CONTENTS
\"LOVE-O’-WOMEN\"-from\"ManyInventions\"
THEBIGDRUNKDRAF’
THEMUTINYOFTHEMAVERICKS
THEMANWHOWAS
ONLYASUBALTERN
INTHEMATTEROFAPRIVATE
THELOSTLEGION-from\"ManyInventions\"
THEDRUMSOFTHEFOREANDAFT
JUDSONANDTHEEMPIRE-from\"ManyInventions\"
ACONFERENCEOFTHEPOWERS-from\"ManyInventions\"
’LOVE-O’WOMEN’
AlamentabletaleofthingsDonelongago，andilldone。
Thehorror，theconfusion，andtheseparationofthemurdererfromhiscomradeswerealloverbeforeIcame。
Thereremainedonlyonthebarrack-squarethebloodofmancallingfromtheground。Thehotsunhaddriedittoaduskygold-beater-
skinfilm，crackedlozenge-wisebytheheat，andasthewindroseeachlozenge，risingalittle，curledupattheedgesasifitwereadumbtongue。Thenaheaviergustblewallawaydownwindingrainsofdark-coloureddust。Itwastoohottostandinthesunshinebeforebreakfast。Themenwereallinbarrackstalkingthematterover。Aknotofsoldiers’wivesstoodbyoneoftheentrancestothemarriedquarters，whileinsideawomanshriekedandravedwithwickedfilthywords。
Aquietandwell-conductedsergeanthadshotdowninbroaddaylightjustafterearlyparadeoneofhisowncorporals，hadthenreturnedtobarracksandsatonacottilltheguardcameforhim。Hewould，therefore，induetimebehandedovertotheHighCourtfortrial。Further，butthishecouldhardlyhaveconsideredinhisschemeofrevenge，hewouldhorriblyupsetmywork；forthereportingofthetrialwouldfallonmewithoutarelief。WhatthattrialwouldbelikeIkneweventoweariness。Therewouldbetheriflecarefullyuncleaned，withthefoulingmarksaboutbreechandmuzzle，tobesworntobyhalfadozensuperfluousprivates；
therewouldbeheat，reekingheat，tillthewetpencilslippedsidewaysbetweenthefingers；andthepunkahwouldswishandthepleaderswouldjabberintheverandahs，andhisCommandingOfficerwouldputincertificatesoftheprisoner’smoralcharacter，whilethejurywouldpantandthesummeruniformsofthewitnesseswouldsmellofdyeandsoaps；andsomeabjectbarrack-sweeperwouldlosehisheadincross-examination，andtheyoungbarristerwhoalwaysdefendedsoldiers’casesforthecreditthattheyneverbroughthim，wouldsayanddowonderfulthings，andwouldthenquarrelwithmebecauseIhadnotreportedhimcorrectly。Atthelast，forhesurelywouldnotbehanged，Imightmeettheprisoneragain，rulingblankaccount-formsintheCentralJail，andcheerhimwiththehopeofawardershipintheAndamans。
TheIndianPenalCodeanditsinterpretersdonottreatmurder，underanyprovocationwhatever，inaspiritofjest。SergeantRaineswouldbeveryluckyindeedifhegotoffwithsevenyears，Ithought。Hehadsleptthenightuponhiswrongs，andhadkilledhismanattwentyyardsbeforeanytalkwaspossible。ThatmuchIknew。Unless，therefore，thecasewasdoctoredalittle，sevenyearswouldbehisleast；andI
fancieditwasexceedinglywellforSergeantRainesthathehadbeenlikedbyhisCompany。
Thatsameevening-nodayissolongasthedayofamurder-I
metOrtheriswiththedogs，andheplungeddefiantlyintothemiddleofthematter。\"I’llbeoneo’thewitnesses，\"saidhe。\"I
wasintheverandahwhenMackiecamealong。’EcomefromMrs。
Raines’squarters。Quigley，Parsons，an’Trot，theywasintheinsideverandah，sotheycouldn’t’ave’eardnothing。SergeantRaineswasintheverandahtalkin’tome，an’Mackie’ecomealongacrostthesquarean’’esez，’Well，’sez’e，’’avetheypushedyour’elmetoffyet，Sergeant？’’esez。An’atthatRaines’ecatches’isbreathan’’esez，’MyGawd，Ican’tstandthis！’sez’e，an’’epicksupmyriflean’shootsMackie。See？\"
\"Butwhatwereyoudoingwithyourrifleintheouterverandahanhourafterparade？\"
\"Cleanin’’er，\"saidOrtheris，withthesullenbrassystarethatalwayswentwithhischoicelies。
Hemightaswellhavesaidthathewasdancingnaked，foratnotimedidhisrifleneedhandorragonhertwentyminutesafterparade。StilltheHighCourtwouldnotknowhisroutine。
\"Areyougoingtosticktothat-ontheBook？\"Iasked。
\"Yes。Likeabloomin’leech。\"
\"Allright，Idon’twanttoknowanymore。OnlyrememberthatQuigley，Parsons，andTrotcouldn’thavebeenwhereyousaywithouthearingsomething；andthere’snearlycertaintobeabarrack-sweeperwhowasknockingaboutthesquareatthetime。
Therealwaysis。\"
\"Twasn’tthesweeper。Itwasthebeastie。’E’sallright。\"
ThenIknewthattherewasgoingtobesomespiriteddoctoring，andIfeltsorryfortheGovernmentAdvocatewhowouldconducttheprosecution。
