A soldier's memories in peace and war

Front matter

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Chapter I A Sandhurst Duel, And Other Light Adventures Pa.jk

Sandhurst in 1877 — Willyum — The Provocation — The Challenge — Swords or Pistols — Preparations — The Duel — Death of Crawford — His Bequests — Flight to France — The Police — Resurrection — A Matter of Labour — The Plan of Campaign — The Problem of Exit — Arrived at the Scene of Action — The First Success — Five more Successes — Consigned to a Watery Grave — To Bed at Dawn — Why Nothing Happened — Truth Will Out — My Sister Dolly — Milk in Paper Bags — A Dastardly Attack — Another Splendid Tea — Dolly Goes Back to Town — Great Strides in Topography — A Tidy Little Girl — An Eyeglass in Pursuit — Sherry and Lemonade — The Oak Grove — A Meeting on Parade .......... 19

CHAPTER n

War Clouds in 1878 — Cadets to the Rescue — Eastward Bound — A Court Martial — Trial and Sentence — Orderly Room Next Day — Our Oldest Ally — Invitations to a Dance — The Return of the Sabines — The Midshipman's Night — And Advice — India First Impressions — Space and Gorgeousness — Saloon Carriages — Many Meals — A Short Halt at Allahabad — Another at Lahore — From the Tropics to Frost — A Tip — A Double Tip in Return — Rumours of War — A Block at Jhelum — A 9th Lancer Friend — Cold Drives to Peshawar — In the Role of a Khitmutgar — Bengal Lancers — Join the 17th Foot — Lunch — At War Three Hours After — Fitted Out for the Fray — To Death or Glory ......... 32

Chapter III

Storming Ali-Musjid — The Repulse — Turning Movement of 2nd Brigade — A Midnight March — A Frosty Night — Adventures with a Dhooly — Sugar for a Pillow — On Again at Dawn — Thomas Ananias — His Goodness — Great Toil in a Blazing Sun — viii A SOLDIER'S MEMORIES

PACE

Another Cold Night 7000 Feet Up — Seventeen Sheep — Their Tragic Fate — The Boom of the Guns — The Enemy Cut Off — Surrenders — The Solitary Horseman — Enlists in The Guides Cavalry— Pathan Honour — Ali Gul, Subadar — His Home in Tirah — How to Get There — By Subtlety he Succeeds — His Return — That Subadar of the 26th Punjabis — The Vendetta — A Truce in British Territory — Two Soldiers of the King — Twelve Corpses Ahead — Death of Ali Gul — His Son — His Youthful Prowess — Enlisted in The Guides .... 45

Chapter IV

One in Six are Fighting Men— The Soldier's Medal — A Boy in his First Battle — Reveille — The Colour-Sergeant — Cavalry and Horse Artillery Move Off — Enemy's Counter-Attack — Arrival of Infantry — First Casualties — David and Goliath — A Drama in Seconds — "The Cavalry! The Cavalry!" — The Guides Charge — The loth Hussars Charge — The Pursuit — Victory — And After — A Cavalry Subaltern — His First Experience — A Deadly Ordeal — The War- Horse in the Bible — Manoeuvring for Position — Charged by a Lancer — A Collision — Saved by a Sowar — The Trumpeter's White Horse — Charging with Long Hair Streaming in the Wind — Single Engagements — The Rally — Back to Camp — Cheered by the Infantry — " The Green Curve ".......... 58

Chapter V

Birth and Parentage— A Pup's Tail for a Bottle of Beer — " Made me 'Op and Yell " — A 200 Mile Trek — Cholera — " Judy" in Action — Her Fatal Bravery — A Wounded Officer — Redivivi Both — The Bobbery Pack — Under the Orange Tree — " Baz " — Nearly Ruins a Military Career — The Parting — Searching for Master —Died Fighting—" Patch "—At the Dog Show— Revenge Afterwards— Travels First-Class— " Patch " and " Phoongye " — Rival Drives— "Patch" no Joseph — " Potiphar " — "Romp" — Some Snake Stories ........ 72

