "had prayers in racing style--against time!"
+
+As if to cleanse themselves from the impropriety of this act the
+soldiers had a grand washing of clothes on the following day, and the
+day after that they arrived at Suakim.
+
+"It is what I call a dreary, dismal-looking town," said Miles to
+Armstrong, as they approached.
+
+"Might be worse," replied his friend.
+
+"Ye aye tak a cheery view o' things, Airmstrong."
+
+"An' what for no?" asked Sutherland.
+
+"You may well ask why not," said Sergeant Hardy.  "I think it wisest to
+look always on the bright side of things."
+
+"Whether it's dreary or pleasant we'll have to make the best we can of
+it, boys," said Stevenson; "for this is to be our home for some time to
+come."
+
+"Horrible!" growled Simkin, whose spirit was essentially rebellious.
+
+"Ochone!" sighed Flynn, who, we need scarcely say, was essentially
+jolly.
+
+Further remark was cut short by the voice of Captain Lacey ordering the
+men to fall in, as the colonel in command was coming on board to inspect
+them.
+
+The night of the arrival of the 310th was dreadfully hot, insomuch that
+many of the men found it impossible to sleep.  But in the silence of
+that night food for reflection was supplied to the wakeful, in the form
+of sounds that were new to many, but soon became familiar to all--
+namely, the boom of big guns and the rattle of musketry.  Osman Digna
+was making one of his customary attacks on the town, and the defenders
+were repelling him.  Of course the sanguine among the new arrivals were
+much excited, and eager to join in the fray; but their services were not
+required that night.  Osman and his dusky hordes were being repulsed as
+usual, and the reinforcements were obliged to content themselves with
+merely listening to the sounds of war.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+IN ACTION AT LAST.
+
+No time was lost in sending the newly-arrived troops to their sphere of
+duty.
+
+There was something appropriate in their landing on that day of
+gunpowdery memories, the 5th of November.  It was four o'clock when they
+disembarked.  By four-thirty they were drawn up and inspected by the
+General, and immediately thereafter marched off in detachments to their
+respective stations--to Sphinx Redoubt, Fort Commodore, Bulimba, and
+other points of defence.
+
+The detachment in which Miles Milton found himself was led by Captain
+Lacey to Sphinx Redoubt, where he was greatly pleased to find that his
+new friend, private Stevenson of the marines, was also stationed with
+some of his comrades.
+
+There are probably times in the experiences of most of us when we seem
+to awake out of a long dream and begin to appreciate fully that the
+circumstances in which we are placed are stern realities after all.
+Such a time of awakening came to our hero when he and his comrades each
+received fifty rounds of ball-cartridge, and stood ready to repel
+assault on the defences of Suakim.
+
+Hitherto drill and reviews had seemed to him a good deal like playing at
+soldiers.  Even when the distant sound of the big guns and the rattle of
+small arms touched his ear, the slumber of unbelief was only broken--not
+quite dispelled.  But now, weighted with the deadly missiles, with rifle
+in hand, with ears alert to every sound, and eyes open to every object
+that might present itself on the sandy waste beyond the redoubt, and a
+general feeling of expectancy pervading his thoughts and feelings, he
+became clearly convinced that the recent past was no flight of the
+imagination--that he was in very truth a soldier, and that his fighting
+career had in reality begun!
+
+Now, it may not be out of place here to state that our hero was not by
+nature a combative man.  We think it necessary to point this out,
+because the somewhat pugnacious introduction of Miles into our story may
+have misled the reader on this point.  His desire for a soldier's life
+was founded on a notion that it would prove to be a roving, jovial,
+hilarious sort of life, with plenty of sport and adventure in foreign
+lands.  Of course he knew that it implied fighting also, and he was
+quite ready for that when it should be required of him; but it did not
+occur to him to reflect very profoundly that soldiering also meant, in
+some instances, exposure to withering heat during the day and stifling
+heat during the night; to thirst that seems unquenchable, and fatigue
+from prolonged duty that seems irreparable; to fits of sickness that
+appear to eliminate from stalwart frames all the strength they had ever
+possessed; and fits of the "blues" that render the termination of life a
+subject of rather pleasant contemplation than otherwise.  But all these
+things he found out at Suakim!
+
+Moreover, it had not occurred to him to think deeply on the fact that
+fighting meant rushing at a fellow-man whose acquaintance he had not
+made before; against whom he had not the slightest feeling of ill-will,
+and skewering him with a bayonet, or sending a bullet into him which
+would terminate his career in mid-life, and leave a wife and children--
+perhaps a mother also--disconsolate.  But he also found that out at
+Suakim!
+
+We repeat that Miles had no desire to fight, though, of course, he had
+no objection.  When the officer in command sent him and his comrades to
+their station--after the ball-cartridge supply just referred to--and
+told them to keep a sharp look-out, for Osman Digna was giving them a
+great deal of trouble at the time, and pointed out where they were to go
+if attacked, and warned them to be ready to turn out on the instant that
+the bugle should sound the alarm, Miles was as full of energy and
+determination to fight and die for his country as the best of his
+comrades, though he did not express so strong a wish for a "brush with
+the enemy," as some of them did, or sympathise much with Corporal Flynn
+when he said--
+
+"It's wishin' I am that Osman an' his dirty naygurs would come down on
+us this night, for we're fresh an' hearty, just off the say, burnin' for
+fame an' glory, ivery mother's son of us, an' fit to cut the black
+bastes up into mince-meat.  Och! but it's thirsty I am!"
+
+"If ye spoke less an' thocht mair ye wadna be sae dry, maybe," remarked
+Saunders, in a cynical tone.
+
+"Hoots, man, let the cratur alane," said Macleod, as he busied himself
+polishing up some dim parts of his rifle.  "It's no muckle pleesure
+we're like to hae in this het place.  Let the puir thing enjoy his
+boastin' while he may."
+
+"Sure an' we're not widout consolation anyhow," retorted the corporal;
+"for as long as we've got you, Mac, and your countryman, to cheer us wid
+your wise an' lively talk we'll niver die o' the blues."
+
+As he spoke a tremendous explosion not far off caused the redoubt to
+tremble to its foundations.  At the same moment the alarm sounded, the
+men sprang up, seized their arms, and stood ready for an attack; but to
+their surprise no attack was made.
+
+"Surely it must have been one of the mines you were telling me about,"
+said Miles, in a low voice to Sergeant Gilroy, who stood near to him.
+
+"It was one of them unquestionably, for a corporal of the Berkshire
+regiment told me Lieutenant Young placed the mine there yesterday."
+
+While Gilroy was speaking, Lieutenant Young himself came along, engaged
+in earnest conversation with Captain Lacey, and stood still close beside
+Miles.
+
+"What puzzles me, is that they have not followed it up with a few
+volleys, according to their usual custom," said the former, in a low
+voice.  "Luckily they seldom do any harm, for they are uncommonly bad
+shots, but they generally try their best to do us mischief, and always
+make a good deal of noise about it."
+
+"Perhaps," suggested Captain Lacey, "your mine has done so much
+execution this time, and killed so many men, that they've got a fright
+and run away."
+
+"It may be so, but I think not.  The Soudanese are not easily
+frightened, as we have some cause to know."
+
+"Have you many mines about?" asked the captain.
+
+"Yes, we have a good many.  And they form a most important part of our
+defence, for we are not very well supplied with men, and the Egyptian
+troops are not to be depended on unless backed up by ours.  These mines
+require to be carefully handled, however, for our shepherds take the
+cattle out to graze every day, so that if I were to fail to disconnect
+any of them in the mornings, we should have some of our cattle blown up;
+and if I failed to connect them again at night, the enemy would attack
+us more vigorously.  As it is, they are very nervous about the mines.
+They have pluck to face any foe that they can see, but the idea of an
+unseen foe, who lurks underground anywhere, and may suddenly send them
+into the sky like rockets, daunts them a bit."
+
+"And little wonder!" returned the captain.  "From what you say I judge
+that you have the management of most of the mines."
+
+"Of all of them," answered the lieutenant, with a modest look.
+
+There was more than modesty in this young officer of Engineers; there
+was heroism also.  He might have added, (though he did not), that this
+duty of connecting and disconnecting the mines each night and morning
+was such a dangerous service that he declined to take men out with him,
+and invariably did the work personally and alone.
+
+The mystery of the explosion on the night we write of was explained next
+morning when a party sallied forth to see what damage had been done.
+They found, instead of dismembered men, the remnants of a poor little
+hare which had strayed across the fatal line of danger and been blown to
+atoms.  Thus do the lives of the innocent too often fall a sacrifice to
+the misdeeds of the guilty!
+
+Next night, however, the defenders were roused by a real attack.
+
+The day had been one of the most trying that the new arrivals had yet
+experienced.  The seasoned men, who had been formed by Nature,
+apparently, of indestructible material, said it was awful.  The
+thermometer stood at above 110 degrees in the shade; there was not a
+breath of air moving; the men were panting, almost choking.  Even the
+negroes groaned, and, drawing brackish water from a well in the fort,
+poured it over their heads and bodies--but with little benefit, for the
+water itself was between 95 and 100 degrees!
+
+"It'll try some o' the new-comers to-night, if I'm not mistaken,"
+remarked one of the indestructible men above referred to, as he rose
+from dinner and proceeded to fill his pipe.
+
+"Why d'you think so?" asked Sergeant Hardy, whose name was appropriate,
+for he continued for a long time to be one of the indestructibles.
+
+"'Cause it's always like this when we're goin' to have a horrible
+night."
+
+"Do the nights vary much?" asked Armstrong, who was still busy with his
+knife and fork.
+
+"Of course they do," returned the man.  "Sometimes you have it quite
+chilly after a hot day.  Other times you have it suffocatin'--like the
+Black Hole of Calcutta--as it'll be to-night."
+
+"What sort o' hole was that?" asked Simkin, whose knowledge of history
+was not extensive.
+
+"It was a small room or prison into which they stuffed a lot of our men
+once, in India, in awful hot weather, an' kep' them there waitin' till
+the Great Mogul, or some chap o' that sort, should say what was to be
+done wi' them.  But his Majesty was asleep at the time, an' it was as
+much as their lives was worth to waken him.  So they had to wait, an'
+afore he awakened out o' that sleep most o' the men was dead--suffocated
+for want o' fresh air."
+
+"I say, Mac, pass the water," said Moses Pyne.  "It makes a feller feel
+quite gaspy to think of."
+
+The weather-prophet proved to be right.  That night no one could sleep a
+wink, except the big Scotsman Macleod.  To make matters worse, the
+insects of the place were unusually active.  One of them especially, not
+much bigger than a pin-point, was irritating out of all proportion to
+its size, and it kept up, during the night, the warfare which the
+innumerable flies had waged during the day.
+
+"It's no use trying to sleep, Willie," said Miles to Armstrong, who was
+next to him, as they lay on the flat roof of the redoubt, with their
+rifles resting on the sandbags which formed a slight protection from the
+enemy's fire when one of the frequent attacks was made on the town.
+
+"So I find," returned his friend.  "I have tried everything.  Counting
+up to hundreds of thousands has made me rather more wakeful.  I find
+that thinking of Emmy does me most good, but even that won't produce
+sleep."
+
+"Strange!" remarked Miles.  "I have been trying the same sort of thing--
+without success.  And I've had an unusually hard day of it, so that I
+ought to be ready for sleep.  You were in luck, being on police-duty."
+
+"H'm!  I don't think much of my luck.  But let's hear what you have been
+up to all day."
+
+"Well, first, I began by turning out at 5:30 a.m.," said Miles, rolling
+with a sigh on his other side, for a uniform, cross-belts, boots,
+ammunition, etcetera, don't, after all, form an easy night-dress.
+"After a cup of coffee I fell in with a lot of our fellows, and was told
+off for fatigue-duty.  Worked away till 7:30.  Then breakfast.  After
+that I had to clear up the mess; then got ready for inspection parade at
+9:30, after which I had to scrub belts, and clean up generally.  Dinner
+over, I was warned to go on night-guard; but, for some reason which was
+not stated to me, that was changed, and I'm not sorry for it, because
+the heat has taken a good deal out of me, and I prefer lying here beside
+you, Willie, to standing sentry, blinking at the desert, and fancying
+every bush and stone to be a dusky skirmisher of Osman Digna.  By the
+way, if that mountain range where the enemy lies is twelve or fourteen
+miles distant from the town, they have a long way to come when they take
+a fancy to attack us--which is pretty often too.  They say he has got
+two hundred thousand men with him.  D'you think that can be true?"
+
+A gentle trumpet-note from his friend's nose told Miles that he had
+brought about what thoughts of Emmy had failed to accomplish!
+
+Thoughts of Marion had very nearly brought himself to a similar
+condition, when a trumpet-blast, the reverse of gentle, roused the whole
+line of defence, and, immediately after, sharp firing was heard in the
+direction of the right Water fort, which was manned by marines with two
+Krupp guns and a Gardner.  A few rounds from the big guns drove the
+enemy back in that direction.
+
+Miles and those around him, however, had not to turn out.  Owing to
+their position on the roof of the Sphinx Redoubt, they had only to roll
+on their fronts, rest their rifles on the sandbags, and they were at
+once ready for action.
+
+Round the various forts and redoubts deep and broad trenches had been
+dug, and they were rendered otherwise as strong as possible.  The right
+and left Water forts formed the first line of defence.  The latter fort,
+being manned by Egyptian troops, was more frequently favoured with the
+attentions of Osman than the others, for the marines were splendid men,
+and the native chief was well aware of that.  All the places around,
+which offered the slightest shelter to the enemy, had been carefully
+measured as to distance, so that the exact range could be fixed at a
+moment's notice.  Then the war-vessels and one of the forts were
+furnished with electric lights, so that, by bringing these to bear on
+the foe, as well as the big and little guns--not to mention mines and
+rifles--the attacking host had always a warm reception when they paid a
+visit to the town, and never stayed long!
+
+The defenders required all these aids, however; for, besides a regiment
+of Egyptian infantry, a company of Royal Engineers, and about 500
+marines, there was only one small battalion of British troops and a
+regiment of Egyptian cavalry.  These last were extremely useful.  Every
+day they went out scouting and clearing around Suakim, and had frequent
+skirmishes with the enemy, in all of which they were said to have
+behaved very well indeed.
+
+Our party on the redoubt had not lain there long when a sheet of flame
+seemed to flash out of the darkness in front of them.  It was followed
+by the rattle of small arms.  Instantly the redoubt replied; bullets
+whizzed overhead, and our hero received what has of late been called a
+"baptism of fire."
+
+But he was so busy plying his own weapon that he scarcely realised the
+fact that death was ever and anon within a few inches of him, until a
+bullet ripped the sandbag on which his rifle rested and drove the sand
+into his face.  He became a wiser man from that hour, and soon acquired
+the art of performing his duty with the least possible exposure of his
+person, and that for the briefest possible space of time!
+
+Like a first-rate detective, the electric light sought out and exposed
+their foes; then withering volleys sent them scurrying across the
+country back to their native hills.
+
+"Sure it's wid wan eye open we've got to slape whin the murtherin'
+rascals come down on us like that," observed Corporal Flynn, when the
+firing had slackened to a few dropping shots on both sides.
+
+"Av they'd only stand fornint us in the open, it's short work we'd make
+o' them.  There's no more pluck in them than in my smallest finger."
+
+It seemed as if righteous retribution were being meted out that night,
+for a spent ball entered the fort at that moment and, strange to say,
+hit the extreme tip of the corporal's little finger!
+
+A howl, as much of surprise as pain, apprised his comrades of the fact,
+and a hearty laugh followed when the trifling extent of the injury was
+ascertained.
+
+"Serves you right, Flynn, for boasting," said Armstrong, with a grim
+smile, as he stretched himself out and rested his head on a sandbag.
+"Moreover, you are unjust, for these black fellows are as brave a lot o'
+men as British troops have ever had to face.  Good-night, boys, I'm off
+to the land of Nod!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+TELLS OF SOME OF THE TRIALS, UNCERTAINTIES, DANGERS, AND DISASTERS OF
+WAR.
+
+Uncertain moonlight, with a multitude of cloudlets drifting slowly
+across the sky so as to reveal, veil, partially obscure, or sometimes
+totally blot out the orb of night, may be a somewhat romantic, but is
+not a desirable, state of things in an enemy's country, especially when
+that enemy is prowling among the bushes.
+
+But such was the state of things one very sultry night when our hero
+found himself standing in the open alone, and with thoughts of a varied
+and not wholly agreeable nature for his companions.
+
+He was on sentry duty.
+
+It was intensely dark when the clouds partially veiled the moon, for she
+was juvenile at the time--in her first quarter; and when the veil was
+partially removed, the desert, for it was little better, assumed an
+indistinct and ghostly-grey appearance.
+
+Sombre thoughts naturally filled the mind of our young soldier as he
+stood there, alert, watchful, with weapons ready, ears open to the
+slightest sound, and eyes glancing sharply at the perplexing shadows
+that chased each other over the ground like wanton Soudanese at play.
+His faculties were intensely strung at what may well be styled
+"attention," and riveted on that desert land to which Fate--as he called
+his own conduct--had driven him.  Yet, strange to say, his mysterious
+spirit found leisure to fly back to old England and revisit the scenes
+of childhood.  But he had robbed himself of pleasure in that usually
+pleasant retrospect.  He could see only the mild, sorrowful, slightly
+reproachful, yet always loving face of his mother when in imagination he
+returned home.  It was more than he could bear.  He turned to pleasanter
+memories.  He was back again at Portsmouth, in the reading-room of the
+Soldiers' Institute, with red-coated comrades around him, busy with
+newspaper and illustrated magazine, while the sweet sound of familiar
+music came from the adjoining rooms, where a number of Blue Lights, or
+rather red-coats, who were not ashamed to own and serve their Maker,
+were engaged with songs of praise.
+
+Suddenly he was back in Egypt with his heart thumping at his ribs.  An
+object seemed to move on the plain in front of him.  The ready bayonet
+was lowered, the trigger was touched.  Only for a moment, however.  The
+shadow of a cloud had passed from behind a bush--that was all; yet it
+was strange how very like to a real object it seemed to his
+highly-strung vision.  A bright moonbeam next moment showed him that
+nothing to cause alarm was visible.
+
+Mind is not so easily controlled as matter.  Like a statue he stood
+there in body, but in mind he had again deserted his post.  Yet not to
+so great a distance as before.  He only went the length of Alexandria,
+and thought of Marion!  The thought produced a glow, not of physical
+heat--that was impossible to one whose temperature had already risen to
+the utmost attainable height--but a glow of soul.  He became heroic!  He
+remembered Marion's burning words, and resolved that Duty should
+henceforth be his guiding-star!
+
+Duty!  His heart sank as he thought of the word, for the Something
+within him became suddenly active, and whispered, "How about your duty
+to parents?  You left them in a rage.  You spent some time in
+Portsmouth, surrounded by good influences, and might have written home,
+but you didn't.  You made some feeble attempts, indeed, but failed.  You
+might have done it several times since you landed in this country, but
+you haven't.  You know quite well that you have not fully repented even
+yet!"
+
+While the whispering was going on, the active fancy of the youth saw the
+lovely face of Marion looking at him with mournful interest, as it had
+been the face of an angel, and then there came to his memory words which
+had been spoken to him that very day by his earnest friend Stevenson the
+marine: "No man can fully do his duty to his fellows until he has begun
+to do his duty to God."
+
+The words had not been used in reference to himself but in connection
+with a discussion as to the motives generally which influence men.  But
+the words were made use of by the Spirit as arrows to pierce the youth's
+heart.
+
+"Guilty!" he exclaimed aloud, and almost involuntary followed, "God
+forgive me!"
+
+Again the watchful ear distinguished unwonted sounds, and the sharp
+eye--wonderfully sharpened by frequent danger--perceived objects in
+motion on the plain.  This time the objects were real.  They approached.
+It was "the rounds" who visited the sentries six times during each
+night.
+
+In another part of the ground, at a considerable distance from the spot
+where our hero mounted guard, stood a youthful soldier, also on guard,
+and thinking, no doubt, of home.  He was much too young for service in
+such a climate--almost a boy.  He was a ruddy, healthy lad, with plenty
+of courage and high spirit, who was willing to encounter anything
+cheerfully, so long as, in so doing, he could serve his Queen and
+country.  But he was careless of his own comfort and safety.  Several
+times he had been found fault with for going out in the sun without his
+white helmet.  Miles had taken a fancy to the lad, and had spoken
+seriously, but very kindly, to him that very day about the folly of
+exposing himself in a way that had already cost so many men their lives.
+
+But young Lewis laughed good-naturedly, and said that he was too tough
+to be killed by the sun.
+
+The suffocating heat of that night told upon him, however, severely--
+tough though he was or supposed himself to be--while he kept his lonely
+watch on the sandy plain.
+
+Presently a dark figure was seen approaching.  The sentinel at once
+challenged, and brought his rifle to the "ready."  The man, who was a
+native, gave the password all right, and made some apparently
+commonplace remark as he passed, which, coupled with his easy manner and
+the correct countersign, threw the young soldier off his guard.
+Suddenly a long sharp knife gleamed in the faint light and was drawn
+across the body of Lewis before he could raise a hand to defend himself.
+He fell instantly, mortally wounded, with his entrails cut open.  At
+the same moment the tramp of the rounds was heard, and the native glided
+back into the darkness from which he had so recently emerged.
+
+When the soldiers came to the post they found the poor young soldier
+dying.  He was able to tell what had occurred while they were making
+preparations to carry him away, but when they reached the fort they
+found that his brief career had ended.
+
+A damp was cast on the spirits of the men of his company when they
+learned next day what had occurred, for the lad had been a great
+favourite; but soldiers in time of war are too much accustomed to look
+upon death in every form to be deeply or for long affected by incidents
+of the kind.  Only the comrades who had become unusually attached to
+this poor youth mourned his death as if he had been a brother in the
+flesh as well as in the ranks.
+
+"He was a good lad," said Sergeant Gilroy, as they kept watch on the
+roof of the fort that night.  "Since we came here he has never missed
+writing to his mother a single mail.  It is true, being an amiable lad,
+and easily led through his affections, he had given way to drink to some
+extent, but no later than yesterday I prevailed upon him to join our
+temperance band--"
+
+"What? become a Blue Light!" exclaimed Sutherland, with something of a
+sneer in his tone.
+
+"Ah, comrade; and I hope to live to see you join our band also, and
+become one of the bluest lights among us," returned the sergeant
+good-humouredly.
+
+"Never!" replied Sutherland, with emphasis; "you'll never live to see
+that."
+
+"Perhaps not, but if I don't live to see it some one else will,"
+rejoined the sergeant, laying his hand gently on the man's shoulder.
+
+"Is that you again?  It's wishin' I am that I had you in ould Ireland,"
+growled Corporal Flynn, referring to Osman Digna, whose men had opened
+fire on the neighbouring fort, and again roused the whole garrison.
+"Slape is out o' the question wi' such a muskitos buzzin' about.  Bad
+luck to 'ee!"
+
+"What good would it do to send him to Ireland?" asked Simkin, as he
+yawned, rolled over, and, like the rest of his comrades, loaded his
+rifle.
+
+"Why, man, don't ye see, av he was in ould Ireland he couldn't be
+disturbin' our night's rest here.  Moreover, they'd make a dacent man of
+'im there in no time.  It's always the way; if an English blackguard
+goes over to Ireland he's almost sure to return home more or less of a
+gintleman.  That's why I've always advised you to go over, boy.  An'
+maybe if Osman wint he'd--Hallo!"
+
+A flash of light and whistling of bullets overhead effectually stopped
+the Irishman's discourse.  Not that he was at all alarmed by the
+familiar incident, but being a change of subject it became more
+absorbingly interesting than the conversation, besides necessitating
+some active precautions.
+
+The firing seemed to indicate an attack in several places along the line
+of defence.  At one of the posts called the New House the attack was
+very sharp.  The enemy could not have been much, if at all, over three
+hundred yards distant in the shelter of three large pits.  Of course the
+fire was vigorously returned.  A colonel and major were there on the
+redoubt, with powerful field-glasses, and directed the men where to fire
+until the General himself appeared on the scene and took command.  On
+the left, from Quarantine Island, the Royal Engineers kept up a heavy
+cross-fire, and on the right they were helped by a fort which was manned
+by Egyptian troops.  From these three points a heavy fire was kept up,
+and continued till six o'clock in the morning.
+
+By that time, the enemy having been finally driven out of the pits, a
+party was sent across to see what execution had been done.  It was
+wonderfully little, considering the amount of ammunition and energy
+expended.  In the first pit one man was found dead; a bullet had entered
+his forehead and come out at the back of his head.  Moving him a little
+on one side they found another man under him, shot in the same way.  All
+round the pit inside were large pools of blood, but no bodies, for the
+natives invariably dragged or carried away their dead when that was
+possible.  In the other two pits large pools of blood were also found,
+but no bodies.  Beyond them, however, one man was discovered shot
+through the heart.  He had evidently been dragged along the sand, but
+the tremendous fire of the defenders had compelled the enemy to drop
+him.  Still further on they found twelve more corpses which had been
+dragged a short way and then left.
+
+Close to these they observed that the sand had been disturbed, and on
+turning it up found that a dozen of bodies had been hastily buried
+there.  Altogether they calculated that at least fifty of the enemy had
+been killed on that occasion--a calculation which was curiously verified
+by the friendly tribes asking permission to bury the dead according to
+the Soudanese custom.  This was granted, of course, and thus the exact
+number killed was ascertained, but how many had been wounded no one
+could tell.
+
+"Fifty desolated homes!" remarked one of the men, when the number of
+killed was announced at mess that day.  He was a cynical, sour-visaged
+man, who had just come out of hospital after a pretty severe illness.
+"Fifty widows, may-hap," he continued, "to say nothin' o' child'n--that
+are just as fond o' husbands an' fathers as _ours_ are!"
+
+"Why, Jack Hall, if these are your sentiments you should never have
+enlisted," cried Simkin, with a laugh.
+
+"I 'listed when I was drunk," returned Hall savagely.
+
+"Och, then, it sarves ye right!" said Flynn.  "Even a pig would be
+ashamed to do anythin' whin it was in liquor."
+
+The corporal's remark prevented the conversation taking a lugubrious
+turn, to the satisfaction of a few of the men who could not endure to
+look at anything from a serious point of view.
+
+"What's the use," one of them asked, "of pullin' a long face over what
+you can't change?  Here we are, boys, to kill or be killed.  My creed
+is, `Take things as they come, and be jolly!'  It won't mend matters to
+think about wives and child'n."
+
+"Won't it?" cried Armstrong, looking up with a bright expression from a
+sheet of paper, on which he had just been writing.  "Here am I writin'
+home to _my_ wife--in a hurry too, for I've only just heard that word
+has been passed, the mail for England goes to-day.  I'm warned for guard
+to-night, too; an' if the night takes after the day we're in for a
+chance o' suffocation, to say nothing o' insects--as you all know.  Now,
+won't it mend matters that I've got a dear girl over the sea to think
+about, and to say `God bless her, body and soul?'"
+
+"No doubt," retorted the take-things-as-they-come-and-be-jolly man,
+"but--but--"
+
+"But," cried Hall, coming promptly to his rescue, "have not the
+Soudanese got wives an' children as well as us?"
+
+"I daresay they have--some of 'em."
+
+"Well, does the thought of your respective wives an' children prevent
+your shooting or sticking each other when you get the chance?"
+
+"Of course it don't!" returned Armstrong, with a laugh as he resumed his
+pencil.  "What would be the use o' comin' here if we didn't do that?
+But I haven't time to argue with you just now, Hall.  All I know is that
+it's my duty to write to my wife, an' I won't let the chance slip when
+I've got it."
+
+"Bah!" exclaimed the cynic, relighting his pipe, which in the heat of
+debate he had allowed to go out.
+
+Several of the other men, having been reminded of the mail by the
+conversation, also betook themselves to pen and pencil, though their
+hands were more familiar with rifle and bayonet.  Among these was Miles
+Milton.  Mindful of his recent thoughts, and re-impressed with the word
+_Duty_, which his friend had just emphasised, he sat down and wrote a
+distinctly self-condemnatory letter home.  There was not a word of
+excuse, explanation, or palliation in it from beginning to end.  In
+short, it expressed one idea throughout, and that was--Guilty! and of
+course this was followed by his asking forgiveness.  He had
+forgiveness--though he knew it not--long before he asked it.  His
+broken-hearted father and his ever-hopeful mother had forgiven him in
+their hearts long before--even before they received that treasured
+fragment from Portsmouth, which began and ended with:
+
+"Dearest Mother, I am sorry--"
+
+After finishing and despatching the letter, Miles went out with a
+feeling of lightness about his heart that he had not felt since that
+wretched day when he forsook his father's house.
+
+As it was still early in the afternoon he resolved to take a ramble in
+the town, but, seeing Sergeant Gilroy and another man busy with the
+Gardner gun on the roof of the redoubt, he turned aside to ask the
+sergeant to accompany him; for Gilroy was a very genial Christian, and
+Miles had lately begun to relish his earnest, intelligent talk, dashed
+as it was with many a touch of humour.
+
+The gun they were working with at the time had been used the day before
+in ascertaining the exact range of several objects on the ground in
+front.
+
+"I'll be happy to go with you, Miles, after I've given this gun a
+clean-out," said Gilroy.  "Turn the handle, Sutherland."
+
+"I'll turn the handle if it's a' richt," said the cautious Scot, with
+some hesitation.
+
+"It is all right," returned the sergeant.  "We ran the feeder out last
+night, you know, and I want to have the barrels cleaned.  Turn away."
+
+Thus ordered a second time, Sutherland obeyed and turned the handle.
+The gun went off, and its contents passed through the sergeant's groin,
+making a hole through which a man could have passed his arm.
+
+He dropped at once, and while some ran for the doctor, and some for
+water, others brought a stretcher to carry the poor fellow to hospital.
+Meanwhile Miles, going down on his knees beside him, raised his head and
+moistened his pale lips with water.  He could hardly speak, but a smile
+passed over his face as he said faintly, "She'll get my presents by this
+mail.  Write, Miles--break it to her--we'll meet again--by the side of
+Jesus--God be praised!"
+
+He ceased, and never spoke again.
+
+Gilroy was a married man, with five children.  Just before the accident
+he had written to his wife enclosing gifts for his little ones, and
+telling, in a thankful spirit, of continued health and safety.  Before
+the mail-steamer with his letter on board was out of sight he was dead!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+DESCRIBES SOME OF OSMAN DIGNA'S ECCENTRICITIES AND OTHER MATTERS.
+
+One day Miles and his friend Armstrong went to have a ramble in the town
+of Suakim, and were proceeding through the bazaar when they encountered
+Simkin hurrying towards them with a much too serious expression on his
+face!
+
+"Have you heard the n-news?" he asked, on coming up.
+
+"No; what's up?"
+
+"The old shep-shepherd's bin killed; all the c-cattle c-captured, an'
+the Egyptian c-cavalry's bin sent out after them."
+
+"Nonsense!  You're dreaming, or you've bin drinking," said Miles.
+
+"Neither dreamin' nor drinkin'," returned Simkin, with indignation, as
+he suddenly delivered a blow at our hero's face.  Miles stopped it,
+however, gave him a playful punch in the chest, and passed on.
+
+At first Simkin seemed inclined to resent this, but, while he swayed
+about in frowning indecision, his comrades left him; shaking his head,
+therefore, with intense gravity, he walked away muttering, "Not a bad
+fellow Miles, after all, if he w-wasn't so fond o' the b-bottle!"
+
+Miles was at the same moment making the same remark to his friend in
+reference to Simkin, and with greater truth.
+
+"But I don't wonder that the men who drink, go in for it harder than
+ever here," continued Miles.  "There is such hard work, and constant
+exposure, and so little recreation of any sort.  Yet it is a pity that
+men should give way to it, for too many of our comrades are on the
+sick-list because of it, and some under the sod."
+
+"It is far more than a pity," returned Armstrong, with unwonted energy.
+"Drink with its attendant evils is one of the great curses of the army.
+I have been told, and I can well believe it, that drink causes more loss
+to an army than war, the dangers of foreign service, and unhealthy
+climates, all put together."
+
+"That's a strong statement, Willie, and would need to be founded on good
+authority.  Who told you?"
+
+"Our new parson told me, and he is in my opinion a good authority,
+because he is a Christian, if ever a man was; and he is an elderly man,
+besides being uncommonly clever and well informed.  He told us a great
+many strong facts at the temperance meeting we held last night.  I wish
+you had been there, Miles.  It would have warmed your heart, I think."
+
+"Have you joined them, Willie?"
+
+"Yes, I have; and, God helping me, I mean to stick by them!"
+
+"I would have gone to the meeting myself," said Miles thoughtfully, "if
+I had been asked."
+
+"Strange," returned Armstrong, "that Sergeant Hardy said to me he
+thought of asking you to accompany us, but had an idea that you wouldn't
+care to go.  Now, just look at that lot there beside the grog-shop door.
+What a commentary on the evils of drink!"
+
+The lot to which he referred consisted of a group of miserable loungers
+in filthy garments and fez-caps, who, in monkey-like excitement, or
+solemn stupidity, stood squabbling in front of one of the many Greek
+drinking-shops, with which the town was cursed.
+
+Passing by at the moment, with the stately contempt engendered by a
+splendid physique and a red coat, strode a trooper--one of the defenders
+of the town.  His gait was steady enough, but there was that
+unmistakable something in the expression of his face which told that he
+was in the grip of the same fiend that had captured the men round the
+grog-shop door.  He was well-known to both Armstrong and Miles.
+
+"Hallo!  Johnson," cried the latter.  "Is there any truth in the--"
+
+He stopped, and looked steadily in the trooper's eyes without speaking.
+
+"Oh yes, I know what you mean," said Johnson, with a reckless air.  "I
+know that I'm drunk."
+
+"I wouldn't say exactly that of you," returned Miles; "but--"
+
+"Well, well, I say it of myself," continued the trooper.  "It's no use
+humbuggin' about it.  I'm swimmin' wi' the current.  Goin' to the dogs
+like a runaway locomotive.  Of course I see well enough that men like
+Sergeant Hardy, an' Stevenson of the Marines, who have been temperance
+men all their lives, enjoy good health--would to God I was like 'em!
+And I know that drinkers are dyin' off like sheep, but that makes it all
+the worse for me, for, to tell you the honest truth, boys--an' I don't
+care who knows it--I _can't_ leave off drinkin'.  It's killin' me by
+inches.  I know, likewise, that all the old hard drinkers here are soon
+sent home ruined for life--such of 'em at least as don't leave their
+miserable bones in the sand, and I know that I'm on the road to
+destruction, but I can't--I _won't_ give it up!"
+
+"Ha!  Johnson," said Armstrong, "these are the very words quoted by the
+new parson at the temperance meetin' last night--an' he's a splendid
+fellow with his tongue.  `Hard drinker,' says he, `you are humbuggin'
+yourself.  You say you _can't_ give up the drink.  The real truth is, my
+man, that you _won't_ give it up.  If only I could persuade you, in
+God's strength, to say "I _will_," you'd soon come all right.'  Now,
+Johnson, if you'll come with me to the next meetin'--"
+
+"What! _me_ go to a temperance meetin'?" cried the trooper with
+something of scorn in his laugh.  "You might as well ask the devil to go
+to church!  No, no, Armstrong, I'm past prayin' for--thank you all the
+same for invitin' me.  But what was you askin' about news bein' true?
+What news?"
+
+"Why, that the old shepherd has been killed, and all our cattle are
+captured, and the Egyptian cavalry sent after them."
+
+"You don't say so!" cried the trooper, with the air of a man who
+suddenly shakes off a heavy burden.  "If that's so, they'll be wantin'
+us also, no doubt."
+
+Without another word he turned and strode away as fast as his long legs
+could carry him.