WhenthetrialcameonIpitiedhimmore，forhewasalwaysquicktolosehistemper，andmadeapersonalmatterofeachlostcause。
Raines’syoungbarristerhadforonceputasidehisunslakedandWellingpassionforalibisandinsanity，hadforsworngymnasticsandfireworks，andworkedsoberlyforhisclient。Mercifullythehotweatherwasyetyoung，andtherehadbeennoflagrantcasesofbarrack-shootingsuptothetime；andthejurywasagoodone，evenforanIndianjury，whereninemenoutofeverytwelveareaccustomedtoweighingevidence。Ortherisstoodfirmandwasnotshakenbyanycross-examination。Theoneweakpointinhistale-
thepresenceofhisrifleintheouterverandah-wentunchallengedbycivilianwisdom，thoughsomeofthewitnessescouldnothelpsmiling。TheGovernmentAdvocatecalledfortherope；contendingthroughoutthatthemurderhadbeenadeliberateone。Timehadpassed，heargued，forthatreflectionwhichcomessonaturallytoamanwhosehonourislost。TherewasalsotheLaw，everreadyandanxioustorightthewrongsofthecommonsoldierif，indeed，wronghadbeendone。Buthedoubtedmuchwhethertherehadbeenanysufficientwrong。Causelesssuspicionover-longbroodeduponhadled，byhistheory，todeliberatecrime。Buthisattemptstominimisethemotivefailed。Themostdisconnectedwitnessknew-
hadknownforweeks-thecausesofoffence，andtheprisoner，whonaturallywasthelastofalltoknow，groanedinthedockwhilehelistened。TheonequestionthatthetrialcircledroundwaswhetherRaineshadfiredundersuddenandblindingprovocationgiventhatverymorning，andinthesummingupitwasclearthatOrtheris’sevidencetold。Hehadcontrived，mostartistically，tosuggestthathepersonallyhatedtheSergeant，whohadcomeintotheverandahtogivehimatalkingtoforinsubordination。InaweakmomenttheGovernmentAdvocateaskedonequestiontoomany，\"Beggin’yourpardon，sir，\"Ortherisreplied，\"’ewascallin’meadam’impudentlittlelawyer。\"TheCourtshook。Thejurybroughtitinakilling，butwitheveryprovocationandextenuationknowntoGodorman，andtheJudgeputhishandtohisbrowbeforegivingsentence，andtheAdam’sappleintheprisoner’sthroatwentupanddownmercury-pumpingbeforeacyclone。
Inconsiderationofallconsiderations，fromhisCommandingOfficer’scertificateofgoodconducttothesurelossofpension，service，andhonour，theprisonerwouldgettwoyears，tobeservedinIndia，and-thereneedbenodemonstrationinCourt。
TheGovernmentAdvocatescowledandpickeduphispapers；theguardwheeledwithaclash，andtheprisonerwasrelaxedtotheSecularArm，anddriventothejailinabroken-downticca-gharri。
Hisguardandsometenortwelvemilitarywitnesses，beinglessimportant，wereorderedtowaittillwhatwasofficiallycalledthecooloftheeveningbeforemarchingbacktocantonments。Theygatheredtogetherinoneofthedeepredbrickverandahsofadisusedlock-upandcongratulatedOrtheris，whoborehishonoursmodestly。Isentmyworkintotheofficeandjoinedthem。OrtheriswatchedtheGovernmentAdvocatedrivingofflunch。
\"That’sanastylittlebald-’eadedlittlebutcher，thatis，\"hesaid。\"’Edon’tpleaseme。’E’sgotacolleydogwotdo，though。
I’mgoin’uptoMurreeinaweek。Thatdawg’llbringfifteenrupeesanywheres。\"
\"YouhadbetterspenditinMasses，\"saidTerence，unbucklinghisbelt，forhehadbeenontheprisoner’sguard，standinghelmetedandboltuprightforthreelonghours。
\"Notme，\"saidOrtherischeerfully。\"Gawd’llputitdowntoB
Comp’ny’sbarrickdamagesoneo’thesedays。Youlookstrapped，Terence。\"
\"Faith，I’mnotsoyoungasIwas。Thatguard-mountin’wearsonthesoleavthefut，andthis\"-hesniffedcontemptuouslyatthebrickverandah-\"isashardsettingasstandin’！\"
\"Waitaminute。I’llgetthecushionsoutofmycart，\"Isaid。
\"Strewth-sofies！We’regoingitgay，\"saidOrtheris，asTerencedroppedhimselfsectionbysectionontheleathercushions，sayingprettily，\"Mayyouniverwantasoftplacewheriveryougo，an’
powertoshareuttwidafrind。Anotherforyourself？That’sgood。
Itletsmesitlongways。Stanley，passmeapoipe。Augrrh！An’
that’sanothermangonealltopiecesbekazeavawoman。Imustha’beenonfortyorfiftyprisoners’gyards，firstan’last，an’
Ihateutnewivrytime。\"
\"Let’ssee。YouwereonLosson’s，Lancey’s，Dugard’s，andStebbins’s，thatIcanremember，\"Isaid。
\"Ay，an’beforethatan’beforethat-scoresavthim，\"heansweredwithawornsmile。\"Tisbetthertodiethantoliveforthim，though。WhinRainescomesout-he’llbechangin’hiskitatthejailnow-he’llthinkthattoo。Heshudha’shothimselfan’
