ButBarryhadcaughtthemajor’swords。Foramomenthestoodirresolute；thenwalkedquietlytowardthegroup。
　　"Icouldn’thelphearingyou，MajorBustead，"hesaid，inavoicepleasantandunderperfectcontrol。"Igatheryouwerereferringtome。"
　　"Iwas，sir，"saidthemajordefiantly。
　　"AndwhyshouldIbesenttoCoventry，orexchanged，mayIask？"
　　Barry’svoicewasthatofaninterestedoutsider。
　　"Because，"stutteredtheMajor，"Iconsider，sir，that——that——youhavebeenguiltyofapieceofdamnableimpertinencetowardyourCommandingOfficer。Ineverheardanythinglikeitinmylife。
　　Infernalcheek，Icallit，sir。"
　　Whilethemajorwasspeaking，Barrystoodlisteningwithanairofrespectfulattention。
　　"Iwonder！"hesaid，afteramoment’sthought。"IfIthoughtIhadbeenimpertinent，Ishouldatonceapologise。But，sir，doyouthinkitispartofmydutytoallowanyman，evenmyCommandingOfficer，to——pardonthedisgustingmetaphor，itisnotsodisgustingastheactioncomplainedof——tospitinmysoup，andtakeitwithoutprotest？Doyou，sir？"
　　"I——you——"Themajorgrewveryredintheface。"Youneedtolearnyourplaceinthisbattalion，sir。"
　　"Ido，"saidBarry，stillpreservinghisquietvoiceandmanner。
　　"Iwanttolearn——Iamreallyanxioustolearnit。Doyoumindansweringmyquestion？"Histonewasthatofamanwhoisearnestlybutquiterespectfullyseekinginformationfromasuperiorofficer。
　　"Yourquestion，sir？"stutteredthemajor，"your——your——question。
　　Damnyourquestion，andyourselftoo。"
　　Themajorturnedabruptlyaway。Barryheardhimquiteunmoved，stoodlookingafterhiminsilenceamomentortwo，then，shakinghishead，withapuzzledexpressiononhisface，movedslowlyawayfromthegroup。
　　"Oh，myauntCaroline，"breathedSallyintohisfriendHopeton’sear，restingheavilymeanwhileagainsthisshoulder。"Whatascore！Whatascore！"
　　"Abull，begad！acleanbull！"murmuredHopeton，supportinghisfriendoutoftheroomasheadded，"Alittlefreshair，asapreventativeofvertigo，astheolddocsays，eh，Sally。"
　　"GoodLord，ishejustaplainass，orwhat？"inquiredyoungBooth，hiseyefollowingBarrydowntheroom。
　　"Ass！Amule，Ishouldsay。Andonewithagoodlotofkickinhim，"repliedCaptainTrain。"Idon’tknowthatIcareforthatkindofananimal，though。"
　　Beforemanyhourshadpassed，thewholebattalionhadreceivedwithundilutedjoyanaccountoftheincident，forthoughtheCommandingOfficerwaspopularwithhismen，tohavehimcalleddownathisownmessbyoneofhisownofficerswasaneventtoothrillingtogiveanythingbutunalloyeddelighttothosewhohadtosufferinsilencesimilarindignitiesatthehandsoftheirofficers。
　　Anotableexceptioninthebattalion，however，wasSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，who，becauseofhismilitaryexperience，andofhisreputationasadisciplinarian，hadbeenrecentlytransferredtothebattalion。TothesergeantmajorthisactofBarry’swasbutanotherandmoreflagrantexampleofhisfondnessfor"buttin’in，"
　　andthesergeantmajorletitbeknownthathestronglycondemnedthechaplainforwhathedeclaredwasanunheardofbreachofmilitarydiscipline。
　　Ofcoursetherewereotherswhoopenlyapproved，andwhoadmiredthechaplain’s"nerveinstandinguptotheoldman。"Intheiropinionhewasentirelyjustifiedinwhathehadsaid。TheO。C。