+
+Although there might possibly be a call for infantry to follow, Miles
+and his friend did not see that it was needful to make for their fort at
+more than their ordinary pace.
+
+It was a curious and crowded scene they had to traverse.  Besides the
+grog-shops already mentioned there were numerous coffee-houses, where,
+from diminutive cups, natives of temperate habits slaked their thirst
+and discussed the news--of which, by the way, there was no lack at the
+time; for, besides the activity of Osman Digna and his hordes, there
+were frequent arrivals of mails, and sometimes of reinforcements, from
+Lower Egypt.  In the side-streets were many smithies, where lance-heads
+and knives were being forged by men who had not the most distant belief
+that such weapons would ever be turned into pruning-hooks.  There were
+also workers in leather, who sewed up passages of the Koran in leathern
+cases and sold them as amulets to be worn on necks and arms.  Elsewhere,
+hairdressers were busy greasing and powdering with the dust of red-wood
+the bushy locks of Hadendoa dandies.  In short, all the activities of
+Eastern city life were being carried on as energetically as if the place
+were in perfect security, though the only bulwark that preserved it,
+hour by hour, from being swept by the innumerable hordes of Soudan
+savagery, consisted of a few hundreds of British and Egyptian soldiers!
+
+Arrived at the Sphinx Fort, the friends found that the news was only too
+true.
+
+The stolen cattle belonged to the people of Suakim.  Every morning at
+six o'clock it was the custom of the shepherds to go out with their
+herds and flocks to graze, there being no forage in or near the town.
+All had to be back by sunset, when the gates were locked, and no one was
+allowed out or in till six the next morning.  The women, who carried all
+the water used in the waterless town, had of course to conform to the
+same rule.  Like most men who are constantly exposed to danger, the
+shepherds became careless or foolhardy, and wandered rather far with
+their herds.  Osman was too astute to neglect his opportunities.  On
+this occasion an old shepherd, who was well-known at Sphinx Redoubt, had
+strayed too far.  The Soudanese swept down, cut off his retreat, killed
+him, and, as we have said, carried off his cattle.
+
+It was to retrieve, if possible, or avenge this disaster that the
+Egyptian cavalry sallied forth.  They were seen galloping after the foe
+when Miles reached the roof of the redoubt, where some of his comrades
+were on duty, while Captain Lacey and several officers were looking on
+with field-glasses.
+
+"They are too late, I fear, to do much good," remarked one of the
+officers.
+
+"Don't I wish I was goin' wid them!" whispered Corporal Flynn to a
+comrade.
+
+"Ye wad be a queer objec' on the ootside o' a horse," remarked Macleod
+cynically.
+
+"Why, Mac, ye wouldn't have me go _inside_ of a horse, would ye?"
+
+"It wad be much the same which way ye went," returned the Scot.
+
+"Ah, thin, the horse wouldn't think so, unless he was a donkey!"
+
+"Well done!" exclaimed Captain Lacey at that moment, as the cavalry cut
+off and succeeded in recapturing a few of the cattle, and gave the enemy
+several volleys, which caused them to beat a hasty retreat.  This,
+however, turned out to be a _ruse_ on the part of Osman, who had his men
+concealed in strong force there.  He tried to draw the cavalry away from
+Suakim, and was very nearly successful.  In the ardour of pursuit the
+Egyptians failed to observe that the Soudanese were creeping round their
+rear to cut off retreat.  On discovering their mistake, and finding that
+their small force of two hundred men was being surrounded by thousands
+of Arab warriors, it was almost too late.  Turning at once, they
+galloped back, and could be seen, through the field-glasses, turning now
+and then gallantly to engage the pursuing foe.
+
+No help could be rendered them at first, as they were beyond the range
+of all the forts; nevertheless, they got in safely, with little injury
+to man or beast, and driving before them the animals that had been
+recovered.
+
+Next day the body of the poor old shepherd was brought in and buried,
+without a coffin, by his relations.
+
+Miles, being off duty at the time, went to see the funeral, and found
+that Eastern and Western ideas on this point, as on many others, are
+wide as the poles asunder.  No doubt the grief of the near relations was
+as real as it was demonstrative, but it required more credulity than he
+possessed to enable him to believe that the howling, shouting, and
+singing of many mourners was indicative of genuine feeling.  The
+creation of noise, indeed, seemed to be their chief method of paying
+respect to the dead.
+
+As deaths in Suakim were very numerous at this time, owing to much
+sickness among natives as well as troops, the sounds of mourning,
+whether by volley or voice, became so frequent that orders were at last
+given to cease firing over the soldiers' graves when they were buried.
+
+Just ahead of the shepherd's body came some poor women, who were
+weeping, falling down at intervals, and kissing the ground.  On reaching
+the wall round the land side of the town these women stopped, formed a
+circle, and kneeled on the sand while the body was passing them, then
+they leaned forward and kissed the ground, continuing in that position
+till all the procession had passed.  There the women remained, not being
+allowed to go to the grave, and the singing and shouting were continued
+by boys, who kept running round the bier as it was borne along.  On
+reaching the grave the body was put in with the face toward the east,
+and covered up with stones and mortar.  Then the grave was filled up
+with sand, a brief prayer was offered--the mourners kneeling--after
+which the people went home.
+
+Sad thoughts filled the mind of our young soldier as he returned to the
+fort, but the sadness was soon turned to indignation when he got there.
+
+For some time past a Soudanese youth of about seventeen or eighteen
+years of age had been coming about the Sphinx Redoubt and ingratiating
+himself with the men, who took a great fancy to him, because he was
+amiable in disposition, somewhat humorous as well as lively, and
+handsome, though black!  They used to give him something to eat every
+time he came, and made quite a pet of him.  One day while he was out in
+the open country, Osman's men captured this youth and took him at once
+before their leader, who, probably regarding him as a deserter, ordered
+both his hands to be cut off close to the wrists.  The cruel deed was
+done, and the poor lad was sent back to Suakim.  It was this that roused
+the wrath of Miles as well as that of his comrades.  When they saw the
+raw stumps and the haggard look of the poor fellow, who had suffered
+much from loss of blood, they got into a state of mind that would have
+made them ready to sally forth, if so required, and assault the entire
+Soudan in arms!
+
+"Och! av I only had 'im here," said Flynn, clenching his teeth and fists
+at the same time.  "It's--it's--it's--"
+
+"Mince-meat you'd make of him," said Moses.
+
+"No--it's _cat's_ mate--the baste!"
+
+The others were equally angry, though not quite so emphatic, but they
+did not waste their time in useless regrets.  They hurried the young
+Soudanese to the doctor, who carefully dressed his wounds, and every
+care was thereafter taken of him by the men, until completely restored
+to health.
+
+It may interest the reader to know that this poor fellow was afterwards
+well looked after.  Some sort of employment in the garrison was obtained
+for him, and he was found to be a useful and willing servant, despite
+the absence of his hands.
+
+That night a furious sand-storm burst upon the town, accompanied by
+oppressive heat.
+
+"It always seems to me," said Miles to Gaspard Redgrave, who lay next
+him, "that mosquitoes and sand-flies, cats and dogs, and in fact the
+whole brute creation, becomes more lively when the weather is unusually
+hot.  Just listen to these cats!"
+
+"Like a colony of small children being murdered," said Gaspard.
+
+"It's awfu'," observed Saunders, in a kind of solemn astonishment as a
+frightful caterwaul burst upon their ears.  "I wadna like to hear
+teegers in the same state o' mind."
+
+"Or elephants," murmured Moses Pyne, who was more than half asleep.
+
+The cats were indeed a great nuisance, for, not satisfied with getting
+on the flat roofs of the houses at nights, and keeping up a species of
+war-dance there, they invaded the soldiers' quarters, upsetting things
+in the dark--thus demonstrating the absurdity of the proverb that cats
+see best in the dark--stealing whatever they could lay hold of, and
+inducing half-slumbering men to fling boots and shoes, or whatever came
+most handy, at them.
+
+Rats also were innumerable, and, to the great surprise--not to say
+indignation--of the men, neither dogs nor cats paid the least attention
+to the rats!
+
+After a time the storm, both of animate and inanimate nature, began to
+abate, and the weary overworked soldiers were dropping off to sleep when
+a tremendous explosion effectually roused them.
+
+"There goes another mine!" cried Armstrong, starting up.
+
+"It don't require a prophet to tell us that," growled Gaspard, as he
+yawned and slowly picked up his rifle.
+
+Explosions were of quite common occurrence at that time, but had to be
+attended to nevertheless.
+
+That Osman had taken advantage of the very dark night to make an earlier
+attack than usual was evident, for shots were fired immediately after
+the explosion occurred, as usual.  These were replied to, but the effect
+of the explosion, it was supposed, must have been unusually severe, for
+the enemy withdrew after exchanging only a few shots.
+
+This surmise was afterwards proved to be correct.  On going to the spot
+the following morning, they found that at least a dozen of their foes
+must have been blown up, for legs and arms and other human remains were
+picked up in all directions.  These the soldiers gathered, with the aid
+of the friendly natives, and burned.
+
+No attack was made for four days after that, but then the untiring enemy
+became as troublesome as ever.
+
+Spies afterwards said that when Osman heard of this incident, and of the
+number of men killed, he said, "it served them right.  They had no
+business to go touching things that did not belong to them!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+ATHLETICS--A NEW ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP--AN EXPEDITION UNDERTAKEN,
+FOLLOWED BY A RACE FOR LIFE.
+
+Energetic and exhilarating exercise has sometimes the effect of driving
+away sickness which doctors' stuff and treatment fail to cope with
+successfully.  In saying this we intend no slight either to doctors'
+stuff or treatment!
+
+After the troops had been some time at Suakim the effect of the climate
+began to tell on them so severely that a very large proportion of
+Europeans were in hospital, and many who strove hard to brave it out
+were scarcely fit for duty.
+
+Great heat did not, however, interfere with Miles Milton's health.  He
+was one of those fortunates who seem to have been made of tougher clay
+than the average of humanity.  But his friend Armstrong was laid up for
+a considerable time.  Even Robert Macleod was knocked over for a brief
+period, and the lively Corporal Flynn succumbed at last.  Moses Pyne,
+however, stood the test of hard work and bad climate well, and so, for a
+time, did Sergeant Hardy.  It was found generally that the abstainers
+from strong drink suffered less from bad health and unwholesome
+surroundings than their fellows, and as there were a good many in the
+regiment, who were constantly endeavouring to convince their comrades of
+the advantages of total-abstinence, things were not so bad as they might
+have been.
+
+It was about this time that one of the generals who visited Suakim
+instituted athletic games, thereby vastly improving the health and
+spirits of the men.  And now Miles Milton learned, for the first time,
+what an immense power there lies in "scientific training!"
+
+One evening, when out walking with Stevenson, he took it into his head
+to race with him, and, having been a crack runner at school, he beat him
+easily.
+
+"Why, Miles," said his friend, when the short race was over, "I had no
+idea you could run so well.  If you choose I will put you in training
+for the coming sports.  You must know that I have run and walked and
+competed in the track many a time at home, and have trained and brought
+out runners, who had no notion of what was in them, till I proved it to
+them by training.  Will you go in for it, and promise to do as I bid
+you?"
+
+"I have no objection," replied Miles, with a light laugh.
+
+If he had known what his friend intended to do he might not have agreed
+so readily, for, from that hour till the day of the sports, Stevenson
+made him go through an amount of running--even after being made stiff by
+previous runs--that he would never have agreed to undertake unless
+forced to do so.  We say _forced_, because our hero regarded a promise
+once given as sacred.  His was a curiously compound nature, so that
+while in some points of conduct he was lax--as we have seen--in others
+he was very strict.  He was peculiarly so in regard to promises.  His
+comrades soon came to know this, and ultimately came to consider him a
+very reliable man.
+
+Having, then, promised his friend to keep sternly to his work, he did
+so, with the result that his strength increased wonderfully.  Another
+result was that he carried off the first prize in all the races.
+
+In order to make the most of time and avoid the evils of noonday heat,
+it was arranged that the races, etcetera, for the Egyptian soldiers and
+natives in Government employ should come off in the morning, and that
+the British troops should run in the later and cooler parts of the day.
+With the temperature at 120 degrees in the shade it would have been
+dangerous for Europeans to compete.  The sports, including our familiar
+cricket, were greatly enjoyed, and the result was a decided improvement
+in the health of the whole force.
+
+Boat-races were also included in these sports.  At the conclusion of one
+of these, Miles, to his great surprise, encountered his old acquaintance
+of the _Sailors' Welcome_, big Jack Molloy.
+
+"Why, Jack!" exclaimed Miles, as the hearty tar wrung his hand, "who'd
+have expected to see _you_ here?"
+
+"Ah, who indeed? an' I may say ditto."
+
+"I'm _very_ glad to see you, Molloy, for, to say truth, I thought I had
+seen the last of you when we parted in the troop-ship.  I've often
+thought of you since, and of our first evening together in the--the--
+what was its name?"
+
+"The _Sailors' Welcome_--man alive!  I wonder you've forgot it.
+Blessin's on it!  _I_ ain't likely to forget it.  Why, it was there,
+(did I ever tell you?) the wery night arter I met you, that a messmate
+took me to the big hall, back o' the readin'-room.  It's no use me
+tryin' fur to tell you all I heard in that there big hall, but when I
+come out--blow'd if I didn't sign the pledge right away, an' I ain't
+took a drop o' grog since!"
+
+"Glad to hear it, Jack, for, to say truth, I never saw the evil of grog
+so clearly as I have since coming out here and seeing strong stout men
+cast down by it in dozens,--many of them kind-hearted, right-thinking
+men, whom I would have thought safe from such a thing.  Indeed I have
+more than half a mind to join the Good Templars myself."
+
+"Young man," said Molloy, sternly, "if it takes the death of dozens o'
+stout kind-hearted men to force you to make up half your mind, how many
+d'ee want to die before you make up the whole of it?"
+
+"But I said that my mind was _more_ than half made up," returned Miles,
+with a smile.
+
+"Now lookee here," rejoined the sailor earnestly, "it's all wery well
+for milksops an' nincompoops and landlubbers to go in for half-an'-half
+work like that, but you're not the man I takes you for if you ain't game
+for more than that, so I ax you to promise me that you'll sign the
+pledge right off, as I did, first time you gits the chance."
+
+"But you forget I'm only a landlubber who, according to you, is fit for
+only half-an-half measures," said Miles, who, not being addicted to much
+wine, felt disinclined to bind himself.
+
+"No matter," returned the sailor, with deepening earnestness, "if you go
+in fur it you'll _never_ repent it!  Take my word for that.  Now, I ax
+ye to promise."
+
+"Well, I _do_ promise--the very first time I get the chance; and that
+will be to-morrow night, for our new parson has started temperance
+meetings, and he is a great teetotaller."
+
+"An' you promise to stick to it?" added Molloy.
+
+"When I give a promise I _always_ stick to it!" returned Miles gravely.
+
+"Right you are, lad.  Give us your flipper!"
+
+The foregoing conversation took place at the harbour, a little apart
+from the noisy group of soldiers and sailors who were discussing the
+circumstances of the recent boat-race.
+
+Immediately after it Molloy returned to his ship in the harbour, and our
+hero to his post in the line of defence.
+
+One of those who had been conspicuous that day in arranging and starting
+the races, acting as umpire at the cricket, and, generally, putting
+heart and spirit into everything by his quiet good-nature and
+self-denying activity, was the young officer of Engineers, who has been
+already mentioned as the manager of the mines that were laid around
+Suakim.  Poor fellow! little did he imagine that that was to be his last
+day on earth!
+
+Every morning, as before mentioned, this young officer went out alone to
+perform the dangerous work of disconnecting the mines, so that the
+inhabitants of the town might go out and in and move about during the
+day-time in safety.  Again, a little before sunset every evening, he
+went out and reconnected them, so that the enemy could not approach the
+place without the risk of being blown to pieces.  At the same time the
+gates were closed, and no one was allowed to leave or enter the town.
+
+On this particular evening the lieutenant went out as usual on his
+dangerous mission just after six o'clock.  He had not been long gone
+when a loud explosion was heard, and a cloud of smoke was seen where one
+of the mines had been laid down.  A party at once sallied out, and
+found, as they had feared, that the brave young fellow had perished.  He
+had been literally blown to pieces, his head being found in one place,
+while other portions of his body were scattered around.
+
+This melancholy incident cast a gloom over the whole place.  The remains
+of the heroic young engineer were buried next day with military honours.
+The garrison was not, however, left long in peace to think over his sad
+fate, for the very next night a determined attack was made all along the
+line.  The annoying persistency of these attacks seemed to have stirred
+the indignation of the general in command, for he ordered out a small
+force of cavalry to carry the war into the enemy's country.
+
+Critics say that this act was ill advised, and that the cavalry should
+not have been despatched without the support of infantry.  Critics are
+not always or necessarily right.  Indeed, we may venture to say that
+they are often wrong!  We do not pretend to judge, but, be this as it
+may, the cavalry was ordered to destroy the village of Handoub about
+fifteen miles inland on the caravan route to Berber, and to blow up the
+enemy's magazine there.
+
+The force consisted of a troop of the 19th Hussars, and another of
+Egyptian cavalry--about fifty men all told--under command of Captain
+Apthorp.  Our intemperate friend Johnson was one of the little band.  He
+was sober then, however, as he sat bolt upright on his powerful steed,
+with a very stern and grave visage, for he had a strong impression that
+the duty before them was no child's-play.
+
+A four hours' ride brought them to the village.  The few Arabs who dwelt
+in it fled at once on their approach, and in a very short time the place
+was effectually destroyed, along with a large quantity of ammunition.
+
+But no sooner had the soldiers finished the work, and begun to prepare
+for their return, than they discovered that a large force of the enemy
+was assembling to cut off their retreat.
+
+No time for thought after that!  At least six thousand of the foe,
+having heard of the expedition, had crept down through the thick bush
+from the direction of Hasheen, thirsting for vengeance.  Two miles on
+the Suakim side of Handoub they formed a line and opened fire on the
+leading cavalry scouts.
+
+Seeing that the Arabs were in such force, Captain Apthorp at once made
+for their flank, in the direction of the sea-coast.  At full speed, with
+horses fatigued by a fifteen miles' journey, they had to ride for life.
+It was neck or nothing now!  The Egyptian cavalry, under Captain
+Gregorie, and accompanied by Captain Stopford of the Grenadier Guards
+and other officers, followed closely.
+
+As they went along at racing speed, with more than a dozen miles of
+wilderness to traverse, and death behind them, Private King of the
+Hussars fell from his horse wounded.  Captain Gregorie came up with him,
+stopped, and took the wounded man up behind him.  It was a generous but
+desperate act, for what could be expected of a double-weighted horse in
+such a region and with such a race before it?
+
+For about half a mile he carried the wounded trooper, who then swooned
+and fell off, dragging the captain along with him, the freed horse
+rejoining its troop, while the Arabs came yelling on not a hundred and
+fifty yards behind.
+
+There would have been but little chance for Captain Gregorie at that
+terrible crisis if self-denying courage equal to his own had not dwelt
+in the breast of Private Baker of the Hussars.  Seeing what had
+occurred, this hero coolly rode back, took the captain up behind him,
+(see frontispiece,) and, regaining his troop, enabled the latter to
+capture and remount his own steed.  Of course poor King--whether dead or
+alive they could not tell--had to be left to his fate.
+
+Heroism would seem to feed upon itself and multiply, for this same
+Private Baker, soon afterwards, saw two more troopers, and shouted to a
+comrade to turn back with him to their rescue.  The comrade, however,
+did not see his way to do so.  Perchance he did not hear!  Anyhow he
+galloped on, but Captain Gregorie hearing the summons, at once answered
+it, turned, and galloped back with Baker.
+
+They were only just in time to take up and rescue the two men.  At the
+same time Captain Stopford performed a similar gallant act in rescuing a
+dismounted trooper.
+
+It is deeds of self-sacrifice and heroism such as these--not the
+storming of a breach, or the fighting against overwhelming odds--that
+bring out the noblest qualities of our soldiers, and arouse the
+admiration of mankind!
+
+The race for life was so close run that when the force at last reached
+the sea-shore it was little more than sixty yards in advance of the foe,
+and so exhausted were the horses that eight of them fell, and their
+riders were captured--four being Englishmen and four Egyptians.  It is
+right to add that one of the Egyptians also displayed conspicuous
+courage in rescuing a comrade.
+
+While these stirring incidents were taking place on the plain, Miles and
+some of his comrades were seated on the roof of the redoubt, looking out
+anxiously for the return of the cavalry.  At last, in the afternoon, a
+cloud of dust was seen on the horizon, and the officers who had glasses
+could soon make out that the men appeared to be racing towards the town
+at full speed, while the enemy, on camels and horses, and on foot, were
+racing down to the sea to cut off their retreat.  No sooner was this
+understood than our men rose with an uncontrollable burst, seized their
+rifles, flung on ammunition-belts, and rushed out to the rescue,
+regardless for the moment of the officers shouting to them to come back.
+The news spread like wildfire, and the men ran out just as they were--
+some in white jackets, some in red, others in blue; many in their
+shirts, with their sleeves rolled up; cavalry, artillery, marines,
+infantry--all going helter-skelter towards the enemy.  Fortunately they
+saw from the ships what was going on, and quickly got their guns to
+bear, so that the moment our men had escaped clear of the enemy they
+opened fire.  But for this more men would certainly have been lost, for
+the overtaxed horses were beginning to give in and lose ground.  Had
+they been a few minutes later in reaching the sea, it is probable that
+not a man of that force would have returned to Suakim.
+
+As it was, the men came in pale and terribly fatigued.  The horses could
+scarcely walk, and two of them died on the following day.
+
+Note.--Since the foregoing was written, we have learned, with profound
+regret, that the gallant Captain Gregorie was killed by his horse
+falling with him in 1886.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+LETTERS FROM HOME--FLYNN IS EXALTED AND BROUGHT LOW--RUMOURS OF WAR IN
+THE AIR.
+
+Events in life sometimes ripple along like the waters of a little stream
+in summer.  At other times they rush with the wild impetuosity of a
+hill-torrent in winter.
+
+For some time after the incidents just narrated the life of our hero
+rippled--but of course it must be clearly understood that a Suakim
+ripple bore some resemblance to a respectable freshet elsewhere!  Osman
+Digna either waited for reinforcements before delivering a grand
+assault, or found sufficient entertainment to his mind, and satisfaction
+to his ambition, in acting the part of a mosquito, by almost nightly
+harassment of the garrison, which was thus kept continually on the
+alert.
+
+But there came a time at length when a change occurred in the
+soldier-life at Suakim.  Events began to evolve themselves in rapid
+succession, as well as in magnified intensity, until, on one particular
+day, there came--metaphorically speaking--what is known among the
+Scottish hills as a spate.
+
+It began with the arrival of a mail from England.  This was not indeed a
+matter of rare occurrence, but it was one of those incidents of the
+campaign which never lost its freshness, and always sent a thrill of
+pleasure to the hearts of the men--powerfully in the case of those who
+received letters and packets; sympathetically in those who got none.
+
+"At long last!" exclaimed Corporal Flynn, who was observed by his
+comrades, after the delivery of the mail, to be tenderly struggling with
+the complicated folds of a remarkable letter--remarkable for its
+crookedness, size, dirt, and hieroglyphic superscription.
+
+"What is it, Flynn?" asked Moses--one of the unfortunates who had
+received no letter by that mail.
+
+"A letter, sure.  Haven't ye got eyes, Moses?"
+
+"From your wife, corporal?"
+
+"Wife!" exclaimed Flynn, with scorn; "no!  It's mesilf wouldn't take the
+gift of a wife gratis.  The letter is from me owld grandmother, an'
+she's better to me than a dozen wives rowled into wan.  It's hard work
+the writin' of it cost her too--poor owld sowl!  But she'd tear her eyes
+out to plaze me, she would.  `Corporal, darlint,'--that's always the way
+she begins her letters now; she's that proud o' me since I got the
+stripes.  I thowt me mother or brother would have writ me too, but
+they're not half as proud of me as my--"
+
+"Shut up, Flynn!" cried one of the men, who was trying to decipher a
+letter, the penmanship of which was obviously the work of an
+unaccustomed hand.
+
+"Howld it upside down; sometimes they're easier to read that way--more
+sinsible-like," retorted the corporal.
+
+"Blessin's on your sweet face!" exclaimed Armstrong, looking at a
+photograph which he had just extracted from his letter.
+
+"Hallo, Bill! that your sweetheart?" asked Sergeant Hardy, who was busy
+untying a parcel.
+
+"Ay, sweetheart an' wife too," answered the young soldier, with
+animation.
+
+"Let me see it, Willie," said Miles, who was also one of the
+disconsolate non-receivers, disconsolate because he had fully expected a
+reply to the penitent letter which he had written to his mother.
+
+"First-rate, that's Emmy to a tee.  A splendid likeness!" exclaimed
+Miles, holding the photograph to the light.
+
+"Arrah! then, it's dead he must be!"
+
+The extreme perplexity displayed in Flynn's face as he said this and
+scratched his head produced a hearty laugh.
+
+"It's no laughin' matter, boys," cried the corporal, looking up with an
+expression so solemn that his comrades almost believed it to be genuine.
+"There's my owld uncle Macgrath gone to his long home, an' he was the
+support o' me grandmother.  Och! what'll she do now wid him gone an' me
+away at the wars?"
+
+"Won't some other relation look after her, Flynn?" suggested Moses.
+
+"Other relation!" exclaimed the corporal; "I've got no other relations,
+an' them that I have are as poor as rats.  No, uncle Macgrath was the
+only wan wid a kind heart an' a big purse.  You see, boys, he was rich--
+for an Irishman.  He had a grand farm, an' a beautiful bit o' bog.  Och!
+it'll go hard wid--"
+
+"Read on, Flynn, and hold your tongue," cried one of his comrades;
+"p-r-aps he's left the old woman a legacy."
+
+The corporal did read on, and during the perusal of the letter the
+change in his visage was marvellous, exhibiting as it did an almost
+magical transition from profound woe, through abrupt gradations of
+surprise, to intense joy.
+
+"Hooray!" he shouted, leaping up and bestowing a vigorous slap on his
+thigh.  "He's gone an' left the whole farm an' the beautiful bog to ME!"
+
+"What hae ye got there, sergeant?" asked Saunders, refolding the letter
+he had been quietly perusing without paying any regard to the Irishman's
+good news.
+
+"A parcel of booklets from the Institute," answered Hardy, turning over
+the leaves of one of the pamphlets.  "Ain't it good of 'em?"
+
+"Right you are, Hardy!  The ladies there never forget us," said Moses
+Pyne.  "Hand 'em round, sergeant.  It does a fellow's heart good to get
+a bit o' readin' in an out-o'-the-way place like this."
+
+"Comes like light in a dark place, don't it, comrade?" said Stevenson,
+the marine, who paid them a visit at that moment, bringing a letter
+which had been carried to the wrong quarter by mistake.  It was for
+Miles Milton.  "I know'd you expected it, an' would be awfully
+disappointed at finding nothing, so I brought it over at once."
+
+"_You_ come like a gleam of sunshine in a dark place.  Thanks,
+Stevenson, many thanks," said Miles, springing up and opening the letter
+eagerly.
+
+The first words sent a chill to his heart, for it told of his father
+having been very ill, but words of comfort immediately followed--he was
+getting slowly but surely better, and his own letter had done the old
+man more good in a few days than all the doctor's physic had done in
+many weeks.  Forgiveness was freely granted, and unalterable love
+breathed in every line.  With a relieved and thankful heart he went on
+reading, when he was arrested by a sudden summons of his company to fall
+in.  Grasping his rifle he ran out with the rest.
+
+"What is it?" he whispered to a sergeant, as he took his place in the
+ranks.  "Osman again?"
+
+"No, he's too sly a fox to show face in the day-time.  It's a steamer
+coming with troops aboard.  We're goin' down to receive them, I
+believe."
+
+Soon after, the overworked garrison had the immense satisfaction and
+excitement of bidding welcome to reinforcements with a stirring British
+cheer.
+
+These formed only the advance-guard.  For some time after that troops
+were landed at Suakim every day.  Among them the 15th Sikhs, a splendid
+body of men, with grand physique and fierce aspect, like men who "meant
+business."  Then came the Coldstream Guards, the Scots and the Grenadier
+Guards, closely followed by the Engineers and Hospital and Transport
+Corps, the Shropshire Regiment, and many others.  The desire of these
+fresh troops to meet the enemy was naturally strong, and the earnest
+hope of every one was that they would soon sally forth and "have a go,"
+as Corporal Flynn expressed it, "at Osman Digna on his own ground."
+
+Poor Corporal Flynn!  His days of soldiering were nearly over!
+
+Whether it was the excess of strong feeling raised in the poor fellow's
+breast by the news of the grand and unexpected legacy, or the excitement
+caused by the arrival of so many splendid troops and the prospect of
+immediate action--or all put together--we cannot say, but certain it is
+that the corporal fell sick, and when the doctors examined the men with
+a view to decide who should march to the front, and who should remain to
+guard the town, he was pronounced unfit for active service.  Worse than
+that, he was reported to have entered upon that journey from which no
+traveller returns.
+
+But poor Flynn would not admit it, though he grew weaker from day to
+day.  At last it was reported that he was dying, and Sergeant Hardy got
+leave to go off to the hospital ship to see him, and convey to him many
+a kind message from his sorrowful comrades, who felt that the regiment
+could ill spare his lively, humorous spirit.
+
+The sergeant found him the picture of death, and almost too weak to
+speak.
+
+"My dear fellow," said Hardy, sitting down by his cot and gently taking
+his hand, "I'm sorry to see you like this.  I'm afraid you are goin' to
+leave us."
+
+The corporal made a slight motion with his head, as if of dissent, and
+his lips moved.
+
+Hardy bent his ear over them.
+
+"Niver a bit, owld man," whispered Flynn.
+
+"Shall I read the Bible to you, lad?" inquired the sergeant.
+
+The corporal smiled faintly, and nodded.
+
+After reading a few verses Hardy began to talk kindly and earnestly to
+the dying man, who lay with his eyes closed.
+
+When he was about to leave, Flynn looked up, and, giving his comrade's
+hand a gentle squeeze, said, in a stronger whisper than before--
+
+"Thankee, sergeant.  It's kind o' ye to be so consarned about my sowl,
+and I agrees wid ivery word ye say; but I'm not goin' away yit, av ye
+plaze."
+
+He ceased to speak, and again closed his eyes.  The doctor and the
+chaplain chanced to enter the hospital together as Hardy retired.  The
+result of their visit was that they said the corporal was dead, and
+orders were given to make his coffin.  A firing party was also told off
+to bury him the next morning with military honours.  Early next morning,
+accordingly, the firing party started for the hospital ship with the
+coffin, but, before getting half-way to it, they were signalled to go
+back, for the man was not yet dead!
+
+In short, Corporal Flynn had begun to talk in a wild way about his
+estate in Ireland, and his owld grandmother; and either the influence of
+these thoughts, or Hardy's visit, had given him such a fillip that from
+that day he began to revive.  Nevertheless he had received a very severe
+shake, and, not very long after, was invalided home.  Meanwhile, as we
+have said, busy preparations were being made by General Graham--who had
+arrived and taken command of the forces--to offer battle to Osman's
+troops.
+
+In the midst of all the excitement and turmoil, however, the new
+chaplain, who turned out to be "a trump," managed to hold a temperance
+meeting; and the men who desired to serve God as well as their Queen and
+country became more energetic than ever in trying to influence their
+fellows and save themselves from the curse of strong drink, which had
+already played such havoc among the troops at Suakim.
+
+Miles attended the meeting, and, according to promise, signed the
+total-abstinence pledge.  Owing to the postponement of meetings and the
+press of duty he had not been able to do it sooner.
+
+Shortly after that he was passed by the doctors as fit for duty in the
+field.  So were Armstrong, Moses Pyne, and most of those strong and
+healthy men whose fortunes we have followed thus far.
+
+Then came the bustle and excitement of preparation to go out and attack
+the enemy, and in the midst of it all the air was full of conflicting
+rumours--to the effect that Osman Digna was about to surrender
+unconditionally; that he would attack the town in force; that he was
+dead; or that he had been summoned to a conference by the Mahdi!
+
+"You may rest assured," said Sergeant Hardy one day to his comrades, as
+they were smoking their pipes after dinner, "that nobody knows anything
+at all for certain about the rebel chief."
+
+"I heard that a spy has just come in with the information that he has
+determined not to wait for our attack, if we go out, but to attack us in
+our zereba," said Miles.  "He is evidently resolved not to commit the
+same mistake he made last year of letting us attack _him_."
+
+"He has pluck for anything," remarked Moses.
+
+Osman proved, that same evening, that he had at least pluck enough to
+send a pithy defiance to his foes, for an insulting letter was received
+by General Graham, in which Osman, recounting the victories he had
+gained over Hicks and Baker Pasha, boasted of his having destroyed their
+armies, and dared the general to come out and fight him.  To this the
+British General replied, reminding Osman of our victories of El-Teb and
+Tamai, and advising him to surrender unless he wanted a worse beating
+than he had got before!
+
+Mutual defiance having been thus comfortably hurled, the troops were at
+once detailed for service in the field, and the very next day set forth.
+As our hero did not, however, accompany that expedition, and as it
+returned to Suakim without doing anything remarkable--except some
+energetic and even heroic fighting, which is by no means remarkable in
+British troops,--we will pass on to the expedition which was sent out
+immediately after it, and in which Miles Milton not only took an active
+part, but distinguished himself.  With several of his comrades he also
+entered on a new and somewhat unusual phase of a soldier's career.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+THE EXPEDITION--ENEMY REPORTED--MILES IN A DILEMMA.
+
+Every one has heard of the expedition, sent out under Sir John McNeill,
+in which that gallant general and his brave troops fought with
+indomitable heroism, not only against courageous foes, but against
+errors which, as a civilian, we will not presume to criticise, and
+against local difficulties which were said to be absolutely
+insurmountable.
+
+Blame was due somewhere in connection with that expedition.  Wherever it
+lay, we have a strong conviction--founded on the opinion of one who was
+present--that it did not rest with the commander of the force.  It is
+not, however, our part to comment, but to describe those events which
+bore upon the fortunes of our hero and his immediate friends and
+comrades.
+
+It was about four o'clock on an uncommonly hot morning that the bugle
+sounded in Suakim, and soon the place was alive with men of all arms,
+devouring a hasty breakfast and mustering eagerly, for they were elated
+at the near prospect of having "another slap at Osman!"
+
+Strange, the unaccountably exultant joy which so many men experience at
+the prospect of killing each other!  No doubt the Briton maintains that
+it is all in defence of Queen and country, hearth and home.  An
+excellent reason, of course!  But may not the Soudanese claim that the
+defence of chief and country, tent and home, is an equally good reason--
+especially when he rises to defend himself from the exactions and
+cruelty of those superlative tyrants, the Turks, or rather, the Turkish
+Pashas?--for we verily believe that the rank and file of all civilised
+nations would gladly live at peace if their rulers would deal in
+arbitration instead of war!  We almost feel that an apology is due for
+introducing such a remark in a book about soldiers, for their duty is
+clear as well as hard, and bravely is it done too.  Moreover, they are
+in no way responsible for the deeds of those:
+
+  "Fine old English gentlemen
+  Who sit at home at ease,
+  And send them forth to fight and die
+  Beyond the stormy seas!"
+
+The troops composing this expedition consisted of one squadron of the
+5th Lancers, one battalion Berkshire Regiment, one battalion of Marines,
+one Field Company Royal Engineers, a detachment of the Royal Navy in
+charge of four Gardner guns, a regiment of Sikhs, Bengal Native
+Infantry, Bombay Native Infantry, and a body of Madras Sappers.  Along
+with these was sent an immense convoy of 1500 camels, besides a large
+number of mules with carts bearing iron water-tanks.