thewomanbyrights，an’madeacleanbillavall。Nowhe’sleftthewoman-shetuktaywidDinahSundaygonelast-an’he’slefthimself。Mackie’stheluckyman。\"-
\"He’sprobablygettingithotwhereheis，\"Iventured，forIknewsomethingofthedeadCorporal’srecord。
\"Besureavthat，\"saidTerence，spittingovertheedgeoftheverandah。\"Butfwhathe’llgetthereislightmarchin’-ordhertofwhathe’dha’gothereifhe’dlived。\"
\"Surelynot。He’dhavegoneonandforgottenliketheothers。\"
\"DidyeknowMackiewell，Sorr？\"saidTerence。
\"HewasonthePattialaguardofhonourlastwinter，andIwentoutshootingwithhiminanekkafortheday，andIfoundhimratheranamusingman。\"
\"Well，he’llha’gotshutavamusemints，exciptturnin’fromwansidetotheother，thesefewyearscome。IknewMackie，an’I’veseentoomanytobemistukinthemusteravwanman。Hemightha’
goneonan’forgot，asyousay，Sorr，butwasamanwidaneducashin，an’heusedutforhisschames，an’thesameeducashin，an’talkan’allthatmadehimabletodofwhathehadamindtowidawoman，thatsamewudturnbackagaininthelongrunan’
tearhimalive。Ican’tsayfwhatthatImanetosaybekazeI
don’tknowhow，butMackiewasthespitan’livin’imageavamanthatIsawmarchthesamemarchallbut；an’’twasworseforhimthathedidnotcomebyMackie’sind。WaitwhileIremimbernow。
’TwasfwhinIwasintheBlackTyrone，an’hewasdraftedusfromPortsmouth；an’fwhatwashismisbegottenname？Larry-LarryTigheutwas；an’wanofthedraftsaidhewasagentlemanranker，an’Larrytukan’threepartskilledhimforsayingso。An’hewasabigman，an’astrongman，an’ahandsomeman，an’thattellsheavyinpracticewidsomewomen，but，takin’thimbyan’large，notwidall。Yet’twaswidallthatLarrydealt-all-forhe’udputthecometheronanywomanthattrodthegreenearthavGod，an’heknewut。LikeMackiethat’sroastin’now，heknewut；an’
niverdidheputthecometheronanywomansavean’exciptfortheblackshame。’Tisnotmethatshudbetalkin’，dearknows，dearknows，butthemostavmymis-misalli’nceswasforpuredevilry，an’mightysorryIhavebeenwhinharmcame；an’timean’againwidagirl，ay，an’awomantoo，forthematteravthat，whinI
haveseenbytheeyesavherthatIwasmakin’morethroublethanItalked，Ihavehildoffan’letbeforthesakeavthemotherthatboreme。ButLarry，I’mthinkin’，hewassuckledbyashe-
devil，forheniverletwangothatcamenightolistentohim。
’Twashisbusiness，asifitmightha’binsinthry-go。Hewasagoodsoldiertoo。NowtherewastheColonel’sgoverness-an’heaprivittoo！-thatwasneverknowninbarricks；an’wanavtheMajor’smaids，andshewaspromisedtoaman；an’somemoreoutside；an’fwhatutwasamongstuswe’llneverknowtillJudgmentDay！’Twasthenatureavthebastetoputthecometheronthebestavthim-nottheprettiestbyanymanneravmanes-butthelikeavsuchwomanasyoucudlayyourbandontheBookan’
sweartherewasniverthoughtavfoolishnessin。An’forthatveryreason，markyou，hewasnivercaught。Hecameclosetoutwanstortwice，butcaughtheniverwas，an’thatcosthimmoreattheindthanthebeginnin’。Hetalkedtomemorethanmost，bekazehetouldme，barrin’theaccidentavmyeducashin，I’dha’beenthesamekindavdivilhewas。’An’isutlike，’hewudsay，houldin’hisheadhigh-’isutlikethatI’diverbethrapped？ForfwhatamIwhenall’ssaidan’done？’hesez。’Adamnedprivit，’sezhe。’An’isutlike，thinkyou，thatthimIknowwudbeconnectwidaprivitlikeme？Numbertinthousandfourhundredan’sivin，’hesez，grinnin’。Iknewbytheturnavhisspachewhinhewasnottakin’caretotalkroughthathewasagentlemanranker。
Idonotundherstan’utatall，’Isez；’butIknow，’sezI，’thatthedivillooksoutavyoureyes，an’I’llhavenosharewidyou。
Alittlefunbywayavamusemintwhere’twilldonoharm，Larry，isrightandfair，butIammistookif’tisanyamuseminttoyou，’
Isez。
\"’Youaremuchmistook，’hesez。’An’Icounselyounottojudgeyourbetters。’
\"’Mybetthers！’Isez。’Godhelpyou，Larry。There’snobettherinthis。’Tisallbad，asyouwillfindforyoursilf。’
\"You’renotlikeme，’hesays，tossin’hishead。
\"’PraisetheSaints，Iamnot，’Isez。’FwhatIhavedoneIhavedonean’beencroolsorryfor。Fwhinyourtimecomes，’sezI，’ye’llremimberfwhatIsay。’
\"’An’whinthattimecomes，’sezhe，’I’llcometoyouforghostlyconsolation，FatherTerence，’an’atthathewintoffafthersomemoredivil’sbusiness-fortogetexpayrience，hetouldme。Hewaswicked-rankwicked-wickedasallHell！I’mnotconstructbynaturetogoinfearavanyman，but，begad，IwasafraidavLarry。He’dcomeintobarrickswidhiscaponthreehairs，an’