　　hadinsultedhim，andeveryofficeratthemess，byhisoff—colourstory，butonthewholethegeneralresultoftheincidentwasthatBarry’slifebecamemoreandmoreoneofisolationfrombothofficersandmen。Forthisreasonandbecauseofahauntingsenseoffailurethemonthsoftrainingprecedingthebattalion’sdepartureforEnglandwereforBarryonelongandalmostuninterruptedmisery。
　　Itseemedimpossibletoestablishanypointofcontactwitheithertheofficersorthemen。Intheirathletics，intheirsocialgatherings，intheirreading，hewasquietlyignoredandmadetofeelthathewasinnowaynecessary。Animpalpablebutveryrealbarrierpreventedhisnearapproachtothosewhomhewassoeagertoserve。
　　Thisunexpressedoppositionwasquickenedintoactivehostilitybythechaplain’suncompromisingattitudeontheliquorquestion。Bythearmyregulations，thebattalioncanteenwasdry，butinspiteofthismany，bothoftheofficersandthemen，freelyindulgedintheuseofintoxicatingdrink。Theeffectupondisciplinewas，ofcourse，deplorable，andinhispublicaddressesaswellasprivateconversation，Barryconstantlydenouncedthesedemoralisinghabits，winningtherebytheviolentdislikeofthoseespeciallyaffected，andthelatenthostilityofthemajorityofthemenwhoagreedwiththesergeantmajorinresentingthechaplain’s"buttin’in。"
　　Itwas，therefore，withunspeakablejoythatBarrylearnedthatthebattalionwaswarnedforoverseasservice。Anychangeinhislotwouldbeanimprovement，forhewasconvincedthathehadreachedthelimitofwretchednessintheexerciseofhisdutyaschaplainofthebattalion。
　　Inthisconviction，however，hewasmistaken。Onshipboard，hediscoveredthattherewerestilldepthsofmiserywhichhewascalledupontoplumb。Assignedtoamiserablestateroominanuncomfortablepartoftheship，hesufferedhorriblyfromseasickness，andforthefirsthalfofthevoyagelayfoodlessandspiritlessinhisbunk，indifferenttohisenvironmentortohisfate。Hissolefriendwashisbatman，HarryHobbs，but，ofcourse，hecouldnotconfidetoHarrythemiseryofhisbody，orthedeepermiseryofhissoul。
　　ItwasHarry，however，thatbroughtrelief，foritwashethatcalledtheM。O。tohisofficer’sbedside。TheM。O。wasshockedtofindthechaplaininastateofextremephysicalweakness，andmentaldepression。Atonce，hegaveordersthatBarryshouldberemovedtohisownstateroom，whichwaslargeandairyandopentotheseabreezes。Theeffectwasimmediatelyapparent，forthechangeofroom，andmoreespeciallythetouchofhumansympathy，didmuchtorestoreBarrytohisnormalhealthandspirits。A
　　friendshipsprangupbetweentheM。O。andthechaplain。WiththisfriendshipanewinterestcameintoBarry’slife，andwithsurprisingrapidityheregainedbothhisphysicalandmentaltone。
　　Thedoctortookhimresolutelyinhand，pressedhimtotakehispartinthedailyphysicaldrill，inducedhimtosharethedailyprogrammeofsports，and，bestofall，discoveringaviolinonboard，insistedonhistakingaplaceonthemusicalprogrammerenderednightlyinthesalon。Asmightbeexpected，hisviolinwonhimfriendsamongallofthemusicloversonboardship，andlifeforBarrybeganoncemoretobebearable。
　　Returningstrength，however，recalledhimtotheperformanceofhisdutiesaschaplain，andstraightwayintheexerciseofwhatheconsideredhisduty，hecameintoconflictwithnolessapersonagethanthesergeantmajorhimself。Thetroublearoseoverhisbatman，HarryHobbs。
