d one last look at the girl of his heart. As the
regiment, headed by all the bands of the garrison, marched gaily down
to the New Mole, where the transport-ship awaited it, an excited
throng of spectators lined the way. Colonel Blythe headed his
regiment, of course, and close behind him, according to regulation,
marched the young sergeant-major, in brave apparel, holding his head
high, proudly conscious of his honourable position. The colonel and
the sergeant-major were the first men down the New Mole stairs; and as
they passed McKay heard his name uttered with a half-scream.

He looked round hastily, and there saw Mariquita, with white, scared
face and streaming eyes.

What could he do? It was his duty to march on unconscious, insensible
to emotion. But this was more than mortal man could do. He paused,
lingering irresolutely, when the colonel noticed his agitation, and
quickly guessed the exact state of the case.

"'The girl I left behind me,' eh, sergeant-major? Well, fall out for a
minute or two, if you like"--and, with this kindly and considerate
permission, McKay took Mariquita aside to make his last _adieux_.

"_Adios! vida mia_" [good-bye, my life], he was saying, when the poor
girl almost fainted in his arms.

He looked round, greatly perplexed, and happily his eye fell upon
Sergeant Hyde.

"Here, Hyde," he said, "take charge of this dear girl."

"What! sergeant-major, have you been caught in the toils of one of
these bright-eyed damsels? It is well we have got the route. They are
dangerous cattle, these women; and, if you let them, will hang like a
mill-stone round a soldier's neck."

"Pshaw! man, don't moralise. This girl is my heart's choice. Please
Heaven I may return to console her for present sorrow. But I can't
wait. Help me: I can trust you. See Mariquita safely back to her home,
and then join us on board."

"I shall be taken up as a deserter."

"Nonsense! I will see to that with the adjutant. We do not sail for
two hours at least; you will have plenty of time."

Sergeant Hyde, although unwillingly, accepted the trust, and thus met
Mariquita for the first time.

CHAPTER X.

A GENERAL ACTION.

A long low line of coast trending along north and south as far as the
eye could reach; nearest at hand a strip of beach, smooth shingle cast
up by the surf of westerly gales; next, a swelling upland, dotted with
grazing cattle, snug homesteads, and stacks of hay and corn; beyond, a
range