lieonhiscotandstareattheceilin’，andnowan’againhe’dfetchalittlelaugh，thelikeavasplashinthebottomavawell，an’bythatIknewhewasschamin’newwickedness，an’I’dbeafraid。Allthiswaslongan’longago，bututhildmestraight-forawhile。
\"Itouldyou，didInot，Sorr，thatIwascaressedan’pershuadedtolavetheTyroneonaccountavathrouble？\"
\"Somethingtodowithabeltandaman’shead，wasn’tit？\"Terencehadnevergivenmetheexactfacts。
\"Itwas。Faith，ivrytimeIgoonprisoner’sgyardincoortI
wondherfwhyIamnotwherethepris’neris。ButthemanIstruktukitinfairfight，an’hehadthegoodsinsenottodie。
Considhernow，fwhatwudha’cometotheArrmyifhehad！Iwasenthreatedtoexchange，an’myCommandin’Orf’cerpledwidme。I
wint，nottobedisobligin’，an’Larrytouldmehewaspowerfulsorrytoloseme，thoughfwhatI’ddonetomakehimsorryIdonotknow。SototheOuldRig’mintIcame，lavin’Larrytogotothedivilhisownway，an’niverexpectin’toseehimagainexceptasashootin’-caseinbarricks……Who’sthatlavin’thecompound？\"Terence’squickeyehadcaughtsightofawhiteuniformskulkingbehindhedge。
\"TheSergeant’sgonevisiting，\"saidavoice。
\"ThinIcommandhere，an’Iwillhavenosneakin’awaytothebazar，an’huntin’foryouwidapathrolatmidnight。Nalson，forIknowut’syou，comebacktotheverandah。\"
Nalson，detected，slunkbacktohisfellows。Therewasagrumblethatdiedawayinaminuteortwo，andTerence，turningontheotherside，wenton：-
\"ThatwasthelastIsawavLarryforawhile。Exchangeisthesameasdeathfornotthinkin’，an’bytokenImarriedDinah，an’
thatkeptmefromremimberin’ouldtimes。ThinwewintuptotheFront，an’uttoremyheartintutolaveDinahattheDepotinPindi。ConsequintwhinwasattheFrontI
foughtcircumspectuoustillIwarrmedup，anthinIfoughtdoubletides。YouremimberfwhatItouldyouinthegyard-gateavthefightatSilver’sTheatre。\"
\"Wot’sthataboutSilver’sTheayter！\"saidOrtherisquickly，overhisshoulder。
\"Nothin’，littleman。Atalethatyeknow。AsIwassayin’，aftherthatfightusavtheOuldRig’mintan’theTyronewasallmixedtogethertakin’shtockaythedead，an’avcoorseIwintabouttofindiftherewasanymanthatremimberedme。ThesecondmanI
cameacrost-an’howI’dmissedhiminthefightIdonotknow-
wasLarry，an’afinemanhelooked，butoulder，bytokenthathehadacalltobe。’Larry，’sezI，’howisutwidyou？’
\"’Ye’recallin’thewrongman，’hesez，widhisgentleman’ssmile；
’Larryhasbeendeadthesethreeyears。Theycallhim\"Love-o’-
Women\"now，’hesez。BythatIknewtheoulddivilwasinhimyet，buttheindavafightisnotimeforthebeginnin’avconfession，sowesatdownan’talkedavtimes。
\"’Theytellmeyou’reamarriedman，’hesez，puffingslowathispoipe。’Areyehappy？’
\"’IwillbewhinIgetbacktoDepot，’Isez。’’Tisareconnaissancehoneymoonnow。’
\"’I’mmarriedtoo，’hesez，puffin’slowan’moreslow，an’
stopperin’widhisforefinger。
\"’Sindyouhappiness，’Isez。’That’sthebesthearin’foralongtime。’
\"’Areyeavthatopinion？’hesez；an’thinhebegantalkin’avthecampaign。ThesweatavSilver’sTheatrewasnotdhryuponhim，an’hewasprayin’formorework。Iwaswellcontinttolieandlistentothecook-potlids。
\"Whinhegotupoffthegroundheshtaggeredalittle，an’lanedoveralltwisted。
\"’Ye’vegotmorethanyebargainedfor，’Isez。’Takeaninventory，Larry。’Tislikeyou’rehurt。’
\"Heturnedroundstiffasaramrodan’damnedtheeyesavmeupan’downforanimpartinentIrish-facedape。Ifthathadbeeninbarricks，I’dha’stretchedhiman’nomoresaid；but’twasattheFront，an’afthersuchafightasSilver’sTheatreIknewtherewasnocallin’amantoaccountforhistimpers。Hemightaswellha’kissedme。AftherwardsIwaswellpleasedIkeptmyfisteshome。ThenourCaptainCrook-Cruik-na-bul-leen-cameup。He’dbeentalkin’tothelittleorf’cerbhoyavtheTyrone。’We’reallcuttowindystraws，’hesez，’buttheTyronearedamnedshortfornoncoms。Goyouoverthere，Mulvaney，an’beDeputy-Sergeant，Corp’ral，Lance，an’everythingelseyecanlayhandsontillIbidyoustop。’
\"’Iwintoveran’tukhould。Therewaswansergeantleftstandin’，an’they’dpaynoheedtohim。Theremnintwasme，an’’twashightimeIcame。SomeItalkedto，an’someIdidnot，butbeforenightthebhoysavtheTyronestudtoattention，begad，ifI
suckedonmypoipeaboveawhishper。Betuneyouan’mean’Bobs，I
wascommandin’thecompany，an’thatwaswhatCruikhadthransferredmefor，an’thelittleorf’cerbhoyknewut，andI
