stuck in that office or on some
other job all day and every day. I for one shall be jolly glad when
we're off, and then I expect every one of us will be precious sorry for
a time. The Guards makes a fine show on parade, but aboard a ship,
about the size of one of these here barrack-rooms, they'll have to be
squeezed like herrings, and then if it blows won't there be a scene! I
remember I went for a week in a fishing-boat once, and spent about as
miserable a time as I ever did. Lor', how jolly ill and wretched I
was!"

"Yes, I expect it will take a little time to get our sea-legs, Tony,"
Phil replied cheerily; "but once the Bay of Biscay is passed we ought to
have fine weather, I'm told, and then we shall enjoy it. As to never
seeing me, the job is now practically finished. To-morrow the Queen
reviews us, and on the twenty-eighth we sail from Southampton. That's
only a few days away. Then hurrah for Russia and a campaign!"

How loyal every one of those stalwart Guardsmen felt as he stood paraded
before Queen Victoria on that eventful day. How he fixed his eyes on
that figure standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and swore
silently that he would fight and die if need be for her and for the
country she ruled. Gone, in the excitement and fervour of the moment,
was all thought of coming misery and privation. Gone all fear of death
or injury by cannon-shot or bullet. Before them was the Queen, and
beyond them, far across the sea, the Russian enemy. Ere they returned
they would humble the Czar's pride, or perish in the attempt.

And the good and beloved Queen Victoria, as she scanned the long lines
before her, did she forget what her soldiers might meet with? Did she
know of the horrors ever associated with war that must inevitably fall
upon some of the devoted fellows standing proudly erect before her?
Yes, she knew, and she did not forget. She knew, too, the need for
England to assert herself in support of the oppressed, and though it
filled her heart with grief to think that many of those she looked at,
many of those stalwart officers from amongst the highest in the land,
and lads from amongst the bravest, must fall in the fight, yet she sent
them forth with smiling face and words of God-speed and encouragement,
for such is the duty of a queen.

But at length it was all over. With colours flying and bands clashing
before them, the Grenadier Guards marched through a seething crowd which
filled the