er it comes the
better. See them coves over there, Phil? Ain't they smart, just.
Wonder how they'll tackle the Russians!"

He alluded to a ship-load of French artillery which had arrived only a
few hours before in the harbour. Smart, athletic men they looked, as
they crowded the decks and shouted back greetings to the British.

"They are said to be amongst the finest gunners trained by any nation,"
answered Phil, "and I've no doubt they will do well. But look out,
Tony; there goes the bugle. I expect we shall have to disembark."

The bugle notes rang out clear, waking the harbour of Valetta with the
echo; and the hoarse voice of the sergeant-major penetrated to every
hole and corner of the _Orinoco_.

"Fall in, lads," he shouted. "Smartly now; by companies."

Phil and Tony soon found their places, and then for half an hour were
busily engaged in passing rifles and bearskin helmets and in securing
their kit. When all were ready, the disembarkation proceeded apace, and
in an hour the Grenadier Guards were ashore and comfortably housed in
casemates of the forts.

"I wonder how long we shall stay here," remarked Phil about a week
later, as he and Tony stood on the ramparts and gazed at the town. "The
sooner we leave the better. Our men are having a splendid time, and
have struck up a great friendship with the Frenchies, but at this rate
it won't do. Look at those fellows over there."

"They are pretty bad; you're right, Phil," Tony grunted, as he watched a
tiny French artillerist staggering down towards him, with two burly
British linesmen on either side, with arms firmly linked in his, and all
three roaring a refrain to be heard in any _cafe_ in the town.

"Pretty bad! I should think so, Tony. But it won't last. Our officers
know what is going on, and we shall sail very shortly. The new life and
excitement here and the low price of spirit make it easy for our men to
get intoxicated and behave in a riotous manner. After all, one cannot
exactly blame them. They are going to a rough country probably, and are
making the most of the present time. But much of this sort of thing
will play havoc with them in the end. Only yesterday I heard our doctor
say that disease was far more dangerous to armies than bullets, and that
men who entered upon a campaign in indifferent health were certain to go
under if hardships had to be faced. I mean to take plenty of exercise,
and beware of eating too much fruit."