knewut，butthecomp’nydidnot。Andthere，markyou，isthevartuethatnomoneyan’nodhrillcanbuy-thevartueavtheouldsoldierthatknowshisorf’cer’sworkan’doesut-atthesalute！
\"ThintheTyrone，widtheOuldRig’mintintouch，wassintmaraudin’andprowlin’acrostthehillspromishcuousan’
unsatisfactory。’Tismyprivitopinionthatagin’raldoesnotknowhalfhistimefwhattodowidthree-quarthershiscommand。Soheshquatsonhishunkersan’bidsthimrunroundan’roundforninsthimwhileheconsidhersonut。Whinbytheprocessavnaturetheygetsejucedintoabigfightthatwasnoneavtheirseekin’，hesez：’Obsarvemyshupariorjanius！Imeantuttocomeso。’Weranroundan’about，an’allwegotwasshootin’intothecampatnight，an’rushin’emptysungarswidthelongbradawl，an’
bein’hitfrombehindrockstillwewasworeout-allexceptLove-o’-Women。Thatpuppy-dogbusinesswasmatean’dhrinktohim。
Begad，hecudnivergetenoughavut。Mewellknowin’thatitisjustthisdesultorialcampaignin’thatkillsthebestmen，an’
suspicionin’thatifIwascutthelittleorf’cerbhoywudexpindallhismeninthryin’togetout，IwudliemostpowerfuldoggowhinIheardashot，an’curlmylonglegsbehindabowlder，an’
runlikeblazeswhinthegroundwasclear。Faith，ifIledtheTyroneinrethreatwanstIledthemfortytimes。Love-o’-Womenwudstaypottin’an’pottin’frombehindarock，andwaittillthefirewasheaviest，an’thinstandupan’fireman-heightclear。Hewudlieoutincamptooatnightsnipin’attheshadows，forhenivertukamouthfulavslape。Mycommandin’orf’cer-savehislittlesoul！-cudnotseethebeautyavofmystrategims，an’
whintheOuldRig’mintcrossedus，an’thatwaswanstaweek，he’dthrotofftoCruik，widhisbigblueeyesasroundassaucers，an’
layaninformationagainstme。Iheardthimwansttalkin’throughthetent-wall，an’Inearlylaughed。
\"’Heruns-runslikeahare，’sezthelittleorf’cerbhoy。\"Tisdemoralisin’mymen。’
\"’Yedamnedlittlefool，’sezCruik，laughin’。’He’slarnin’youyourbusiness。Haveyebeenrushedatnightyet？’
\"’No，’sezthechild，wishfulthathehadbeen。
\"’Haveyouanywounded？’sezCruik。
\"’No，’hesez。’Therewasnochanstforthat。TheyfollowMulvaneytooquick，’hesez。
\"’Fwhatmoredoyouwant，thin？’sezCruik。’Terenceisbloodin’
youneatan’handy，’hesez。’Heknowsfwhatyoudonot，an’
that’sthatthere’satimeforivrything。He’llnotleadyouwrong，’hesez，’butI’dgiveamonth’spaytolarnfwhathethinksavyou。’
\"Thatkeptthebabequiet，butLove-o’-Womenwaspokin’atmeforivrythingIdid，an’speciallymymanoeuvres。
\"’Mr。Mulvaney，’hesezwanevenin’，verycontempshus，’you’regrowin’veryjeldywidyourfeet。Amonggentlemen，’hesez，’amonggentlementhat’scallednoprettyname。’
\"’Amongprivits’tisdifferent，’Isez。’Getbacktoyourtent。
I’msergeanthere，’Isez。
\"Therewasjustenoughinthevoiceavmetotellhimhewasplayin’widhislifebetunehisteeth。Hewintoff，an’Inoticedthatthismanthatwascontempshussetofffromthehaltwidashuntastho’hewasbein’kickedbehind。ThatsamenighttherewasaPaythanpicnicinthehillsabout，an’firin’intoourtentsfittowakethelivin’dead。’Liedownall，’Isez。’Liedownan’
kapestill。They’llnomorethanwasteammunition。’
\"Iheardaman’sfeetontheground，an’thina’Tinijoinin’inthechorus。I’dbeenlyin’warm，thinkin’avDinahan’all，butI
crupoutwidthebuglefortolookroundincasetherewasarush，an’the’Tiniwasflashin’atthefore-indavthecamp，an’thehillnearbywasfairflickerin’widlong-rangefire。UndherthestarlightIbeheldLove-o’-Womensettin’onarockwidhisbeltandhelmetoff。Heshoutedwanstortwice，an’thinIheardhimsay：’Theyshouldha’gottherangelongago。Maybethey’llfireattheflash。’Thinhefiredagain，an’thatdhrewafreshvolley，andthelongslugsthattheychewintheirteethcamefloppin’
amongtherocksliketree-toadsavahotnight。’That’sbetter，’
sezLove-o’-Women。’OhLord，howlong，howlong！’hesez，an’atthathelitamatchan’heldutabovehishead。
\"’Mad，’thinksI，’madasacoot，’an’Itukwanstipforward，an’thenixtIknewwasthesoleavmybootflappin’likeacavalrygydonan’the-funny-boneavmytoestinglin’。’Twasaclane-cutshot-aslug-thatnivertouchedsockorhide，butsetmebare-futontherocks。AtthatItukLove-o’-
Womenbythescruffan’threwhimunderabowlder，an’whinIsatdownIheardthebulletspatterin’onthatgoodstone。
\"’Yemaydhrawyourownwickedfire，’Isez，shakin’him，’butI’mnotgoin’tobekilttoo。’