+
+The orders for the expedition were that they should proceed eight miles
+into the bush, and there make three zerebas, or defensive enclosures of
+bushes, capable of sheltering the entire force.
+
+The march was begun by McNeill moving off with his European troops in
+square formation.  The Indian contingent, under General Hudson,
+followed, also in square, and in charge of the transport.
+
+"A goodly force!" remarked Armstrong, in a low tone to Miles, as they
+stepped off, shoulder to shoulder, for, being both about the same size,
+and unusually tall, they marched together on the right flank of their
+company.
+
+"Don't speak in the ranks, Willie," returned Miles, with a slight smile,
+for he could not shut his eyes to the fact that this strict regard for
+orders was due more to Marion Drew's remarks about a soldier's _duty_
+than to principle.
+
+"H'm!" grunted Robert Macleod, who marched next to them, and had no
+conscientious scruples about talking, "we may mairch oot smert eneugh,
+but some o' us'll no' come back sae hearty."
+
+"Some of us will never come back at all," replied Armstrong, gravely.
+
+By six o'clock the rear-guard had left Suakim, and the whole of the
+force moved across the plain, in parts of which the men and carts sank
+deep in the soft sand, while in other parts the formations were partly
+broken by thick bush, in which the force became somewhat entangled.  The
+cavalry went in advance as scouts.  The guns, water-carts, and
+ammunition-wagons were in the centre, and the Indian Brigade came last,
+surrounding the unwieldy mass of baggage-animals.  Last of all came the
+telegraph detachment, unrolling as they went the wire that kept open
+communication with head-quarters.
+
+That a mistake had been made somewhere was obvious; but as the soul of
+military discipline is obedience without question, the gallant leader
+pressed forward, silently and steadily, whatever he may have thought.
+
+Soon the force became so hopelessly entangled in the difficulties of the
+way, that the rate of advance dwindled down to little more than one mile
+an hour.
+
+Not long after starting a trooper was seen galloping back, and Miles,
+who marched at the right corner of his square, observed that it was his
+friend Johnson, looking very stern indeed.  Their eyes met.
+
+"Not half enough of cavalry," he growled, as he flew past to report,
+"The enemy in sight--retiring in small parties in the direction of
+Tamai."
+
+In returning, Johnson again rode close past the same corner of the
+square, and, bending low in his saddle for a moment, said to Miles, "I
+have signed the pledge, my boy."
+
+A slight laugh from several of those who heard him greeted the
+information, but he probably did not hear it, for next moment his
+charger cleared a low bush in a magnificent stride, and in a few seconds
+man and horse were lost to sight in the bush.
+
+"More need to sign his will," remarked Simkin, in a somewhat cynical
+tone.
+
+"He has done that too," said Armstrong.  "I heard him say so before we
+started."
+
+The troops were halted to enable the two generals to consult at this
+point.
+
+While the men stood at ease, enjoying the brief rest from severe toil
+under such a burning sun, our hero heard a low voice at his elbow say--
+
+"Have _you_ signed your will, John Miles?"  It was a startling, as well
+as a sudden, question!
+
+Miles turned quickly and found that it was Captain Lacey who had put it.
+
+The feeling of dislike with which our young soldier had regarded the
+captain ever since his interruption of the conversation between himself
+and Marion, on board ship, had abated, but had not by any means
+disappeared.  He had too much sense, however, to allow the state of his
+feelings to influence his looks or bearing.
+
+"Yes, sir," he replied; "I made it out last night, as you advised me, in
+the service form.  It was witnessed by our colonel and Captain Smart and
+the doctor.  To say truth, I thought it absurd for a man who has nothing
+to leave to make his will, but as you said, sir, I should like my dear
+mother to get my kit and any arrears of pay that may be due to me after
+I'm gone."
+
+"I did not mean you to take such a gloomy view of your prospects," said
+Captain Lacey, with a laugh.  "But you know in our profession we always
+carry our lives in our hands, and it would be foolish not to take
+ordinary precautions--"
+
+The order to resume the march here cut short the conversation, and the
+force continued its slow and all but impossible advance.  Indeed it was
+soon seen that to reach the distance of eight miles out, in the
+circumstances, was quite beyond the power of the troops, willing,
+anxious, and vigorous though they were, for the bush became closer and
+higher as they advanced, so that a mounted man could not see over it,
+and so dense that the squares, though only a short distance apart, could
+not see each other.  This state of things rendered the management of the
+baggage-animals extremely difficult, for mules are proverbially
+intractable, and camels--so meek in pictures!--are perhaps the most
+snarling, biting, kicking, ill-tempered animals in the world.
+
+The day was advancing and the heat increasing, while the dust raised by
+the passage of such a host caused so much distress to man and beast that
+the general began to fear that, if an attack should be made by the enemy
+at that time, the greater part of the transport would have to be
+sacrificed.  The force was therefore halted a second time, and the
+generals again met to consult.
+
+They were very unwilling to give in.  Another effort to advance was
+made, but things grew worse and worse.  The day, as Moses remarked, was
+boiling red-hot!  The carts with the heavy water-tanks sank deep in the
+soft sand; many of the camels' loads fell off, and these had to be
+replaced.  Replacing a camel's load implies prevailing on a hideously
+tall and horribly stubborn creature to kneel, and this in the centre of
+a square which was already blocked up with carts and animals, as well as
+shouting, angry, and exhausted drivers!
+
+At last it became evident that further progress that day was out of the
+question.  The rear face of Hudson's square was obliterated by the
+straggling and struggling multitude; camels and loads were down in all
+directions, and despair of maintaining their formation was settling down
+on all ranks.
+
+In these circumstances it became absolutely necessary to halt and form
+their zerebas where they stood--and that without delay.  The best place
+they could find was selected.  The European square formed a guard, while
+the rest threw off jackets, and, with axes and choppers, went to work
+with a will.  Some cut down bushes, some filled sandbags to form a
+breastwork for guns and ammunition, and others erected the bushy walls
+of their woodland fortification.  The Lancers covered about three miles
+of country as scouts.  Hudson--who had to return to Suakim that night
+before dark--was ordered, with three regiments in line and advanced
+files, to cover McNeill and the working-party, while the commander
+himself went about encouraging the tired men, and urging them to
+increased exertion.
+
+While the soldiers of all arms were thus busily engaged, a body of
+sailors was ordered to run one of their Gardner guns up to the corner of
+the square where Miles and Armstrong stood.  They halted close to them,
+and then Miles became aware that one of the nautical gunners was no
+other than Jack Molloy.
+
+"Hallo, Jack!  Why, you've got a knack of turning up unexpectedly
+everywhere!" he exclaimed, when his friend was at leisure.
+
+"That's wery much your own case," retorted the seaman heartily.  "What
+brought _you_ here?"
+
+Miles slapped one of his legs by way of indicating the mode of
+conveyance.
+
+"Ay, lad, and they'd need to be stout timbers too, to make headway
+through such a sea of sand," returned Molloy, feeling his own limbs with
+tenderness.  "D'ee think we're in for a brush to-night, lad?"
+
+Before the latter could reply, an aide-de-camp ran up and spoke a few
+hurried words to Captain Lacey, who turned to his company and called
+them to attention.
+
+"Fours, right--quick march!" he said, and away they went, past the flank
+of Hudson's men, to guard a hollow which left that part of the square
+somewhat exposed.  When halted and drawn up in line several files were
+thrown out in advance.  Miles and Sutherland formed the flanking file on
+the right, the latter being rear-rank man to the former.
+
+"It's a grand hiding-hole," observed Sutherland, as he peered cautiously
+over the edge of a low bank into a hollow where rocks and undergrowth
+were thickly intermingled.
+
+"Keep a sharp look-out on your left, Sutherland," said Miles, "I will
+guard the right--"
+
+He stopped abruptly and threw forward his rifle, for at that moment he
+observed a swarthy, black-bearded Arab, of large proportions and
+muscular frame, creeping forward a short distance below him.  Evidently
+he had not heard or seen the approach of the two soldiers, for he was
+gazing in a different direction from them.
+
+Miles raised his rifle and took aim at the man, but he felt an
+unconquerable repugnance to shoot.  He had never yet met the enemy
+hand-to-hand.  His experience heretofore had been confined to long-range
+firing at men who were firing at himself and his comrades, and in which,
+of course, he could not be sure that his bullets took effect.  But now
+he was within fifty yards of a splendid-looking man who did not see him,
+who was, at the moment, innocent of any intention of injuring him, and
+whose expressive side-face he could clearly distinguish as he crept
+along with great caution towards a rock which hid the zereba of the
+Europeans from his view.
+
+Miles was a good rifle-shot.  A touch of the trigger he knew would be
+certain death to the Arab.
+
+"I _cannot_ do it!" he muttered, as he lowered his weapon and looked
+back over his shoulder at his comrade.  The Scot, who was something of a
+naturalist, was engrossed at the moment in the contemplation of a little
+bird which was twittering on a twig in quite an opposite direction.
+
+Miles glanced again at the Arab in a flutter of agitation as to what was
+his duty.  The man _might_ be one of the friendly natives!  He could not
+tell.
+
+At that moment another man appeared on the scene.  He was a thin but
+powerful native, and armed with a short spear, such as is used when
+fighting at close quarters.  He obviously was not troubled with scruples
+about committing murder, and Miles soon became aware that the thin man
+was "stalking" the big Arab--with what intent, of course, our soldier
+could only guess, but the malignant expression of the savage's
+countenance left little doubt on that point.
+
+Here was a complication!  Our hero was on the point of calling
+Sutherland from the contemplation of his little bird when he saw the
+thin native pounce on the Arab, who was still creeping on hands and
+knees.  He turned just in time to divert the first spear-thrust, but not
+in time to draw his own long knife from its sheath as he fell.  The thin
+savage holding him down, and having him at terrible disadvantage on his
+back, raised his spear, and was about to repeat the deadly thrust when
+Miles fired and shot him in the head.
+
+The Arab rose, shook himself clear of the dying man, and, with
+astounding coolness, walked calmly towards a large rock, though Miles
+was reloading in haste, and Sutherland was taking steady aim at him.  He
+looked at the soldiers and held up his hand with something like a smile
+of remonstrance, as Sutherland pulled the trigger.  At the same moment
+Miles struck up the muzzle, and the ball whizzed over the Arab's head as
+he passed behind the rock and disappeared.
+
+"What for did ye that?" demanded the Scot fiercely.
+
+"Would you kill a man that was smiling at you?" retorted Miles.
+
+The two men ran back to report to their company what they had seen.  At
+the same moment, the company, being recalled, doubled back to its
+position in the square.
+
+Here they found the defence work so far advanced that the generals were
+beginning to feel some confidence in their being able to repel any
+attack.  At the same time the men were working with tremendous energy,
+for news had just come in that the enemy was advancing in strong force.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+WHEREIN ARE DESCRIBED AN ASSAULT, A FURIOUS FIGHT, AND SOME STRANGE
+PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS.
+
+It was nearly two o'clock in the afternoon when Captain Lacey and his
+company resumed their place in the square.
+
+About that time an officer of the Berkshire Regiment represented the
+condition of his men as requiring attention.  They certainly did require
+it, for they had been without food since four o'clock that morning, and
+were consequently in urgent need of provender as well as rest and
+water--the last having been all consumed.
+
+As it was imperative that the work should go on, it was found necessary
+to serve out food by wings.
+
+Accordingly, the men of one half-battalion received rations and water,
+and were then sent to their zereba with the Gardner guns, while the
+other half, still lying in reserve by their piled arms, received their
+rations.
+
+The marines also sat down for brief rest and refreshment.  Among them
+was our sedate friend Stevenson, who invariably carried his small Bible
+with him in all his campaigns.  After quickly consuming his allowance,
+and while waiting for water, he sat down to read a few verses of the
+23rd Psalm,--for Stevenson was one of those quiet, fearless men who
+cannot be laughed out of doing right, and who have no fear of the face
+of man, whether scowling in anger or sneering in contempt.
+
+"Hallo, Tom!" said a light-hearted comrade near him, "this is a queer
+time to be readin' your Bible.  We'll be havin' you sayin' your prayers
+next!"
+
+"I've said _them_ already, Fred," replied the marine, replacing the book
+in his pouch.  "As you say, it _is_ a queer time to be readin' the Word,
+but not an unsuitable time, for this may be the last chance that you and
+I will ever have of readin' it.  Our next orders may be to meet God face
+to face."
+
+Stevenson was yet speaking when a Lancer was seen approaching at a wild
+gallop.  He dashed up to the generals and informed them that the enemy
+was gathering in front.
+
+The message was barely delivered when another Lancer rode up and
+reported the enemy close at hand.
+
+The order, "Stand to your arms!" was promptly given and as promptly
+obeyed, without flurry or disorder.
+
+Next minute a wild uproar was heard, and the Lancers were seen galloping
+towards the square with thousands of the swarthy warriors of the desert
+at their heels--nay, even mixed up with them!
+
+On they came, a dark, frantic, yelling host, with irresistible fury,
+and, perchance, patriotism!  Shall we deny to those men what we claim
+for ourselves--love of hearth and home, of country, of freedom?  Can we
+not sympathise with men who groaned under an insolent and tyrannical
+yoke, and who, failing to understand or appreciate, the purity of the
+motives by which we British were actuated, could see nothing in us
+except the supporters of their enemies?
+
+They hurled themselves on that part of the large zereba which was
+defended by the Bengal Native Infantry.  These fired a volley, but
+failed to check the impetuous rush.  Everything went down before the
+savages, and the Native Infantry broke and fled, throwing into dire
+confusion the transport animals which stood in their immediate rear.
+
+General McNeill himself dashed in among the panic-stricken men and
+sought to arrest them.  He succeeded for a time in rallying some of them
+in Number 1 zereba, but another rush of the Arabs sent them flying a
+second time, and some of the enemy got into the square, it is said, to
+the number of 112.  The Berkshire men, however, stood fast, and not a
+soul who got into that square ever got out of it alive.  In this
+wretched affair the 17th Bengal Native Infantry lost their brave
+commander.  He was killed while trying to rally them.
+
+The confusion was now increased by the enemy driving the baggage-animals
+hither and thither, especially on to another half-battalion square of
+the Berkshire Regiment.  Here, however, they were effectually checked.
+As the Atlantic billows burst in impotent turmoil on the cliffs of
+Cornwall, so the enemy fell upon and were hurled back by the steadfast
+Berkshire Regiment, which scarcely lost a man, while over two hundred of
+their opponents lay dead around them.
+
+The Bombay Regiment also stood fast, and redeemed, to some extent, the
+credit of their country; while the Sikhs, as might have been expected of
+them, never flinched for a moment, but strewed the plain around them
+with dead and dying men.
+
+There was horrible carnage for some time--unflinching valour being
+opposed to desperate courage; and while a burning sense of injury, with
+a resolve to conquer or die, was the motive power, no doubt, on one
+side, on the other there was the high sense of duty to Queen and
+country, and the pride of historical renown.
+
+Owing to the suddenness of the attack, and the occupation of the troops
+at the moment, there was some mixing up of men of different regiments.
+One company of Sikhs, who were helping to unload the camels when the
+fight began, having been prevented from joining their own regiment, cast
+in their lot with the marines.  The better to help their European
+comrades these vigorous fellows leaped outside the zereba and lay down
+in front of it, and the two bodies together gave the charging foe such a
+warm reception that they never got within twenty yards of them.
+
+But there was a fearful scene of butchery among the baggage-animals, and
+many unequal hand-to-hand conflicts.  There was terrible slaughter also
+among the working parties that had gone out to cut bushes with which to
+finish the zerebas, with coats off and away from their arms.  Some
+individuals of the marines, who, as a body, suffered severely, were
+surrounded by a dozen Arabs, and their bodies were afterwards found
+covered with spear-wounds.  This was the case with a sergeant named
+Mitchel, who had charge of a wood-cutting party and had been quietly
+chatting with our friend Stevenson just before the attack.  Another case
+was that of Private Stanton, who had been through the Egyptian campaign
+of 1882, had fought at Kassassin, Tel-el-Kebir, El-Teb, and Tamai.  When
+this expedition of which we write was arranged, he was one of the first
+to volunteer.  He chanced to be outside the zereba when the attack was
+made, and failed to appear at muster.  Next day he was found dead, with
+many spear-wounds, at some distance from the force.  Poor fellow! he had
+not been killed outright, and had attempted to crawl towards the
+zerebas, but in his confusion had crept away in the wrong direction, and
+had slowly bled to death on the sands of the desert.
+
+During the rapid progress of this terrible scene of bloodshed, Miles and
+his friend Armstrong stood and fought shoulder to shoulder in the front
+rank at their allotted corner of the square--chiefly with bullet, but
+also, on several occasions, with bayonet, when the rush of the enemy
+threatened to break through all barriers, and drive in the line of
+defenders.  They would certainly have succeeded, had these defenders
+been less powerful and resolute.
+
+"Well done!" exclaimed a deep bass voice, in evident enthusiasm, close
+to Miles.
+
+The latter glanced round.  It was the voice of his friend Jack Molloy,
+who helped to work the Gardner gun, and who was at the moment admiring
+the daring act of an officer of Sikhs.
+
+Two men of the Berkshire Regiment, who had been employed outside the
+zereba, were pursued by several Arabs, and it was evident that their
+death was almost certain, when the Sikh officer referred to rushed out
+to the rescue, sprang between the men and their pursuers, killed three
+of the latter in succession with three rapid sword-cuts, and enabled the
+soldiers to escape, besides which, he checked the rush at that part of
+the square, and returned to his post in safety.
+
+The cheer of the Berkshire men and others who witnessed this feat was
+heard to rise above even the yells of combatants, the shrieks of the
+wounded, the rattle and crash of fire-arms, and the general turmoil and
+din of war.
+
+In one of the working parties that were out when the assault began was
+our friend Moses Pyne and his comrade Rattling Bill Simkin.  These had
+been separated from the rest of their party when the first wild rush was
+made by the foe.  The formation of the ground favoured their dropping
+into a place of concealment, thus for the moment saving them from the
+fate of being surrounded and cut to pieces, like too many of their
+straggling comrades.  For a few seconds they lay close while the enemy
+rushed past like a torrent, to the assault just described.
+
+Then Moses uprose, with an expression of stern resolve on his usually
+meek countenance.
+
+"Simkin," he said, as his comrade also got up, "I'm not goin' to lie
+hidin' here while our boys are engaged wi' the savages."
+
+"No more am I, Moses," returned Rattling Bill, with something of the
+jovially reckless air still lingering on his solemnised visage.  "But
+we've not much chance of getting back to the zerebas without arms."
+
+"What d'ee call _that_?" asked Moses, holding out his chopper.
+
+"A very good weapon to fight the bush with," answered Simkin, "but not
+worth much against Arab spears.  However, comrade, choppers are all we
+have got, so we must make the most of 'em.  They say a good workman can
+work with any tools.  What d'ee propose to try?  I'll put myself under
+your orders, Moses; for, although you are a meekish sort of a fellow, I
+really believe you have a better headpiece than most of us."
+
+"I propose that we simply go at 'em," said Moses.  "Take 'em in rear,
+cut our way through, and get into the zereba--that's all.  It don't take
+much of a headpiece to think that out."
+
+"Go ahead, then!  I'll back you," said Rattling Bill, without the least
+touch of bravado, as he bared his right arm to the shoulder.  Both men
+were in shirts and trousers, with sleeves tucked up and their brawny
+arms exposed--Arabesquely brown up to the elbow, and infantinely white
+above that!
+
+The intended rush might have been successful, but for a change in the
+tactics of the enemy.  Seeing that they were severely repulsed at the
+corner of the square, where Molloy and his tars worked the Gardner gun,
+while Miles and his comrades plied bullet and bayonet, the Arab chief
+sent a body of his followers to reinforce this point.  It was just at
+the moment that Moses and Simkin made the dash from their place of
+concealment, so that they actually leaped, without having intended it,
+into the very midst of the reinforcements!
+
+Two of the Arabs went down before the choppers instantly, and the
+others--almost panic-stricken by the suddenness and severity of the
+assault--turned to fly, supposing, no doubt, that an ambush had caught
+them.  But seeing only two men they ran back, and would certainly have
+made short work of them if rescuers had not come up.
+
+And at this point in the fight there was exhibited a curious instance of
+the power of friendship to render steady men reckless.  The incident we
+have just described was witnessed by the troops, for, the moment the two
+soldiers left their place of concealment they were in full view of the
+large zereba.
+
+"That's Moses!" exclaimed Armstrong excitedly.
+
+Without a moment's hesitation he sprang over the defence-works and ran
+to the rescue, clubbing his rifle as he went and felling two Arabs
+therewith.
+
+"You shan't die alone, Willie!" muttered our hero, as he also leaped the
+fence and followed his friend, just in time to save him from three Arabs
+who made at him simultaneously.  Two of these Miles knocked down; his
+comrade felled the other.  Then they turned back to back; Moses and
+Simkin did the same, and thus formed a little _impromptu_ rallying
+square.  This delayed the catastrophe, which seemed, however,
+inevitable.  The brave little quartette, being surrounded by foes, could
+do nothing but parry with almost lightning speed the spear-thrusts that
+were made at them continually.
+
+Seeing this, the heart of Jack Molloy bounded within him, and friendship
+for the moment overcame the sense of duty.
+
+"You can only die once, Jack!" he exclaimed, drew his cutlass, leaped
+out of the zereba, and went at the foe with a thunderous roar, which,
+for a moment, actually made them quail.
+
+Infected with a similar spirit, Stevenson, the marine, also lost his
+head, if we may say so.  Resolving to run a-muck for friendship's sake,
+he followed the sailor, and increased the rallying square to five, while
+Molloy skirmished round it, parrying spear-thrusts, at once with left
+arm and cutlass, in quite a miraculous manner, roaring all the time like
+an infuriated lion, and causing the enemy to give back in horror
+wherever he made a rush.
+
+A root, however, tripped him up at last, and he fell forward headlong to
+the ground.  A dozen spears were pointed at his broad back, when a tall
+majestic Arab sprang forward and held up one hand, while with the other
+he waved a sword.
+
+At that moment a strong force of the enemy came down with an impetuous
+rush on that corner of the zereba, and, coming between it and the little
+knot of combatants, hid them from view.
+
+The attack at this point was very determined, and for a few moments the
+issue seemed doubtful, for although the enemy fell in heaps they came on
+in such numbers that the defenders were almost overwhelmed.  Steadiness,
+however, combined with indomitable courage, prevailed.  Everywhere they
+were repulsed with tremendous loss.  Many instances of personal bravery
+occurred, of course, besides those we have described, but we may not
+pause to enumerate these.  Tenacity of life, also, was curiously
+exhibited in the case of some of the desperately wounded.
+
+One man in charge of two mules outside the zereba was trying to bring
+them in when he was attacked, and received three terrible spear-wounds
+in the back and one in the arm, which cut all the muscles and sinews.
+Yet this man ultimately recovered, though, of course, with the loss of
+his arm.
+
+Another man lost a leg and an arm, and was badly wounded in the other
+leg and in the hand, and, lastly, he was shot in the jaw.  After being
+operated on, and having his wounds dressed, the doctor asked him how he
+felt.
+
+"All right, sir," he answered.  "They've crippled me in arms and legs,
+and they've broke my jaw, but, thank God, they have not broke my heart
+yet!"
+
+It was eight minutes to three when the Arabs made their first rush, and
+it was just ten minutes past three when the enemy was finally repelled
+and the bugle sounded "Cease firing."  Yet into these pregnant eighteen
+minutes all that we have described, and a vast deal more, was crowded.
+Nearly four hundred of our men were killed and wounded, while the enemy,
+it is believed, lost over two thousand.
+
+It is said by those who were present at the engagement that the officers
+of the 17th Bengal Infantry were heard to say that if their men had not
+given way, there would have been no "disaster" at all, and General
+McNeill instead of being accused of permitting himself to be surprised,
+would have got credit for a heroic defence against overwhelming odds.
+If he had carried out his instructions, and pressed on to the end of
+eight miles, instead of prudently halting when he did, there can be no
+doubt that the force would have been surprised and absolutely cut to
+pieces.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+REFERS TO SERGEANT HARDY, AMYTOOR-LAWYER SUTHERLAND, AND OTHER MATTERS.
+
+Among the wounded in the great fight which we have just described was
+Hardy the sergeant.
+
+His position at the time the Arabs broke into the square was close to
+the right flank of the Indian Native Regiment, which gave way, so that
+it was he and a number of the flank men of his company who had to do
+most of the hand-to-hand fighting necessary to repair the disaster and
+drive back the enemy.  Of course every soldier engaged in that part of
+the fight was, for a time, almost overwhelmed in the confusion, and many
+of them were surrounded and severely wounded.
+
+When the Native Infantry broke, Hardy's captain sprang to the front,
+sword in hand, and cut down two of the foe.  As he did so, he was, for a
+moment, separated from his company and surrounded.  A powerful Arab was
+on the point of thrusting his spear into the captain's back when Hardy
+observed his danger, bayoneted the Arab, and saved the officer.  But it
+was almost at the cost of his own life, for another Arab, with whom he
+had been fighting at the moment, took advantage of the opportunity to
+thrust his spear into the chest of the sergeant, who fell, as was
+thought, mortally wounded.
+
+This, however, was not the case, for when the fight was over, his wound,
+although dangerous, was not supposed to be fatal, and he went into
+hospital on returning to Suakim.  He was a Blue Light, and his
+temperance habits told in his favour.  So did his religion, for the calm
+equanimity with which he submitted to the will of God, and bore his
+sufferings, went far to assist the doctor in grappling with his wound.
+But his religion did more than that, for when he thought of the heaven
+that awaited him, if he should die, and of being "for ever with the
+Lord," his heart was filled with joy; and joy not only "does not
+kill,"--it is absolutely a source of life.  In the sergeant's case it
+formed an important factor in restoring him to partial health.
+
+One evening, some time after the battle of McNeill's zereba, Sutherland
+and Gaspard Redgrave were seated beside the sergeant's bed--cheering him
+up a bit, as they said--and chatting about the details of the recent
+fight.  Once or twice the sergeant had tried to lead the conversation to
+religious subjects, but without success, for neither Sutherland nor
+Gaspard were seriously disposed, and both fought shy of such matters.
+
+"Well, it's very kind of you to come an' cheer me up, lads," said Hardy
+at last; "and I hope I may live to do the same for you, if either of you
+ever gets knocked over.  Now, I want each of you to do me a favour.
+Will you promise?"
+
+"Of course we will," said Gaspard quickly.
+
+"If we can," said the more cautious Scot.
+
+"Well, then, Gaspard, will you sing me a song?  I think it would do me
+good."
+
+"With the greatest pleasure," answered the soldier; "but," he added,
+looking round doubtfully, "I don't know how they might like it here."
+
+"They'll not object; besides, you can sing low.  You've got the knack of
+singin' soft--better than any man I ever heard."
+
+"Well, what shall it be?" returned the gratified Gaspard.
+
+"One of Sankey's hymns," said the sergeant, with the remotest semblance
+of a twinkle in his eye, as he took a small hymn-book from under his
+pillow and gave it to his friend.
+
+Gaspard did not seem to relish the idea of singing hymns, but he had
+often heard the Blue Lights sing them, and could not plead ignorance of
+the tunes; besides, being a man of his word, he would not refuse to
+fulfil his promise.
+
+"Sing Number 68, `Shall we gather at the river?'  I'm very fond of that
+hymn."
+
+In a sweet, soft, mellow voice, that charmed all who were within
+hearing, Gaspard began the hymn, and when he had finished there was
+heard more than one "Amen" and "Thank God" from the neighbouring beds.
+
+"Yes, comrades, we shall gather there," said the sergeant, after a brief
+pause, "for the same Almighty Saviour who saved _me_ died for _you_ as
+well.  I ain't used to wettin' my cheeks, as _you_ know, lads, but I
+s'pose my wound has weakened me a bit!  Now Sutherland, the favour I
+have to ask of--"
+
+"If ye're thinkin' o' askin' me to pray," broke in the alarmed Scotsman,
+"ye may save your breath.  When I promised, I said, `if I _can_.'  Noo,
+I can _not_ pray, an' it's nae use askin' me to try.  Whatever I may
+come to in this warld, I'll no be a heepycrit for ony leevin' man."
+
+"Quite right, Sutherland--quite right.  I had no intention of asking you
+to pray," replied Hardy, with a faint smile.  "What I want you to do is
+to draw out my will for me."
+
+"Oh!  I'm quite willin' to do that," returned the relieved Scot.
+
+"You see," continued the sergeant, "one never knows what may be the
+result of a bad wound in a climate like this, and if it pleases my
+Father in heaven to call me home, I should like the few trifles I
+possess to go in the right direction."
+
+"That's a wise-like sentiment," returned his friend, with an approving
+nod and thoughtful frown.
+
+"Now, as you write a capital hand, and know how to express yourself on
+paper," continued Hardy, "it strikes me that you will do the job better
+than any one else; and, being a friend, I feel that I can talk freely to
+you on my private affairs.  So you'll help me?"
+
+"I'm wullin' to try, serjint, and ac' the legal adviser--amytoor-like,
+ye ken."
+
+"Thank you.  Can you come to-morrow morning?"
+
+"No, serjint, I canna, because I've to start airly the morn's mornin'
+wi' a pairty to meet the Scots Gairds comin' back frae Tamai, but the
+moment I come back I'll come to ye."
+
+"That will do--thank you.  And now, Gaspard, what's the news from
+England?  I hear that a mail has just come in."
+
+"News that will make your blood boil," said Gaspard sternly.
+
+"It would take a good deal of powerful news to boil the little blood
+that is left in me," said Hardy, languidly.
+
+"Well, I don't know.  Anyhow it makes mine boil.  What d'you think of
+McNeill's brave defence being represented in the papers as a disaster?"
+
+"You don't mean that!"
+
+"Indeed I do.  They say that it was a disaster! whereas it was a
+splendid defence under singularly adverse circumstances!  They say that
+General McNeill permitted himself to be surprised!  If he had tried to
+carry out his instructions to the full extent, it would indeed have been
+such a surprise that the surprising thing would have been if a single
+man of us had returned alive to tell the tale--as you and I know full
+well.  The truth is, it was the fault of the Intelligence Department
+that nearly wrecked us, and it was McNeill's prudence and our pluck that
+saved us, and yet these quill-drivers at home--bah!"
+
+The soldier rose in hot indignation and strode from the room.
+
+"He's a wee thing roosed!" remarked Sutherland, with a good-humoured yet
+slightly cynical grin.  "But guid-nicht to ye, ma man.  Keep up hert an'
+I'll come an' draft yer wull i' the mornin'."
+
+So saying the "amytoor" lawyer took his departure, and was soon tramping
+over the desert sands with a band of his comrades.
+
+They were not, however, permitted to tramp in peace, for their
+indefatigable foe hung on their skirts and annoyed them the greater part
+of the way.  Toward evening they met the Guards, and as it was too late
+to return to Suakim the force bivouacked in McNeill's deserted zereba,
+surrounded by graves and scarcely buried corpses.
+
+Only those who were there can fully understand what that meant.  All
+round the zereba, and for three miles on the Suakim side of it, the
+ground was strewn thickly with the graves of Europeans, Indians, and
+Arabs, and so shallow were these that from each of them there oozed a
+dark, dreadful stain.  To add to the horrors of the scene, portions of
+mangled and putrefying corpses protruded from many of them--ghastly
+skulls, from the sockets of which the eyes had been picked by vultures
+and other obscene birds.  Limbs of brave men upon which the hyena had
+already begun his dreadful work, and half-skeleton hands, with fingers
+spread and bent as if still clutching the foe in death-agony, protruded
+above the surface; mixed with these, and unburied, were the putrefying
+carcases of camels and mules--the whole filling the air with a horrible
+stench, and the soul with a fearful loathing, which ordinary language is
+powerless to describe, and the inexperienced imagination cannot
+conceive.
+
+Oh! it is terrible to think that from the Fall till now man has gone on
+continually producing and reproducing scenes like this--sometimes, no
+doubt, unavoidably; but often, too often, because of some trifling
+error, or insult, on the part of statesmen, or some paltry dispute about
+a boundary, or, not infrequently, on grounds so shadowy and complex that
+succeeding historians have found it almost impossible to convey the
+meaning thereof to the intellects of average men!
+
+Amid these dreadful memorials of the recent fight the party bivouacked!
+
+Next day the troops returned to Suakim, and Sutherland, after breakfast,
+and what he called a wash-up, went to see his friend Sergeant Hardy,
+with pen, ink, and paper.
+
+"Weel, serjint, hoo are ye the day?"
+
+"Pretty well, thank you--pretty well.  Ah!  Sutherland, I have been
+thinking what an important thing it is for men to come to Jesus for
+salvation while in their health and strength; for now, instead of being
+anxious about my soul, as so many are when the end approaches, I am
+rejoicing in the thought of soon meeting God--my Father!  Sutherland, my
+good fellow, it is foolish as well as wrong to think only of this life.
+Of all men in the world we soldiers ought to know this."
+
+The sergeant spoke so earnestly, and his eyes withal looked so solemnly
+from their sunken sockets, that his friend could not help being
+impressed.
+
+"I believe ye're no' far wrang, serjint, an' I tak' shame to mysel' that
+I've been sic a harum-scarum sinner up to this time."
+
+Sutherland said this with a look so honest that Hardy was moved to put
+out his large wasted hand and grasp that of his friend.
+
+"Comrade," he said, "God is waiting to be gracious.  Jesus is ever ready
+and willing to save."
+
+Sutherland returned the pressure but made no reply; and Hardy, praying
+for a blessing on the little that had been said, changed the subject by
+saying--
+
+"You have brought paper and ink, I see."
+
+"Ay, but, man, ye mauna be speakin' o' takin' yer depairture yet.  This
+draftin' o' yer wull is only a precaution."
+
+"Quite right, lad.  I mean it only as a precaution," returned Hardy, in
+a cheerful tone.  "But you seem to have caught a cold--eh?  What makes
+you cough and clear your throat so?"
+
+"A cauld!  I wush it was only a cauld!  Man, it's the stink o' thae
+corps that I canna get oot o' my nose an' thrapple."
+
+Hereupon Sutherland, by way of entertaining his invalid friend, launched
+out into a graphic account of the scene he had so recently witnessed at
+McNeill's zereba.  When that subject was exhausted, he arranged his
+writing materials and began with all the solemnity of a lawyer.
+
+"Noo, serjeant, what div ye want me to pit doon?"
+
+"Well, I must explain first that I have very little to leave, and no one
+to leave it to."
+
+"What!  Nae frien's ava?"
+
+"Not one.  I have neither wife nor child, brother nor sister.  I have
+indeed one old cousin, but he is rich, and would not be benefited by my
+poor little possessions; besides, he's a cross-grained old fellow, and
+does not deserve anything, even though I had something worth leaving.
+However, I bear him no ill-will, poor man, only I don't want what I do
+leave to go to him, which it would if I were to die without a will;
+because, of course, he is my natural heir, and--"
+
+"Haud ye there, man," said the Scot abruptly but slowly.  "If he's your
+nait'ral heir, ye're _his_ nait'ral heir tae, ye ken."
+
+"Of course, I am aware of that," returned the sergeant with an amused
+look; "but the old man is eccentric, and has always boasted that he
+means to leave his wealth to some charity.  Indeed, I know that he has
+already made his will, leaving his money to build an hospital--for
+incurables of some sort, I believe."
+
+"Ma certy!  If I was his lawyer," said Sutherland, with ineffable scorn,
+"I wad advise him to erec' an hospital in his lifetime for incurable
+eediots, an' to gang in himsel' as the first patient.  But, come awa wi'
+yer wull, serjint."
+
+"Get ready, then, my lawyer, and see that you put it down all
+ship-shape, as poor Molloy would have said."
