tion, Gale," Captain Fletcher--who
commanded Will's company--said to him one day. "A certain time must
be spent upon education, and the course of study is intended to
strengthen and improve the mental powers. As far as soldiers are
concerned, it would certainly be of more practical use if the time
we spent at school on Greek, and mathematics, had been expended in
acquiring three or four European and Indian languages. But you see,
boys educated at the same school must all work together, and study
the same books, whatever the profession for which they are intended
is. Our practical--that is, our professional education--only begins
when we go to Woolwich, or Sandhurst.

"Perhaps, some day, a different system will be employed. There will
be special schools for lads intended for various professions, and
careers. Till that is done, we must all work upon a common basis;
which has at least the advantage of forming the mind, for the after
work of acquiring the special branches of knowledge required, by
us, in the careers we may adopt.

"If you ask my advice I should not, at your time of life, dream of
setting to to learn the dead languages, or to study mathematics.
Read the histories of Rome and Greece, and study that of your own
country. Read books of travel and the biographies of great men, and
keep yourself well posted--as you are doing--in current public
events. You will then find yourself able to take part, on equal
terms, in any conversation which may be going on. You will, indeed,
be considered by strangers an exceptionally well-informed young
fellow; and you may pass through life without any person having a
suspicion that Latin, Greek, and mathematics--the cardinal points
of an ordinary education--are wholly unknown to you."

Will was cheered by the advice and, henceforth, directed his
studies only in the direction which Captain Fletcher had indicated.

At the beginning of April, a large diminution had taken place in
the force stationed at Candahar; as General Sir Donald Stewart
marched, with the greater portion of the force, for Cabul. The
route led through a country which was the stronghold of the
fanatical party--the important town of Ghuzni containing the most
fanatical population in all Afghanistan. This had been the center
whence the attacks on General Roberts had been organized, and it
was deemed necessary to march a strong force through the country,
to overawe the tribesmen, and break up their organization.