Chapter VI Campaigning In Egypt

A Dance at the Mess— Sir John McQueen— Off to Egypt— Five Special Trains of Camels — A Fire on Board— Another Fire — The Arab's Tail Missing— Entering Suakin Harbour— Fine Pilotage —The Battle of McNeill's Zareba— The First Rush— The 15th Sikhs— Our Own Adventures— A Shotgun Saves Us— Sudden End of Battle— Tamai—" Down into the Deep Sea "—Only a Bruise— The Water Tanks— The Humane Subaltern and His

CONTENTS IX

PACE

Horse— He and Sir George Greaves disagree— The Sun Shone Again— In a Zareba— A Strange Thing— On the Jetty— Unguarded Malefactors— A Severe Skirmish— A Babu and a Bluejacket to the Rescue— A Gold Watch and D.S. Medal- Shooting for the Pot — An Unwelcome Surprise — The Ship of the Desert— Hasty Return to Camp— Young Kid of the Goats— A Small Night Alarm— A Chance Shot— A Happy Escape— Sir William Gatacre— His Energy— The Sentry— His Orders ^7

Chapter VII

The Burmah War— A Subaltern's Job— A Six Months' Venture— An Englishman and a Gurkha alone— Up the Salween— Dacoits— Through Siam — American Missionaries — Their Kindness at Zimme— Loss of Saddlery and Pack Saddles— A Cigarette Case Incident — On Again— Healing an Old Lady — Kiang Tung — Trading— Ponies Confiscated— The Half-Caste Burman— An Outlaw— His Valuable Service— The Toothbrush— We Escape- Tracked — A Lost Carbine and nearly a Lost Head — Sunday Rest —Sapphires at Twopence Apiece— We Secure Sapphires and Cat's-Eyes — The French Banker's Valuation — The English Jeweller's— Sapphires Stolen— Mr. Gould the Consul— A Rough Sapphire for 40 Dollars— Where it Came From— A Very Old Bird ^°3

Chapter VIII

A Staff Revival— No More a " Mug's " Game— The New Class- Sir Charles Monro— Sir Spencer Ewart— " The Tyranny of the Horse "—Sir John Cowans—" The Count "—Sir Francis Davies— The Artists and Collaborateurs— Bunbury and Offley Shore — " Boy " Hornby, m.f.h. — Jack Lindley. m.f.h. — " The Cock Grouse "—And his Moor— The Duke's Day— Sir George Aston— A lz'=> Horse— Heavy Haulage— Nearly Won the Aldershot Point-to-Point — Hon. A. Hardinge, 'Ard 'Ard — A Souvenir of 1870— The Stafi College Coach— An Upset— A Nightmare— Sir Francis Clery— The French Professor — "Marked with Extraordinary Liberality "—The Liberality Explained — Sir Frederick Maurice — The Waterloo Campaign — A Remarkable Discovery— Strange Disappearance of No. 64 — Col. Lonsdale Hale— Col. Cooper King— Col. Henderson of Stonewall Jackson — " Scotland for Ever " — From the Scottish Officers— The Battle of Ballybunnion— From the Oirish Officers — Pork Chops and the Duke 115

X A SOLDIER'S MEMORIES

Chapter IX Soldiering On The Indian Frontier

Peace and War — A Prisoner of War — General Sher Afzul — His Escort — The Modest General — A Matter of Buttons — The Enraged Soldiery— Diplomacy to the Front— The History of a Greatcoat —An Irish Stew in June— Handing Over to the Civil— Intense Agony of the General— The Police Officer Adamant— A Find of /20,ooo— A War Correspondent — The Times First in the Field — The Times Last in the Field — While the Cat's Away — The Gambler — " Prepare to Meet thy God " . . . .129

Chapter X The Spanish-american War

Germany's Reward— A Gift from Spain— The War in the Philippines —On a Spanish Steamer — Running the Blockade — Iloilo — A Grandee of Spain— His Modest Price— The British Consul- Following the American Fleet to Manila— The Battle of Cavite —The Assembly of Neutral Fleets— Admiral Dewey— On the