\"Ye’vecometoosoon，’hesez。’Ye’vecometoosoon。Inanotherminutetheycudnotha’missedme。MotheravGod，’hesez，’fwhydidyenotlavemebe？Now’tisalltodoagain，’an’hehideshisfaceinhishands。
\"’Sothat’sit，’Isez，shakin’himagain。’That’sthmanin’avyourdisobeyin’ordhers。’
\"’Idarenotkillmeself，’hesez，rockin’toandfro。’Myownhandwudnotletmedie，andthere’snotabulletthismonthpastwudtouchme。I’mtodieslow，’hesez。’I’mtodieslow。ButI’minhellnow，’hesez，shriekin’likeawoman。’I’minhellnow！’
\"’Godbegoodtousall，’Isez，forIsawhisface。’Willyetellamanthethrouble。If’tisnotmurder，maybewe’llmendityet。’
\"Atthathelaughed。’D’youremimberfwhatIsaidintheTyronebarricksaboutcomin’toyouforghostlyconsolation。Ihavenotforgot，’hesez。’Thatcameback，an’therestavmytimeisonmenow，Terence。I’vefoughtutoffformonthsan’months，buttheliquorwillnotbiteanymore，Terence，’hesez。’Ican’tgetdhrunk。’
\"ThinIknewhespokethetruthaboutbein’inhell，forwhinliquordoesnottakehould，thesowlavamanisrotteninhim。
Butmebein’suchasIwas，fwhatcouldIsaytohim？
\"’Di’mondsan’pearls，’hebeginsagain。’Di’mondsandpearlsI
havethrownawaywidbothhands-an’fwhathaveIleft？Oh，fwhathaveIleft？’
\"Hewasshakin’an’thremblin’upagainstmyshouldher，an’theslugswassingin’overhead，an’Iwaswonderin’whethermylittlebhoywudhavesinseenoughtokapehismenquietthroughallthisfirin’。
\"’SolongasIdidnotthink，’sezLove-o’-Women，’solongIdidnotsee-Iwudnotsee-butIcannow，whatI’velost。Thetimean’theplace，’hesez，’an’theverywordsIsaidwhinutpleasedmetogooffalonetohell。Butthin，eventhin，’hesez，wrigglin’tremenjus，’Iwudnotha’beenhappy。Therewastoomuchbehindavme。HowcudIha’believedherswornoath-methathavebrukmineagainan’againforthesportavseein’thimcry。An’
therearetheothers，’hesez。’Oh，whatwillIdo-whatwillI
do’？’Herockedbackan’forwardagain，an’Ithinkhewascryin’
likewanavthewomenhedealtwid。
\"ThefullhalfavfwhathesaidwasBrigadeOrdherstome，butfromtherestan’theremnintIsuspicionedsomethin’avhisthrouble。’TwasthejudgmintavGodhadgruptheheelavhim，asI
touldhim’twouldintheTyronebarricks。Theslugswassingin’
overourrockmorean’more，an’Isezfortodivarthim：’Letbadalone，’Isez。’They’llbethryin’torushthecampinaminut’。’
\"IhadnomorethansaidthatwhinaPaythanmancrep’uponhisbellywidhisknifebetunehisteeth，nottwintyyardsfromus。
Love-o’-Womenjumpedupan’fetchedayell，an’themansawhiman’ranathim（he’dlefthisrifleundertherock）widtheknife。
Love-o’-Womenniverturnedahair，butbytheLivingPower，forI
sawut，astonetwistedunderthePaythanman’sfeetan’hecamedownfullsprawl，an’hisknifewinttinklin’acrosttherocks！’I
touldyouIwasCain，’sezLove-o’-Women。’’Fwhat’stheuseavkillin’him？He’sanhonestman-bycompare。’
\"Iwasnotdishputin’aboutthemorilsavPaythansthattide，soI
dhroppedLove-o’-Women’sburtacrosttheman’sface，an’’Hurryintocamp，’Isez，’forthismaybethefirstavarush。’
\"Therewasnorushaftherall，thoughwewaitedundherarmstogivethimachanst。ThePaythanmanmustha’comealoneforthemischief，an’aftherawhileLove-o’-Womenwintbacktohistintwidthatquarelurchin’sind-offinhiswalkthatIcudniverundherstand。Begad，Ipitiedhim，an’themorebekazehemademethinkfortherestavthenightavthedaywhinIwasconfirmedCorp’ril，notactin’Lef’tenant，an’mythoughtswasnotgood。
\"Yecanundherstandthataftherthatnightwecametotalkin’adaletogether，an’bitbybitutcameoutfwhatI’dsuspicioned。
Thewholeavhiscarr’in’sonan’divilmintshadcomebackonhimhardasliquorcomesbackwhinyou’vebeenonthedhrinkforawake。Allhe’dsaidan’allhe’ddone，an’onlyhecudtellhowmuchthatwas，comeback，an’therewasniveraminut’speaceinhissowl。’TwastheHorrorswidoutanycausetosee，an’yet，an’
yet-fwhatamItalkin’av？He’dha’takentheHorrorswidthankfulness。Beyon’therepentinceavtheman，an’thatwasbeyon’thenaturavman-awful，awful，tobehould！-therewasmorethatwasworstthananyrepentince。Avthescoresan’scoresthathecalledoverinhismind（an’theyweredhrivin’himmad），therewas，markyou，wanwomanavall，an’shewasnothiswife，thatcuthimtothequickavhismarrow。’Twastherehesaidthathe’dthrownawaydi’mondsan’pearlspastcount，an’thinhe’dbeginagainlikeablindbyleinanoil-mill，walkin’roundan’
