of very fine sand, it
would help a great deal; but if you use that, I should not put any
soda with the water, or you will practically take all the skin off,
and leave your face like a raw beef steak; which will be worse than
the stain and, indeed, in so hot a sun as we have, might be
dangerous, and bring on erysipelas. So you must be very careful;
and it will be far better for you to put up with being somewhat
singular in your appearance, for a bit, than to lay yourself up by
taking any strong measures to get rid of it."

After an hour spent in vigorous washing, and aided by several rubs
with very fine sand, Stanley succeeded, to his great satisfaction,
in almost getting rid of the tattoo marks on his face. The general
dye had faded a little, though not much; but that with which the
marks had been made was evidently of a less stable character, and
yielded to soap and friction.

Before he had concluded the work two trunks arrived and, finding
that his face was now beginning to smart a good deal, he abstained
for the time from further efforts; and turned to inspect his
purchases, with a good deal of interest. The uniforms consisted of
two undress suits; one with trousers, the other with breeches and
high boots, for riding. There was also a suit of mess jacket,
waistcoat, and trousers; three suits of white drill; half a dozen
white shirts for mess, and as many of thin flannel; and a good
stock of general underclothes, a pair of thick boots, and a light
pair for mess. There was also the sword, belt, and other
equipments; in fact, all the necessaries he would require for a
campaign.

Before beginning to dress, he began to free his hair from the wax
with which it had been plastered up. He had obtained from the
doctor some spirits of turpentine and, with the aid of this, he
found the task a less difficult one than he had expected and, the
regimental barber being sent for by Captain Cooke, his hair was
soon shortened to the ordinary length.

"You will do very well, now," the major said, as he went down into
the general room. "You have certainly succeeded a great deal better
than I thought you would. Of course you look very brown, but there
are a good many others nearly as dark as you are; for between the
rain showers the sun has tremendous power, and some of the men's
faces are almost skinned, while others have browned wonderfully. I
am sure that many of them are quite as dark as yours. So you will
pass muster very well.