Olympia— German Bluster — The Irene — More Bluster The

Way to Deal with Germans— American and English Camaraderie —Sir Edward Chichester— A British Sailor All Over— The Bombardment of Manila— Shocked Teutons— An Old Fort- Gunnery 100 Years Ago and Now— Two Debts— The American Regulars— Discipline— " Alf "—A Visit to Aguinaldo— A Spanish Picquet— Their Little Joke

Chapter XI Some Adventures In The Boer War

Sir Hector MacDonald— Stopped by Telegram— Success after many Endeavours— Arrival in England— Lord George Hamilton— Sir Dighton Probyn Deus ex machina— Lord. Scarbrough— His Unselhsh Patriotism— The 3rd Imperial Yeomanry— Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire Combine— The Best of Regiments— Trekking with Lord Methuen— In Pursuit of De Wet— Lindley— A Tight Corner— Lord Chesham's Brigade— Capture of Villebois de Mareuil s Commando— Surprising a Boer Commando— Charging a Kopje— The Two Yeomen— A Wound— The Man Fours- Lady Galway s Knife— Seventeen Pieces in him and yet Lived— s A^!^ S^^^ Girls— Boer Women— The Comely Daughter— And the Persuasive Subaltern— A Rider Follows us— The Comely Daughter Agam-Her Information— Her Night March Tied to the Interpreter— The Surprisers Surprised— The Bird Flown— The Revenge of Jealousy-We Picket a Farm-Remarkably Handsome Daughters-The Blood's Attentions-Also the RlnnHcf^ ^^ Intercepted Letter— A Reply that Got Through- Bloodstained Clothes and Frills-A Palatial Farm-We Sit Heavily On It-A Tall and Bounteous Female-We Meet Again at a Dinner Party . . . ^ ^ vv c ivieei;

CONTENTS xi

Chapter XII South African Jottings Fagb

Lord Methuen — A Sahib of the Deepest Dye — Who is a Sahib ? — The Column Commander — " Eternal Damnation to Steyn and De Wet " — A Motley Column — Caton Woodville Pictures — And How They Panned Out — A Treacherous Shot — The Rapscallion Squadron — The Lord Mayor and Burghers — The Column Commander Speaks — The Daily Double Trek — Attacking the Kopjes — The Red-haired Boer — " Don't Shoot the Poor Devil " — The Column Commander's Last Trek — Rudyard Kipling — His Greeting — Cecil Rhodes — His Quest — Rudyard KipHng's Great Achievement — The Yeomen Cheer Rudyard Kipling and Cecil Rhodes — Their Modest Departure — Baden-Powell — Some Old Stories — His Reception in Cape Town — His Buttons Cut Ofi — Shot into Government House — An Honest Helper — Farreaching Effect of Defence of Maf eking . . . .179

Chapter XIII

The Millionaire's Suite on Board — First Shave in America — Travelling at Night — With a Stout Lady — We Dress Together — Staying with the Griscoms — " Tactless " Defined — The British Way — A Reporter at Dinner — " Borrows " a Photograph — " The British Fighter is Here " — Mr. Roosevelt at Oyster Bay — American Individuality — " He Wants to be the Corpse " — Roosevelt's Rough Riders — A Postal Achievement — " Be Strong or Git " — My Brother Frank — His Candour — A Relic of Wolfe— The Heights of Abraham — British Gunners Speak French — The Races at Toronto — Canadian Hospitality — The Montreal Choir — A Country House in America — A Bright Throng — Making a Night of It — An Experience at Bridge — The Flapper — " You Carry Me " — Wins £^^o — Dividing the Spoil — The Diamond Bracelet — Poppa Displeased — Bong-bongs or Bouketts —The Right Way 192

Chapter XIV

King Edward — A Great King — The Rapprochement with France and Russia — His Tact and Diplomacy — Political Foresight — Sandringham — Lord Marcus Beresford and the Mare — The Marquis de Several — " The Importance of Being Ernest " — A Game of Bridge — " Off with his Head " — The Prince's Joke — " Persimmon " — The Prince and the Medal — Handing Potatoes to the German Emperor — Lord William Beresford — Some Anecdotes — Lord and Lady Dufferin — George V as Prince of Wales in India — The Royal Gift — The Prince's Charger — King George's Charger — Sir John Woon Twice to the Rescue — The German Emperor — Salisbury Cathedral — The Policeman's Story — The Former King of Siam — His 800 Wives — The Fate of an xii A SOLDIER'S MEMORIES

