in the camp.

Thus, first with one thing, then another, the night wore on; and, when
towards morning he lay down on his camp bed for a hurried rest, he fell
asleep like a child, whistling one of the old Randlebury songs, and with
me, as of old, under his pillow.

At the first note of the bugle he sprang from his couch, and putting me
in my old abode, next his heart, sallied out to see the preparations for
the advance. It was generally known we were to make a dash for the
approaches to Lucknow this day; and at the prospect of the attack the
troops hailed the signal to get under arms with enthusiasm. It was
plain to see, by the alacrity with which the men worked, that my master
was a prime favourite in his own company; indeed, such was their
promptitude that we stood ready and waiting long before the order to
march arrived.

During this interval, if Charlie was seized with a desire to know the
time once, he was seized twenty times; and each time a mere glance was
not enough to satisfy him. How natural it all seemed, and how like old
times!

Then came the longed-for signal, and with a cheer the men set their
faces towards Lucknow.

Now, the reader must not expect I am going to describe military
operations for his edification. I know nothing about columns and
countermarches, and echelons and skirmishing; how could a watch, hid
under a scarlet jacket, be expected to do so?

True, I had eyes that could penetrate any number of scarlet jackets, but
what good was that when I knew about as much of the art of war as I did
of candle-making!

But there are some things in the events of that memorable day which I
shall remember as long as I live.

After about an hour's march we were suddenly halted, and almost at the
same moment there came the sullen boom of a gun ahead. I could feel
Charlie's heart leap at the sound. It was the enemy at last; and now
the fate of Lucknow was to be decided.

A horseman dashed up to the head of our column and called out to our
colonel, in a voice loud enough for us all to hear, "Bring up your
battalion." Next moment we were advancing in double quick time through
a lane of troops to the front. There two other regiments stood waiting,
and almost the instant we arrived the whole body moved forward at a run.

It was an exciting moment. The enemy's guns sounded louder and more
frequent ahead, and dropping shot at either side announced that our
danger was not all in front. The pace was