he Lord Provost,
and each sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour. I was
called to give evidence in the court, and chagrined the two London
sharpers must have felt to find out how they had been caught red-handed.
This was my first appearance in a police court.

AT EDINBURGH--BILL TELLS THE COLONEL SOMETHING

On the night of our arrival, the deserter was taken to Edinburgh, and put
into the guard-room. The recruits and myself were drawn up in line before
the Colonel, and we were asked particularly who we were and whence we
came. My turn arrived. "Well, and who are you?" says the Colonel. "You
seem to have had a better time than these Sheffielders." I told him that
I was from Keighley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. "Is that somewhere
near Bingley?" asked the Colonel. "Yes," replied I, "about four miles
away." "Do you know a gentleman in the neighbourhood called William
Busfeild Ferrand?" "Yes, sir," replied I. "He lives at St. Ives; I know
him very well." "Have you (queried the Colonel with a merry twinkling in
his eye) ever had any of his hares and rabbits?" "No," replied I, "I'm
not a poacher." "Well," remarked the Colonel, "I think you will do well;
perhaps it's the best thing you ever did. But of these Sheffielders I
have no high opinion; they're a bad sample of soldiers indeed, and if I
had my way I would petition Government to have no Sheffielders at all in
the Army." Then we retired from the Colonel's presence, the sergeant in
charge being instructed to take us on the following morning before the
regimental doctor for examination. Set at liberty for the time being, we
recruits made for the canteen. There we found all classes of
soldiers--Highlanders, Lancers, Artillerymen--all supping their ale and
making merry.

A RED-LETTER DAY IN MY LIFE

Next morning the recruits were brought before the doctor, who duly
examined and passed us--all but two men. The next move was to the
quarter-master's stores; and now, for the first time in my life, I donned
the Queen's uniform. This, I can truly say, was a red-letter day in my
career: I felt a proud man for the moment, and I remember the thought
suggesting itself, "Now, where will this land you, William Wright?" I had
a longing to see the city and its surroundings--Holyrood Palace, Roslin
Castle, John Knox's house, &c.; so I asked the quarter-master for the
necessary leave. But he said that before I could leave the barracks I
must get quit o