PACE

Amorous Page— Only 200 Wives on Week-end Visits — Milliners and Confectioners for 800 Wives — The Mikado — A Modem Monarch — In French Uniform — The Duke and Duchess of Connaught — A Divisional General in India — At a Small Dance — The Duke at Rawal Pindi — A Stanhope Gold Medal— Another — Mr. Roosevelt — The Boer Delegates — A Great President 206

Chapter XV Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, And Other Generals

Lord Roberts — A Very Great Man — His Courage — 70 Years Old in the Boer War — His Final and Great Effort — Lies in St. Paul's with Nelson and Wellington— Contrast between Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener — Both Great Soldiers — Lord Roberts's Kindness and Consideration — Wonderful Memory — Thought for the Bereaved — Lord Kitchener's Disapproval — Burying the Hatchet — First Meeting with Lord Kitchener — His Escape from the Boers — Egypt his Monument— Lord Cromer's Influence — Lord Kitchener's Power of Intuition — Lord Wolseley in the Soudan — A Great Reformer — " Political Generals " — Keeping before the Public — The Shower of Medals — A Pint of 'Arf and 'Arf — The Debt of the Army to Lord Wolseley — Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien — A Born Leader of Men — Mons and Le Cateau — Sir W. Penn Symons — His Toasts — Sir Douglas Haig — As a Fag at Clifton — As I.-G. of Cavalry — Sir William Robertson — His First Commission — Work at Simla — The Staff College — The Brain of the Army — Two Anonymous Generals — The Flagstaff at Umballa— The Battle of the Standard — A Pusillanimous Staff Officer — The Heroic Garrison Engineer — The Triumph of the Lady — Sir Edmund Barrow — Sir James Willcocks — General Bannatine-Allason . . . . . . . .227

Chapter XVI

The Frontier Officer — Not Easily Taken Aback in Sudden Emergency — A Tragedy of Three — Major Dodd — In Daily Peril — Capt. Butler of The Guides — The Khattuk Dance — Shot from Behind — Murderer Hanged — Major Dodd and Capt. Brown Homeward Bound — Shot by his Orderly — Pursuit of Murderer — Lieut. Hickie's Gallantry — Eight Killed or Wounded — A Snapshot Ends the Fight — The Deputy-Commissioner holds a Jirgah — Raiders Reported — Ransoms — Their Use and Abuse — In Hot Pursuit — -Skilled Trackers — Cavalry Cover 80 Miles- Gang Run to Earth — A Night Watch — The Gang Accounted For — Another Raid — Cavalry and Infantry Start — Terrorised Villagers — In the Village Mosque— Surrounding the Raiders — Fierce Fight in the Night — Raiders Break Out — Christmas Eve — A Midnight Call — The Major's Lady — The Squadron Starts — Surrounding the Village — A Brief Encounter — A Casualty — Nearing Home^The Lady and the Dog — A Simple Grave in the East .......... 244

CONTENTS xiii

Chapter XVII India And The Indians Page

The Indian Problem — Paternal Government — Laws and Lawyers — The Disturbing Element — Poisonous Polluters of the Political Atmosphere— The Frontier Crimes Act — What India Requires — Ibrahim Khan — His Devotion and Death — The Indian Soldier — Devotion to his Officers — An Old Retainer — Awaiting the Baby Sahib — The Best Indians — The Worst — Kadir Dad — His Devotion to his Master — John of Baghdad — Lord Mayo — " A King Indeed " — His Liberality— Sir Pertab Singh — -The Englishman in India — His Qualities — The One Man Present — Swaraj — An Exhibition — The Deputy-Commissioner to the Rescue — When India is Ready for Self-Government . . 268

