and
frightened sutlers--that's all. Better that the Provost Guard
should let them through; better to sift out that kind of soldier."
. . . He calmly turned his horse's head and rode back along the
lines of horses and dismounted troopers, commenting reassuringly on
what was taking place around them.

"There is never any safety in running away unless your officers
order you to run. The discipline of a regiment is the only
security for the individual. There is every chance of safety as
long as a regiment holds together; no chance at all if it
disintegrates.

"The regulars understand that; it is what makes them formidable; it
is what preserves them individually, and every man knows it. The
regulars don't run; it happens to be contrary to their traditions;
but those traditions originated less in sentiment than in plain
common-sense."

He turned his horse and walked the animal slowly along the lines.

"I am exceedingly gratified by the conduct of this regiment," he
said. "You have done all that has been asked of you. To do more
than is asked of you is not commendable in a soldier, though it may
display individual courage. . . . The carbineer, Burgess, 10th
troop, Captain Hallam, was foolhardy to attempt the bridge without
orders. . . . The lancer, Ormond, 10th troop, Captain Hallam,
however, did his full duty--admirably--when he faced death to
rescue a wounded comrade from the flames. . . . In England a
Victoria Cross is given for deeds of this kind. The regiment
respects him--and respects itself. . . . I care to believe that
there is not one officer or trooper in my command who is not ready
to lay down his life for a friend. . . . I am happy in the
consciousness that it is not courage which is lacking in this
command; it is only experience. And that will come; it came with
the shells on the slope yonder. There is no more severe test of a
regiment's discipline than to endure the enemy's fire without being
able to retaliate."

The regiment's eyes were fastened on their colonel's tall heavy
figure as he walked his powerful horse slowly to and fro along
their front, talking to them in his calm, passionless manner.
Strained muscles and tense nerves relaxed; breath came more
regularly and naturally; men ventured to look about them more
freely, to loosen the spasmodic grip on curb and snaffle, to speak
to comrades in low tones, inquiring what damage other troops had
sustained.

The regular cavalry of the