+
+"Oh, ye needna fear," said the Scot, "I'm no' sic an ass as to trust to
+my ain legal knowledge.  But jist you say what ye want an' I'll pit it
+doon, and then write it into a form in the reg'lar way."
+
+After mentioning a few trifling legacies to various comrades, Hardy said
+that he had managed to save a hundred pounds during his career, which he
+wished to divide between his two comrades, John Miles and Willie
+Armstrong, for whom he expressed strong regard.
+
+Sutherland, instead of noting this down, looked at his friend in sad
+surprise, thinking that weakness had caused his mind to wander.
+
+"Ye forget, serjint," he said softly, "that Miles an' Airmstrang are
+baith deed."
+
+"No, lad; no one can say they are certainly dead."
+
+"Aweel--we canna exactly say it, but when ye consider o' the born
+deevils that have gotten haud o' them, we are entitled to _think_ them
+deed ony way."
+
+"They are reported as `missing,' that is all, and that is enough for me.
+You write down what I tell you, lad.  Now, have you got it down?"
+
+"Ay, fifty to each."
+
+"There may be some interest due on the account," said the sergeant
+thoughtfully; "besides, there may be a few things in my kit that I have
+forgotten--and it's not worth while dividing such trifles between them."
+
+"Weel, weel, ye've only to mak yin o' them yer residooary legitee, an'
+that'll pit it a' richt."
+
+"True, my lawyer.  Let it be so," said Hardy, with a short laugh at the
+thought of making so much ado about nothing.  "Make Miles my residuary
+legatee.  And now, be off, draw it out fair, an' leave me to rest, for
+I'm a trifle tired after all this legal work."
+
+The will thus carefully considered was duly made out, signed, and
+witnessed, after which Sergeant Hardy awaited with cheerful resignation
+whatever fate should be appointed to him.
+
+His strong frame and constitution, undamaged by youthful excess, fought
+a vigorous battle for life, and he began slowly to mend; but the climate
+of Suakim was so bad for him that he was finally sent down to the
+hospital at Alexandria, where, under much more favourable circumstances,
+he began to recover rapidly.
+
+One of the nurses there was very kind to him.  Finding that the sergeant
+was an earnest Christian, she had many interesting talks with him on the
+subject nearest his heart.
+
+One day she said to him with unusual animation:
+
+"The doctor says you may go down to the Soldiers' Institute that has
+recently been set up here, and stay for some time to recruit.  It is not
+intended for invalids, you know, but the ladies in charge are intimate
+friends of mine, and have agreed to let you have a room.  The Institute
+stands on a very pleasant part of the shore, exposed to the fresh
+sea-breezes; and there are lots of books and newspapers and games, as
+well as lectures, concerts, prayer-meetings, Bible-readings, and--"
+
+"Ay, just like Miss Robinson's Institute at Portsmouth," interrupted
+Hardy.  "I know the sort o' thing well."
+
+"The Alexandrian Soldiers' Institute is _also_ Miss Robinson's,"
+returned the nurse, with a pleased look; "so if you know the one at
+Portsmouth, there is no need for my describing the other to you.  The
+change will do you more good in a week than months at this place.  And
+I'll come to see you frequently.  There is a widow lady staying there
+just now to whom I will introduce you.  She has been helping us to nurse
+here, for she has great regard for soldiers; but her health having
+broken-down somewhat, she has transferred her services to the Institute
+for a time.  She is the widow of a clergyman who came out here not long
+ago and died suddenly.  You will find her a very sympathetic soul."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+OLD FRIENDS IN NEW ASPECTS.
+
+On the evening of the third day after the conversation narrated in the
+last chapter, Sergeant Hardy sat in an easy-chair on the verandah of the
+Soldiers' Institute at Alexandria, in the enjoyment of a refreshing
+breeze, which, after ruffling the blue waters of the Mediterranean, came
+like a cool hand on a hot brow, to bless for a short time the land of
+Egypt.
+
+Like one of Aladdin's palaces the Institute had sprung up--not exactly
+in a night, but in a marvellously short space of time.  There was more
+of interest about it, too, than about the Aladdin buildings; for whereas
+the latter were evolved magically out of that mysterious and undefinable
+region termed Nowhere, the Miss Robinson edifice came direct from smoky,
+romantic London, without the advantage of supernatural assistance.
+
+When Miss Robinson's soldier friends were leaving for the seat of war in
+Egypt, some of them had said to her, "Three thousand miles from home are
+three thousand good reasons why you should think of us!"  The "Soldiers'
+Friend" took these words to heart--also to God.  She did think of them,
+and she persuaded other friends to think of them, to such good purpose
+that she soon found herself in possession of funds sufficient to begin
+the work.
+
+As we have seen, her energetic servant and fellow-worker, Mr Thomas
+Tufnell, was sent out to Egypt to select a site for the building.  The
+old iron and wood Oratory at Brompton was bought, and sent out at
+Government expense--a fact which speaks volumes for the Government
+opinion of the value of Miss Robinson's work among soldiers.
+
+In putting up the old Oratory, Tufnell had transformed it to an extent
+that might almost have made Aladdin's Slave of the Lamp jealous.
+Certainly, those who were wont to "orate" in the building when it stood
+in Brompton would have failed to recognise the edifice as it arose in
+Egypt on the Boulevard Ramleh, between the Grand Square of Alexandria
+and the sea.
+
+The nave of the old Oratory had been converted into a room, ninety-nine
+feet long, with couches and tables running down both sides, a
+billiard-table in the centre, writing materials in abundance, and
+pictures on the walls.  At one end of the room stood a pianoforte,
+couches, and easy-chairs, and a door opened into a garden facing the
+sea.  Over the door were arranged several flags, and above these, in
+large letters, the appropriate words, "In the name of the Lord will we
+set up our banners."  At the other end was a temperance refreshment bar.
+On a verandah facing the sea men could repose on easy-chairs and smoke
+their pipes or cigars, while contemplating the peculiarities of an
+Eastern climate.
+
+It was here that our friend Sergeant Hardy was enjoying that blessed
+state of convalescence which may be described as gazing straight forward
+and thinking of nothing!
+
+Of course there were all the other appliances of a well-equipped
+Institute--such as sleeping-cabins, manager's room, Bible-class room,
+lavatory, and all the rest of it, while a handsome new stone building
+close beside it contained sitting-rooms, bed-rooms, club-room for
+officers, kitchens, and, by no means least, though last, a large
+lecture-hall.
+
+But to these and many other things we must not devote too much space,
+for old friends in new aspects claim our attention.  Only, in passing
+from such details, it may not be out of place to say that it has been
+remarked that the sight of Miss Robinson's buildings, steadily rising
+from the midst of acres of ruins, while men's minds were agitated by the
+bombardment and its results, produced a sense of security which had a
+most beneficial and quietening effect on the town!  Indeed, one officer
+of high rank went so far as to say that the Institute scheme had given
+the inhabitants more confidence in the intentions of England than
+anything yet done or promised by Government!
+
+In a rocking-chair beside the sergeant reclined a shadow in loose--
+remarkably loose--fitting soldier's costume.
+
+"What a blessed place to sit in and rest after the toils and sufferings
+of war," said Hardy, to the shadow, "and how thankful I am to God for
+bringing me here!"
+
+"It's a hivenly place intirely," responded the shadow, "an' 'tis mesilf
+as is thankful too--what's left o' me anyhow, an' that's not much.  Sure
+I've had some quare thoughts in me mind since I come here.  Wan o' them
+was--what is the smallest amount o' skin an' bone that's capable of
+howldin' a thankful spirit?"
+
+"I never studied algebra, Flynn, so it's of no use puttin' the question
+to me," said Hardy; "besides, I'm not well enough yet to tackle
+difficult questions, but I'm real glad to see you, my boy, though there
+_is_ so little of you to see."
+
+"That's it, sarjint; that's just where it lies," returned Flynn, in a
+slow, weak voice.  "I've bin occupied wi' that question too--namely, how
+thin may a man git widout losin' the power to howld up his clo'es?"
+
+"You needn't be uneasy on that score," said Hardy, casting an amused
+glance at his companion, "for there's plenty o' flesh left yet to keep
+ye goin' till you get to old Ireland.  It rejoices my heart to see you
+beside me, thin though you are, for the report up country was that you
+had died on the way to Suez."
+
+"Bad luck to their reports!  That's always the way of it.  I do think
+the best way to take reports is to belaive the exact opposite o' what's
+towld ye, an' so ye'll come nearest the truth.  It's thrue I had a close
+shave.  Wan day I felt a sort o' light-hiddedness--as if I was a kind o'
+livin' balloon--and was floatin' away, whin the doctor came an' looked
+at me.
+
+"`He's gone,' says he.
+
+"`That's a lie!' says I, with more truth than purliteness, maybe.
+
+"An' would ye belave it?--I began to mind from that hour!  It was the
+doctor saved me widout intindin' to--good luck to him!  Anyhow he kep'
+me from slippin' my cable that time, but it was the good nursin' as
+brought me back--my blissin' on the dear ladies as give their hearts to
+this work all for love!  By the way," continued Flynn, coughing and
+looking very stern, for he was ashamed of a tear or two which _would_
+rise and almost overflow in spite of his efforts to restrain them--but
+then, you see, he was very weak!  "By the way," he said, "you'll niver
+guess who wan o' the nurses is.  Who d'ee think?--guess!"
+
+"I never _could_ guess right, Flynn."
+
+"Try."
+
+"Well, little Mrs Armstrong."
+
+"Nonsense, man!  Why, she's nursin' her old father in England, I
+s'pose."
+
+"Miss Robinson, then?"
+
+"H'm!  You might as well say the Prime Minister.  How d'ee s'pose the
+Portsmuth Institute could git along widout _her_?  No, it's our friend
+Mrs Drew!"
+
+"What!  The wife o' the reverend gentleman as came out with us in the
+troop-ship?"
+
+"That same--though she's no longer the wife of the riverend gintleman,
+for he's dead--good man," said Flynn, in a sad voice.
+
+"I'm grieved to hear that, for he _was_ a good man.  And the pretty
+daughter, what of her?"
+
+"That's more nor I can tell ye, boy.  Sometimes her mother brings her to
+the hospital to let her see how they manage, but I fancy she thinks her
+too young yet to go in for sitch work by hersilf.  Anyhow I've seen her
+only now an' then; but the poor widdy comes rig'lar--though I do belave
+she does it widout pay.  The husband died of a flyer caught in the
+hospital a good while since.  They say that lots o' young fellows are
+afther the daughter, for though the Drews are as poor as church rats,
+she's got such a swate purty face, and such innocent ways wid her, that
+I'd try for her mesilf av it wasn't that I've swore niver to forsake me
+owld grandmother."
+
+Chatting thus about times past and present, while they watched the
+soldiers and seamen who passed continuously in and out of the
+Institute--intent on a game, or some non-intoxicant refreshment, or a
+lounge, a look at the papers, a confab with a comrade, or a bit of
+reading--the two invalids enjoyed their rest to the full, and frequently
+blessed the lady who provided such a retreat, as well as her
+warm-hearted assistants, who, for the love of Christ and human souls,
+had devoted themselves to carry on the work in that far-off land.
+
+"I often think--" said Hardy.
+
+But what he thought was never revealed; for at that moment two ladies in
+deep mourning approached, whom the sergeant recognised at a glance as
+Mrs Drew and her daughter Marion.  The faces of both were pale and
+sorrowful; but the beauty of the younger was rather enhanced than
+otherwise by this, and by contrast with her sombre garments.
+
+They both recognised the sergeant at once, and, hastening forward, so as
+to prevent his rising, greeted him with the kindly warmth of old
+friends.
+
+"It seems such a long time since we met," said the elder lady, "but we
+have never forgotten you or the comrades with whom we used to have such
+pleasant talks in the troop-ship."
+
+"Sure am I, madam," said the sergeant, "that they have never forgotten
+_you_ and your kind--kind--"
+
+"Yes, my husband was _very_ kind to you all," said the widow, observing
+the delicacy of feeling which stopped the soldier's utterance; "he was
+kind to every one.  But we have heard some rumours that have made me and
+my daughter very sad.  Is it true that a great many men of your regiment
+were killed and wounded at the battle fought by General McNeill?"
+
+"Quite true, madam," answered the sergeant, glancing at the daughter
+with some surprise; for Marion was gazing at him with an intensely
+anxious look and parted lips.  "But, thank God, many were spared!"
+
+"And--and--how are the two fine-looking young men that were so fond of
+each other--like twins almost--"
+
+"Sure, didn't I tell ye, misthress, that they was both ki--"
+
+"Hold your tongue, Flynn," interrupted the widow, with a forced smile.
+"You are one of my most talkative patients!  I want to hear the truth of
+this matter from a man who has come more recently from the scene of
+action than yourself.  What do you think, Mr Hardy?"
+
+"You refer to John Miles and William Armstrong, no doubt, madam," said
+the sergeant, in a somewhat encouraging tone.  "Well, if Flynn says they
+were killed he has no ground whatever for saying so.  They are only
+reported missing.  Of course that is bad enough, but as long as a man is
+only missing there is plenty of room for hope.  You see, they may have
+managed to hide, or been carried off as prisoners into the interior; and
+you may be sure the Arabs would not be such fools as to kill two men
+like Miles and Armstrong; they'd rather make slaves of 'em, in which
+case there will be a chance of their escaping, or, if we should become
+friendly again wi' these fellows, they'd be set free."
+
+"I'm so glad to hear you say so, and I felt sure that my desponding
+patient here was taking too gloomy a view of the matter," said Mrs
+Drew, with a significant glance at Marion, who seemed to breathe more
+freely and to lose some of her anxious expression after the sergeant's
+remarks.
+
+Perhaps at this point a little conversation that took place between Mrs
+Drew and her daughter that same evening may not be out of place.
+
+"Dear May," said the former, "did I not tell you that Flynn took too
+gloomy a view of the case of these young soldiers, in whom your dear
+father was so much interested?  But, darling, is it not foolish in you
+to think so much about Miles?"
+
+"It may be foolish, mother, but I cannot help it," said Marion, blushing
+deeply; for she was very modest as well as simple.
+
+"May, dear, I wonder that you can make such an admission!" said the
+mother remonstratively.
+
+"Is it wrong to make such an admission to one's own mother, when it is
+true?" asked Marion, still blushing, but looking straight in her
+mother's eyes; for she was very straightforward as well as modest and
+simple!
+
+"Of course not, dear, but--but--in short, Miles is only a--a--soldier,
+you know, and--"
+
+"_Only_ a soldier!" interrupted Marion, with a flash from her soft brown
+eyes; for she was an enthusiast as well as straightforward, modest, and
+simple!  "I suppose you mean that he is only a private, but what then?
+May not the poorest private in the army rise, if he be but noble-minded
+and worthy and capable, to the rank of a general, or higher--if there is
+anything higher?  Possibly the Commander-in-Chief-ship may be open to
+him!"
+
+"True, my love, but in the meantime his social position is--"
+
+"Is quite as good as our own," interrupted Marion; for she was a
+desperate little radical as well as an enthusiast, straightforward,
+modest, and simple!
+
+"You know he let out something about his parents and position, and _of
+course_ he told the truth.  Besides, I repeat that I cannot _help_
+loving him, and surely we are not responsible for our affections.  We
+cannot love and hate to order.  I might fall in love with--with--well,
+it's no good talking; but, anyhow, I could not help it.  I could be
+silent if you like, but I could not help myself."
+
+Mrs Drew seemed a little puzzled how to deal with her impetuous
+daughter, and had begun to reply, when May interrupted her.  Flushing
+deeply, for she was very sensitive, and with a feeling that amounted
+almost to indignation, she continued--
+
+"I wonder at you, mother--it's so unlike you; as if those unworthy
+considerations of difference of rank and station could influence, or
+ought to influence, one in such a question as this!"
+
+Mrs Drew paused for a moment.  She knew that her daughter gave
+expression to the views that had marked the dealings of the husband and
+father, so lately lost to them, in every action of his life.  Marion's
+happiness, too, during the remainder of her days, might be involved in
+the result of the present conversation, and she was moved to say--
+
+"My dear, has John Miles ever spoken to you?"
+
+"Oh! mother, how can you ask me?  If he had done so, would I have
+delayed one minute in letting you know?"
+
+"Forgive me, dearest.  I did you wrong in admitting the thought even for
+a moment.  But you spoke so earnestly--as if you might have some reason
+for thinking that he cared for you."
+
+"Don't you know," answered Marion, looking down, and a little confused,
+"that men can speak with their eyes as well as their lips?  I not only
+feel sure that he cares for me, but I feel sure, from the sentiments he
+expressed to me on the voyage, that _nothing_ would induce him to talk
+to me of love while in his present position."
+
+"How does all this consist, my love," asked Mrs Drew, "with your
+knowledge of the fact that he left home in anger, and would not be
+persuaded, even by your dear father, to write home a penitent letter?"
+
+Marion was silent.  This had not occurred to her before.  But love is
+not to be turned from its object by trifles.  She was all that we have
+more than once described her to be; but she was not a meta-physician or
+a philosopher, capable of comprehending and explaining occult mysteries.
+Enough for her if she loved Miles and Miles loved her, and then, even
+if he did not deserve her love, she would remain true--secretly but
+unalterably true--to him as the needle is to the pole!
+
+"Has it not occurred to you, dear," said her mother, pursuing her
+advantage in a meditative tone, "that if Miles has been so plain-spoken
+and eloquent with his blue eye, that your pretty brown ones may have
+said something to _him_?"
+
+"Never!" exclaimed the girl, with an indignant flash.  "Oh! mother, can
+you believe me capable of--of--no, I never looked at him except with the
+air of a perfect stranger--at least of a--a--but why should I try to
+deny what could not possibly be true?"
+
+Mrs Drew felt that nothing was to be gained from pursuing the subject--
+or one aspect of it--further.
+
+"At any rate," she said, "I am glad, for his own sake, poor young
+fellow, that Sergeant Hardy spoke so hopefully."
+
+"And for his comrades' sakes as well," said Marion.  "You know, mother,
+that his friend Armstrong is also reported as missing, and Stevenson the
+marine, as well as that dear big bluff sailor, Jack Molloy.  By the way,
+do you feel well enough to go to the lecture to-night?  It is to be a
+very interesting one, I am told, with magic-lantern illustrations, and I
+don't like to go alone."
+
+"I am going to-night, so you may make your mind easy," said her mother.
+"I would not miss this lecturer, because I am told that he is a
+remarkably good one, and the hall is likely to be quite full."
+
+In regard to this lecture and some other things connected with the
+Alexandrian Institute, our friend Sergeant Hardy learned a good deal
+from the lady at the head of it, not long after the time that Mrs Drew
+had the foregoing conversation with Marion.
+
+It is scarcely needful to say that the Lady-Superintendent was a capable
+Christian as well as an enthusiast in her work.
+
+"Come to my room, Sergeant Hardy, and I'll tell you all about it," she
+said, leading the way to her apartment, where the sergeant placed
+himself upon a chair, bolt upright, as if he were going to have a tooth
+drawn, or were about to illustrate some new species of sitting-drill.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+SHOWS HOW THE LADY OF THE INSTITUTE DISCOURSES TO THE SERGEANT, HOW
+JACK-TARS GO OUT ON THE SPREE, AND HOW MUSIC CONQUERS WARRIORS.
+
+"It seems wonderful to me, madam," said Sergeant Hardy, looking round
+the lady's room with an admiring gaze, "how quickly you have got things
+into working order here.  When I remember that last year this place was
+a heap of rubbish, it seems like magic."
+
+"Ah! the work of God on earth seems magical the more we reflect on it,"
+returned the lady.  "The fact that our Institute was conceived, planned,
+and carried into successful operation by an invalid lady, in spite of
+discouragement, and, at first, with inadequate means, is itself little
+short of miraculous, but what is even more surprising is the fact that
+the Government, which began by throwing cold water on her Portsmouth
+work, has ended by recognising it and by affording us every facility
+here in Alexandria."
+
+"Well, you see, madam, I suppose it's because they see that we soldiers
+and sailors likes it, an' it does a power o' good--don't you think?"
+
+"No doubt, but whatever may be the reason, Sergeant, we are very
+thankful for the encouragement.  I suppose you have heard what a grand
+occasion our opening day was?"
+
+"No, madam, I haven't.  You see, away at Suakim we was so constantly
+taken up with the attentions of Osman Digna that we had little time for
+anything but eatin' and sleepin' when we wasn't on sentry an' fightin',
+so that we often missed bits of news.  Was there a great turn-out o'
+men?"
+
+"Indeed there was," returned the lady, with animation; "and not only of
+men, but of all the Alexandrian notables.  It was on the 23rd of
+February last (1885) that our Institute was opened by Major-General
+Lennox, V.C., C.B., who was in command of the garrison.  This was not
+the first time by any means that the soldiers had paid us a visit.  A
+number of men, who, like yourself, Sergeant Hardy, sympathise with our
+work in its spiritual aspects, had been frequently coming to see how we
+were getting on, and many a pleasant hour's prayer and singing we had
+enjoyed with them, accompanied by our little harmonium, which had been
+sent to us by kind friends in England; and every Sunday evening we had
+had a little service in the midst of the shavings and carpenters'
+benches.
+
+"But on this grand opening day the men came down in hundreds, and a
+great surprise some of them got--especially the sceptical among them.
+The entrance was decorated with palms.  At the further end of the
+reading-room the trophy of Union Jacks and the Royal Standard, which you
+see there now, was put up by a band of Jack-tars who had come to help us
+as well as to see the fun.  Over the trophy was our text, `In the name
+of the Lord will we set up our banners,' for we liked to feel that we
+had taken possession of this little spot in Egypt for God--and we
+believe that it will always be His.
+
+"Everything was bright and hearty.  There were about five hundred
+soldiers and sailors, and between two and three hundred officers and
+civilians of all nationalities.  On the platform we had Osman Pasha--"
+
+"Ha!" interrupted the sympathetic sergeant, "I only wish we could have
+had Osman Digna there too!  It would do more to pacify the Soudan than
+killing his men does!"
+
+"I daresay it would," responded the lady with a laugh, "but have
+patience, Hardy; we shall have him there yet, and perhaps the Mahdi
+too--or some future grand occasion.  Well, as I was saying, we had
+Osman, the Governor of Alexandria, on our platform, and a lot of
+big-wigs that you know nothing about, but whose influence was of
+importance, and whose appearance went far to make the place look gay.
+Of course we had music, beginning with `God save the Queen,' and
+speeches--brilliant as well as heavy; sententious and comic--like all
+other similar gatherings, and the enthusiasm was unbounded.  How could
+it be otherwise with sailors to cheer and soldiers to back them up?  And
+you may be sure that in such a meeting the enthusiasm about the
+undertaking did not fail to extend to the `Soldiers' Friend' who had
+originated the whole.  In short, it was a splendid success."
+
+"Of course it was," said the sergeant, with emphasis; "first, because of
+God's blessing, an', second, because the Institoot was greatly needed.
+Why, madam, if it wasn't for this place the thousands of soldiers
+stationed here, not to mention the sailors, would have no place to go to
+spend their leave and leisure time but the drinkin' dens o' the town; an
+_you_ know well, though p'r'aps not so well as I do, what terrible
+places these are, where men are tempted, fleeced, debauched, and
+sometimes murdered."
+
+"Quite true, Hardy.  Did you hear of the case that occurred just two
+days ago?  A sergeant of one of the regiments, I forget which, after
+paying his fare to a donkey-boy, turned quietly to walk away, when the
+scoundrel felled him with a stick and robbed him of one pound 10
+shillings.  The case is before the law-court now, and no doubt the
+robber will receive a just reward.
+
+"Well, as I was remarking, the opening day carried us to high tide, so
+to speak, and there has been no ebb from that day to this.  One comical
+incident, however, occurred just at the beginning, which might have done
+us damage.  The day after the opening all was prepared for the reception
+of our soldier and sailor friends.  The tables were arranged with books
+and games, the writing-table with pens, ink, and blotting-paper, and the
+bar with all sorts of eatables, magnificent urns, coloured glass,
+etcetera.  About one o'clock William, our barman, tasted the coffee.
+His usual expression of self-satisfaction gave place to one of horror.
+He tasted the coffee again.  The look of horror deepened.  He ran to the
+boiler, and the mystery was cleared up.  The boiler had been filled with
+salt-water!  Our Arab, Ibraim, who carries up seawater daily to fill our
+baths, had filled the boiler with the same.  Luckily there was time to
+correct the mistake, and when our friends came trooping in at four
+o'clock they found the coffee quite to their taste.
+
+"You know very well," continued the superintendent, "our rules never to
+force religion on any of our customers, our object being to _attract_ by
+all the legitimate means in our power.  We have our Bible-classes,
+prayer-meetings, temperance soirees, and the like, distinct--as at
+Portsmouth--from the other advantages of the Institute; and are quite
+content if some, who come at first from mere curiosity or for the
+enjoyment of temporal good things, should afterwards continue to come
+from higher and spiritual motives.  But if our military friends prefer
+to read our papers and books, and play our games, and use our bar, they
+are at perfect liberty to do so, without what I may style religious
+interference.  It's all fair and above-board, you see.  We fully
+recognise the freedom of will that God has bestowed on man.  If you
+don't care for our spiritual fare you may let it alone.  If you relish
+it--there it is, and you are welcome.  Yet we hold by our right to win
+men if we can.  In point of fact, we have been very successful already
+in this way, for our motive power from beginning to end is Love.
+
+"One of our most helpful soldier friends--a sergeant--has brought
+several men to the Saviour, who are now our steady supporters.  One of
+these men, whom our sergeant was the means of bringing in, was a
+professed unbeliever of good standing and ability.  The first time he
+was prevailed on to come to a prayer-meeting, he sat bolt upright while
+we knelt, being a straightforward sort of man who refused to pretend
+when he could not really pray.  He is now a happy follower of Jesus.
+
+"Our large rooms are constantly filled with soldiers, some chatting,
+some making up for past privations by having a good English meal, and
+others reading or playing games.  Just now happens to be our quietest
+hour, but it won't be long before we have a bustling scene."
+
+As if to verify the lady's words there came through the doorways at that
+moment a sound of shouting and cheering, which caused all the staff of
+the Institute to start into active life.
+
+"There they come!" exclaimed the lady, with an intelligent smile, as she
+hurried from the room, leaving Hardy to follow at a pace that was more
+consistent with his dignity--and, we may add, his physical weakness.
+
+The shouts proceeded from a party of sailors on leave from one of the
+ironclads lying in the harbour.  These, being out for the day--on a
+spree as some of them styled it--had hired donkeys, and come in a body
+to the Institute, where they knew that food of the best, dressed in
+British fashion, and familiar games, were to be had, along with British
+cheer and sympathy.
+
+When Hardy reached the door he found the place swarming with
+blue-jackets, trooping up at intervals on various animals, but none on
+foot, save those who had fallen off their mounts and were trying to get
+on again.
+
+"They're all donkeyfied together," remarked a sarcastic old salt--not
+one of the party--who stood beside Hardy, looking complacently on, and
+smoking his pipe.
+
+"They don't steer as well on land as on sea," replied Hardy.
+
+"'Cause they ain't used to such craft, you see--that's w'ere it is,
+sarjint," said the old salt, removing his pipe for a moment.  "Just look
+at 'em--some comin' along sidewise like crabs, others stern foremost.
+W'y, there's that grey craft wi' the broad little man holdin' on to its
+tail to prevent his slidin' over its head.  I've watched that grey craft
+for some minutes, and its hind propellers have bin so often in the air
+that it do seem as if it was walkin' upon its front legs.  Hallo!  I was
+sure he'd go down by the head at last."
+
+The donkey in question had indeed gone down by the head, and rolled
+over, pitching its rider on his broad shoulders, which, however, seemed
+none the worse for the fall.
+
+"Ketch hold of his tail, Bill," cried another man, "and hold his stern
+down--see if that won't cure his plungin'.  He's like a Dutchman in a
+cross sea."
+
+"Keep clear o' this fellow's heels, Jack, he's agoin' to fire another
+broadside."
+
+"If he does he'll unship you," cried Jack, who was himself at the same
+moment unshipped, while the owner of the donkey, and of the other
+donkeys, shouted advice, if nothing worse, in Arabic and broken English.
+
+In a few minutes the sailors "boarded" the Institute, and drew the whole
+force of the establishment to the bar in order to supply the demand.
+
+"Ah! thin, ye've got Irish whisky, haven't ye?" demanded a facetious
+seaman.
+
+"Yes, plenty, but we call it coffee here!" answered the equally
+facetious barman, whose satellites were distributing hot and cold drinks
+with a degree of speed that could only be the fruit of much practice.
+
+"You'll have to be jolly on mild swipes," said one; "no tostikatin'
+liquors allowed, Dick."
+
+"H'm!" growled Dick.
+
+"Got any wittles here?" demanded another man, wiping his lips with his
+sleeve.
+
+"Yes, plenty.  Sit down and order what you want."
+
+"For nothin'?" asked the tar.
+
+"For _next_ to nothing!" was the prompt reply.  Meanwhile, those whose
+appetites were not quite so urgent had distributed themselves about the
+place, and were already busy with draughts, billiards, etcetera, while
+those who were of more sedate and inquiring temperament were deep in the
+columns of the English papers and magazines.
+
+"I say, Fred Thorley, ain't it bang up?" remarked a sturdy little man,
+through a huge slice of cake, with which he had just filled his mouth.
+
+"Fuss-rate!" responded Fred, as he finished a cup of coffee at a draught
+and called for more.  "Didn't I tell you, Sam, that you'd like it better
+than the native grog-shops?"
+
+"If they'd on'y got bitter beer!" sighed Sam.
+
+"They've got better beer," said his friend; "try some ginger-pop."
+
+"No thankee.  If I can't git it strong, let's at least have it hot.
+But, I say, what's come o' the lobsters?  Don't seem to be many about.
+I thought this here Institoot was got up a-purpose for _them_.
+
+"So it was, lad, includin' us; but you don't suppose that because _you_
+are out on the spree, everybody else is.  They're on dooty just now.
+Wait a bit an' you'll see plenty of 'em afore long."
+
+"Are all that come here Blue Lights?" asked Sam, with a somewhat doleful
+visage.
+
+"By no manner o' means," returned his friend, with a laugh; "tho' for
+the matter o' that they wouldn't be worse men if they was, but many of
+'em are no better than they should be, an' d'ee know, Sam, there are
+some of 'em actually as great blackguards a'most as yourself!"
+
+"There's some comfort in that anyhow," returned Sam, with a pleasant
+smile, "for I hates to be pecooliar.  By the way, Fred, p'r'aps they may
+be able to give you some noos here, if you ax 'em, about your friend
+Jack Molloy.  _He_ was a Blue Light, wasn't he?"
+
+"Not w'en I know'd 'im, but he was a fuss-rate seaman an' a good friend,
+though he _was_ fond of his glass, like yourself, Sam."
+
+It chanced that at this point Sergeant Hardy, in moving about the place,
+taking profound interest in all that he saw, came within earshot of the
+two friends, to whom he at once went up and introduced himself as a
+friend of Jack Molloy.
+
+"Indeed," said he, "Molloy and I fought pretty near to each other in
+that last affair under General McNeill, so I can give you the latest
+news of him."
+
+"Can you, old man?  Come, sit down here, an' let's have it then," said
+Thorley.  "Jack was an old messmate o' mine.  What'll you take to drink,
+mate?"
+
+"Nothing, thankee.  I'm allowanced by the doctor even in the matter o'
+tea and coffee," said the sergeant.  "As to bein' an' old man--well, I
+ain't much older than yourself, I daresay, though wounds and sickness
+and physic are apt to age a man in looks."
+
+Sitting down beside the sailors, Hardy told of the great fight at
+McNeill's zereba, and how Molloy and others of his friends had gone to
+rescue a comrade and been cut off.  He relieved Fred's mind, however, by
+taking the most hopeful view of the matter, as he had previously
+relieved the feelings of Marion.  And then the three fell to chatting on
+things in general and the war in particular.
+
+"Now don't this feel homelike?" said Sam, looking round the room with
+great satisfaction.  "If it wasn't for the heat I'd a'most think we was
+in a temperance coffee-house in old England."
+
+"Or owld Ireland," chimed in a sailor at the neighbouring table.
+
+"To say naething o' auld Scotland," added a rugged man in red hair, who
+sat beside him.
+
+"Well, messmate," assented Fred, "it _do_ feel homelike, an' no mistake.
+Why, what ever is _that_?"
+
+The sailor paused, and held up a finger as if to impose silence while he
+listened, but there was no need to enforce silence, for at that moment
+the sweet strains of a harmonium were heard at the other end of the long
+room, and quietude profound descended on the company as a rich baritone
+voice sang, with wonderful pathos, the familiar notes and words of
+"Home, Sweet Home!"
+
+Before that song was finished many a warrior there had to fight
+desperately with his own spirit to conceal the fact that his eyes were
+full of tears.  Indeed, not a few of them refused to fight at all, but,
+ingloriously lowering their colours, allowed the tell-tale drops to
+course over their bronzed faces, as they thought of sweethearts and
+wives and friends and home circles and "the light of other days."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+LED INTO CAPTIVITY.
+
+We turn once more to the Nubian desert, where, it will be remembered, we
+left several of our friends, cut off from McNeill's zereba at a critical
+moment when they were all but overwhelmed by a host of foes.
+
+The grand-looking Arab who had so opportunely appeared on the scene and
+arrested the spears which were about to finish the career of Jack Molloy
+was no other than the man who had been saved by Miles from the bullet of
+his comrade Rattling Bill.  A kind act had in this case received its
+appropriate reward, for a brief though slight glance, and a gracious
+inclination of the Arab's head, convinced our hero that the whole party
+owed their lives to this man's gratitude.
+
+They were not however exempt from indignity, for at the moment when Jack
+Molloy fell they were overwhelmed by numbers, their arms were wrenched
+from their grasp, and their hands were bound behind their backs.  Thus
+they were led, the reverse of gently, into the thick bush by a strong
+party of natives, while the others, headed by the black-bearded chief,
+continued their attack on the zereba.
+
+It soon became evident that the men who had charge of the prisoners did
+not share, or sympathise with, the feelings of the chief who had spared
+their lives, for they not only forced them to hurry forward as fast as
+they could go, but gave them occasional pricks with their spear-points
+when any of them chanced to trip or stumble.  One of the warriors in
+particular--a fiery man--sometimes struck them with the shaft of his
+spear and otherwise maltreated them.  It may be easily understood that
+men with unbroken spirits and high courage did not submit to this
+treatment with a good grace!
+
+Miles was the first to be tested in this way.  On reaching a piece of
+broken ground his foot caught in something and he stumbled forward.  His
+hands being bound behind him he could not protect his head, and the
+result was that he plunged into a prickly shrub, out of which he arose
+with flushed and bleeding countenance.  This was bad enough, but when
+the fiery Arab brought a lance down heavily on his shoulders his temper
+gave way, and he rushed at the man in a towering rage, striving at the
+same time, with intense violence, to burst his bonds.  Of course he
+failed, and was rewarded by a blow on the head, which for a moment or
+two stunned him.
+
+Seeing this, Armstrong's power of restraint gave way, and he sprang to
+the rescue of his friend, but only to meet the same fate at the hands of
+the fiery Arab.
+
+Stunned and bleeding, though not subdued, they were compelled to move on
+again at the head of the party--spurred on now and then by a touch from
+the point of the fiery man's lance.  Indeed it seemed as if this man's
+passionate nature would induce him ere long to risk his chief's wrath by
+disobeying orders and stabbing the prisoners!
+
+Stevenson, the marine, was the next to suffer, for his foot slipped on a
+stone, and he fell with such violence as to be unable to rise for a few
+minutes.  Impatient of the delay, the fiery man struck him so savagely
+with the spear-shaft that even his own comrades remonstrated.
+
+"If I could only burst this cord!" growled Simkin between his teeth,
+"I'd--"
+
+He stopped, for he felt that it was unmanly, as well as idle, to boast
+in the circumstances.