Chapter XVIII

My Father's Ride — 700 Miles in Seven Days — The June Heat — Sukker to Simla — " An Awful Beast " — The Adjutant-General's Remarks — Lord Lytton's Remark — The Irishman of India — Some Sample Letters — Catching a Train — " Your Honour Knows Best " — The Horns of a Dilemma — The Camp of Roaring Luck — The Old Soldier — " Draw Swords " — " Charge " — The Queen's Bounty — Sir James Willcocks and the Tactful Sentry — A Regimental Durbar — The Infuriated Gurkha — Deprived of his Rope to Heaven — The Judgment — Mr. Keir Hardie in India — Calls Himself a Coolie — Astonishment of Audience — The Wano Patriots — Invitation Accepted — Arranging his Reception — Battles by the Way — A Feast at Mess — A Disappointment — Micky Doyne — Full Private in the K.O.S.B. — Sir Bindon Blood Admires the View — Storming of the Malakand — The Return Journey — A Surprise Visit — A Curious Medallion . . .280

Chapter XIX

The King's Health — Across the Water — Some Regiments Absolved — Undoubted Loyalty of Old — Various Customs in Drinking the King's Health — "Gentlemen, the Vice" — The Regent's Allowance—A Backhander — A Naval Tradition — " A Glass of Wine with You " — Treating in Messes— Mufti at Dinner — A Subaltern's Instruction — Ante-room Etiquette — Scotch Regiments and St. Andrew — A " Quaich " — Pipers at Mess — Irish Regiments and St. Patrick — Cricket the Day After — The Lost Wicket-keeper — Welsh Regiments and St. David — Passing the Leek — The Italian Priest — The Senior Officer at Mess — An Angry Doctor — Six Months' Discipline — Life in a Mess— Mess Expenses — How to Live — Young Officers of To-day — An Old Soldier to a Young One — Answering Salutes — The King's Uniform .......... 297 xiv A SOLDIER S MEMORIES

Chapter XX Some Few Victoria Crosses Page

The Victoria Cross — The Royal Warrant — Lieut. R. C. Hart — Lieut. E. P. Leach — Lieut. Walter Hamilton — Capt. A. G. Hammond — Capt. W. J. Vousden — Rev. J. W. Adams — Major G. White— Lieut. A. K. Wilson, r.n.— Q Battery. R.H.A. ■ — Lieut. -Col. R. B. Adams — Lt. Lord Fincastle — Lieut. H. Mac- Lean — Lieut. F. A. Maxwell — Lieut. G. Wylly — Sepoy Lalla . 314

Chapter XXI

A Mighty River — Nine Miles Wide — Its Devastations — Dera- Ghazi-Khan Swept Away — The Party — The Fleet — Weighing Anchor — " What's a Log ? " — The Telegraph Operator — Lunch on Board — The Lady sees 3000 Geese — We Shoot One — The Fleet Sets Sail— Anchor for the Night — A Few Partridges — Soulful Music — Set Sail Again — Stalking Duck — More Partridges — Struggle with an Alligator — A Night Alarm — " Man Overboard " — The Telegraph Operator's Use — His Night Excursion — Shooting, Lazing and Sailing — A Goanese General — A Scene of Desolation — The Ruined Town — The Church Stands Amazed — Good-bye — Off to Fight the Germans . . 337

ILLUSTRATIONS

Lord Roberts at Kabul, Christmas, 1879 . . . frontispiece

FACING PAGE

-The Author Dressed as a Shan, 1886-87 . . . .104

Caricature OF Officers AT THE Staff College, 1890-91 . . 120

Captain Charles Townshend, Commanding in the Defence of Chitral, 1895, AND as Major-General in the Defence of Kutel-amara, 1915-16 . . . . . . . .130

Admiral Dewey, Commander of the American Fleet at the Naval Battle of Cavite, May i, 1898 . . . -150

Lieut. -Gen. Sir Robert Baden-Powell, Commanding in the Defence of Mafeking, 1899-1900 ..... 188

King Edward VII ......... 206

Lord William Beresford in 1886 . . . . . .210

The Marquess of Dufferin and Ava . . . . .212

The Late Lord Kitchener as a Major in Egypt in 1884 . 230

General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, when Commanding a Brigade in the Boer War, i 899-1 902

Ibrahim Khan ........

