ng the battalion in India.

[14] The 87th was popularly known as the "Ould Fogs" from its Erse shout
in charging _'Faugh a Ballagh_ (Clear the Way). The _sobriquet_ is often
wrongly assigned to the Connaught Rangers.--ED.

CHAPTER XII.

The next morning we were in marching order betimes, and started with the
determination of joining our regiment as early in the day as possible.
We overtook them about nine o'clock, just as they had crossed a nullah,
and had halted on the opposite bank. I immediately sought the acting
adjutant, from whom, after I had announced my name and delivered my
credentials, I received every politeness and attention. He introduced me
at once to the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, C.B., who
received me in the most cordial manner, congratulated me on my
appointment, and expressed himself much pleased at my accession to the
regiment. All the officers of the corps flocked round me, and greeted me
in the most handsome and friendly manner, every one of them inviting me
to breakfast. That invitation, however, I had previously received from
the kind commander of the Prince's Own Irish regiment. This liberal
conduct was the more gratifying to my feelings, as I must confess I did
not anticipate any such friendly reception. I was well aware of the
existing prejudice, and the caution with which officers promoted from
the ranks were usually received; but no such prejudice prevailed in this
distinguished corps: on the contrary, had I been the son of a duke, my
reception could not have been more flattering or friendly. It is true
that I had the most flattering letters of introduction from my late
commanding officer to my present; but as I had not delivered them, the
kindness which I experienced was wholly spontaneous and unsolicited, and
the result of liberal and benevolent feeling. My young companion was
received by all in the same handsome manner.

As I found that the jacket, which I had had made for me in haste when I
was ordered to join the regiment, was widely different from the uniform
of the corps, I apologized for this to the colonel while at breakfast,
and he relieved me from all anxiety on that score, by replying, "Ah,
never mind; the one you have will do very well for fighting in, as it is
supposed we shall have some pretty hard service."

The following day the regiment reached the ground on which the army
engaged in the arduous campaign of Nepaul, in the years 1815 and 1816,