+
+"We must have patience, comrade," said Stevenson, as he rose pale and
+bloodstained from the ground.  "Our Great Captain sometimes gives us the
+order to submit and suffer and--"
+
+A prick in the fleshy part of his thigh caused him to stop abruptly.
+
+At this point the endurance of Jack Molloy failed him, and he also "went
+in" for violent action!  But Jack was a genius as well as a sailor, and
+profited by the failures of his comrades.  Instead of making futile
+efforts to break his bonds like them, he lowered his hairy head, and,
+with a howl and a tremendous rush, like a fish-torpedo, launched
+himself, or, as it were, took "a header," into the fiery man!
+
+"No fellow," as Jack himself afterwards remarked, "could receive fifteen
+stone ten into his bread-basket and go on smiling!"  On the contrary, he
+went down like a nine-pin, and remained where he fell, for his
+comrades--who evidently did not love him--merely laughed and went on
+their way, leaving him to revive at his leisure.
+
+The prisoners advanced somewhat more cheerfully after this event, for,
+besides being freed from pricks of the spear-point, there was that
+feeling of elation which usually arises in every well-balanced mind from
+the sight of demerit meeting with its appropriate reward.
+
+The region over which they were thus led, or driven, was rather more
+varied than the level country behind them, and towards evening it
+changed still further, becoming more decidedly hill-country.  At night
+the party found themselves in the neighbourhood of one of the
+all-important wells of the land, beside which they encamped under a
+small tree.
+
+Here the prisoners were allowed to sit down on the ground, with one man
+to guard them, while the others kindled a fire and otherwise arranged
+the encampment.
+
+Supper--consisting of a small quantity of boiled corn and dried flesh--
+was given to the prisoners, whose hands were set free, though their
+elbows were loosely lashed together, and their feet tied to prevent
+their escape.  No such idea, however, entered into the heads of any of
+them, for they were by that time in the heart of an unknown range of
+hills, in a country which swarmed with foes, besides which, they would
+not have known in what direction to fly had they been free to do so;
+they possessed neither arms, ammunition, nor provisions, and were at the
+time greatly exhausted by their forced march.
+
+Perhaps Jack Molloy was the only man of the unfortunate party who at
+that moment retained either the wish or the power to make a dash for
+freedom.  But then Jack was an eccentric and exceptional man in every
+respect.  Nothing could quell his spirit, and it was all but impossible
+to subdue his body.  He was what we may term a composite character.  His
+frame was a mixture of gutta-percha, leather, and brass.  His brain was
+a compound of vivid fancy and slow perception.  His heart was a union of
+highly inflammable oil and deeply impressible butter, with something
+remarkably tough in the centre of it.  Had he been a Red Indian he would
+have been a chief.  If born a nigger he would have been a king.  In the
+tenth century he might have been a Sea-king or something similar.  Born
+as he was in the nineteenth century, he was only a Jack-tar and a hero!
+
+It is safe to conclude that if Molloy had been set free that evening
+with a cutlass in his hand he would--after supper of course--have
+attacked single-handed the united band of forty Arabs, killed at least
+ten of them, and left the remaining thirty to mourn over their mangled
+bodies and the loss of numerous thumbs and noses, to say nothing of
+other wounds and bruises.
+
+Luckily for his comrades he was _not_ free that night.
+
+"Boys," said he, after finishing his scanty meal, and resting on an
+elbow as he looked contemplatively up at the stars which were beginning
+to twinkle in the darkening sky, "it do seem to me, now that I've had
+time to think over it quietly, that our only chance o' gittin' out o'
+this here scrape is to keep quiet, an' pretend that we're uncommon fond
+of our _dear_ Arab friends, till we throws 'em off their guard, an'
+then, some fine night, give 'em the slip an' make sail across the desert
+for Suakim."
+
+"No doubt you're right," answered Miles, with a sigh, for, being tired
+and sleepy just then, he was not nearly as sanguine as the seaman, "but
+I have not much hope of gaining their confidence--especially after your
+acting the thunderbolt so effectively on one of them."
+
+"Why, man alive! they won't mind that.  It was all in the way of fair
+fight," said Molloy; "an' the rascal was no favourite, I could see
+that."
+
+"It's a wonder to me you could see anything at all after such a ram!"
+remarked Moses Pyne, with a yawn, as he lay back and rested his head on
+a tuft of grass.  "The shock seemed to me fit to sink an iron-clad."
+
+"But why _pretend_ to be fond of the Arabs?" asked Stevenson.  "Don't
+you think it would be sufficient that we should obey orders quietly
+without any humbug or pretence at all about it, till a chance to escape
+shall come in our way?"
+
+"Don't you think, Stevenson," said Miles, "that there's a certain amount
+of humbug and pretence even in quiet obedience to orders, when such
+obedience is not the result of submission, but of a desire to throw
+people off their guard?"
+
+"But my obedience _is_ the result of submission," returned the marine
+stoutly.  "I do really submit--first, because it is God's will, for I
+cannot help it; second, because it is the only course that will enable
+me to escape bad treatment; third, because I wish to gain the good-will
+of the men who have me in their power whether I escape or not; and,
+fourth--"
+
+"Hallo! old man, how many heads are you goin' to give us in that there
+sermon?" asked Moses.
+
+"This is the last head, Moses, and you needn't be anxious, for I ain't
+going to enlarge on any of 'em.  My fourth reason is, that by doing as
+common-sense bids me, our foes will be brought thereby to that state of
+mind which will be favourable to everything--our escape included--and I
+can't help that, you know.  It ain't my fault if they become trustful,
+is it?"
+
+"No, nor it ain't no part o' your dooty to spoil their trustfulness by
+failin' to take advantage of it," said Molloy, with a grin; "but it do
+seem to me, Stevenson, as if there wor a strong smack o' the Jesuit, in
+what you say."
+
+"I hope not," replied the marine.  "Anyhow, no one would expect me,
+surely, to go an' say straight out to these fellows, `I'm goin' to obey
+orders an' be as meek as a lamb, in order to throw you off your guard
+an' bolt when I get the chance!'"
+
+"Cer'nly not.  'Cause why?  Firstly, you couldn't say it at all till
+you'd learned Arabic," returned Molloy; "secondly--if I may be allowed
+for to follow suit an' sermonise--'cause you shouldn't say it if you
+could; an', thirdly, 'cause you'd be a most awful Jack-ass to say it if
+you did.  Now, it's my advice, boys, that we go to sleep, for we won't
+have an easy day of it to-morrow, if I may judge from to-day."
+
+Having delivered this piece of advice with much decision, the seaman
+extended himself at full length on the ground, and went to sleep with a
+pleased smile on his face, as if the desert sand had been his familiar
+couch from infancy.
+
+Some of the other members of the unfortunate party were not, however,
+quite so ready for sleep.  Miles and his friend Armstrong sat long
+talking over their fate--which they mutually agreed was a very sad one;
+but at last, overcome by exhaustion, if not anxiety, they sank into
+much-needed repose, and the only sound that broke the stillness of the
+night was the tread of the Arab sentinel as he paced slowly to and fro.
+
+The country, as they advanced, became more and more rugged, until they
+found themselves at last in the midst of a hill region, in the valleys
+of which there grew a considerable amount of herbage and underwood.  The
+journey here became very severe to the captives, for, although they did
+not suffer from thirst so much as on the plains, the difficulty of
+ascending steep and rugged paths with their hands bound was very great.
+It is true the position of the hands was changed, for after the second
+day they had been bound in front of them, but this did not render their
+toil easy, though it was thereby made a little less laborious.
+
+By this time the captives had learned from experience that if they
+wished to avoid the spear-points they must walk in advance of their
+captors at a very smart pace.  Fortunately, being all strong and healthy
+men, they were well able to do so.
+
+Rattling Bill, perhaps, suffered most, although, after Molloy, he was
+physically one of the strongest of the party.
+
+Observing that he lagged behind a little on one occasion while they were
+traversing a somewhat level valley, Stevenson offered him his arm.
+
+"Don't be ashamed to take it, old boy," said the marine kindly, as his
+comrade hesitated.  "You know, a fellow sometimes feels out o' sorts,
+and not up to much, however stout he may be when well, so just you lay
+hold, for somehow I happen to feel as strong as an elephant to-day."
+
+"But I _ain't_ ill," returned Simkin, still declining, "and I don't see
+why I shouldn't be as able as you are to carry my own weight."
+
+"Of course you are better able to do it than I am, in a general way,"
+returned his friend, "but I said that sometimes, you know, a fellow
+gives in, he don't well know why or how, an' then, of course, his
+comrades that are still strong are bound to help him.  Here, hook on and
+pocket your pride.  You'll have to do the same thing for me to-morrow,
+may-hap, when _I_ give in.  And if it does come to that I'll lean heavy,
+I promise you."
+
+"You're a good fellow, Stevenson, even though you _are_ a Blue Light,"
+said Simkin, taking the proffered arm.
+
+"Perhaps it's _because_ I am a Blue Light," returned the marine, with a
+laugh.  "At all events, it is certain that whatever good there may be
+about me at all is the result of that Light which is as free to you as
+to me."
+
+For some minutes the couple walked along in silence.  At last Rattling
+Bill spoke.
+
+"I wonder," he said, "why it is that a young and healthy fellow like me
+should break down sooner than you, Stevenson, for I'm both bigger and
+stronger--and yet, look at us new.  Ain't it strange!  I wonder why it
+is."
+
+"It is strange, indeed," returned the marine quietly.  "P'r'aps the
+climate suits me better than you."
+
+"I know what you're thinkin'," said Simkin, almost testily.  "Why don't
+you say that _drink_ is the cause of it--straight out, like a man?"
+
+"Because I knew you were saying that to yourself, lad, so there was no
+need for me to say it," returned his friend, with a side-glance and a
+twinkle of the eyes.
+
+"Well, whoever says it, it's a fact," continued Simkin, almost sternly,
+"an' I make no bones of admitting it.  I have bin soakin' away, right
+and left, since I came to this country, in spite o' warnin's from you
+and other men like you, and now I feel as if all my boasted strength was
+goin' out at my heels."
+
+Stevenson was silent.
+
+"Why don't you say `I told you so?'" asked Simkin, sharply.
+
+"Because I _never_ say that!  It only riles people; besides," continued
+the marine, earnestly, "I was asking God at the moment to enable me to
+answer you wisely.  You see, I think it only fair to reveal some of my
+private thoughts to _you_, since you are making a father-confessor of
+_me_.  But as you admit that drink has done you damage, my dear fellow,
+there is no need for me to say anything more on that subject.  What you
+want now is encouragement as to the future and advice as to the present.
+Shall I give you both just now, or shall I wait?"
+
+"`Commence firing!'" replied Simkin, with a half-jesting smile.
+
+"Well, then, as to encouragement," said Stevenson.  "A point of vital
+importance with men who have gone in for drink as much as you have, is
+total-abstinence; and I regard it as an evidence of God's love to you
+that He has brought you here--"
+
+"God's love that brought me _here_!" exclaimed the soldier in surprise.
+"Well, that _is_ a view o' the case that don't seem quite plain."
+
+"Plain enough if you open your eyes wide enough.  See here: If you was
+in camp now, with your present notions, and was to determine to give up
+drink, you'd have to face and fight two most tremendous devils.  One
+devil is called Craving, the other is called Temptation, and all the
+Arabs in the Soudan rolled into one are not so terrible or so strong as
+these two when a man is left to fight them by himself.  Now, is it not a
+sign of our Father's love that he has, by bringing you here, removed the
+devil Temptation entirely out of your way, for you can't get strong
+drink here for love or money.  So, you see, you have only got Craving to
+fight, and that's encouraging, ain't it?"
+
+"D'ye know, I believe you are not far wrong," said Simkin, gravely; "and
+it _is_ encouraging to know that Temptation's out o' the way, for I feel
+that the other devil has got me by the throat even now, and that it's
+him as has weakened me so much."
+
+"That's it, friend.  You've got the truth by the tail now, so hold on;
+but, at the same time, don't be too hard on Craving.  It's not _his_
+fault that he's here.  You have poured liquor down your throat to him
+daily, and cultivated his acquaintance, and helped him to increase his
+strength regularly, for many months--it may be for years.  I don't want
+to be hard on you, lad, but it's of no use shiftin' the burden on to the
+wrong shoulders.  It is not Craving but _you_ who are the sinner.  Now,
+as to advice: do you really want it?"
+
+"Well," replied Simkin, with a "humph!" "it will be time enough for you
+to shut up when I sound the `cease firing!'"
+
+"My advice, then, is that you go down on your knees, plead _guilty_
+straight off, and ask for grace to help you in your time of need."
+
+"What! go down on my knees here before all them Arabs?  If I did, they'd
+not only laugh at me, but they'd soon rouse me up with their spears."
+
+"I'm not so sure about that, Simkin.  Arabs are accustomed to go on
+their own knees a good deal in public.  It is chiefly Christians who,
+strange to say, are ashamed to be caught in that position at odd times.
+But I speak not of ceremonies, but of realities.  A man may go on his
+knees, without bending a joint, any time and everywhere.  Now, listen:
+there is this difference between the courts of men and the court of
+heaven, that in the former, when a man pleads guilty, his sentence is
+only modified and softened, but in the latter, the man who pleads guilty
+receives a free pardon and ultimate deliverance from _all_ sin for the
+sake of Jesus Christ.  Will you accept this deliverance, my friend?"
+
+What the soldier replied in his heart we cannot tell, for his voice was
+silent.  Before the conversation could be resumed a halt was called, to
+partake of the midday meal and rest.
+
+That evening the party came upon a strange and animated scene.  It was
+one of the mountain camps of Osman Digna, where men were assembling from
+all quarters, to swell the hordes with which their chief hoped to drive
+the hated Europeans into the Red Sea.  Camels and other beasts of burden
+were bringing in supplies for the vast army, and to this spot had been
+brought the poor fellows who had been wounded in recent battles.
+
+Here the captives were thrust into a small dark hut and left to their
+meditations, while a couple of Arab sentries guarded the door.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+SHOWS THAT SUFFERING TENDS TO DRAW OUT SYMPATHY.
+
+The word _captivity_, even when it refers to civilised lands and
+peoples, conveys, we suspect, but a feeble and incorrect idea to the
+minds of those who have never been in a state of personal bondage.
+Still less do we fully appreciate its dread significance when it refers
+to foreign lands and barbarous people.
+
+It was not so much the indignities to which the captive Britons were
+subjected that told upon them ultimately, as the hard, grinding,
+restless toil, and the insufficient food and rest--sometimes accompanied
+with absolute corporeal pain.
+
+"A merciful man is merciful to his beast."  There is not much of mercy
+to his beast in an Arab.  We have seen an Arab, in Algiers, who made use
+of a sore on his donkey's back as a sort of convenient spur!  It is
+exhausting to belabour a thick-skinned and obstinate animal with a
+stick.  It is much easier, and much more effective, to tickle up a sore,
+kept open for the purpose, with a little bit of stick, while comfortably
+seated on the creature's back.  The fellow we refer to did that.  We do
+not say or think that all Arabs are cruel; very far from it, but we hold
+that, as a race, they are so.  Their great prophet taught them cruelty
+by example and precept, and the records of history, as well as of the
+African slave-trade, bear witness to the fact that their "tender
+mercies" are not and never have been conspicuous!
+
+At first, as we have shown, indignities told pretty severely on the
+unfortunate Englishmen.  But, as time went on, and they were taken
+further and further into the interior, and heavy burdens were daily
+bound on their shoulders, and the lash was frequently applied to urge
+them on, the keen sense of insult which had at first stirred them into
+wild anger became blunted, and at last they reached that condition of
+partial apathy which renders men almost indifferent to everything save
+rest and food.  Even the submissive Stevenson was growing callous.  In
+short, that process had begun which usually ends in making men either
+brutes or martyrs.
+
+As before, we must remark that Jack Molloy was to some extent an
+exception.  It did seem as if nothing but death itself could subdue that
+remarkable man.  His huge frame was so powerful that he seemed to be
+capable of sustaining any weight his tyrants chose to put upon him.  And
+the influence of hope was so strong within him that it raised him almost
+entirely above the region of despondency.
+
+This was fortunate for his comrades in misfortune, for it served to keep
+up their less vigorous spirits.
+
+There was one thing about the seaman, however, which they could not
+quite reconcile with his known character.  This was a tendency to groan
+heavily when he was being loaded.  To be sure, there was not much reason
+for wonder, seeing that the Arabs forced the Herculean man to carry
+nearly double the weight borne by any of his companions, but then, as
+Miles once confidentially remarked to Armstrong, "I thought that Jack
+Molloy would rather have died than have groaned on account of the weight
+of his burden; but, after all, it _is_ a tremendously heavy one--poor
+fellow!"
+
+One day the Arabs seemed to be filled with an unusual desire to torment
+their victims.  A man had passed the band that day on a fast dromedary,
+and the prisoners conjectured that he might have brought news of some
+defeat of their friends, which would account for their increased
+cruelty.  They were particularly hard on Molloy that day, as if they
+regarded him as typical of British strength, and, therefore, an
+appropriate object of revenge.  After the midday rest, they not only put
+on him his ordinary burden, but added to the enormous weight
+considerably, so that the poor fellow staggered under it, and finally
+fell down beneath it, with a very dismal groan indeed!
+
+Of course the lash was at once applied, and under its influence the
+sailor rose with great difficulty, and staggered forward a few paces,
+but only to fall again.  This time, however, he did not wait for the
+lash, but made very determined efforts of his own accord to rise and
+advance, without showing the smallest sign of resentment.  Even his
+captors seemed touched, for one of them removed a small portion of his
+burden, so that, thereafter, the poor fellow proceeded with less
+difficulty, though still with a little staggering and an occasional
+groan.
+
+That night they reached a village near the banks of a broad river, where
+they put up for the night.  After their usual not too heavy supper was
+over, the prisoners were thrust into a sort of hut or cattle-shed, and
+left to make themselves as comfortable as they could on the bare floor.
+
+"I don't feel quite so much inclined for sleep to-night," said Miles to
+Molloy.
+
+"No more do I," remarked the sailor, stretching himself like a wearied
+Goliath on the earthen floor, and placing his arms under his head for a
+pillow.
+
+"I feel pretty well used up too," said Simkin, throwing himself down
+with a sigh that was more eloquent than his tongue.  He was indeed
+anything but Rattling Bill by that time.
+
+Moses Pyne being, like his great namesake, a meek man, sympathised with
+the others, but said nothing about himself, though his looks betrayed
+him.  Armstrong and Stevenson were silent.  They seemed too much
+exhausted to indulge in speech.
+
+"Poor fellow!" said Moses to Molloy, "I don't wonder you are tired, for
+you not only carried twice as much as any of us, but you took part of
+_my_ load.  Indeed he did, comrades," added Moses, turning to his
+friends with an apologetic air.  "I didn't want him to do it, but he
+jerked part o' my load suddenly out o' my hand an' wouldn't give it up
+again; an', you know, I didn't dare to make a row, for that would have
+brought the lash down on both of us.  But I didn't want him to carry so
+much, an' him so tired."
+
+"Tired!" exclaimed the sailor, with a loud laugh.  "Why, I warn't tired
+a bit.  An', you know, you'd have dropped down, Moses, if I hadn't
+helped ye at that time."
+
+"Well, I confess I _was_ ready to drop," returned Moses, with a humbled
+look; "but I would much rather have dropped than have added to your
+burden.  How can you say you wasn't tired when you had fallen down only
+five minutes before, an' groaned heavily when you rose, and your legs
+trembled so?  I could _see_ it!"
+
+To this the seaman's only reply was the expansion of his huge but
+handsome mouth, the display of magnificent teeth, the disappearance of
+both eyes, and a prolonged quiet chuckle.
+
+"Why, what's the matter with you, Jack?" asked Stevenson.
+
+"Nothin's the matter wi' me, old man--'cept--"
+
+Here he indulged in another chuckle.
+
+"Goin' mad, with over-fatigue," said Simkin, looking suspiciously at
+him.
+
+"Ay, that's it, messmate, clean mad wi' over-fatigue."
+
+He wiped his eyes with the hairy back of his hand, for the chuckling,
+being hearty, had produced a few tears.
+
+"No, but really, Jack, what is it you're laughing at?" asked Armstrong.
+"If there _is_ a joke you might as well let us have the benefit of
+laughing along wi' you, for we stand much in need of something to cheer
+us here."
+
+"Well, Billy boy, I may as well make a clean breast of it," said Molloy,
+raising himself on one elbow and becoming grave.  "I do confess to
+feelin' raither ashamed o' myself, but you mustn't be hard on me, lads,
+for circumstances alters cases, you know, as Solomon said--leastwise if
+it warn't him it was Job or somebody else.  The fact is, I've bin
+shammin', mates!"
+
+"Shamming!"
+
+"Ay, shammin' _weak_.  Purtendin' that I was shaky on the legs, an' so
+not quite up to the cargo they were puttin' aboard o' me."
+
+"If what you've been doing means shamming _weak_, I'd like to see you
+coming out _strong_," observed Miles, with a short laugh.
+
+"Well, p'r'aps you'll see that too some day," returned the sailor, with
+an amiable look.
+
+"But do you really mean that all that groaning--which I confess to have
+been surprised at--was mere pretence?"
+
+"All sham.  Downright sneakin'!" said Molloy.  "The short an' the long
+of it is, that I see'd from the first the on'y way to humbug them
+yellow-faced baboons was to circumwent 'em.  So I set to work at the
+wery beginnin'."
+
+"Ah, by takin' a header," said Simkin, "into one o' their
+bread-baskets!"
+
+"No, no!" returned the seaman, "that, I confess, was a mistake.  But
+you'll admit, I've made no more mistakes o' the same sort since then.
+You see, I perceived that, as my strength is considerable above the
+average, the baboons would be likely to overload me, so, arter profound
+excogitation wi' myself, I made up my mind what to do, an' when they had
+clapped on a little more than the rest o' you carried I began to groan,
+then I began to shake a bit in my timbers, an' look as if I was agoin'
+to founder.  It didn't check 'em much, for they're awful cruel, so I
+went fairly down by the head.  I had a pretty fair guess that this would
+bring the lash about my shoulders, an' I was right, but I got up wery
+slowly an' broken-down-like, so that the baboons was fairly humbugged,
+and stopped loadin' of me long afore I'd taken in a full cargo--so, you
+see, boys, I've bin sailin' raither light than otherwise."
+
+"But do you mean to tell me that the load you've bin carryin' is not too
+heavy for you?" asked Moses.
+
+"That's just what I does mean to tell you, lad.  I could carry a good
+deal more, an' dance with it.  You see, they ain't used to men o' my
+size, so I was able to humbug 'em into a miscalkilation.  I on'y wish I
+could have helped you all to do the same, but they're too 'cute, as the
+Yankees say.  Anyway, Moses, you don't need to trouble your head when I
+gives you a helpin' hand again."
+
+"Ah, that expression, `a helping hand,' sounds familiar in my ears,"
+said Stevenson, in a sad tone.
+
+"Yes, what do it recall, lad?" asked Molloy, extending himself again on
+his broad back.
+
+"It recalls places and friends in Portsmouth, Jack, that we may never
+again set eyes on.  You remember the Institoot?  Well, they've got a new
+branch o' the work there for the surrounding civilian poor, called the
+_Helping Hand_.  You see, Miss Robinson understands us soldiers out and
+out.  She knew that those among us who gave up drink and sin, and put on
+the blue-ribbon, were not goin' to keep all the benefit to ourselves.
+She knew that we understood the meaning of the word `enlist' That we'd
+think very little o' the poor-spirited fellow who'd take the Queen's
+shillin' and put on her uniform, and then shirk fightin' her battles and
+honouring her flag.  So when some of us put on the Lord's uniform--
+which, like that of the Austrians, is white--and unfurled His flag, she
+knew we'd soon be wantin' to fight His battles against sin--especially
+against drink; so instead of lookin' after our welfare alone, she
+encouraged us to hold out a _helpin' hand_ to the poorest and most
+miserable people in Portsmouth, an' she found us ready to answer to the
+call."
+
+"Ah, they was grand times, these," continued the marine, with kindly
+enthusiasm, as he observed that his comrades in sorrow were becoming
+interested, and forgetting for the moment their own sorrows and
+sufferings.  "The Blue-Ribbon move was strong in Portsmouth at the time,
+and many of the soldiers and sailors joined it.  Some time after we had
+held out a helping hand to the poor civilians, we took it into our heads
+to invite some of 'em to a grand tea-fight in the big hall, so we asked
+a lot o' the poorest who had faithfully kept the pledge through their
+first teetotal Christmas; and it _was_ a scrimmage, I can tell you.  We
+got together more than forty of 'em, men and women, and there were about
+three hundred soldiers and sailors, and their wives to wait on 'em an'
+keep 'em company!"
+
+"Capital!" exclaimed Miles, who had a sympathetic spirit--especially for
+the poor.
+
+"Good--good!" said Molloy, nodding his head.  "That was the right thing
+to do, an' I suppose they enjoyed theirselves?"
+
+"Enjoyed themselves!" exclaimed the marine, with a laugh.  "I should
+just think they did.  Trust Miss Robinson for knowin' how to make poor
+folk enjoy themselves--and, for the matter of that, rich folk too!  How
+they did stuff, to be sure!  Many of 'em, poor things, hadn't got such a
+blow-out in all their lives before.  You see, they was the very poorest
+of the poor.  You may believe what I say, for I went round myself with
+one o' the Institoot ladies to invite 'em, and I do declare to you that
+I never saw even pigs or dogs in such a state of destitootion--nothin'
+whatever to lie on but the bare boards."
+
+"You don't say so?" murmured Moses, with deep commiseration, and
+seemingly oblivious of the fact that he was himself pretty much in
+similar destitution at that moment.
+
+"Indeed I do.  Look here," continued the marine, becoming more earnest
+as he went on; "thousands of people don't know--can't understand--what
+misery and want and suffering is going on around 'em.  City missionaries
+and the like tell 'em about it, and write about it, but telling and
+writin' _don't_ make people _know_ some things.  They must _see_, ay,
+sometimes they must _feel_, before they can rightly understand.
+
+"One of the rooms we visited," continued Stevenson, in pathetic tones,
+"belonged to a poor old couple who had been great drinkers, but had been
+induced to put on the blue-ribbon.  It was a pigeon-hole of a room,
+narrow, up a dark stair.  They had no means of support.  The room was
+empty.  Everything had been pawned.  The last thing given up was the
+woman's shawl to pay the rent, and they were starving."
+
+"Why didn't they go to the work'us?" asked Simkin.
+
+"'Cause the workhouse separates man and wife, in defiance of the Divine
+law--`Whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.'  They was
+fond of each other, was that old man and woman, and had lived long
+together, an' didn't want to part till death.  So they had managed to
+stick to the old home, ay, and they had stuck to their colours, for the
+bit o' blue was still pinned to the tattered coat o' the man and the
+thin gown o' the woman, (neither coat nor gown would fetch anything at
+the pawn-shop!) and there was no smell o' drink in the room.  Well, that
+old couple went to the tea-fight.  It was a bitter cold night, but they
+came all the same, with nothing to cover the woman's thin old arms.
+
+"The moment they appeared, away went one o' Miss Robinson's workers to
+the room where they keep chests full of clothes sent by charitable folk
+to the Institoot, an' you should have seen that old woman's wrinkled
+face when the worker returned wi' the thickest worsted shawl she could
+lay hold of, an' put it on her shoulders as tenderly as if the old woman
+had been her own mother!  At the same time they gave a big-coat to the
+old man."
+
+"But, I say," interrupted Simkin, "that Christmas feed an' shawl an'
+coat wouldn't keep the couple for a twel'month, if they was sent home to
+starve as before, would it?"
+
+"Of course not," returned the marine, "but they wasn't sent off to
+starve; they was looked after.  Ay, an' the people o' the whole
+neighbourhood are now looked after, for Miss Robinson has bought up a
+grog-shop in Nobbs Lane--one o' the worst places in Portsmouth--an'
+converted it into a temperance coffee-house, wi' lots of beds to send
+people to when the Institoot overflows, an' a soup-kitchen for the
+destitoot poor, an' a wash'us for them and the soldiers' wives, an', in
+short, it has changed the whole place; but if I go on like this I'll
+send Moses to sleep, for I've heard 'im smotherin' his yawns more than
+once a'ready!"
+
+"It's not for want of interest in what you're sayin' though, old man,"
+returned Moses, with a tremendous unsmothered yawn, which of course set
+all his comrades off, and confirmed them in the belief that it was time
+to seek repose.
+
+Scarcely a single comment was made on the narrative, as each laid his
+weary head on his arm or on a folded garment, and stretched himself out
+on the hard ground, in nearly as destitute a condition as the poor folk,
+about whom they had been hearing; for while their bed was as hard as
+theirs, and the covering as scant, the meal they had recently consumed
+was by no means what hungry men would call satisfying.
+
+There is reason to believe, however, that their consideration of the sad
+lot of "the poor" at home did not render less profound or sweet that
+night's repose in the great African wilderness.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+ADVENTURES AMONG THE SOUDANESE, AND STRANGE MEETING WITH THE MAHDI.
+
+Day after day, for many days, our captives were thus driven over the
+burning desert, suffering intensely from heat and thirst and hunger, as
+well as from fatigue, and treated with more or less cruelty according to
+the varying moods of their guards.
+
+At last one afternoon they arrived at a city of considerable size,
+through the streets of which they were driven with unusual harshness by
+the Arab soldiers, who seemed to take pleasure in thus publicly heaping
+contempt on Christian captives in the sight of the Mohammedan
+population.
+
+Their case seemed truly desperate to Miles, as he and his comrades
+passed through the narrow streets, for no pitying eye, but many a frown,
+was cast on them by the crowds who stopped to gaze and scoff.
+
+What city they had reached they had no means of finding out, being
+ignorant of Arabic.  Indeed, even though they had been able to converse
+with their guards, it is probable that these would have refused to hold
+communication with them.
+
+Turning out of what appeared to be a sort of market-place, they were
+driven, rather than conducted, to a whitewashed building, into which
+they entered through a low strong door, studded with large iron-headed
+nails.  As they entered a dark passage, the door was slammed and locked
+behind them.  At first, owing to their sudden entrance out of intensely
+bright day, they seemed to be in profound darkness, but when they became
+accustomed to the dim light, they found that they were in the presence
+of several powerful men, who carried long Eastern-like pistols in their
+girdles, and curved naked swords in their hands.  These stood like
+statues against the wall of the small room, silently awaiting the orders
+of one whose dress betokened him of superior rank, and who was engaged
+in writing with a reed in Persian characters.  A tall, very
+black-skinned negro stood beside this officer.
+
+After a few minutes the latter laid down the reed, rose up, and
+confronted the prisoners, at the same time addressing some remark to his
+attendant.
+
+"Who is you, an' where you come fro?" asked the negro, addressing
+himself to Miles, whom he seemed intuitively to recognise as the chief
+of his party.
+
+"We are British soldiers!" said Miles, drawing himself up with an air of
+dignity that would have done credit to the Emperor of China.  You see,
+at that moment he felt himself to be the spokesman for, and, with his
+comrades, the representative of, the entire British army, and was put
+upon his mettle accordingly.  "We come from Suakim--"
+
+"Ay, black-face!" broke in Jack Molloy at that moment, "and you may tell
+him that if he has the pluck to go to Suakim, he'll see plenty more
+British soldiers--an' British seamen too--who'll give him an' his
+friends a hot and hearty welcome wi' bullet, bayonet, and cutlash
+whenever he feels inclined."
+
+"Are you officer?" asked the negro of Miles, and not paying the smallest
+attention to Molloy's warlike invitation.
+
+"No, I am not."
+
+Turning to the armed men, the officer gave them an order which caused
+them to advance and stand close to the Englishmen--two beside each
+prisoner--with drawn swords.  An extra man took up his position behind
+Molloy, evidently having regard to his superior size!  Then two men, who
+looked like jailers, advanced to Stevenson, cut the cords that bound his
+arms, and proceeded to put iron fetters on his wrists.
+
+"Comrades," said Molloy, in a low voice, when he perceived that his turn
+was coming, "shall we make a burst for it--kill them all, get out into
+street, cut and slash through the town, and make a grand run for it--or
+die like men?"
+
+"Die like fools!" growled Simkin, as he suffered his hands to be
+manacled.
+
+"No, no, Jack," said Armstrong; "don't be rash.  Let's bide our time.
+There's no sayin' what'll turn up."
+
+"Well, well," sighed Molloy, resigning himself to his fate, "there's
+only one thing now that's sartin sure to turn up, an' that is the sod
+that'll cover our graves."
+
+"You're not sure even of that, man," said Moses Pyne, who was beginning
+to give way to despair, "for may-hap they'll only dig a hole in the
+sand, an' shove us in."
+
+"More likely to leave the dogs an' vultures to clear us out o' the way,"
+said Simkin, whose powers of hope were being tested almost beyond
+endurance.
+
+While the prisoners indulged in these gloomy anticipations, the
+operation of fixing their irons was finished, after which they were
+taken across an inner court which was open to the sky.  At the other
+side of this they came to another heavy iron-studded door, which, when
+opened, disclosed a flight of steps descending into profound darkness.
+
+"Go in!" said the negro, who had accompanied them.
+
+Molloy, who was first, hesitated, and the tremendous flush on his face,
+and frown on his shaggy brows, seemed to indicate that even yet he
+meditated attempting his favourite "burst"!  But Stevenson, pushing past
+him, at once descended, saying, as he went, "Don't be foolish, Jack; we
+_must_ learn to submit."
+
+There were only three steps, and at the bottom a room about fifteen feet
+square, to enlighten which there was a small hole high up in one of the
+walls.  It did little more, however, than render darkness visible.
+
+"God help us!" exclaimed Miles, with a sensation of sinking at the heart
+which he had never felt before.
+
+And little wonder, for, as their eyes became accustomed to the dim
+light, it was seen that the walls were blank, with nothing on them to
+relieve the eye save the little hole or window just mentioned; that the
+floor was of hard earth, and that there was not a scrap of furniture in
+the room--not even a stool, or a bundle of straw on which to lie down.
+
+"`I will trust, and not be afraid,'" said Stevenson, in a low voice.
+
+"Who will you trust?" asked Simkin, who was not aware that his comrade
+had quoted Scripture.
+
+"I will trust God," answered the marine.
+
+"I wouldn't give much for your trust, then," returned Simkin bitterly,
+as well as contemptuously, for he had given way to despair.  "You Blue
+Lights and Christians think yourselves so much better than everybody
+else, because you make so much talk about prayin' an' singin', an' doin'
+your duty, an' servin' God, an' submitting.  It's all hypocrisy."
+
+"Don't you believe that Sergeant Hardy is a good soldier?" asked
+Stevenson.
+
+"Of course I do," replied Simkin, in some surprise at the question.
+
+"An' _he_ doesn't think much of himself, does he?" continued the marine.
+
+"Certainly not.  He's one o' the kindest an' humblest men in the
+regiment, as I have good reason to know."
+
+"Yet he frequently talks to us of attendin' to our duty, an' doin'
+credit to the British Flag, an' faithfully serving the Queen.  If this
+is praiseworthy in the sergeant, why should the talk of duty an' service
+an' honour to God be hypocrisy in the Christian?  Does it not seem
+strange that we Blue Lights--who have discovered ourselves to be much
+worse than we thought ourselves, an' gladly accept Jesus as our Saviour
+from sin--should be charged with thinkin' ourselves `_better_ than other
+people'!"
+
+"Come now," cried Jack Molloy, seating himself on the floor, and leaning
+his back against the wall; "it do seem to me, as you putt it, Stevenson,
+that the charge ought to be all the other way; for we, who make no
+purfession of religion at all, thinks ourselves so far righteous that
+we've got no need of a Saviour.  Suppose, now, as we've got to as low a
+state o' the dumps as men can well come to, we all sits down in a row
+an' have a palaver about this matter--Parson Stevenson bein' the chief
+spokesman."