236 270

Chapter I A Sandhurst Duel, And Other Light Adventures

Sandhurst in 1877 — Willyum — The Provocation — The Challenge — Swords or Pistols — Preparations — The Duel — Deatn of Crawford — His Bequests — Flight to France — The Police — Resurrection — A Matter of Labour— The Plan of Campaign — The Problem of Exit — Arrived at the Scene of Action — The First Success — -Five more Successes — Consigned to a Watery Grave — To Bed at Dawn — Why Nothing Happened — Truth Will Out — My Sister Dolly — Milk in Paper Bags — A Dastardly Attack — Another Splendid Tea — Dolly Goes Back to Town— Great Strides in Topography — A Tidy Little Girl — An Eyeglass in Pursuit — Sherry and Lemonade — The Oak Grove— A Meeting on Parade

THIS is not an autobiography, and therefore will not deal with the nursery and early youth. These are merely the memories of a soldier, and as such cannot perhaps more appropriately begin than at Sandhurst, in 1877. If I call to mind the lighter side of Sandhurst life, it is not because there were no serious aspects ; but rather because in our lighter moods we may possibly be of more interest than when portrayed in the hot pursuit of military lore.

During my time there was at Sandhurst a fellow cadet who was rather a simple young man, but withal very good-natured, so he in due course was taken up by the brighter spirits as a subject on whom to exercise their wit and fancy. To this end, and as the result of a conspiracy, another gentleman-cadet of mild exterior was invited, and incited, to call the simple gentleman-cadet aforesaid, — who went by the name of Willyum, — a Liar, no less, in the largest type, and with the greatest pubhcity and emphasis. This he accordingly did. But Willyum, to our chagrin, looked at him with great blandness and condescension, and without the least annoyance remarked :

" Oh, no, not quite all that, old boy ! "

This was in the days before it was customary to call our best friends liars, as a term of endearment.

" Yes you are, you are a — let's see — sanguinary Liar, and I don't mind who hears me say so," vociferated the mildly exteriored confederate.

" Well, of course, if you say so, I suppose I am," assented Willyum with great amiability.

But this would not do at all, there was distinct danger of a fiasco ; so the bystanders, gentlemen-cadets simply pining to wade in someone else's gore, for the honour of the cloth, exclaimed with one accord :

" This cannot be, my dear fellow, you simply cannot allow a fellow to call you a damned liar to your face."

"Can't I ? " said Willyum, much perplexed. "Then what the doose am I to do ? "

" Do ! Do ? Great Heavens ! Why, call him out at once," his mentors advised. " You must remember that as a gentleman-cadet you are, though not quite an officer, yet very nearly a gentleman, and you really must not stand insults of this sort."

" Oh ! Ah ! indeed, um ! Ought to call him out ? What, to fight ? You don't say so ? I can't box for nuts," replied Willyum, with a pale and weary grin ; for the gravity of the situation was dawning on him.

"Boxing! Lord love us! Boxing! There is, needless to say, only one way to wipe out an insult like this, and that is with a sabre, or a pistol," chorused the onlookers in virtuous indignation. Never, assuredly, were so many shocked and outraged people gathered together.

" Must I really ? " asked the now unhappy Willyum. " I'm sure he didn't mean it." (" Yes, I did," from the other gentleman.) "And anyway, I have not the least desire to kill him, and don't suppose he is particularly desirous of downing me." (" Not so sure," from the ferocious antagonist.)

" Yes," replied the strictly chivalrous crowd, " unless he apologises to you, you are bound to call him out."

" And he has choice of weapons," added a seasoned old dueller of about seventeen summers.

So friend Willyum was hurried off to the College ; and thence, by hand of his Second, sent a challenge to mortal combat to Crawford. Unless, of course, Crawford would apologise and withdraw the objectionable epithet.

Crawford returned a scornful reply, and chose pistols.

The Seconds then selected a secluded spot in the pine woods, up behind the hospital. Where, so they explained to Willyum, the shots were not likely to be heard by the Officers ; and where also the soil was light and easily dug ; or as an alternative the hospital was near. The hour chosen was tea-time, which, though not an obligatory meal, claimed the attention of most gentlemen-cadets, and all the Officers. Thus too much publicity would be avoided.

