t in a red coat like a barrel-organ monkey? For two pins he would
abandon the project, and go back to Padbury.

This impression, however, was not destined to last very long. As he
approached the barracks he noticed a small crowd of idlers collecting
near a gateway, and at the same instant the silence was broken by the
sound of a drum. He knew what it was--the regiment had been out
drilling on the neighbouring common, and was on its way home.

He hurried forward to watch the soldiers as they passed.

Boom! boom! boom!--boom! boom! boom! With a glorious crash the brass
instruments burst out with the tune. Jack knew it well, and his heart
danced to it as the band marched out into the road.

"'Twas in the merry month of May,
When bees from flower to flower did hum,
Soldiers through the town marched gay,
The village flew to the sound of the drum!"

Jack drew back into the hedge to watch as the regiment went by.

"March at ease!" The sunlight flashed as the arms were sloped, and
glittered on bright blades as the officers returned their swords. Not
a detail escaped his eager observation; the swing of the rifle-barrels,
the crisp tramp of the marching feet, even the chink of the chain
bridles as the horses of the mounted officers shook their heads, all
seemed to touch answering chords in his inmost heart, and awaken there
the old love and longing for a soldier's life.

"The tailor he got off his knees,
And to the ranks did boldly come:
He said he ne'er would sit at ease,
But go with the rest, and follow the drum!"

Jack hesitated no longer, but hurried back to pick up the few
belongings he had left at the hotel, determined to put his project into
execution without further delay.

CHAPTER XV.

THE QUEEN'S SHILLING.

"If he had called out, 'Here I am,' it would have been all right; but
he was too proud to cry out for help while he wore a uniform."--_The
Brave Tin Soldier_.

There was no more hesitation or uncertainty about his movements now,
and before he knew it, Jack found himself once more back at the
barracks. The corporal on "gate duty," who, for want of something
better to do, had been chastising his own leg with a "swagger cane,"
ceased in the performance of this self-imposed penance, and shot a
significant glance at the stranger.

"Looking out for any one?" he inquired, by way of opening up a
conversation.

"No," answered Jack; "the fact is, I've come to