+
+They all readily agreed to this proposal.  Indeed, in the circumstances,
+any proposal that offered the faintest hope of diverting their minds
+from present trouble would have been welcome to them at that moment.
+The marine was nothing loath to fall in with the fancy of his
+irrepressible comrade, but we do not propose to follow them in the talk
+that ensued.  We will rather turn at once to those events which affected
+more immediately the fortunes of the captives.
+
+On the morning after their arrival in the city there was assembled in
+the principal square a considerable concourse of Soudan warriors.  They
+stood chatting together in various groups in front of a public building,
+as if awaiting some chief or great man, whose richly caparisoned steed
+stood in front of the main entrance, with its out-runner standing before
+it.
+
+This runner was a splendid specimen of physical manhood.  He was as
+black as coal, as graceful as Apollo, and apparently as powerful as
+Hercules,--if one might judge from the great muscles which stood out
+prominently on all his limbs, he wore but little clothing--merely a pair
+of short Arab drawers of white cotton, a red fez on his head, and a
+small tippet on his shoulders.  Unlike negroes in general, his features
+were cast in a mould which one is more accustomed to see in the
+Caucasian race of mankind--the nose being straight, the lips
+comparatively thin, and the face oval, while his bearing was that of a
+man accustomed to command.
+
+The appearance of a few soldiers traversing the square drew the eyes of
+all in their direction, and caused a brief pause in the hum of
+conversation.  Our friends, the captives, were in the midst of these
+soldiers, and beside them marched the negro interpreter whom they had
+first met with in the prison.
+
+At the door of the public building the soldiers drew up and allowed the
+captives to pass in, guarded by two officers and the interpreter.
+Inside they found a number of military men and dignitaries grouped
+around, conversing with a stern man of strongly marked features.  This
+man--towards whom all of them showed great deference--was engaged when
+the captives entered; they were therefore obliged to stand aside for a
+few minutes.
+
+"Who is he?" asked Molloy of the negro interpreter.
+
+"Our great leader," said the negro, "the Mahdi."
+
+"What! the scoundrel that's bin the cause o' all this kick-up?" asked
+Jack Molloy, in surprise.
+
+The interpreter did not quite understand the seaman's peculiar language,
+but he seemed to have some idea of the drift of it, for he turned up his
+up-turned nose in scorn and made no reply.
+
+In a few minutes an officer led the captives before the Mahdi, who
+regarded them with a dark frown, directing his attention particularly to
+Jack Molloy, as being the most conspicuous member of the party, perhaps,
+also, because Molloy looked at him with an air and expression of stern
+defiance.
+
+Selecting him as a spokesman for the others, the Mahdi, using the negro
+as an interpreter, put him through the following examination:--
+
+"Where do you come from?" he asked, sternly.
+
+"From Suakim," answered Molloy, quite as sternly.
+
+"What brought you here?"
+
+"Your dirty-faced baboons!"
+
+It is probable that the negro used some discretion in translating this
+reply, for the chief did not seem at all offended, but with the same
+manner and tone continued--
+
+"Do you know the number of men in Suakim?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Tell me--how many?"
+
+To this Molloy answered slowly, "Quite enough--if you had only the pluck
+to come out into the open an' fight like men--to give you such a lickin'
+that there wouldn't be a baboon o' you left in the whole Soudan!"
+
+Again it is probable that the interpreter did not give this speech
+verbatim, for while he was delivering it, the Mahdi was scanning the
+features of the group of prisoners with a calm but keen eye.
+
+Making a sign to one of his attendants to lead Molloy to one side, he
+said a few words to another, who thereupon placed Miles in front of his
+master.
+
+"Are you an officer?" was the first question put.
+
+"No," answered our hero, with quiet dignity, but without the slightest
+tinge of defiance either in tone or look.
+
+"Will you tell me how many men you have in Suakim?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Dare you refuse?"
+
+"Yes; it is against the principles of a British soldier to give
+information to an enemy."
+
+"That's right, John Miles," said Molloy, in an encouraging tone; "give
+it 'im hot!  They can only kill us once, an'--"
+
+"Silence!" hissed the Mahdi between his teeth.
+
+"Silence!" echoed the interpreter.
+
+"All right, you nigger!  Tell the baboon to go on.  I won't run foul of
+him again; he ain't worth it."
+
+This was said with free-and-easy contempt.
+
+"Do you not know," resumed the Mahdi, turning again to Miles with a
+fierce expression, "that I have power to take your life?"
+
+"You have no power at all beyond what God gives to you," said Miles
+quietly.
+
+Even the angry Mahdi was impressed with the obvious truth of this
+statement, but his anger was not much allayed by it.
+
+"Know you not," he continued, "that I have the power to torture you to
+death?"
+
+Our hero did not at once reply.  He felt that a grand crisis in his life
+had arrived, that he stood there before an assemblage of "unbelievers,"
+and that, to some extent, the credit of his countrymen for courage,
+fidelity, and Christianity was placed in his hands.
+
+"Mahdi," he said, impressively, as he drew himself up, "you have indeed
+the power to torture and kill me, but you have _not_ the power to open
+my lips, or cause me to bring dishonour on my country!"
+
+"Brayvo, Johnny!  Pitch into him!" cried the delighted Molloy.
+
+"Fool!" exclaimed the Mahdi, whose ire was rekindled as much by the
+seaman's uncomprehended comment as by our hero's fearless look and tone,
+"you cannot bring dishonour on a country which is already dishonoured.
+What dishonour can exceed that of being leagued with the oppressor
+against the oppressed?  Go!  You shall be taught to sympathise with the
+oppressed by suffering oppression!"
+
+He waved his hand, and, quickly leaving the court, walked towards his
+horse, where the fine-looking negro runner stood and held his stirrup,
+while he prepared to mount.  Instead of mounting, however, he stood for
+a few seconds looking thoughtfully at the ground.  Then he spoke a few
+words to the runner, who bowed his head slightly as his master mounted
+and rode away.
+
+Grasping a small lance and flag, which seemed to be the emblems of his
+office, he ran off at full speed in front of the horse to clear the way
+for his master.
+
+At the entrance to the building an official of some sort took hold of
+Miles's arm and led him away.  He glanced back and observed that two
+armed men followed.  At the same time he saw Molloy's head towering
+above the surrounding crowd, as he and his comrades were led away in
+another direction.  That was the last he saw of some at least, of his
+friends for a considerable time.
+
+Poor Miles was too much distressed at this sudden and unexpected
+separation to take much note of the things around him.  He was brought
+back to a somewhat anxious consideration of his own affairs by being
+halted at the gate of a building which was more imposing, both in size
+and appearance, than the houses around it.  Entering at the bidding of
+his conductors, he found himself in an open court, and heard the heavy
+door closed and bolted behind him.
+
+Thereafter he was conducted to a small chamber, which, although
+extremely simple, and almost devoid of furniture, was both cleaner and
+lighter than that in which he and his comrades had been at first
+immured.  He observed, however, with a feeling of despondency, that it
+was lighted only by small square holes in the roof, and that the door
+was very substantial!
+
+Here his conductor left him without saying a word and bolted the door.
+As he listened to the retreating steps of his jailer echoing on the
+marble pavement of the court, a feeling of profound dejection fell upon
+our hero's spirit, and he experienced an almost irresistible tendency to
+give way to unmanly tears.  Shame, however, came to his aid and enabled
+him to restrain them.
+
+In one corner of the little room there was a piece of thick matting.
+Sitting down on it with his back against the wall, the poor youth laid
+his face in his hands and began to think and to pray.  But the prayer
+was not audible; and who can describe the wide range of thought--the
+grief, the anxiety for comrades as well as for himself, the remorse, the
+intense longing to recall the past, the wish that he might awake and
+find that it was only a wild dream, and, above all, the bitter--almost
+vengeful--self-condemnation!
+
+He was aroused from this condition by the entrance of a slave bearing a
+round wooden tray, on which were a bowl of food and a jug of water.
+
+Placing these before him, the slave retired without speaking, though he
+bestowed a glance of curiosity on the "white infidel dog," before
+closing the door.
+
+Appetite had ever been a staunch friend to Miles Milton.  It did not
+fail him now.  Soldier-life has usually the effect of making its
+devotees acutely careful to take advantage of all opportunities!  He set
+to work on the bowlful of food with a will, and was not solicitous to
+ascertain what it consisted of until it was safely washed down with a
+draught from the jug.  Being then too late to enter on an inquiry as to
+its nature, he contented himself with a pleasing recollection that the
+main body of the compost was rice, one of the constituents oil, and that
+the whole was by no means bad.  He also wished that there had been more
+of it, and then resumed his previous--and only possible--amusement of
+meditation.
+
+Thinking, like fighting, is better done on a full stomach!  He had
+gradually thought himself into a more hopeful state of mind, when he was
+again interrupted by the entrance of visitors--two armed men, and the
+magnificent negro runner whom he had observed holding the Mahdi's horse.
+One of the armed men carried a small bundle, which he deposited on the
+ground, and then stood beside his companion.  Both stood like sentinels
+with drawn swords, ready, apparently, to obey the commands of the
+runner.
+
+Advancing to the captive, the latter, producing a key, unlocked and
+removed his manacles.  These he handed to one of the men, and, turning
+again to Miles, said, to his great surprise, in English--
+
+"Undress, and put on de t'ings in bundle."
+
+We may here observe that up to this time Miles and his comrades in
+adversity had worn, day and night, the garments in which they had been
+captured.  Our hero was not sorry, therefore, at the prospect of a
+change.  Untying the bundle to see what substitute was given for his
+uniform, he found that it contained only a pair of loose cotton drawers
+and a red fez.
+
+"Is this all?" he asked, in surprise.
+
+"All," answered the negro.
+
+"And what if I refuse to undress?" asked Miles.
+
+"Your clo'es will be tore off your back and you be bastinado!"
+
+This was said so calmly, and the three grave, powerful men seemed so
+thoroughly capable of performing the deed, that our hero wisely
+submitted to the inevitable and took off his uniform, which one of the
+guards gathered up piece by piece as it was removed.  Then he pulled on
+the drawers, which covered him from the waist to a little below the
+knees.  When he had put on the red fez he found himself clothed in
+exactly the same costume as the runner, with the exception of a small
+green tippet which barely covered the top of his shoulders, and seemed
+to be worn rather as an ornament than a piece of clothing, though
+perhaps it formed a slight protection from the sun.
+
+In this cool costume they left him, carrying away his uniform, as if
+more thoroughly to impress on him what uncommonly cool things they were
+capable of doing in the hot regions of the Soudan!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+MILES IS PROMOTED--MOLLOY OVERTHROWS THE MAHDI, AND IS ELEVATED FOR SO
+DOING.
+
+Next day Miles Milton became painfully aware of the fact that his life
+in captivity was not to be one of ease or idleness.
+
+Soon after daybreak the door of his prison creaked on its ponderous
+hinges, and he started up from the mat on which he had slept without
+covering of any kind.  His visitor was the Mahdi's runner, who, after
+closing the door, came and sat down beside him, cross legged _a la_ Turk
+and tailor.
+
+For a brief space the handsome black stared steadily at Miles, who
+returned the compliment as steadily, not being sure whether curiosity or
+insolence lay at the foundation of the stare.
+
+"Englishmin," said the runner at last, "you is unfortnit."
+
+"I am indeed," returned Miles; "at the same time I am fortunate in so
+unexpectedly finding one who recognises the fact, and who can tell me so
+in my own tongue.  May I venture to hope that you are friendly towards
+me?"
+
+"Yes; I am your friend, but my friendness can do for you not'ing.  Like
+youself, I am captive--slave.  But in my own land I was a chief, and
+friend of the great and good Gordon, so I is friend to all Englishmin.
+Once I was 'terpreter to Gordon, but the Mahdi came.  I fell into his
+hands, and now I do run befront his horse, an' hold de stirrup!  I comes
+to you from the Mahdi wid bad news."
+
+"Indeed!  But I need not wonder.  You could scarcely come from him with
+good news.  What have you to tell?"
+
+"The Mahdi has made you his runner," answered the negro.
+
+"That is strange news rather than bad, is it not?"
+
+"No; it is bad.  He do dis 'cause he hate you.  Somehow you has anger
+him.  He say he will tame you.  He try to tame _me_," said the negro,
+with sudden and tremendous ferocity, "an' him t'ink he do it!  But I
+only waits my chance to kill him.
+
+"Now he send me again to dirty work, an' put you in my place to humble
+you--to insult you before every one, who will say, `Look! de bold
+Christin dog lick de dust now, an' hold de Mahdi's stirrup.'"
+
+"This is indeed bad news.  But how is it that you, who seem to be free,
+do not use your opportunity to escape?  I saw you holding the Mahdi's
+horse.  It seems to be a splendid one.  Why did you not jump on its back
+and fly?"
+
+The runner frowned, and then, changing his mood, smiled sadly.
+
+"You is young," he said, "and knows not'ing.  At night I am locked up
+like yourself.  In de day-time de city is full of enemies, who all knows
+me.  Do you t'ink dey will salute, and say, `Go in peace,' to de runner
+of de Mahdi when he is running away with his best horse?"
+
+"Perhaps not," said Miles, "but I would try if I were you."
+
+"You will be me very soon," returned the runner, "and you can try.  I
+did try--twice.  I was caught both times and beat near to death.  But I
+did not die!  I learn wisdom; and now I submit and wait my chance to
+kill him.  If you is wise you begin _at once_ to submit and wait too."
+
+"There is truth in what you say," rejoined Miles, after a few minutes'
+thought.  "I will take your advice and submit and wait, but only till
+the opportunity to escape offers.  I would not murder the man even if I
+had the chance."
+
+"Your words remind me of de good Gordon.  He was not vengeful.  He loved
+God," said the runner, in a low and very different tone.  "But," he
+added, "Gordon was a white man.  He did not--could not--understand de
+feelings of de black chief."
+
+As the last remark opened up ground which Miles was not prepared to
+traverse, he made no rejoinder but asked the runner what the Mahdi
+required of him in his new capacity.
+
+"He require you to learn de city, so as you know how to run when you is
+told--an' I is to teach you, so you come wid me," said the runner,
+rising.
+
+"But am I to go in this costume, or rather in this half-naked state?"
+asked Miles, rising and spreading out his hands as he looked down at his
+unclothed chest and lower limbs.
+
+"You not cause for be ashamed," replied the runner, with a nod.
+
+This was true, for the hard travelling which Miles had recently endured,
+and the heavy burdens which he had borne, had developed his muscles to
+such an extent that his frame was almost equal to that of the negro, and
+a fit subject for the sculptor's chisel.
+
+"Your white skin will p'r'aps blister at first," continued the runner,
+"but your master will be glad for dat.  Here is a t'ing, however, will
+save you shoulders.  Now, you makes fuss-rate runner."
+
+He took the little green tippet off his own shoulders and fastened it on
+those of his successor.
+
+"Come now," he added, "let us see how you can run."
+
+They passed out into the street together, and then poor Miles felt the
+full sense of his degradation, when he saw some of the passers-by stop
+to gaze with looks of hatred or contempt or amusement at the "Christian
+captive."
+
+But he had not much leisure to think or feel, for the negro ran him down
+one street and up another at a pace which would soon have exhausted him
+if, besides being a naturally good runner, he had not recently been
+forced to undergo such severe training.  During the run his guide
+pointed out and named most of the chief places, buildings, and mosques.
+
+"You will do," said the negro, pausing at length and turning towards his
+companion with a look of approval, "You a'most so good as myself!"
+
+With this compliment he proceeded to instruct the new runner in his
+duties, and at night Miles found himself again in his prison, ready to
+do full justice to his bowl of rice-compost, and to enjoy his
+blanket-less mat bed--if a man can be said to enjoy anything about which
+he is profoundly unconscious during the time of its enjoyment!
+
+Next morning he awoke with a sensation that led him for a moment to
+fancy he must have gone supper-less to bed.  While he was waiting
+impatiently for breakfast he revolved several ideas in his mind, one of
+which was that, come what might, he would not suffer any indignity,
+however gross, to get the better of him.  He would take a leaf out of
+his friend Stevenson's book, and bear patiently whatever was sent to
+him, in the hope that by so doing he might gain the good-will of his
+captors, and thus, perhaps, be in a better position to take advantage of
+any opportunity to escape that might occur.
+
+He was very confident of his power of self-restraint, and trusted a good
+deal to that determination of will which we have before referred to as
+being one of his characteristics.  That same day his powers were
+severely tested.
+
+All the morning he was left in his prison to fret in idleness, but
+towards the afternoon he was called by his friend the ex-runner to go
+out to his work.
+
+"Do what you is told an' hold you tongue, an' keep your eyes on de
+ground.  Dems my advice," said the negro, as he resigned the bridle of
+the Mahdi's steed to his successor, and placed the lance of office in
+his hand.
+
+Just as he did so the Mahdi came out of a door-way and advanced towards
+them, while the negro retired and mingled with the crowd which had
+assembled to see the chief mount his horse.
+
+Miles tried faithfully to attend to his friend's injunctions, but could
+not resist one glance at his new master, which showed him that a cynical
+smile rested on his swarthy countenance, a smile which he also observed
+was copied by those of the crowd who did not prefer to regard him with
+scowling looks--for the people of the Soudan were, naturally enough,
+filled with indignation against all Europeans, and especially against
+the British, at that time.
+
+The glance did not improve Miles's state of mind, nevertheless he forced
+himself to look at the ground with an utterly expressionless face, as he
+held the Mahdi's stirrup.  He received a slight push from his master's
+foot instead of thanks when he had mounted, but Miles resolutely kept
+his eyes on the ground and restrained his rising wrath, ignorant of the
+fact that the Mahdi wished to point out the direction in which he was to
+run.
+
+A smart blow from the riding-switch on his naked back aroused him to his
+duty, and caused a slight laugh among the onlookers.
+
+Never before, perhaps, was the Mahdi so near his end as at that moment,
+for, as our hero felt the sting, and heard the low laugh, all the blood
+in his body seemed to leap into his brow, and the lance of office
+quivered as his hand tightened on it.  The fact that two guards with
+drawn swords stood at his side, and that their weapons would have been
+in his heart before he could have accomplished the deed, would probably
+have failed to restrain him had not his pride of purpose, as we may
+style it, come to his aid.  He looked up, with a frown indeed, but
+without uttering a word.  The Mahdi pointed along one of the streets,
+and Miles instantly bounded away--heartily glad to be able to let off
+his superfluous feeling in violent action.
+
+For several hours his master kept him running--evidently on purpose to
+try his powers, as a jockey might test the qualities of a new horse,
+and, strong though he was, the poor youth began at last to feel greatly
+distressed, and to pant a good deal.  Still his pride and a
+determination not to be beaten sustained him.
+
+At one point of his course he was passing a band of slaves who were
+labouring to lift a large beam of wood, when the sound of a familiar
+voice caused him to look up, and then he saw his friend Jack Molloy, in
+costume like his own, _minus_ the fez and tippet, with one of his great
+shoulders under the beam, and the sweat pouring down his face.
+
+"Hallo, Miles!" exclaimed the seaman.
+
+But our hero did not dare to pause, and could not speak.  His glancing
+aside, however, had the effect of causing him to stumble, and, being too
+much exhausted at the time to recover himself, he fell heavily to the
+ground.  As he slowly rose up, half-stunned, the Mahdi could scarcely
+avoid riding him down.  As it was, he stooped, and, a second time laid
+his riding-switch smartly on the poor youth's naked shoulders.
+
+Jack Molloy, who saw the cruel act, lost all control of himself, uttered
+one of his leonine roars, sprang into the middle of the road, and seized
+the reins of the Mahdi's horse.  The startled animal reared and
+attempted to swerve.  Molloy assisted the swerve by a violent side-pull
+at the reins.  At the same time he caught one of the upraised forelegs,
+and, with an almost superhuman exertion of strength hurled both horse
+and rider to the ground!
+
+A very howl of consternation and amazement burst from the populace as
+they beheld their Mahdi lying flat and motionless on his back as if
+dead!
+
+Of course Jack Molloy was instantly seized by an overpowering number of
+soldiers, bound hand and foot, and carried back to his dungeon, while
+the Mahdi was tenderly raised and conveyed to the house which he
+inhabited at that time.
+
+Miles had also been seized and dragged somewhat violently back to his
+prison.  As for the other members of the captive band, none of them were
+there at the time.  They were all separated at the time our hero was
+taken from them, and each remained for a considerable time in ignorance
+of the fate of his fellows.  We may say at once here that they were all
+put to severe and menial labour.  Each also had his uniform exchanged
+for a pair of Arabian drawers, and a felt cap or a fez, so that they
+were little better than naked.  This would have mattered little--the
+weather being very warm--if their skins had been accustomed to the
+powerful rays of a tropical sun.  But the effect on them was so severe
+that their taskmasters, in an unwonted gush of pity, at last gave them
+each a loose garment of sacking, which served as a partial protection.
+
+After the incident which has just been related, Miles was permitted to
+remain during the rest of that day and night in his room.  Not so Jack
+Molloy.  The anger of the populace was so powerfully aroused against the
+impetuous sailor that they clamoured for his instant execution, and at
+last, unable or unwilling to resist the pressure of public opinion, the
+officers in charge of him gave in.  They put a rope round his neck, and
+led him to a spot where criminals were wont to be executed.
+
+As he went along and saw only scowling faces whenever he looked round in
+the hope of meeting some pitying eye, the poor man began to feel
+convinced that his last hour had in very truth arrived.
+
+"Well, well, who'd ha' thowt it would ever come to this?" he sighed,
+shaking his head mournfully as he came in sight of the place of
+execution.  "But, after all, ye richly desarve it, John Molloy, for
+you've bin a bad lot the greater part o' your life!"
+
+Again he looked on either side of him, for hope was strongly enshrined
+in his broad bosom, but not a friendly or even pitiful face could he see
+among all the hundreds that surrounded him.
+
+Arrived at the place, he glanced up at the beam over his head, and for
+one moment thought of trying, like Samson, to burst the bonds that held
+him; but it was only for a moment.  The impossibility of freeing himself
+was too obvious.  He meekly bowed his head.  Another instant and the
+rope tightened round his neck, and he felt himself swinging in the air.
+
+Before his senses had quite left him, however, he felt his feet again
+touch the ground.  The choking sensation passed away, and he found
+himself supported by two men.  A burst of mocking laughter then proved
+to the wretched man that his tormentors had practised on him the refined
+cruelty of half-hanging him.  If he had had any doubt on this subject,
+the remark of the interpreter, as he afterwards left him in his cell to
+recover as best he might, would have dispelled it--
+
+"We will 'ang you _dead_ de nex' time!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+CRUEL TREATMENT--DESPAIR FOLLOWED BY HOPE AND A JOYFUL DISCOVERY.
+
+After the rough treatment he had received, the Mahdi, as we may well
+believe, did not feel more amiably disposed towards his prisoners.
+
+Of course he had no reason for blaming Miles for what had occurred,
+nevertheless he vented his wrath against white men in general on him, by
+keeping him constantly on the move, and enforcing prolonged and unusual
+speed while running, besides subjecting him publicly to many insults.
+
+It was a strange school in which to learn self-restraint and humility.
+But our hero profited by the schooling.  Necessity is a stern teacher,
+and she was the head-mistress of that school.  Among other things she
+taught Miles to reason extensively--not very profoundly, perhaps, nor
+always correctly, but at all events in a way that he never reasoned
+before.  The best way to convey to the reader the state of his mind will
+be to let him speak for himself.  As he had a habit of thinking aloud--
+for sociability, as it were--in the dark cell to which he had been
+relegated, we have only to bend down our ear and listen.
+
+One night, about a week after the overthrow of his tyrant master, Miles
+was seated on the hard floor of his cell, leaning against the wall, with
+his knees drawn up and his face in his hands--his usual attitude when
+engaged in meditation after a hard day's work.
+
+"I wouldn't mind so much," he murmured, "if I only saw the faintest
+prospect of its coming to an end, but to go on thus from day to day,
+perhaps year to year, is terrible.  No, that cannot be; if we cannot
+escape it won't be long till the end comes.  (A pause.)  The end!--the
+end of a rope with a noose on it is likely to be _my_ end, unless I
+burst up and run a-muck.  No, no, Miles Milton, don't you think of that!
+What good would it do to kill half-a-dozen Arabs to accompany you into
+the next world?  The poor wretches are only defending their country
+after all.  (Another pause.)  Besides, you deserve what you've got for
+so meanly forsaking your poor mother; think o' that, Miles, when you
+feel tempted to stick your lance into the Mahdi's gizzard, as Molloy
+would have said.  Ah! poor Molloy!  I fear that I shall never see you
+again in this life.  After giving the Mahdi and his steed such a
+tremendous heave they would be sure to kill you; perhaps they tortured
+you to--"
+
+He stopped at this point with an involuntary shudder.
+
+"I hope not," he resumed, after another pause.  "I hope we may yet meet
+and devise some means of escape.  God grant it!  True, the desert is
+vast and scorching and almost waterless--I may as well say foodless too!
+And it swarms with foes, but what then?  Have not most of the great
+deeds of earth, been accomplished in the face of what seemed
+insurmountable difficulties?  Besides--"
+
+He paused again here, and for a longer time, because there came suddenly
+into his mind words that had been spoken to him long ago by his mother:
+"With God _all things_ are possible."
+
+"Yes, Miles," he continued, "you must make up your mind to restrain your
+anger and indignation, because it is useless to give vent to them.
+That's but a low motive after all.  Is it worthy of an intelligent man?
+I get a slap in the face, and bear it patiently, because I can't help
+myself.  I get the same slap in the face in circumstances where I _can_
+help myself, and I resent it fiercely.  Humble when I _must_ be so;
+fierce when I've got the power.  Is not this unmanly--childish--humbug?
+There is no principle here.  Principle!  I do believe I never had any
+principle in me worthy of the name.  I have been drifting, up to this
+time, before the winds of caprice and selfish inclination.  (A long
+pause here.)  Well, it just comes to this, that whatever happens I must
+submit with a good grace--at least, as good grace as I can--and hope
+that an opportunity to escape may occur before long.  I have made up my
+mind to do it--and when I once make up my mind, I--"
+
+He paused once more at this point, and the pause was so long that he
+turned it into a full stop by laying his head on the block of wood which
+formed his pillow and going to sleep.
+
+It will be seen from the above candid remarks that our hero was not
+quite as confident of his power of will as he used to be,--also, that he
+was learning a few useful facts in the school of adversity.
+
+One evening, after a harder day than usual, Miles was conducted to the
+prison in which he and his companions had been confined on the day of
+their arrival.
+
+Looking round the cell, he observed, on becoming accustomed to the dim
+light, that only one other prisoner was there.  He was lying on the bare
+ground in a corner, coiled up like a dog, and with his face to the wall.
+Relieved to find that he was not to be altogether alone, Miles sat down
+with his back against the opposite wall, and awaited the waking of his
+companion with some interest, for although his face was not visible, and
+his body was clothed in a sort of sacking, his neck and lower limbs
+showed that he was a white man.  But the sleeper did not seem inclined
+to waken just then.  On the contrary, he began, ere long, to snore
+heavily.
+
+Miles gradually fell into a train of thought that seemed to bring back
+reminiscences of a vague, indefinable sort.  Then he suddenly became
+aware that the snore of the snorer was not unfamiliar.  He was on the
+point of rising to investigate this when the sleeper awoke with a start,
+sat bolt upright with a look of owlish gravity, and presented the
+features of Jack Molloy.
+
+"Miles, my lad!" cried Jack, springing up to greet his friend warmly, "I
+thought you was dead."
+
+"And, Jack, my dear friend," returned Miles, "I thought--at least I
+feared--that you must have been tortured to death."
+
+"An' you wasn't far wrong, my boy.  Stand close to me, and look me
+straight in the eyes.  D'ee think I'm any taller?"
+
+"Not much--at least, not to my perception.  Why?"
+
+"I wonder at that, now," said Molloy, "for I've bin hanged three times,
+an' should have bin pulled out a bit by this time, considering my
+weight."
+
+His friend smiled incredulously.
+
+"You may laugh, lad, but it's no laughin' matter," said Molloy, feeling
+his neck tenderly.  "The last time, I really thought it was all up wi'
+me, for the knot somehow got agin my windpipe an' I was all but choked.
+If they had kep' me up half a minute longer it would have bin all over:
+I a'most wished they had, for though I never was much troubled wi' the
+narves, I'm beginnin' now to have a little fellow-feelin' for the
+sufferin's o' the narvish."
+
+"Do you really mean, my dear fellow, that the monsters have been
+torturing you in this way?" asked Miles, with looks of sympathy.
+
+"Ay, John Miles, that's just what I does mean," returned the seaman,
+with an anxious and startled look at the door, on the other side of
+which a slight noise was heard at the moment.  "They've half-hanged me
+three times already.  The last time was only yesterday, an' at any
+moment they may come to give me another turn.  It's the uncertainty o'
+the thing that tries my narves.  I used to boast that I hadn't got none
+once, but the Arabs know how to take the boastin' out of a fellow.  If
+they'd only take me out to be hanged right off an' done with it, I
+wouldn't mind it so much, but it's the constant tenter-hooks of
+uncertainty that floors me.  Hows'ever, I ain't quite floored yet.  But
+let's hear about yourself, Miles.  Come, sit down.  I gets tired sooner
+than I used to do since they took to hangin' me.  How have they bin
+sarvin' you out since I last saw ye?"
+
+"Not near so badly as they have been serving you, old boy," said Miles,
+as he sat down and began to detail his own experiences.
+
+"But tell me," he added, "have you heard anything of our unfortunate
+comrades since we parted?"
+
+"Nothing--at least nothing that I can trust to.  I did hear that poor
+Moses Pyne is dead; that they had treated him the same as me, and that
+his narves couldn't stand it; that he broke down under the strain an'
+died.  But I don't believe it.  Not that these Arabs wouldn't kill him
+that way, but the interpreter who told me has got falsehood so plainly
+writ in his ugly face that I would fain hope our kind-hearted friend is
+yet alive."
+
+"God grant it may be so!" said Miles fervently.  "And I scarcely think
+that even the cruellest of men would persevere in torturing such a
+gentle fellow as Moses."
+
+"May-hap you're right," returned Molloy; "anyhow, we'll take what
+comfort we can out o' the hope.  Talkin' o' comfort, what d'ee think has
+bin comfortin' me in a most wonderful way?  You'll never guess."
+
+"What is it, then?"
+
+"One o' them little books as Miss Robinson writes, and gives to soldiers
+and sailors--`The Victory' it's called, havin' a good deal in it about
+Nelson's flagship and Nelson himself; but there's a deal more than that
+in it--words that has gone straight to my heart, and made me see God's
+love in Christ as I never saw it before.  Our comrade Stevenson gave it
+to me before we was nabbed by the Arabs, an' I've kep' it in the linin'
+o' my straw hat ever since.  You see it's a thin little thing--though
+there's oceans o' truth in it--an' it's easy stowed away.
+
+"I forgot all about it till I was left alone in this place, and then I
+got it out, an' God in his marcy made it like a light in the dark to me.
+
+"Stevenson came by it in a strange way.  He told me he was goin' over a
+battle-field after a scrimmage near Suakim, lookin' out for the wounded,
+when he noticed somethin' clasped in a dead man's hand.  The hand
+gripped it tight, as if unwillin' to part with it, an' when Stevenson
+got it he found that it was this little book, `The Victory.'  Here it
+is.  I wouldn't change it for a golden sov, to every page."
+
+As he spoke, footsteps were heard approaching the door.  With a startled
+air Molloy thrust the book into its place and sprang up.
+
+"See there, now!" he said remonstratively, "who'd ever ha' thowt that
+I'd come to jerk about like that?"
+
+Before the door opened, however, the momentary weakness had passed away,
+and our seaman stood upright, with stern brow and compressed lips,
+presenting to those who entered as firm and self-possessed a man of
+courage as one could wish to see.
+
+"I knowed it!" he said in a quiet voice to his friend, as two strong
+armed men advanced and seized him, while two with drawn swords stood
+behind him.  At the same time, two others stood guard over Miles.
+"They're goin' to give me another turn.  God grant that it may be the
+last!"
+
+"Yes--de last.  You be surely dead dis time," said the interpreter, with
+a malignant smile.
+
+"If _you_ hadn't said it, I would have had some hope that the end was
+come!" said Molloy, as they put a rope round his neck and led him away.
+
+"Good-bye, Miles," he added, looking over his shoulder; "if I never come
+back, an' you ever gets home again, give my kind regards to Miss
+Robinson--God bless her!"
+
+Next moment the door closed, and Miles was left alone.
+
+It is impossible to describe the state of mind in which our hero paced
+his cell during the next hour.  The intense pity, mingled with anxiety
+and fierce indignation, that burned in his bosom were almost unbearable.
+"Oh!" he thought, "if I were only once more free, for one moment, with
+a weapon in my hand, I'd--"
+
+He wisely checked himself in the train of useless thought at this point.
+Then he sat down on the floor, covered his face with his hands, and
+tried to pray, but could not.  Starting up, he again paced wildly about
+the cell like a caged tiger.  After what seemed to him an age he heard
+footsteps in the outer court.  The door opened, and the sailor was
+thrust in.  Staggering forward a step or two, he was on the point of
+falling when Miles caught him in his arms, and let him sink gently on
+the ground, and, sitting down beside him, laid his head upon his knee.
+From the inflamed red mark which encircled the seaman's powerful neck,
+it was obvious enough that the cruel monsters had again put him to the
+tremendous mental agony of supposing that his last hour had come.
+
+"Help me up, lad, and set my back agin the wall," he said, in a low
+voice.
+
+As Miles complied, one or two tears that would not be repressed fell
+from his eyes on the sailor's cheek.
+
+"You're a good fellow," said Molloy, looking up.  "I thank the Lord for
+sendin' you to comfort me, and I _do_ need comfort a bit just now, d'ee
+know.  There--I'm better a'ready, an' I'll be upside wi' them next time,
+for I feels, somehow, that I couldn't stand another turn.  Poor Moses!
+I do hope that the interpreter is the liar he looks, and that they
+haven't treated the poor fellow to this sort o' thing."
+
+Even while he spoke, the door of the cell again opened and armed men
+entered.
+
+"Ay, here you are," cried the sailor, rising quickly and attempting to
+draw himself up and show a bold front.  "Come away an' welcome.  I'm
+ready for 'ee."
+
+But the men had not come for Molloy.  They wanted Miles, over whom there
+came a sudden and dreadful feeling of horror, as he thought they were
+perhaps going to subject him to the same ordeal as his friend.
+
+"Keep up heart, lad, and trust in the Lord," said the sailor, in an
+encouraging tone as they led our hero away.
+
+The words were fitly spoken, and went far to restore to the poor youth
+the courage that for a moment had forsaken him.  As he emerged into the
+bright light, which dazzled him after the darkness of his prison-house,
+he thought of the Sun of Righteousness, and of the dear mother who had
+sought so earnestly to lead him to God in his boyhood.
+
+One thing that greatly encouraged him was the fact that no rope had been
+put round his neck, as had been done to Molloy, and he also observed
+that his guards did not treat him roughly.  Moreover, they led him in
+quite a different direction from the open place where he well knew that
+criminals were executed.  He glanced at the interpreter who marched
+beside him, and thought for a moment of asking him what might be his
+impending fate, but the man's look was so forbidding that he forbore to
+speak.
+
+Presently they stopped before a door, which was opened by a negro slave,
+and the guards remained outside while Miles and the interpreter entered.
+The court into which they were ushered was open to the sky, and
+contained a fountain in the centre, with boxes of flowers and shrubs
+around it.  At the inner end of it stood a tall powerful Arab, leaning
+on a curved sword.