On the fatal afternoon, therefore, by devious routes, the two parties, accompanied by a medical student, guest of one of the gentlemen-cadets, assembled at the selected and secluded spot. It was not so secluded, however, but that some spectators stalked them through the woods and heather, and lying close were witnesses of the tragedy.

Willy um was pale, but firm. Crawford was gloomy, but determined.

The Seconds loaded the pistols, and gave one to each of the combatants. Thej^ then placed them back to back, and instructed them carefull5^ in their duties. On a given word they were each to take six paces to their front, turn round, and fire.

" But suppose he goes quicker than I do," objected Crawford, " and turns round and plugs me in the back before I am ready ? "

" That is arranged for," replied the Seconds with great dignity; "we shall give the time — one, two, three, four, five, six — in slow time."

" Are you ready ? " asked both Seconds ; and the medical student took hasty shelter behind the nearest tree.

Then : " Slow march ! One, two, three, four, five, six."

There were two simultaneous bangs, and Crawford was seen to stagger, and fall. Indeed, he died very nicely. He forgave Willy um for having shot him, and asked to press his hand. He left messages for his mother, and bequeathed his fox-terrier to me, and his watch to his soldier servant.

Then we hurried Willyum from the horrid scene. He was in a distinctly dazed condition, and could not for the life of him think how he came to make so deadly a shot. The last that he recollected was that when he pulled the trigger beyond recall, the pistol was point-blank on to one of the Seconds. Well, anyway, there it was, and he was infernally sorry ; and what on earth was he to do ?

It immediately occurred to all that when one man killed another in a duel he invariably " flew to France," or anvwav, " fled the countrv." So we advised Willyum that the best thing he could do was to fly to France ; and that he had better go and pack his clothes at once, before the police, like sleuth-hounds, were on his track. We also magnanimously agreed that we would make up a purse between us to assist him in his flight.

We then locked him into his room to pack, leaving a gentleman-cadet with him to see that he did not hang himself, or do anything else foolish, and ourselves mounted guard outside.

Just as Willyum had finished packing, and had been disguised with a corked moustache, there came a thundering knock at the door.

" My God ! The Police ! " exclaimed Willyum, and made for the window, with his guardian gentleman-cadet hanging on to him in determined manner.

'' Don't be an idiot, my good ass ! It is a thirty feet drop ! "

Another thundering knock at the door, and imminent signs of its bursting through.

" Who is there ? " asked Willyum, in a voice of stern despair.

" Why, I am, you old Juggins ! " yelled the loud and cheerful voice of the corpse.

Perhaps no one in his life was ever so glad to see a corpse as was Willyum on that historic occasion. He literally hugged that corpse, and at once took him off, and the seconds and the guard too, to the ante-room bar to drink his own health.

True, there was some slight coldness between Crawford and myself over the fox-terrier which he had bequeathed to me. He had also considerable difficulty in extracting his watch from his soldier servant, to whom it had at once been given with great and spontaneous magnanimity, to that worthy fellow's intense astonishment.

Thus ended the famous Sandhurst duel.

If there was one thing a gentleman-cadet of those days loathed more than another, it was what was called " digging." That is to say, by the sweat of one's brow, and with picks and shovels, making earthen entrenchments.

"I'd rather lie starko in the open, and take my bally chance," was the prevailing sentiment.

That was because it was part of our daily curriculum (to use the chaste language of the War Ofhce regulations), and therefore ipso facto a matter for severe reprobation. But to get up in the middle of the night, and at that unseemly hour to undertake manual labour of the severest type, just because we were supposed to be asleep in nice warm beds, that was a different matter. That was fruit from the forbidden tree, and therefore a source of immense satisfaction to all concerned.

It matters not who first thought of it, men of the greatest genius lie in unknown graves ; but his suggestion was that on the last night of our stay as guests of Her Majesty, at the Royal Military College, a select and secret party should rise in the middle of the night, get out of College (no mean feat), go down to York Town, dig up one of the lamp-posts, and throw it into the lake.