nemy, even if he takes it); and he let us look down the gun to see the
rifling, all clean and shiny; and he showed us the ammunition boxes, but
there was nothing in them. He also told us how the gun was unlimbered
(this means separating the gun from the ammunition carriage), and how
quick it could be done--but he did not make the men do this then,
because they were resting. There were six guns. Each had painted on the
carriage, in white letters, 15 Pr., which the captain told us meant
fifteen-pounder.

"I should have thought the gun weighed more than fifteen pounds," Dora
said. "It would if it was beef, but I suppose wood and gun are lighter."

And the officer explained to her very kindly and patiently that 15 Pr.
meant the gun could throw a _shell_ weighing fifteen pounds.

When we had told him how jolly it was to see the soldiers go by so
often, he said:

"You won't see us many more times. We're ordered to the front; and we
sail on Tuesday week; and the guns will be painted mud-color, and the
men will wear mud-color too, and so shall I."

The men looked very nice, though they were not wearing their busbies,
but only Tommy caps, put on all sorts of ways.

We were very sorry they were going, but Oswald, as well as others,
looked with envy on those who would soon be allowed--being grown up, and
no nonsense about your education--to go and fight for their Queen and
country.

Then suddenly Alice whispered to Oswald, and he said:

"All right; but tell him yourself."

So Alice said to the captain:

"Will you stop next time you pass?"

He said, "I'm afraid I can't promise that."

Alice said, "You might; there's a particular reason."

He said, "What?" which was a natural remark; not rude, as it is with
children.

Alice said:

"We want to give the soldiers a keepsake. I will write to ask my father.
He is very well off just now. Look here--if we're not on the wall when
you come by, don't stop; but if we are, _please_, PLEASE do!"

The officer pulled his mustache and looked as if he did not quite know;
but at last he said "Yes," and we were very glad, though but Alice and
Oswald knew the dark but pleasant scheme at present fermenting in their
youthful nuts.

The captain talked a lot to us. At last Noel said:

"I think you are like Diarmid of the Golden Collar. But I should like to
see your sword out, and shining in the sun like burnished silver."

The captain laughed and grasped the hilt of his good blade.