+
+Miles saw at a glance that he was the same man whose life he had saved,
+and who had come so opportunely to the rescue of his friend Molloy.  But
+the Arab gave him no sign of recognition.  On the contrary, the glance
+which he bestowed on him was one of calm, stern indifference.
+
+"Ask him," he said at once to the interpreter, "where are the Christian
+dogs who were captured with him?"
+
+"Tell him," replied Miles, when this was translated, "that I know
+nothing about the fate of any of them except one."
+
+"Which one is that?"
+
+"The sailor," answered Miles.
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"In the prison I have just left."
+
+"And you know nothing about the others?"
+
+"Nothing whatever."
+
+The Arab seemed to ponder these replies for a few minutes.  Then,
+turning to the interpreter, he spoke in a tone that seemed to Miles to
+imply the giving of some strict orders, after which, with a wave of his
+hand, and a majestic inclination of the head, he dismissed them.
+
+Although there was little in the interview to afford encouragement,
+Miles nevertheless was rendered much more hopeful by it, all the more
+that he observed a distinct difference in the bearing of the interpreter
+towards him as they went out.
+
+"Who is that?" he ventured to ask as he walked back to the prison.
+
+"That is Mohammed, the Mahdi's cousin," answered the interpreter.
+
+Miles was about to put some more questions when he was brought to a
+sudden stand, and rendered for the moment speechless by the sight of
+Moses Pyne--not bearing heavy burdens, or labouring in chains, as might
+have been expected, but standing in a shallow recess or niche in the
+wall of a house, busily engaged over a small brazier, cooking beans in
+oil, and selling the same to the passers-by!
+
+"What you see?" demanded the interpreter.
+
+"I see an old friend and comrade.  May I speak to him?" asked Miles,
+eagerly.
+
+"You may," answered the interpreter.
+
+The surprise and joy of Moses when his friend slapped him on the
+shoulder and saluted him by name is not easily described.
+
+"I _am_ so glad to see you, old fellow!" he said, with sparkling eyes.
+"I thought you must be dead, for I've tried so often to find out what
+had become of you.  Have some beans and oil?"
+
+He dipped a huge ladleful out of the pot, as if he were going to
+administer a dose on the spot.
+
+"No, thank you, Moses, I'm a prisoner.  These are my guards.  I wonder
+they have allowed me even to exchange a word with you.  Must be quick.
+They told us you had been half-hanged till you were frightened to
+death."
+
+"They told you lies, then.  I've been very well treated, but what
+troubles me is I can't find out where any of our comrades have gone to."
+
+"I can tell only of one.  Molloy is alive.  I wish I could say he's
+well.  Of the others I'm as ignorant as yourself.  But I've seen a
+friend who--"
+
+At this point he was interrupted by the interpreter and told to move on,
+which he was fain to do with a cheery good-bye to Moses and a wave of
+the hand.
+
+Arrived at the prison, he found that Molloy had been removed to a more
+comfortable room, into which he was also ushered, and there they were
+left alone together.
+
+"D'you feel better now, my poor fellow?" asked Miles, when the door was
+shut.
+
+"Better, bless you, yes!  I feels far too well.  They've given me a rare
+blow-out of beans an' oil since you were taken off to be hanged, and I
+feels so strong that the next turn off won't finish me!  I could never
+have eaten 'em, thinkin' of you, but, d'ee know, I was quite sure, from
+the way they treated you as you went out, that it warn't to be hangin'
+wi' you this time.  An' when they putt me into this here room, an'
+produced the beans an' oil, I began to feel quite easy in my mind about
+you.  It was the man that brought your marchin' orders that told 'em to
+putt me here.  D'ee know, lad, I can't help feelin' that a friend o'
+some sort must have bin raised up to us."
+
+"You're right, Jack, I have just seen the Arab whose life I saved, and
+who saved yours!  It's very strange, too, that beans and oil should have
+been your fare to-day, for I have also seen Moses Pyne in the street,
+not half-an-hour since, cooking and selling beans and oil!"
+
+"You don't mean that?"
+
+"Indeed I do.  I've spoken to him."
+
+Sitting down on a stool--for they were promoted to a furnished
+apartment--Miles entered into an elaborate account of all that had
+befallen him since the hour that he had been taken out, as they both
+thought, to be hanged!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+IN WHICH HOPES AND FEARS RISE AND FALL.
+
+"There is a tide in the affairs of men," undoubtedly, and the tide in
+the affairs of Miles Milton and his comrades appeared to have reached
+low-water at this time, for, on the day mentioned in the last chapter,
+it began to turn, and continued for a considerable time to rise.
+
+The first clear evidence of the change was the "blow-out" of beans and
+oil, coupled with the change of prison.  The next was the sudden
+appearance of the beans-and-oil-man himself.
+
+"Why, I do believe--it's--it's Moses," exclaimed Molloy, as his old
+comrade entered the prison.  "Give us your flipper.  Man alive! but I'm
+right glad to see you.  We thought you was--let's have a look at your
+neck.  No; nothing there.  I knowed as that interpreter was a liar.  But
+what brings you _here_, lad?  What mischief have 'ee bin up to?"
+
+"That's what puzzles myself, Jack," said Moses, shaking hands warmly
+with Miles.  "I've done nothing that I know of except sell beans and
+oil.  It's true I burned 'em sometimes a bit, but they'd hardly put a
+fellow in jail for that--would they?  However, I'm glad they've done it,
+whatever the reason, seeing that it has brought us three together again.
+But, I say," continued Moses, while a look of anxiety came over his
+innocent face, "what can have become of our other comrades?"
+
+"You may well ask that, lad.  I've asked the same question of myself for
+many a day, but have never bin able to get from myself a satisfactory
+answer.  I'm wery much afeared that we'll never see 'em again."
+
+It seemed almost to be a spring-tide in the affairs of the trio at that
+time, for while the seaman was speaking--as if to rebuke his want of
+faith--the door opened and their comrade Armstrong walked in.
+
+For a few moments they were all rendered speechless!  Then Miles sprang
+up, seized his friend by both shoulders, and gazed into his face; it was
+a very thin and careworn face at that time, as if much of the bloom of
+youth had been wiped from it for ever.
+
+"Willie!  Am I dreaming?" exclaimed Miles.
+
+"If you are, so must I be," replied his friend, "for when I saw you last
+you had not taken to half-nakedness as a costume!"
+
+"Come now," retorted Miles, "you have not much to boast of in that way
+yourself."
+
+"There you are wrong, Miles, for I have to boast that I made my garment
+myself.  True, it's only a sack, but I cut the hole in the bottom of it
+for my head with my own hand, and stitched on the short sleeves with a
+packing-needle.  But, I say, what's been the matter with Molloy?  Have
+they been working you too hard, Jack?"
+
+"No, Willum, no, I can't exactly say that, but they've bin hangin' me
+too hard.  I'll tell 'ee all about it in coorse o' time.  Man alive! but
+they _have_ took the flesh off your bones somehow; let's see--no, your
+neck's all right.  Must have bin some other way."
+
+"The way was simple enough," returned the other.  "When they separated
+us all at first, they set me to the hardest work they could find--to
+dig, draw water, carry burdens that a horse might object to, sweep, and
+clean up; in fact, everything and anything, and they've kep' us hard at
+it ever since.  I say _us_, because Rattlin' Bill Simkin was set to help
+me after the first day, an' we've worked all along together.  Poor
+Simkin, there ain't much rattle in him now, except his bones.  I don't
+know why they sent me here and not him.  And I can't well make out
+whether I'm sent here for extra punishment or as a favour!"
+
+"Have you seen or heard anything of Stevenson?" asked Moses.
+
+"I saw him once, about a week ago, staggering under a great log--whether
+in connection with house-builders or not I can't tell.  It was only for
+a minute, and I got a tremendous cut across the back with a cane for
+merely trying to attract his attention."
+
+The tide, it will be seen, had been rising pretty fast that afternoon.
+It may be said to have come in with a rush, when, towards evening, the
+door of their prison once more opened and Simkin with Stevenson were
+ushered in together, both clothed alike in an extemporised sack-garment
+and short drawers, with this difference, that the one wore a species of
+felt hat, the other a fez.
+
+They were still in the midst of delighted surprise at the turn events
+seemed to be taking, when two men entered bearing trays, on which were
+six smoking bowls of beans and oil!
+
+"Hallo!  Moses, your business follows you even to prison," exclaimed
+Molloy.
+
+"True, Jack, and I'll follow my business up!" returned Moses, sitting
+down on the ground, which formed their convenient table, and going to
+work.
+
+We need scarcely say that his comrades were not slow to follow his
+example.
+
+The tide may be said to have reached at least half-flood, if not more,
+when, on the following morning, the captives were brought out and told
+by the interpreter that they were to accompany a body of troops which
+were about to quit the place under the command of Mohammed, the Mahdi's
+cousin.
+
+"Does the Mahdi accompany us?"  Miles ventured to ask.
+
+"No.  The Mahdi has gone to Khartoum," returned the interpreter, who
+then walked away as if he objected to be further questioned.
+
+The hopes which had been recently raised in the breasts of the captives
+to a rather high pitch were, however, somewhat reduced when they found
+that their supposed friend Mohammed treated them with cool indifference,
+did not even recognise them, and the disappointment was deepened still
+more when all of them, except Miles, were loaded with heavy burdens, and
+made to march among the baggage-animals as if they were mere beasts of
+burden.  The savage warriors also treated them with great rudeness and
+contempt.
+
+Miles soon found that he was destined to fill his old post of runner in
+front of Mohammed, his new master.  This seemed to him unaccountable,
+for runners, he understood, were required only in towns and cities, not
+on a march.  But the hardships attendant on the post, and the
+indignities to which he was subjected, at last convinced him that the
+Mahdi must have set the mind of his kinsman against him, and that he was
+now undergoing extra punishment as well as unique degradation.
+
+The force that took the field on this occasion was a very considerable
+one--with what precise object in view was of course unknown to all
+except its chiefs, but the fact that it marched towards the frontiers of
+Egypt left no doubt in the mind of any one.  It was a wild barbaric
+host, badly armed and worse drilled, but fired with a hatred of all
+Europeans and a burning sense of wrong.
+
+"What think ye now, Miles?" asked Armstrong, as the captives sat grouped
+together in the midst of the host on the first night of their camping
+out in the desert.
+
+"I think that everything seems to be going wrong," answered Miles, in a
+desponding tone.  "At first I thought that Mohammed was our friend, but
+he has treated me so badly that I can think so no longer."
+
+"Don't you think he may be doing that to blind his followers as to his
+friendship?" said Moses; "for myself, I can't help thinkin' he must be
+grateful for what you did, Miles."
+
+"I only wish you had not touched my rifle that day," said Rattling Bill,
+fiercely--being fatigued and out of temper--"for the blackguard would
+have bin in `Kingdom come' by this time.  There's _no_ gratitude in an
+Arab.  I have no hope at all now."
+
+"My hope is in God," said Stevenson.
+
+"Well, mate, common-sense tells me that that _should_ be our best ground
+of hope," observed Molloy; "but common experience tells me that the
+Almighty often lets His own people come to grief."
+
+"God _never_ lets 'em come to grief in the sense that you mean,"
+returned the marine.  "If He kills His people, He takes them away from
+the evil to come, and death is but a door-way into glory.  If he sends
+grief and suffering, it is that they may at last reach a higher state of
+joy."
+
+"Pooh! according to that view, _nothing_ can go wrong with them that you
+call His people," said Simkin, with contempt.
+
+"Right you are, comrade," rejoined Stevenson; "_nothing_ can go wrong
+with us; _nothing_ can separate us from the love of God which is in
+Christ Jesus our lord; and _you_ may be one of `_us_' this minute if you
+will accept God's offer of free salvation in Christ."
+
+Silence followed, for Simkin was too angry, as well as worn out, to give
+his mind seriously to anything at that time, and the others were more or
+less uncertain, as to the truth of what was advanced.
+
+Sleep, profound and dreamless, soon banished these and all other
+subjects from their minds.  Blessed sleep! so aptly as well as
+beautifully styled, "Tired Nature's sweet restorer."  That great host of
+dusky warriors--some unquestionably devout, many cruel and relentless,
+not a few, probably, indifferent to everything except self, and all bent
+on the extermination of their white-skinned foes,--lay down beside their
+weapons, and shared in that rest which is sent alike to the just and to
+the unjust, through the grand impartiality, forbearance, and love of a
+God whom many people apparently believe to be a "respecter of persons!"
+
+A few days later the little army came to the edge of a range of hills,
+beyond which lay the plains of the vast Nubian desert.  At night they
+encamped at the base of the hill-country, through which they had been
+travelling, and the captives were directed to take up their position in
+front of an old ruined hut, where masses of broken stones and rubbish
+made the ground unsuitable for camping on.
+
+"Just like them!" growled Simkin, looking about for a fairly level spot.
+"There's not a place big enough for a dog to lie on!"
+
+Supper made Rattling Bill a little more amiable, though not much more
+forgiving to his foes.  A three-quarters moon soon afterwards shed a
+faint light on the host, which, except the sentries, was sound asleep.
+
+Towards midnight a solitary figure moved slowly towards the place where
+the captives lay and awakened Miles, who sat up, stared, winked, and
+rubbed his eyes two or three times before he could bring himself to
+believe that his visitor was no other than the chief of the host--
+Mohammed!
+
+"Rise.  Com.  I speak small Engleesh."
+
+Miles rose at once and followed the chief into the ruined hut.
+
+"Clear de ground," he said, pointing to the centre of the floor.
+
+Our hero obeyed, and, when the loose rubbish was cleared away, the
+moonbeams, shining through the ruined roof, fell on a ring bolt.  Being
+ordered to pull it, he raised a cover or trap-door, and discovered
+beneath what appeared to be a cellar.
+
+"Now," said Mohammed, "listen: you an' friends go down--all.  I shut
+door and cover up--rubsh.  When we all go 'way, com out and go home.
+See, yonder is _home_."
+
+He pointed to the north-eastward, where a glowing star seemed to hang
+over the margin of the great level desert.
+
+"You are generous--you are kind!" exclaimed Miles, with a burst of
+enthusiasm.
+
+"Me grateful," said Mohammed, extending his hand in European fashion,
+which Miles grasped warmly.  "Go, wake you comerads.  Tell what me say,
+and com quick!"
+
+Miles was much too well-disciplined a soldier to hesitate, though he
+would have liked much to suggest that some of the troops might, before
+starting, take a fancy to explore the ruin, and to ask how long they
+should remain in the cellar before venturing out.  Quietly awaking all
+his comrades, and drawing their surprised heads together, he whispered
+his tale in their wondering ears.  After that they were quite prepared
+to act, and accompanied him noiselessly into the ruin.
+
+"Is the cellar deep?" asked Miles, as he was about to descend.
+
+"No; not deep."
+
+"But what about grub--whittles, meat, an' water--you know," said Molloy,
+with difficulty accommodating his words to a foreigner.  "We'll starve
+if we go adrift on the desert with nothin' to eat or drink."
+
+"Here--food," said Mohammed, unslinging a well-filled haversack from his
+shoulders and transferring it to those of the sailor.  "Stop there," he
+continued, pointing to the cellar, "till you hears guns--shoot--noise.
+I have make prep'rations!  After that, silence.  Then, com out, an' go
+_home_."  Once again he pointed towards the glowing star in the
+north-east.
+
+"Mohammed," exclaimed Molloy, becoming suddenly impressed with the
+generous nature of the Arab's action, "I don't know as you're a
+descendant o' the Prophet, but I do know that you're a brick.  Give us
+your flipper before we part!"
+
+With a grave expression of kindliness and humour the chief shook hands
+with the seaman.  Then the captives all descended into the hole, which
+was not more than four feet deep, after which the Arab shut the trap,
+covered it as before with a little rubbish, and went away.
+
+"Suppose he has bolted the door!" suggested Moses.
+
+"Hold your tongue, man, and listen for the signal," said Miles.
+
+"I forget what he said the signal was to be," observed Simkin.
+
+"Guns--shoot--noise--after that silence!" said Armstrong.  "It's a queer
+signal."
+
+"But not difficult to recognise when we hear it," remarked Miles.
+
+The time seemed tremendously long as they sat there listening--the
+cellar was too low for them to stand--and they began to fancy that all
+kinds of horrible shapes and faces appeared in the intense darkness
+around them.  When they listened intensely, kept silent, and held their
+breath, their hearts took to beating the drums of their ears, and when a
+sudden breath or sigh escaped it seemed as if some African monster were
+approaching from the surrounding gloom.
+
+"Is that you, Simkin, that's breathin' like a grampus?" asked Molloy,
+after a long pause.
+
+"I was just goin' to ask you to stop snorin'," retorted the soldier.
+
+"Hush!  There's a shot!"
+
+It was indeed a distant shot, followed immediately by several more.
+Then a rattle of musketry followed--nearer at hand.
+
+Instantly, as if the earth had just given birth to them, the host of
+dusky warriors sprang up with yells of surprise and defiance, and, spear
+in hand, rushed in the direction of the firing.  For a few minutes the
+listeners in the cellar heard as it had been a mighty torrent surging
+past the ruined hut.  Gradually the force of the rush began to abate,
+while the yells and firing became more distant; at last all sounds
+ceased, and the listeners were again oppressed by the beating on the
+drums of their ears.
+
+"They're all gone--every mother's son," said Molloy at last, breaking
+the oppressive silence.
+
+"That's so," said Rattling Bill; "up wi' the trap, Miles.  You're under
+it, ain't you?  I'm suffocating in this hole."
+
+"I'm not under it.  Molloy came down last," said Miles.
+
+"What if we can't find it?" suggested Stevenson.
+
+"Horrible!" said Moses, in a hoarse whisper, "and this may be a huge
+cavern, with miles of space around us, instead of a small cellar!"
+
+"Here it is!" cried the sailor, making a heave with his broad back.  "I
+say--it won't move!  Ah, I wasn't rightly under it.  Yo! heave-o!"  Up
+went the door with a crash, and the soft moonlight streamed in upon
+them.
+
+A few seconds more and they stood outside the hut--apparently the only
+living beings in all that region, which had been so full of human life
+but a few minutes before.
+
+"Now we must lose no time in getting away from this place, and covering
+as much of the desert as we can during the night," said Miles, "for it
+strikes me that we'll have to lie quiet during the day, for fear of
+being seen and chased."
+
+They spoke together in whispers for a few minutes, deciding the course
+they meant to pursue.  Then Molloy shouldered the provision bag, Miles
+grasped his official lance--the only weapon they had among them,--and
+off they set on their journey across the desert, like a ship entering on
+an unknown sea, without the smallest idea of how far they were from the
+frontier of Egypt, and but a vague notion of the direction in which they
+ought to go.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
+
+A Horrible Situation.
+
+All that night our fugitives walked steadily in the direction of their
+guiding-star, until the dawn of day began to absorb its light.  Then
+they selected a couple of prominent bushes on the horizon, and, by
+keeping these always in their relative positions, were enabled to shape
+their course in what they believed to be the right direction.  By
+repeating the process continuously they were enabled to advance in a
+fairly straight line.
+
+Molloy, as we have said, carried the provision bag, and, although it was
+a very heavy one, he refused to let his comrades relieve him of it until
+breakfast-time.  Then it was discovered that inside of the large bag
+there were rolled tight up four smaller bags with shoulder-straps to
+them.
+
+"A knowin' feller that Mohammed is," said Jack Molloy, as he handed a
+bag to each; "he understands how to manage things.  Let's see what sort
+o' grub he has.  Corn-cakes, I do believe, an' dates, or some sort o'
+dried fruit, an'--water-bottles! well, that is a comfort.  Now then,
+boys, go ahead.  We can't afford to waste time over our meals."
+
+The others so thoroughly agreed with their friend on this point that
+they began to eat forthwith, almost in silence.  Then, the provisions
+having been distributed, they resumed their march, which was almost a
+forced one, so anxious were they to get as far away as possible from the
+Arab army.
+
+Coming to a large mimosa bush in the course of the morning they halted
+and sat down to rest a little, and hold what the sailor called a
+"palaver."
+
+"You see, boys," he said, "it'll be of no manner of use our scuddin'
+away before the wind under a press o' canvas like this, without some
+settled plan--"
+
+"Ain't our plan to git away from the Arabs as fast as we can?" said
+Moses Pyne, who sat on a stone at the sailor's feet.
+
+"Yes, Moses, but that's only part of it," returned Molloy.  "We must
+keep away as well as get away--an' that won't be quite so easy, for the
+country is swarmin' wi' the dark-skinned rascals, as the many tracks we
+have already passed shows us.  If we was to fall in wi' a band of 'em--
+even a small one--we would be took again for sartin', for we've got
+nothin' to fight wi' but our fists."
+
+"These would offer but poor resistance to bullet and steel," said
+Armstrong, "and that lance you're so fond of, Miles, wouldn't be worth
+much."
+
+"Not much," admitted Miles, surveying the badge of his late office, "but
+better than nothing."
+
+"What if the Arabs should change their course and fall in with us
+again?" asked Moses.
+
+"No fear o' that, seein' that Mohammed himself gave us our sailin'
+orders, an' laid our course for us; but it would never do to fall in wi'
+other bands, so I proposes that we cast anchor where we are, for there's
+pretty good holdin' ground among them bushes, keep quiet all day, an'
+travel only at night.  I've got the krect bearin's just now, so w'en the
+stars come out we'll be able to fix on one layin' in the right
+direction, and clap on all sail, slow and aloft--stu'n s'ls,
+sky-scrapers, an' all the rest on it."
+
+"A good plan, Jack," said Armstrong, "but what if it should come cloudy
+and blot out the stars?"
+
+"Besides," added Miles, "you forget that men of the desert are skilled
+in observing signs and in following tracks.  Should any of them pass
+near this little clump of bushes, and observe our footsteps going
+towards it, they will at once come to see if we are still here."
+
+Molloy put his head on one side and looked perplexed for a moment.
+
+"Never mind.  Let 'em come," he said, with a sudden look of sagacity,
+"we'll circumwent 'em.  There's nothin' like circumwention w'en you've
+got into a fix.  See here.  We'll dig a hole in a sandbank big enough to
+hold us all, an' we'll cut a big bush an' stick it in front of the hole
+so as they'll never see it.  We can keep a bright look-out, you know,
+an' if anything heaves in sight on the horizon, down we go into the
+hole, stick up the bush, an there you are--all safe under hatches till
+the enemy clears off."
+
+"But they will trace our footsteps up to the hole or the bush," said
+Miles, "and wonder why they can trace them no further.  What then?"
+
+Again the seaman fell into perplexed meditation, out of which he emerged
+with a beaming smile.
+
+"Why, then, my lad, we'll bamboozle 'em.  There's nothin' like
+bamboozlement w'en circumwention fails.  Putt the two together an'
+they're like a hurricane in the tropics, carries all before it!  We'll
+bamboozle 'em by runnin' for an hour or two all over the place, so as no
+mortal man seein' our footprints will be able to tell where we comed
+from, or what we've bin a-doin' of."
+
+"You don't know the men of the desert, Jack," rejoined Miles, with a
+laugh.  "They'd just walk in a circle round the place where you propose
+to run about and bamboozle them, till they found where our tracks
+_entered_ this bit of bush.  Then, as they'd see no tracks _leaving_ it,
+of course they'd know that we were still there.  D'you see?"
+
+"That's a puzzler for you, Jack," remarked Moses, as he watched the
+perplexed expression looming up again like a cloud on the sailor's face.
+
+"By no manner o' means," retorted Molloy, with sudden gravity.  "I sees
+my way quite clear out o' that.  You remember the broad track, not half
+a mile off from where we now sit?"
+
+"Yes; made I suppose by a pretty big band o' some sort crossin' the
+desert," said Moses.
+
+"Well, lad, arter runnin' about in the bush to bamboozle of 'em, as
+aforesaid, we'll march back to that track on the sou'-west'ard--as it
+may be--an' then do the same on the nor'-west'ard--so to speak--an' so
+lead 'em to suppose we was a small party as broke off, or was sent off,
+from the main body to reconnoitre the bit o' bush, an' had rejoined the
+main body further on.  That's what I call circumwentin', d'ee see?"
+
+While this palaver was going on, Stevenson and Bill Simkin were standing
+a short way off taking observation of something in the far distance.  In
+a few minutes they ran towards their comrades with the information that
+a band of men were visible on the horizon, moving, they thought, in an
+opposite direction to their line of march.
+
+"It may be so," said Miles, after a brief survey, "but we can't be sure.
+We must put part of your plan in force anyhow, Jack Molloy.  Away into
+the scrub all of you, and stoop as you go."
+
+In saying this, our hero, almost unintentionally, took command of the
+little party, which at once tacitly accorded him the position.  Leading
+them--as every leader ought--he proceeded to the centre of the clump of
+bushes, where, finding a natural hollow or hole in the sand, at the root
+of a mimosa bush, three of them went down on hands and knees to scoop it
+out deeper, while the others cut branches with Molloy's clasp-knife.
+
+Using flat stones, chips of wood, and hands as shovels, they managed to
+dig out a hole big enough to conceal them all, the opening to which was
+easily covered by a mass of branches.
+
+It is doubtful whether this ingenious contrivance would have availed
+them, if "men of the desert" had passed that way, but fortune favoured
+them.  The band, whether friends or foes, passed far off to the
+westward, leaving them to enjoy their place of fancied security.
+
+To pass the first day there was not difficult.  The novelty of the
+position was great; the interest of the thing immense.  Indefinite hopes
+of the future were strong, and they had plenty to say and speculate
+about during the passing hours.  When night came, preparation was made
+for departure.  The provision bags were slung, a moderate sip of water
+indulged in, and they set forth, after a very brief prayer by Stevenson,
+that God would guide them safely on their way.  There was no formality
+in that prayer.  The marine did not ask his comrades to kneel or to
+agree with him.  He offered it aloud, in a few seconds, in the name of
+Jesus, leaving his hearers to join him or not as they pleased.
+
+"See that you lay your course fair now, Molloy," said Miles, as they
+sallied out upon the darkening plain.
+
+"Trust me, lad, I've taken my bearin's."
+
+It was very dark the first part of the night, as the moon did not rise
+till late, but there was quite enough light to enable them to proceed
+with caution, though not enough to prevent their taking an occasional
+bush or stump for an advancing foe.  All went well, however, until dawn
+the following morning, when they began to look about for a suitable
+clump of bushes, in which to conceal themselves.  No such spot could
+they find.
+
+"Never mind, lads," said the inexhaustible Molloy, "we'll just go on
+till we find a place.  We're pretty tough just now, that's one comfort."
+
+They were indeed so tough that they went the whole of that day, with
+only one or two brief halts to feed.  Towards evening, however, they
+began to feel wearied, and, with one consent, determined to encamp on a
+slight eminence a short way in advance, the sides of which were covered
+with low scrub.
+
+As they approached the spot an unpleasant odour reached them.  It became
+worse as they advanced.  At last, on arriving, they found to their
+surprise and horror that the spot had been a recent battle-field, and
+was strewn with corpses and broken weapons.  Some days must have elapsed
+since the fight which strewed them there, for the bodies had been all
+stripped, and many of them were partially buried, while others had been
+hauled half out of their graves by those scavengers of the desert,
+hyenas and vultures.
+
+"Impossible to halt here," said Armstrong.  "I never witness a sight
+like this that it does not force on me the madness of warfare!  What
+territorial gain can make up for these lost lives--the flower of the
+manhood of both parties?"
+
+"But what are we to do?" objected Molloy.  "Men must defend their
+rights!"
+
+"Not necessarily so," said Stevenson.  "Men have to learn to bear and
+forbear."
+
+"I have learned to take advantage of what luck throws in my way," said
+Rattling Bill, picking up a rifle which must have escaped the
+observation of the plunderers who had followed the army.
+
+The body of the poor fellow who had owned it was found concealed under a
+bush not far off.  He was an English soldier, and a very brief
+inspection showed that the battle had been fought by a party of British
+and Egyptian troops against the Soudanese.
+
+It seemed as if the plunderers had on this occasion been scared from
+their horrible work before completing it, for after a careful search
+they found rifles with bayonets, and pouches full of ammunition, more
+than sufficient to arm the whole party.
+
+"There are uniforms enough, too, to fit us all out," said Simkin, as
+they were about to leave the scene of slaughter.
+
+"No dead men's clo'es for me," said Moses Pyne, with a shrug of disgust.
+
+Jack Molloy declared that he had become so used to loose cotton drawers,
+and an easy-fittin' sack, that for his part he had no desire to go back
+to civilised costume! and as the rest were of much the same opinion, no
+change was made in the habiliments of the party, except that each
+appropriated a pair of boots, and Miles exchanged his green tippet for a
+flannel shirt and a pith helmet.  He also took a revolver, with some
+difficulty, from the dead hand of a soldier, and stuck it in his belt.
+
+Thus improved in circumstances, they gladly quitted the ghastly scene,
+and made for a bushy hillock a few hundred yards in advance.
+
+On the way they were arrested by the sound of distant firing.
+
+"Mohammed must have met our countrymen!" exclaimed Molloy, with excited
+looks, as they halted to listen.
+
+"It may be so, but there are other bands about besides his," said Miles.
+"What's that? a cheer?"
+
+"Ay, a British cheer in the far distance, replied to by yells of
+defiance."  Molloy echoed the cheer in spite of his better judgment.
+
+"Let's run an' jine 'em!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Come along, then!" cried Miles, with the ardour of inexperienced youth.
+
+"Stop! are ye mad?" cried Stevenson.  "Don't it stand to reason that the
+enemy must be between us an' Suakim? and that's the same as sayin'
+they're between us an' our friends.  Moreover, the cheerin' proves that
+our side must be gettin' the best of it, an' are drivin' the enemy this
+way, so all we've got to do is to hide on that hillock an' bide our
+time."
+
+"Right you are, comrade," cried Rattling Bill, examining his cartridges,
+and asserting with an oath that nothing would afford him greater
+pleasure than a good hand-to-hand fight with the black, (and something
+worse), scoundrels.
+
+"Don't swear at your enemies, Simkin," said the marine quietly; "but
+when you get the chance fire low!"
+
+Agreeing with Stevenson's advice to "bide their time," the little band
+was soon on the top of the hillock, and took up the best position for
+defending the place, also for observing the fight, which, they could now
+see, was drawing gradually nearer to them.
+
+They were not kept waiting long, for the natives were in full flight,
+hotly pursued by the English and Indian cavalry.  A slight breeze
+blowing from the north carried not only the noise, but soon the smoke of
+the combat towards them.  As they drew nearer a large detachment of
+native spearmen was seen to make for the hillock, evidently intending to
+make a stand there.
+
+"Now comes _our_ turn," said Armstrong, examining the lock of his rifle
+to see that all was right.
+
+"`England expec's every man,' etceterer," said Molloy, with a glance at
+Miles.  "Capting, you may as well let us know your plans, so as we may
+work together."
+
+Miles was not long in making up his mind.
+
+"You'll fire at first by command," he said quickly, but decidedly; "then
+down on your faces flat, and load.  After that wait for orders.  When it
+comes to the push--as it's sure to do at last--we'll stand back to back
+and do our best.  God help us to do it well!  Don't hurry, boys--
+especially in square.  Let every shot tell."
+
+He had barely concluded this brief address when the yelling savages
+reached the hillock.  Miles could even see the gleaming of their teeth
+and eyes, and the blood of the slightly wounded coursing down their
+black skins as they rushed panting towards the place where he and his
+little party were crouching.  Then he gave the word: "Ready--present!"
+
+The smoke, fire, and death to the leading men, which belched from the
+bushes, did not check the rush for more than a moment.  And even that
+check was the result of surprise more than fear.  A party of those Arabs
+who were armed with rifles instantly replied, but the bullets passed
+harmlessly over the prostrate men.
+
+Again the voice of Miles was heard: "Ready--present!" and again the
+leading men of the enemy fell, but the rushing host only divided, and
+swept round the hillock, so as to take it on both sides at once.
+
+"Now--form square! and pick each man," cried Miles, springing up and
+standing back to back with Armstrong.  Molloy stood shoulder to shoulder
+with him and backed Bill Simkin, while Stevenson did the same for Moses
+Pyne.  The bushes did not rise much above their waists, and as the dusky
+host suddenly beheld the knot of strange-looking men, whose bristling
+bayonets glistened in the setting sunshine, and whose active rifles were
+still dealing death among their ranks, they dashed at the hill-top with
+a yell of mingled rage and surprise.  Another moment and spearmen were
+dancing round the little square like incarnate fiends, but the white men
+made no sound.  Each confined himself to two acts--namely, load and
+fire--and at every shot a foremost savage fell, until the square became
+encircled with dead men.
+
+Another moment and a party of Arab riflemen ran to the front and took
+aim.  Just then a tremendous cheer was heard.  The defenders of the
+hillock made a wild reply, which was drowned in a furious fusillade.
+The entire savage host seemed to rush over the spot, sweeping all before
+it, while smoke rolled after them as well as lead and fire.  In the
+midst of the hideous turmoil, Miles received a blow which shattered his
+left wrist.  Grasping his rifle with his right hand he laid about him as
+best he could.  Next moment a blow on the head from behind stretched him
+senseless on the ground.
+
+The return of our hero to consciousness revealed to him that he was
+still lying on the battle-field, that it was night, and that an
+intolerable weight oppressed his chest.  This last was caused by a dead
+native having fallen across him.  On trying to get rid of the corpse he
+made the further discovery that nearly all his strength was gone, and
+that he could scarcely move his right arm, although it was free, and, as
+far as he could make out, unwounded.  Making a desperate effort, he
+partially relieved himself, and, raising his head, tried to look round.
+His ears had already told him that near to him wounded men were groaning
+away the little of life that remained to them; he now saw that he was
+surrounded by heaps of dead men.  Excepting the groans referred to, the
+night was silent, and the moon shone down on hundreds of up-turned
+faces--the bloodless grey of the black men contrasting strangely with
+the deadly pallor of the white, all quiet and passionless enough now--
+here and there the head of a warrior resting peacefully on the bosom or
+shoulder of the foe who had killed him!
+
+A slight noise on his right caused Miles to turn his head in that
+direction, where he saw a wounded comrade make feeble efforts to raise
+himself, and then fall back with a deep groan.  In other circumstances
+our hero would have sprung to his assistance, but at that moment he felt
+as if absolutely helpless; indeed, he was nearly so from loss of blood.
+He made one or two efforts to rise, but the weight of the dead man held
+him down, and after a few brief attempts he fainted.
+
+Recovering again, he looked round, attracted by the sound of a struggle
+on his right.  One of those fiends in human form, the plunderers of a
+battle-field, had, in his ghoulish progress, come across the wounded man
+who lay close to Miles, and the man was resisting him.  The other put a
+quick end to the strife by drawing a knife across the throat of the poor
+fellow.  A horror of great darkness seemed to overwhelm Miles as he saw
+the blood gush in a deluge from the gaping wound.  He tried to shout,
+but, as in a nightmare, he could neither speak nor move.
+
+As the murderer went on rifling his victim, Miles partially recovered
+from his trance of horror, and anxiety for his own life nerved him to
+attempt action of some sort.  He thought of the revolver for the first
+time at that moment, and the remembrance seemed to infuse new life into
+him.  Putting his right hand to his belt, he found it there, but drew it
+with difficulty.  Doubting his power to discharge it by means of the
+trigger alone, he made a desperate effort and cocked it.
+
+The click made the murderer start.  He raised himself and looked round.
+Our hero shut his eyes and lay perfectly still.  Supposing probably that
+he must have been mistaken, the man resumed his work.  Miles could have
+easily shot him where he kneeled if he had retained power to lift his
+arm and take an aim.  As it was, he had strength only to retain the
+weapon in his grasp.