round，toconsidher（himthatwasbeyondalltouchavbeinghappythissidehell！）howhappyhewudha’beenwidher。Themoreheconsidhered，themorehe’dconsatehimselfthathe’dlostmightyhappiness，an’thinhewudworkutallbackwards，an’crythathenivercudha’beenhappyanyways。
\"Timean’timean’againincamp，onp’rade，ay，an’inaction，I’veseenthatmanshuthiseyesan’duckhisheadasyouwudducktotheflickeravabay’nit。For’twasthinhetouldmethatthethoughtavallhe’dmissedcamean’studforninsthimlikered-hotirons。Forwhathe’ddonewidtheothershewassorry，buthedidnotcare；butthiswanwomanthatI’vetouldof，bytheHiltsavGodshemadehimpayforalltheotherstwiceover！NiverdidI
knowthatamancudenjuresuchtormintwidouthisheartcrackin’
inhisribs，an’Ihavebeen\"-Terenceturnedthepipe-stemslowlybetweenhisteeth-\"Ihavebeeninsomeblackcells。AllI
iversufferedtho’wasnottobetalkedofalongsideavhim……
an’whatcouldIdo？Paternosterswasnomorethanpeasforhissorrow。
\"Evenshuallywefinishedourprom’nadeacrostthehills，andthankstomeforthesame，therewasnocasualtiesan’noglory。
Thecampaignwascomin’toanind，an’alltherig’mintswasbein’
drawntogetherfortobesintbackhome。Love-o’-Womenwasmightysorrybekazehehadnoworktodo，an’allhistimetothinkin。
I’veheardthatmantalkin’tohisbelt-platean’hisside-armswhilehewassoldierin’thim，alltoprevinthimselffromthinkin’，an’ivrytimehegotupaftherhehadbeensettin’downorwintonfromthehalt，he’dstartwidthatkickan’traversethatItouldyouof-hislegssprawlin’allwaystowanst。Hewudnivergoseethedocthor，tho’Itouldhimtobewise。He’dcursemeupan’downformyadvice；butIknewhewasnomoreamantobereckonedwidthanthelittlebhoywasacommandin’orf’cer，soIlethistonguerunifitaisedhim。
\"Wanday-’twasonthewayback-Iwaswalkin’roundcampwidhim，an’hestoppedan’struckgroundwidhisrightfutthreeorfourtimesdoubtful。’Fwhatisut？’Isez。’Isthatground？’sezhe；an’whileIwasthinkin’hismindwasgoin’，upcomesthedocthor，who’dbeenanatomisin’adeadbullock。Love-o’-Womenstartstogoonquick，an’landsmeakickonthekneewhilehislegswasgettin’intomarchin’ordher。
\"Houldonthere，’sezthedocthor；an’Love-o’-Women’sface，thatwaslinedlikeagridiron，turnsredasbrick。
\"’Tention，’saysthedocthor；an’Love-o’-Womenstudso。’Nowshutyoureyes，’sezthedocthor。’No，yemustnothouldbyyourcomrade。’
\"’Tisallup，’sezLove-o’-Women，tryingtosmile。’I’dfall，docthor，an’youknowut。’
\"’Fall？’Isez。’Fallatattentionwidyoureyesshut！Fwhatdoyoumane？’
\"Thedocthorknows，’hesez。’I’vehildupaslongasIcan，butbegadI’mglad’tisalldone。ButIwilldieslow，’hesez，’I
willdieveryslow。’
\"Icudseebythedocthor’sfacethathewasmortialsorryfortheman，an’heordheredhimtohospital。Wewintbacktogether，an’I
wasdumbstruck；Love-o’-Womenwascripplin’andcrumblin’ativrystep。Hewalkedwidahandonmyshoulderallsluedsideways，an’
hisrightlegswingin’likealamecamel。Menotknowin’morethanthedeadfwhatailedhim，’twasjustasthoughthedocthor’swordhaddoneutall-asifLove-o’-Womenhadbutbeenwaitin’fortheordhertoletgo。
\"Inhospitalhesezsomethin’tothedocthorthatIcouldnotcatch。
\"’Holyshmoke！’sezthedocthor，’an’whoareyoutobegivin’
namestoyourdiseases？’Tisag’in’alltheregulations。’
\"’I’llnotbeaprivitmuchlonger，’sezLove-o’-Womeninhisgentleman’svoice，an’thedocthorjumped。
\"’Thratemeasastudy，DocthorLowndes，’hesez；an’thatwasthefirsttimeI’diverheardadocthorcalledhisname。
\"’Good-bye，Terence，’sezLove-o’-Women。\"TisadeadmanIamwidoutthepleasureavdyin’。You’llcomean’setwidmesometimesforthepeaceavmysoul。’
\"NowIhadbeenmindedtoaskCruiktotakemebacktotheOuldRig’mint，forthefightin’wasover，an’IwasworeoutwidthewaysavthebhoysintheTyrone；butIshiftedmywill，an’hildon，an’winttosetwidLove-o’-Womeninthehospital。AsIhavesaid，Sorr，themanbrukalltolittlepiecesundhermyhand。Howlonghehadhildupan’forcedhimselffittomarchIcannottell，butinhospitalbuttwodayslaterhewassuchasIhardlyknew。I
shukhandswidhim，an’hisgripwasfairstrong，buthishandswintallwaystowanst，an’hecudnotbuttonhistunic。
\"’I’lltakelongan’longtodieyet，’hesez，’forthewaysavsinthey’relikeinterestintherig’mintalsavin’s-bank-sure，butadamnedlongtimebein’paid。’
\"Thedocthorseztomequietoneday，’HasTighethereanythin’onhismind？’hesez。’He’sburnin’himselfout。’
\"’HowshudIknow，Sorr？’Isez，asinnocentasputty。
\"TheycallhimLove-o’-WomenintheTyrone，dotheynot？’hesez。
