wn his cheeks.

"For ten days," says Sir John Kaye, "during which he never murmured, or
expressed any concern except for his mother, he lay in a state of total
darkness; but when at the end of that time the bandages were removed,
it was found that God in His mercy had spared the sight of the boy, and
preserved him to do great things."

By the time John was sixteen he was ready to leave the school at
Dungannon. The question of a profession for him now presented itself,
and at this juncture a good fairy stepped in in the person of his
uncle, Mr. (afterwards Sir) James Weir Hogg. Mr. Hogg, who was a
Member of Parliament and a Director of the East India Company, had had
a remarkable career. Going out to the East as a mere youth, he had
found fame and fortune at the Calcutta Bar. Having become a man of
wealth, he had returned to England to enter public life. He felt now
that he ought to do something for his sister and her large family, and
offered to obtain for John a cadetship in the Bengal Infantry. To this
Mrs. Nicholson gladly assented.

In the days of "John Company" the interest of influential persons was
sufficient to procure entry into the service. Young Nicholson was
therefore spared the ordeal of an examination or special course of
training. In the New Year of 1839 he went up to London to meet his
uncle and make final arrangements. An outfit was bought for him by Mr.
Hogg, and, at a momentous interview with the "honourable Directors of
the East India Company" at their office in Leadenhall Street, John took
the necessary oath of allegiance.

A few weeks later he sailed for India in the _Camden_, with his uncle's
sage counsel to work hard and live carefully, and his mother's last
injunction, "Never forget to read your Bible, John," treasured in his
heart.

CHAPTER II.

FIGHTING THE AFGHANS.

After a five months' voyage Nicholson reached Calcutta safely. Here he
spent a little time with certain of his uncle's friends, until at last
he was temporarily appointed to the 41st Regiment of Sepoys quartered
at Benares. At this station he studiously mastered his drill and
prepared himself for the permanent appointment which was promised him.
This followed at the end of the same year, 1839, when he was placed in
the 27th Native Infantry at Ferozepore, on the Sutlej.

The young ensign was now to experience his first taste of war. Soon
after he had joined his new regiment, the 27th was ordered up into