+
+After a short time, that seemed an age to the helpless watcher, the
+murderer rose and turned his attention to another dead man, but passing
+him, came towards Miles, whose spirit turned for one moment to God in an
+agonising prayer for help.  The help came in the form of revived
+courage.  Calm, cool, firm self-possession seemed to overbear all other
+feelings.  He half closed his eyes as the murderer approached, and
+gently turned the muzzle of the revolver upwards.  He even let the man
+bend over him and look close into his face to see if he were dead, then
+he pulled the trigger.
+
+Miles had aimed, he thought, at the man's breast, but the bullet entered
+under his chin and went crashing into his brain.  A gush of warm blood
+spouted over Miles's face as the wretch plunged over him, head first,
+and fell close by his side.  He did not die at once.  The nature of the
+ground prevented Miles from seeing him, but he could hear him gradually
+gasp his life away.
+
+A few minutes later and footsteps were heard ascending the hillock.
+Miles grasped his revolver with a hand that now trembled from increasing
+weakness, but he was by that time unable to put the weapon on full cock.
+Despair had well-nigh seized him, when a familiar voice was heard.
+
+"This way, lads.  I'm sure it was hereabouts that I saw the flash."
+
+"Macleod!" gasped Miles, as the big Scotsman was about to pass.
+
+"Losh me!  John Miles, is that you?  Are ye leevin?"
+
+"Scarcely!" was all that the poor youth could utter ere he became again
+insensible.
+
+A fatigue party tramped up with a stretcher at the moment.  Macleod with
+a handkerchief checked the ebbing tide of life, and they bore away from
+the bloody field what seemed little more than the mortal remains of poor
+Miles Milton.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
+
+DESCRIBES A FEW MEETINGS AND SEVERAL SURPRISES.
+
+The fight described in the last chapter was only one of the numerous
+skirmishes that were taking place almost daily near Suakim at that time.
+But it turned out to be a serious occasion to our hero, for it cost him
+one of his hands, and put an end to his soldiering days for ever.
+
+On being taken to the British lines the surgeons saw at once that
+amputation a little above the wrist was absolutely necessary.  Of course
+Miles--although overwhelmed with dismay on hearing the fiat of the
+doctors--could offer no objection.  With the informal celerity of
+surgical operations as practised in the field, the shattered limb was
+removed, and almost before he could realise the full significance of
+what was being done our poor hero was _minus_ his left hand!  Besides
+this, he was so cut and battered about, that most of his hair had to be
+cut off, and his head bandaged and plastered so that those of his old
+comrades who chanced to be with the troops at the time could recognise
+him only by his voice.  Even that was scarcely audible when he was
+carried into Suakim.
+
+At this time the hospitals at Suakim were overcrowded to such an extent
+that many of the wounded and invalids had to be sent on by sea to Suez
+and the hospitals at Ramleh.  Miles was sent on along with these, and
+finally found rest at Alexandria.
+
+And great was the poor fellow's need of rest, for, besides the terrible
+sufferings and hardships he had endured while in captivity, the wounds
+and bruises, the loss of blood and of his left hand, and the fatigue of
+the voyage, his mind was overwhelmed by the consideration that even if
+he should recover he was seriously maimed for life.  In addition to all
+this suffering, Miles, while at Suakim, had received a blow which
+well-nigh killed him.  A letter came informing him of the sudden death
+of his father, and bitter remorse was added to his misery as he lay
+helpless in his cot on the Red Sea.
+
+The consequent depression, acting on his already exhausted powers after
+he reached Alexandria, brought him to the verge of the grave.  Indeed,
+one of the nurses said one day to one of her fellows, with a shake of
+her head, "Ah! poor fellow, he won't last long!"
+
+"Won't he!" thought Miles, with a feeling of strong indignation.  "Much
+_you_ know about it!"
+
+You see Miles possessed a tendency to abstract reasoning, and could
+meditate upon his own case without, so to speak, much reference to
+himself!  His indignation was roused by the fact that any one, calling
+herself a nurse, should be so stupid as to whisper beside a patient
+words that he should not hear.  He did not know that the nurse in
+question was a new one--not thoroughly alive to her duties and
+responsibilities.  Strange to say, her stupidity helped to render her
+own prophecy incorrect, for the indignation quickened the soldier's
+feeble pulse, and that gave him a fillip in the right direction.
+
+The prostration, however, was very great, and for some time the life of
+our hero seemed to hang by a thread.  During this dark period the value
+of a godly mother's teaching became deeply impressed on him, by the fact
+that texts from God's Word, which had been taught him in childhood, and
+which he seemed to have quite forgotten, came trooping into his mind,
+and went a long way to calm and comfort him.  He dwelt with special
+pleasure on those that told of love and mercy in Jesus to the thankless
+and undeserving; for, now that strength, health, and the high hopes of a
+brilliant career were shattered at one blow, his eyes were cleared of
+life's glamour to see that in his existence hitherto he had been
+ungodly--not in the sense of his being much worse than ordinary people,
+but in the sense of his being quite indifferent to his Maker, and that
+his fancied condition of not-so-badness would not stand the test of a
+dying hour.
+
+About this time, too, he became desperately anxious to write to his
+mother, not by dictation, but with his own hand.  This being impossible
+in the circumstances, he began to fret, and his power to sleep at length
+failed him.  Then a strange desire to possess a rose seized him--perhaps
+because he knew it to be his mother's favourite flower.  Whatever the
+cause, the longing increased his insomnia, and as he did not say,
+perhaps did not know, that the want of a rose had anything to do with
+his complaint, no one at first thought of procuring one for him.
+
+He was lying meditating, wakefully, about many things one day when one
+of the nurses approached his bed.  He did not see her at first, because
+his head was so swathed in bandages that only one eye was permitted to
+do duty, and that, as Molloy might have said, was on the lee-side of his
+nose--supposing the side next the nurse to represent the wind'ard side!
+
+"I have been laid up a long time," said a lady, who accompanied the
+nurse, "and have been longing to resume my visits here, as one or two
+patients whom I used to nurse are still in hospital."
+
+The heart of Miles gave a bound such as it had not attempted since the
+night he witnessed the murder on the battle-field, for the voice was
+that of Mrs Drew.
+
+"This is one of our latest arrivals," remarked the nurse, lowering her
+voice as they advanced.  "A poor young soldier--lost a hand and badly
+wounded--can't sleep.  He has taken a strange longing of late for a
+rose, and I have asked a friend to fetch one for him."
+
+"How lucky that we happen to have one with us!" said Mrs Drew, looking
+back over her shoulder where her daughter stood, concealed from view by
+her ample person.  "Marion, dear, will you part with your rose-bud to a
+wounded soldier?"
+
+"Certainly, mother, I will give it him myself."
+
+She stepped quickly forward, and looked sadly at the solitary, glowing
+eye which gazed at her, as she unfastened a rose-bud from her bosom.  It
+was evident that she did not recognise Miles, and no wonder, for,
+besides the mass of bandages from out of which his one eye glowed, there
+was a strip of plaster across the bridge of his nose, a puffy swelling
+in one of the cheeks, and the handsome mouth and chin were somewhat
+veiled by a rapidly developing moustache and beard.
+
+Miles did not speak--he could not speak; he scarcely dared to breathe as
+the girl placed a red rose-bud in his thin hand.  His trembling fingers
+not only took the rose, but the hand that gave it, and pressed it feebly
+to his lips.
+
+With a few words of comfort and good wishes the ladies passed on.  Then
+Miles drew the rose down under the bed-clothes, put it to his lips, and,
+with a fervently thankful mind, fell into the first profound slumber
+that he had enjoyed for many days.
+
+This was a turning-point.  From that day Miles began to mend.  He did
+not see Marion again for some time, for her visit had been quite
+incidental, but he was satisfied to learn that she was staying at the
+Institute with her mother, assisting the workers there.  He wisely
+resolved to do and say nothing at that time, but patiently to wait and
+get well, for he had a shrewd suspicion that to present himself to
+Marion under existing circumstances would be, to say the least,
+injudicious.
+
+Meanwhile, time, which "waits for no man," passed on.  As Miles became
+stronger he began to go about the hospital, chatting with the
+convalescent patients and trying to make himself generally useful.  On
+one of these occasions he met with a man who gave him the sorrowful news
+that Sergeant Hardy was dead, leaving Miles his executor and residuary
+legatee.  He also learned, to his joy, that his five comrades,
+Armstrong, Molloy, Stevenson, Moses, and Simkin, had escaped with their
+lives from the fight on the hillock where he fell, and that, though all
+were more or less severely wounded, they were doing well at Suakim.
+"Moreover," continued his informant, "I expect to hear more about 'em
+to-night, for the mail is due, and I've got a brother in Suakim."
+
+That night not only brought news of the five heroes, but also brought
+themselves, for, having all been wounded at the same time, all had been
+sent to Alexandria together.  As they were informed at Suakim that their
+comrade Miles had been invalided home, they did not, of course, make
+further inquiry about him there.
+
+While they stayed there, awaiting the troop-ship which was to take them
+home, they made Miss Robinson's Institute their constant rendezvous, for
+there they not only found all the comforts of English life, but the joy
+of meeting with many old comrades, not a few of whom were either drawn,
+or being drawn, to God by the influences of the place.
+
+It chanced that at the time of their arrival Mrs Drew and her daughter
+had gone to visit an English family living in the city, and did not for
+several days return to the Institute; thus the invalids failed to meet
+their lady friends at first.  But about this time there was announced a
+source of attraction in the large hall which brought them together.
+This attraction--which unites all creeds and classes and nationalities
+in one great bond of sympathy--we need hardly say was music!  A concert
+was to take place in the great hall of the Institute for some local
+charity, we believe, but are not sure, at which the _elite_ of
+Alexandria was expected, and the musical talent of Alexandria was to
+perform--among others the band of the somethingth Regiment.  And let us
+impress on you, reader, that the band of the somethingth Regiment was
+something to be proud of!
+
+This brought numerous friends to the "Officers' House," and great
+numbers of soldiers and Jack-tars to the various rooms of the Institute.
+
+In one of these rooms, towards evening, our friend Stevenson was
+engaged, at the request of the Superintendent, in relating to a number
+of earnest-minded men a brief account of the wonderful experiences that
+he and his comrades had recently had in the Soudan, and Jack Molloy sat
+near him, emphasising with a nod of his shaggy head, or a "Right you
+are, messmate," or a slap on his thigh, all the marine's points,
+especially those in which his friend, passing over second causes,
+referred all their blessings and deliverances direct to his loving God
+and Father.  In another room a Bible-reading was going on, accompanied
+by prayer and praise.  In the larger rooms, tea, coffee, etcetera, were
+being consumed to an extent that "no fellow can understand," except
+those who did it!  Games and newspapers and illustrated magazines,
+etcetera, were rife elsewhere, while a continuous roar, rather the
+conventional "buzz," of conversation was going on everywhere.  But,
+apparently, not a single oath in the midst of it all!  The moral
+atmosphere of the place was so pure that even bad men respected--perhaps
+approved--it.
+
+Just before the hour of the concert our friends, the five invalids, sat
+grouped round a table near the door.  They were drinking tea, and most
+of them talking with tremendous animation--for not one of them had been
+wounded in the tongue!  Indeed it did not appear that any of them had
+been very seriously wounded anywhere.
+
+While they were yet in the midst of their talk two lady-workers came
+down the long room, followed by two other ladies in deep mourning, the
+younger of whom suddenly sprang towards our quintet, and, clasping her
+hands, stood speechless before them, staring particularly at Jack
+Molloy, who returned the gaze with interest.
+
+"Beg pard'n, Miss Drew," exclaimed the sailor, starting up in confusion,
+and pulling his forelock, "but you've hove me all aback!"
+
+"Mr Molloy!" gasped Marion, grasping his hand and looking furtively
+round, "is it possible?  Have you _all_ escaped?  Is--is--"
+
+"Yes, Miss, we've all escaped, thank God, an' we're all here--'cept John
+Miles, in coorse, for he's bin invalided home--"
+
+"He's no more invalided home than yourself, Jack," said a seaman, who
+was enjoying his coffee at a neighbouring table; "leastwise I seed John
+Miles myself yesterday in hospital wi' my own two eyes, as isn't apt to
+deceive me."
+
+"Are ye sure o' that, mate?" cried Molloy, turning in excitement to the
+man, and totally forgetting Marion.
+
+"Mother, let us go out!" whispered the latter, leaning heavily on Mrs
+Drew's arm.
+
+They passed out to the verandah--scarcely observed, owing to the
+excitement of the quintet at the sailor's news--and there she would have
+fallen down if she had not been caught in the arms of a soldier who was
+advancing towards the door.
+
+"Mr Miles!" exclaimed Mrs Drew, as she looked up in amazement at the
+scarred and worn face.
+
+"Ay, Mrs Drew, through God's mercy I am here.  But help me: I have not
+strength to carry her _now_."
+
+Marion had nearly fainted, and was led with the assistance of her mother
+to a retired part of the garden, and placed in an easy-chair.  Seeing
+that the girl was recovering, the other ladies judiciously left them,
+and Miles explained to the mother, while she applied smelling-salts to
+Marion, that he had come on purpose to meet them, hoping and expecting
+that they would be attracted to the concert, like all the rest of the
+world, though he had scarcely looked for so peculiar a meeting!
+
+"But how did you know we were here at all?" asked Mrs Drew in surprise.
+
+"I saw you in the hospital," replied Miles, with a peculiar look.  "Your
+kind daughter gave me a rose!"
+
+He pointed as he spoke to a withered bud which was fastened to his coat.
+
+"But--but--that young man had lost his hand; the nurse told us so,"
+exclaimed Mrs Drew, with a puzzled look.
+
+Miles silently pointed to the handless arm which hung at his left side.
+
+Marion had turned towards him with a half-frightened look.  She now
+leaned back in her chair and covered her face with both hands.
+
+"Mr Miles," said the wise old lady, with a sudden and violent change of
+subject, "your friends Armstrong and Molloy are in the Institute at this
+moment waiting for you!"
+
+Our hero needed no second hint.  Next minute he dashed into the entrance
+hall, with wonderful vigour for an invalid, for he heard the bass voice
+of Molloy exclaiming--
+
+"I don't care a button, leave or no leave, I'll make my way to John Mi--
+Hallo!"
+
+The "Hallo!" was caused by his being rushed into by the impetuous Miles
+with such force that they both staggered.
+
+"Why, John, you're like the ram of an iron-clad!  Is it really yourself?
+Give us your flipper, my boy!"
+
+But the flipper was already in that of Willie Armstrong, while the
+others crowded round him with congratulations.
+
+"Wot on airth's all the noise about in that there corner?" exclaimed a
+Jack-tar, who was trying hard to tell an interminable story to a quiet
+shipmate in spite of the din.
+
+"It's only that we've diskivered our captin," cried Molloy, eager to get
+any one to sympathise.
+
+"Wot captin's that?" growled the Jack-tar.
+
+"Why, him as led us on the hillock, to be sure, at Suakim."
+
+When acts of heroism and personal prowess are of frequent occurrence,
+deeds of daring are not apt to draw general attention, unless they rise
+above the average.  The "affair of the hillock," however, as it got to
+be called, although unnoticed in despatches, or the public prints, was
+well-known among the rank and file who did the work in those hot
+regions.  When, therefore, it became known that the six heroes, who had
+distinguished themselves on that hillock, were present, a great deal of
+interest was exhibited.  This culminated when a little man rushed
+suddenly into the room, and, with a wild "hooroo!" seized Molloy round
+the waist--he wasn't tall enough to get him comfortably by the neck--and
+appeared to wrestle with him.
+
+"It's Corporal Flynn--or his ghost!" exclaimed Molloy.
+
+"Sure an' it's both him an' his ghost togither!" exclaimed the corporal,
+shaking hands violently all round.
+
+"I thought ye was sent home," said Moses.
+
+"Niver a bit, man; they tell awful lies where you've come from.  I
+wouldn't take their consciences as a gift.  I'm as well as iver, and
+better; but I'm goin' home for all that, to see me owld grandmother.  Ye
+needn't laugh, you spalpeens.  Come, three cheers, boys, for the `heroes
+o' the hillock!'"
+
+Most heartily did the men there assembled respond to this call, and then
+the entire assembly cleared off to the concert, with the exception of
+Miles Milton.  "He," as Corporal Flynn knowingly observed, "had other
+fish to fry."  He fried these fish in company with Mrs and Marion Drew;
+but as the details of this culinary proceeding were related to us in
+strict confidence, we refuse to divulge them, and now draw the curtain
+down on the ancient land of Egypt.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+Once more we return to the embarkation jetty at Portsmouth.
+
+There, as of old, we find a huge, white-painted troop-ship warping
+slowly in, her bulwarks and ports crowded with white helmets, and eager
+faces gazing at the equally eager but anxious faces on shore.
+
+Miss Robinson's coffee-shed shows signs of life!  Our friend Brown is
+stimulating the boiler.  The great solitary port-hole has been opened,
+and the never-failing lady-workers are there, preparing their ammunition
+and getting ready for action, for every troop-ship that comes to
+Portsmouth from foreign shores, laden with the bronzed warriors of
+Britain, has to face the certainty of going into action with that
+unconquerable little coffee-shed!
+
+We do not, however, mean to draw the reader again through the old scene,
+further than to point out that, among the many faces that loom over
+these bulwarks, five are familiar, namely, those of our friends Miles
+Milton, William Armstrong, Moses Pyne, Stevenson, and Simkin.  Jack
+Molloy is not with them, because he has preferred to remain in Egypt,
+believing himself to be capable of still further service to Queen and
+country.
+
+A feeling of great disappointment oppresses Miles and his friend
+Armstrong, for they fail to recognise in the eager crowd those whom they
+had expected to see.
+
+"My mother must be ill," muttered Miles.
+
+"So must my Emmy," murmured his friend.
+
+There was a very anxious little widow on the jetty who could _not_
+manage to distinguish individuals in the sea of brown faces and white
+helmets, because the tears in her eyes mixed them all up most
+perplexingly.  It is not surprising that Miles had totally failed to
+recognise the mother of old in the unfamiliar widow's weeds--especially
+when it is considered that his was a shrinking, timid mother, who kept
+well in the background of the demonstrative crowd.  Their eyes met at
+last, however, and those of the widow opened wide with surprise at the
+change in the son, while those of the son were suddenly blinded with
+tears at the change in the mother.
+
+Then they met--and such a meeting!--in the midst of men and women,
+elbowing, crowding, embracing, exclaiming, rejoicing, chaffing, weeping!
+It was an awkward state of things, but as every one else was in the
+same predicament, and as all were more or less swallowed up in their own
+affairs, Miles and his mother were fain to make the best of it.  They
+retired under the partial shelter of a bulkhead, where block-tackles and
+nautical debris interfered with their footing, and tarry odours regaled
+their noses, and there, in semi-publicity, they interchanged their first
+confidences.
+
+Suddenly Mrs Milton observed a tall young fellow standing not far off,
+looking wistfully at the bewildering scene, apparently in deep
+dejection.
+
+"Who is that, Miles?" she asked.
+
+"Why, that's my comrade, chum, and friend, whom I have so often written
+about, Willie Armstrong.  Come.  I will introduce you."
+
+"Oh! how selfish of me!" cried the widow, starting forward and not
+waiting for the introduction; "Mr Armstrong--I'm _so_ sorry; forgive
+me!  I promised to let you know that your wife waits to meet you at the
+Soldiers' Institute."
+
+The difference between darkness and light seemed to pass over the
+soldier's face, then a slight shade of anxiety clouded it.  "She is not
+ill, is she?"
+
+"No, no, _quite_ well," said Mrs Milton, with a peculiar smile; "but
+she thought it wiser not to risk a meeting on the jetty as the east wind
+is sharp.  I'm so sorry I did not tell you at once, but I selfishly
+thought only--"
+
+"Pray make no apology, madam," interrupted Armstrong.  "I'm so thankful
+that all is well.  I had begun to fear that something must be wrong, for
+my Emmy _never_ disappoints me.  If she thinks it wiser not to meet on
+the jetty, it _is_ wiser!"
+
+A crowd of men pushed between them at this moment.  Immediately after, a
+female shout was heard, followed by the words, "There he is!  Och, it's
+himsilf--the darlint!"
+
+Mrs Flynn had discovered the little corporal, and her trooper son,
+Terence, who had come down with her, stood by to see fair-play while the
+two embraced.
+
+Drifting with a rather rapid tide of mingled human beings, Miles and his
+mother soon found themselves stranded beside the coffee-shed.  Retiring
+behind this they continued their conference there, disturbed only by
+wind and weather, while the distribution of hot coffee was going on in
+front.
+
+Meanwhile, when leave was obtained, Armstrong made his way to the
+Institute, where the old scene of bustle and hilarity on the arrival of
+a troop-ship was going on.  Here, in a private room, he discovered Emmy
+and the _cause_ of her not appearing on the jetty.
+
+"Look at him--Willie the second!" cried the little woman, holding up a
+bundle of some sort.  The soldier was staggered for a moment--the only
+infantry that had ever staggered him!--for his wife had said nothing
+about this bundle in her letters.  He recovered, however, and striding
+across the room embraced the wife and the bundle in one tremendous hug!
+
+The wife did not object, but the bundle did, and instantly set up a howl
+that quite alarmed the father, and was sweetest music in the mother's
+ears!
+
+"Now tell me," said the little woman, after calming the baby and putting
+it in a crib; "have you brought Miles Milton home all safe?"
+
+"Yes, all right, Emmy."
+
+"And is he married to that dear girl you wrote about?"
+
+"No, not yet--of course."
+
+"But are they engaged?"
+
+"No.  Miles told me that he would not presume to ask her while he had no
+home to offer her."
+
+"Pooh!  He's a goose!  He ought to make sure of _her_, and let the home
+look after itself.  He may lose her.  Girls, you know, are changeable,
+giddy things!"
+
+"I know nothing of the sort, Emmy."
+
+The young wife laughed, and--well, there is no need to say what else she
+did.
+
+About the same time, Mrs Milton and her son were seated in another
+private room of the Institute finishing off that interchange of
+confidences which had begun in such confusion.  As it happened, they
+were conversing on the same subject that occupied Emmy and her husband.
+
+"You have acted rightly, Miles," said the mother, "for it would have
+been unfair and selfish to have induced the poor girl to accept you
+until you had some prospect of a home to give her.  God will bless you
+for doing _the right_, and trusting to Him.  And now, dear boy, are you
+prepared for bad news?"
+
+"Prepared for anything!" answered Miles, pressing his mother's hand,
+"but I hope the bad news does not affect you, mother."
+
+"It does.  Your dear father died a bankrupt.  I shrank from telling you
+this when you were wounded and ill.  So you have to begin again the
+battle of life with only one hand, my poor boy, for the annuity I have
+of twenty pounds a year will not go far to keep us both."
+
+Mrs Milton tried to speak lightly on this point, by way of breaking it
+to her son, but she nearly broke down, for she had already begun to feel
+the pinch of extreme poverty, and knew it to be very, very different
+from what "well-off" people fancy.  The grave manner in which her son
+received this news filled her with anxiety.
+
+"Mother," he said, after pondering in silence for a few moments, and
+taking her hand in his while he slipped the handless arm round her
+waist, "the news is indeed serious, but our Father whom you have trusted
+so long will not fail us now.  Happily it is my right hand that has been
+spared, and wonders, you know, may be wrought with a strong right hand,
+especially if assisted by a strong left stump, into which spoons, forks,
+hooks, and all manner of ingenious contrivances can be fitted.  Now,
+cheer up, little mother, and I'll tell you what we will do.  But first,
+is there _nothing_ left?  Do the creditors take everything?"
+
+"All, I believe, except some of the furniture which has been kindly left
+for us to start afresh with.  But we must quit the old home next month.
+At least, so I am told by my kind little lawyer, who looks after
+everything, for _I_ understand nothing."
+
+"Your mention of a lawyer reminds me, mother, that a poor sergeant, who
+died a short time ago in Egypt, made me his executor, and as I am
+painfully ignorant of the duties of an executor I'll go and see this
+`kind little lawyer' if you will give me his address."
+
+Leaving Miles to consult his lawyer, we will now turn to a meeting--a
+grand tea-fight--in the great hall of the Institute, that took place a
+few days after the return of the troop-ship which brought our hero and
+his friends to England.  Some telling incidents occurred at this fight
+which render it worthy of notice.
+
+First, Miss Robinson herself presided and gave a stirring address,
+which, if not of much interest to readers who did not hear it, was a
+point of immense attraction to the hundreds of soldiers, sailors, and
+civilians to whom it was delivered, for it was full of sympathy, and
+information, and humour, and encouragement, and, above all, of the
+Gospel.
+
+Everybody worth mentioning was there--that is, everybody connected with
+our tale who was in England at the time.  Miles and his mother of course
+were there, and Armstrong with Emmy--ay, and with Willie the second
+too--who was pronounced on all hands to be the born image of his father.
+Alas for his father, if that had been true!  A round piece of dough
+with three holes punched in it and a little knot in the midst would have
+borne as strong a resemblance to Miles as that baby did.  Nevertheless,
+it was a "magnificent" baby! and "_so_ good," undeniably good, for it
+slept soundly in its little mother's lap the whole evening!
+
+Stevenson was also there, you may be sure; and so were Moses and
+Sutherland, and Rattling Bill Simkin and Corporal Flynn, with his mother
+and Terence the Irish trooper, who fraternised with Johnson the English
+trooper, who was also home on the sick-list--though he seemed to have a
+marvellous colour and appetite for a sick man.
+
+"Is that the `Soldiers Friend?'" asked Simkin, in a whisper, of a man
+who stood near him, as a lady came on the platform and took the chair.
+
+"Ay, that's her," answered the man--and the speaker was Thomas Tufnell,
+the ex-trooper of the Queen's Bays, and the present manager of the
+Institute--"Ay, that's the `Soldier's Friend.'"
+
+"Well, I might have guessed it," returned Simkin, "from the kindly way
+in which she shook hands with a lot of soldiers just now."
+
+"Yes, she has shook hands with a good many red-coats in her day, has the
+`Soldier's Friend,'" returned the manager.  "Why, I remember on one
+occasion when she was giving a lecture to soldiers, and so many men came
+forward to shake hands with her that, as she told me herself, her hand
+was stiff and swelled all night after it!"
+
+"But it's not so much for what she has done for ourselves that we're
+grateful to her," remarked a corporal, who sat on Simkin's right, "as
+for what she has done for our wives, widows, and children, through the
+_Soldiers' and Sailors' Wives' Aid Association_.  Lookin' arter them
+when we're away fightin' our country's battles has endeared her to us
+more than anything else."
+
+Thus favourably predisposed, Simkin was open to good impressions that
+night.  But, indeed, there was an atmosphere--a spirit of good-will--in
+the hall that night which rendered many others besides Simkin open to
+good impressions.  Among the civilians there was a man named Sloper, who
+had for some time past been carefully fished for by an enthusiastic
+young red-coat whom he had basely misled and swindled.  He had been at
+last hooked by the young red-coat, played, and finally landed in the
+hall, with his captor beside him to keep him there--for Sloper was a
+slippery fish, with much of the eel in his nature.
+
+Perhaps the most unexpected visitors to the hall were two ladies in
+mourning, who had just arrived from Egypt by way of Brindisi.  Mrs and
+Miss Drew, having occasion to pass through Portsmouth on their way home,
+learned that there was to be a tea-fight at the Institute, and Marion
+immediately said, "I should like _so_ much to see it!"
+
+However much "_so_ much" was, Mrs Drew said she would like to see it
+_as_ much, so away they went, and were conducted to the front row.
+There Miles saw them!  With his heart in his mouth, and his head in
+confusion, he quietly rose, bade his wondering mother get up; conducted
+her to the front seat, and, setting her down beside the Drews,
+introduced them.  Then, sitting down beside Marion, he went in for a
+pleasant evening.
+
+And it _was_ a pleasant evening!  Besides preliminary tea and buns,
+there were speeches, songs, recitations, etcetera,--all being received
+with immense satisfaction by a crowded house, which had not yet risen to
+the unenviable heights of classical taste and _blaseism_.  As for Miles
+and Marion, nothing came amiss to them!  If a singer had put B flat in
+the place of A natural they would have accepted it as quite natural.  If
+a humourist had said the circle was a square, they would have believed
+it--in a sense--and tried to square their reason accordingly.
+
+But nothing is without alloy in this life.  To the surprise of Miles and
+his mother, their "kind little lawyer" also made his appearance in the
+hall.  More than that, he insisted, by signs, that Miles should go out
+and speak with him.  But Miles was obdurate.  He was anchored, and
+nothing but cutting the cable could move him from his anchorage.
+
+At last the "kind little man" pushed his way through the crowd.
+
+"I _must_ have a word with you, my dear sir.  It is of importance," he
+said.
+
+Thus adjured, Miles unwillingly cut the cable, and drifted into a
+passage.
+
+"My dear sir," said the little man, seizing his hand, "I congratulate
+you."
+
+"You're very kind, but pray, explain why."
+
+"I find that you are heir to a considerable fortune."
+
+Miles was somewhat interested in this, and asked, "How's that?"
+
+"Well, you remember Hardy's will, which you put into my hands a few days
+ago?"
+
+"Yes; what then?  _That_ can't be the fortune!"
+
+"Indeed it is.  Hardy, you remember, made you his residuary legatee.  I
+find, on inquiry, that the old cousin you told me about, who meant to
+leave all his money to build a hospital, changed his mind at the last
+and made out a will in favour of Hardy, who was his only relative.  So,
+you see, you, being Hardy's heir, have come into possession of something
+like two thousand a year."
+
+To this Miles replied by a whistle of surprise, and then said, "Is that
+all?"
+
+"Upon my word, sir," said the `kind little lawyer,' in a blaze of
+astonishment, "you appear to take this communication in a peculiar
+manner!"
+
+"You mistake me," returned Miles, with a laugh.  "I don't mean `is that
+all the fortune?' but `is that all you have to say?'"
+
+"It is, and to my mind I have said a good deal."
+
+"You certainly have.  And, believe me, I am not indifferent or
+unthankful, but--but--the fact is, that at present I am _particularly_
+engaged.  Good-bye, and thank you."
+
+So saying, Miles shook the puzzled old gentleman heartily by the hand,
+and hurried back to his anchorage in the hall.
+
+"I've done it, mother!" whispered Miles, two days thereafter, in the
+privacy of the Institute reading-room.
+
+"Miles!" said the startled lady, with a reproachful look, "I thought you
+said that nothing would induce you--"
+
+"Circumstances have altered, mother.  I have had a long consultation
+with your `kind little lawyer,' and he has related some interesting
+facts to me."
+
+Here followed a detailed account of the facts.
+
+"So, you see, I went and proposed at once--not to the lawyer--to
+Marion."
+
+"And was accepted?"
+
+"Well--yes.  I could hardly believe it at the time.  I scarcely believe
+it now, so I'm going back this afternoon to make quite sure."
+
+"I congratulate you, my darling boy, for a good wife is God's best gift
+to man."
+
+"How do you know she is good, mother?"
+
+"I know it, because--I know it!  Anybody looking in her face can _see_
+it.  And with two thousand a year, why--"
+
+"One thousand, mother."
+
+"I thought you said two, my son."
+
+"So I did.  That is the amount of the fortune left by the eccentric old
+hospital-for-incurables founder.  When poor Hardy made out his will he
+made me residuary legatee because the trifle he had to leave--his kit,
+etcetera,--was not worth dividing between me and Armstrong.  If it had
+been worth much he would have divided it.  It is therefore my duty now
+to divide it with my friend."
+
+But in our anxiety to tell you these interesting facts, dear reader, we
+have run ahead of the tea-fight!  To detail all its incidents, all its
+bearings, all its grand issues and blessed influences, would require a
+whole volume.  We return to it only to mention one or two gratifying
+facts.
+
+It was essentially a temperance--that is, a total-abstinence, a
+blue-ribbon--meeting, and, at the end, the "Soldiers' Friend" earnestly
+invited all who felt so disposed to come forward and sign the pledge.
+At the same time, medals and prizes were presented to those among the
+civilians who had loyally kept their pledge intact for certain periods
+of time.  On an average, over a thousand pledges a year are taken at the
+Institute, and we cannot help thinking that the year we are writing of
+must have exceeded the average--to judge from the numbers that pressed
+forward on this particular night.
+
+There were soldiers, sailors, and civilians; men, women, and children.
+Amongst the first, Rattling Bill Simkin walked to the front--his moral
+courage restored to an equality with his physical heroism--and put down
+his name.  So did Johnson and Sutherland--the former as timid before the
+audience as he had been plucky before the Soudanese, but walking erect,
+nevertheless, as men do when conscious that they are in the right; the
+latter "as bold as brass"--as if to defy the world in arms to make him
+ever again drink another drop of anything stronger than tea.
+
+Moses Pyne also "put on the blue," although, to do him justice, he
+required no protection of that sort, and so did Corporal Flynn and
+Terence and their mother--which last, if truth must be told, stood more
+in need of the pledge than her stout sons.
+
+Among the civilians several noted personages were influenced in the
+right direction.  Chief among these was sodden, blear-eyed, disreputable
+Sloper, whose trembling hand scrawled a hieroglyphic, supposed to
+represent his name, which began indeed with an S, but ended in a
+mysterious prolongation, and was further rendered indecipherable by a
+penitent tear which fell upon it from the point of his red, red nose!
+
+Some people laughed, and said that there was no use in getting Sloper to
+put on the blue-ribbon, that he was an utterly demoralised man, that he
+had no strength of character, that no power on earth could save _him_!
+They were right.  No power on earth could save him--or them!  These
+people forgot that it is not the righteous but sinners who are called to
+repentance.
+
+Time passed away and wrought its wonted changes.  Among other things, it
+brought back to Portsmouth big, burly Jack Molloy, as hearty and
+vigorous as he was when being half-hanged in the Soudan, but--_minus_ a
+leg!  Poor Jack! a spent cannon-ball--would that it had been spent in
+vain!--removed it, below the knee, much more promptly than it could have
+been taken off by the surgeon's knife.  But what was loss to the Royal
+Navy was gain to Portsmouth, for Jack Molloy came home and devoted
+himself, heart and soul, to the lending of "a helping hand" to his
+fellow-creatures in distress--devoting his attentions chiefly to the
+region lying round Nobbs Lane, and causing himself to be adored
+principally by old women and children.  And there and thus he probably
+works to this day--at least, some very like him do.
+
+When not thus engaged he is prone to take a cruise to a certain rural
+district in the south of England, where he finds congenial company in
+two very tall, erect, moustached, dignified gentlemen, who have a
+tendency to keep step as they walk, one of whom has lost his left hand,
+and who dwell in two farm-houses close together.
+
+These two gentlemen have remarkably pretty wives, and wonderfully
+boisterous children, and the uproar which these children make when
+Molloy comes to cast anchor among them, is stupendous!  As for the
+appearance of the brood, and of Jack after a spree among the hay, the
+word has yet to be invented which will correctly describe it.
+
+The two military-looking farmers are spoken of by the people around as
+philanthropists.  Like true philanthropists, whose foundation-motive is
+love to God, they do not limit their attentions to their own little
+neighbourhood, but allow their sympathies and their benefactions to run
+riot round the world--wheresoever there is anything that is true,
+honourable, just, pure, lovely, or of good report to be thought of, or
+done, or assisted.
+
+Only one of these acts of sympathy and benefaction we will mention.
+Every Christmas there is received by Miss Robinson at the Soldiers'
+Institute, Portsmouth, a huge hamper full of old and new garments of all
+kinds--shoes, boots, gowns, frocks, trousers, shawls, comforters,
+etcetera,--with the words written inside the lid--"Blessed are they that
+consider the poor."  And on the same day come two cheques in a letter.
+We refuse, for the best of all reasons, to divulge the amount of those
+cheques, but we consider it no breach of confidence to reveal the fact
+that the letter containing them is signed by two old and grateful Blue
+Lights.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blue Lights, by R.M. Ballantyne
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