’Iwasafooltoask。Bewidhimallyoucan。He’shouldin’ontoyourstrength。’
\"’But（whatailshim，docthor，’Isez。
\"’TheycallutLocomotusattacksus，’hesez，’bekaze，’sezhe，’utattacksuslikealocomotive，ifyeknowfwhatthatmanes。An’
utcomes，’sezhe，lookin’atme，’utcomesfrombein’calledLove-o’-Women。’
\"’You’rejokin’，docthor，’Isez。
\"’Jokin’！’sezhe。’Ifiveryoufeelthatyou’vegotafeltsoleinyourbootinsteadavaGovernmentbull’s-wool，cometome，’hesez，’an’I’llshowyouwhether’tisajoke。’
\"Youwouldnotbelaveut，Sorr，butthatan’seein’Love-o’-Womenovertukwidoutwarnin’putthecowldfearavattacksusonmesostrongthatforaweekan’moreIwaskickin’mytoesagainststonesan’stumpsforthepleasureavfeelin’themhurt。
\"An’Love-o’-Womenlayinthecot（hemighthavegonedownwidthewoundedbeforean’before，butheaskedtostaywidme），audfwhattherewasinhismindhadfullswingathimnightan’dayan’ivryhouravthedayan’thenight，an’hewitheredlikebeefrationsinahotsun，an’hiseyeswaslikeowls’eyes，an’hishandswasmut’nous。
\"Theywasgettin’therig’mintsawaywanbywan，thecampaignbein’inded，butasushuiltheywasbehavin’asifniverarig’minthadbeenmovedbeforeinthemem’ryavman。Now，fwhyisthat，Sorr？There’sfightin’inan’outninemonthsavthetwelvesomewhereintheArmy。Therehasbeen-foryearsan’yearsan’
years，an’Iwudha’thoughtthey’dbegintogetthehangavprovidin’forthroops。Butno！Ivrytimeit’slikeagirls’schoolmeetin’abigredbullwhinthey’regoin’tochurch；an’’MotheravGod，’seztheCommissariatan’therailwaysan’theBarrick-
masters，’fwhatwillwedonow？’TheordherscametousavtheTyronean’theOuldRig’mintan’halfadozenmoretogodown，andtheretheordhersstoppeddumb。Wewintdown，bythespecialgraceavGod-downtheKhaiberanyways。Therewassickwidus，an’I’mthinkin’thatsomeavthemwasjoltedtodeathinthedoolies，buttheywasanxioustobekiltsoiftheycudgettoPeshawuralivethesooner。IwalkedbyLove-o’-Women-therewasnomarchin’，an’
Love-o’-Womenwasnotinastewtogeton。’IfI’donlyha’diedupthere！’sezhethroughthedoolie-curtains，an’thenhe’dtwistuphiseyesan’duckhisheadforthethoughtsthatcametohim。
\"DinahwasinDepotatPindi，butIwintcircumspectuous，forwellIknew’tisjustattherump-indavallthingsthathisluckturnsonaman。BytokenIadseenadhriverofabattherygoin’byatatrotsingin’’Home，swatehome’atthetopavhisshout，andtakin’noheedohisbridle-hand-Ihadseenthatmandhropundertheguninthemiddleofaword，andcomeoutbythelimberlike-
likeafrogonapave-stone。No。Iwudnothurry，though，Godknows，myheartwasallinPindi。Love-o’-Womensawfwhatwasinmymind，an’’Goon，Terence，’hsez，’Iknowfwhat’swaitin’foryou。’’Iwillnot，’Isez。\"Twillkapealittleyet。’
\"YeknowtheturnofthepassforninstJumroodandtheninemileroadontheflattoPeshawur？AllPeshawurwasalongthatroaddayandnightwaitin’forfrinds-men，women，childer，andbands。
SomeavthethroopswascampedroundJumrood，an’somewentontoPeshawurtogetawaydowntotheircantonmints。Wecamethroughintheearlymornin’，havin’
beenawakethenightthrough，andwedhruvsheerintothemiddleavthemess。MotheravGlory，willIeverforgetthatcomin’back？
Thelightwasnotfairlifted，andthefurstweheardwas’For’tismydelightavashinynight，’frumabandthatthoughtwewasthesecondfourcomp’niesavtheLincolnshire。Atthatwewasforcedtosindthemayelltosaywhowewas，an’thinupwint’Thewearin’avtheGreen。’Itmademecrawlallupmybackbone，nothavin’takenmybrequist。Thin，rightsmashintoourrear，camefwhatwasleftavtheJockElliotts-widfourpipersan’nothalfakiltamongthim，playin’forthedearlife，an’swingin’
theirrumpslikebuckrabbits，an’anativerig’mintshriekingbluemurther。Yeniverheardthelike。Therewasmencryin’likewomenthatdid-an’faithIdonotblamethim。FwhatbrukmedownwastheLancers’Band-shinin’an’spicklikeangels，widtheoulddhrum-horseattheheadan’thesilverkettle-dhrumsan’allan’all，waitin’fortheirmenthatwasbehindus。TheyshtruckuptheCavalryCanter，an’，begad，thosepoorghoststhathadnotasoundfutinathrooptheyansweredtout，themenrockin’intheirsaddles。Wethriedtocheerthemastheywintby，bututcameoutlikeabiggruntin’cough，sotheremusthavebeenmanythatwasfeelin’likeme。Oh，butI’mforgettin’！TheFly-by-
Nightswaswaitin’fortheirsecondbattalion，an’whinutcameout，therewastheColonel’shorseledatthehead-saddle-empty。