　　Harrywasamanwho，inhisyouthfuldays，hadbeenadiligentpatronoftheLondonmusichalls，andinconsequencehadbecomehimselfanamateurentertainerofveryconsiderableability。Hissailor’shornpipes，Irishjigs，hisoldEnglishNorth—countryballadsandhiscostersongswereanunendingjoytohiscomrades。
　　TheirgratitudeandadmirationtookformsthatprovedpoorHarry’sundoing，andbesidessomeofthemtookanunholyjoyinsendingthechaplain’sbatmantohisofficerincapableofservice。
　　Barry’sindignationandgriefwerebeyondwords。HedealtfaithfullywiththeerringHobbs，ashisminister，ashisofficer，aschaplain，butthedownwarddragofhisenvironmentprovedtoogreatforhisbatman’spowersofresistance。OnceandagainBarrysoughttheaidofthesergeantmajortorescueHarryfromhisdownwardcourse，buttheoldsergeantmajorwasunimpressedwiththeaccountofHarry’slapses。
　　"Isyourbatmanunfitforduty，sir？"heinquired。
　　"Yes，heis，often，"saidBarryindignantly。
　　"Didyoureporthim，sir？"inquiredthesergeantmajor。
　　"No，Ididnot。"
　　"Then，sir，IamafraidthatuntilyoudoyourdutyIcandonothing，"answeredthesergeantmajor，withsuaverespect。
　　"Ifyoudidyourduty，"Barrywasmovedtosay，"thenHobbswouldnotneedtobereported。Theregulationsgoverningthatcanteenshouldpreventthesefrequentexamplesofdrunkenness，whichareadisgracetothebattalion。"
　　"DoIunderstand，sir，"inquiredthesergeantmajor，withquietrespect，"thatyouareaccusingmeofafailureinduty？"
　　"Iamsayingthatiftheregulationswereobservedmybatmanandotherswouldnotbesofrequentlydrunk，andtheenforcingoftheseregulations，Iunderstand，isapartofyourduty。"
　　"Then，sir，"repliedthesergeantmajor，"perhapsIhadbetterreportmyselftotheCommandingOfficer。"
　　"Youcanpleaseyourself，"saidBarry，shortly，asheturnedaway。
　　"Verygood，sir，"repliedthesergeantmajor。"Ishallreportmyselfatonce。"
　　Thedayfollowing，thechaplainreceivedanordertoappearbeforetheO。C。intheorderlyroom。
　　"CaptainDunbar，IunderstandthatyouaremakingachargeagainstSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，"wasColonelLeighton’sgreeting。
　　"Iammakingnochargeagainstanyone，sir，"repliedBarryquietly。
　　"Whatdoyousaytothat，SergeantMajorMcFetteridge？"
　　Inreply，thesergeantmajorgaveafullandfairstatementofthepassagebetweenthechaplainandhimselfthedaybefore。
　　"Isthiscorrect，CaptainDunbar？"askedtheO。C。
　　"Substantiallycorrect，sir，exceptthatthesergeantmajorishereonhisownsuggestion，andonnoorderofmine。"
　　"ThenIunderstandthatyouwithdrawyourchargeagainstthesergeantmajor。"
　　"Iwithdrawnothing，sir。Ihadnointentionoflayingacharge，andIhavelaidnochargeagainstthesergeantmajor；butatthesametimeIhavenohesitationinsayingthattheregulationsgoverningthecanteenarenotobserved，and，asIunderstandthattheresponsibilityforenforcingtheseregulationsisinthesergeantmajor’shands，inthatsenseIconsiderthathehasfailedinhisduty。"
　　Butthesergeantmajorwastoooldasoldiertobecaughtnapping。
　　Hehadhiswitnessesreadyathandtotestifythatthecanteenwasconductedaccordingtoregulations，andthatifthechaplain’sbatmanoranyotherstookmoreliquorthantheyshould，neitherthecorporalinchargeofthecanteennorthesergeantmajorwastobeblamed。
　　"AllIcansay，sir，"repliedBarry，"isthatsoldiersarefrequentlydrunkonthisship，andImyselfhaveseenthemwhentheworseforliquorgoingintothecanteen。"
　　"Anddidyoureportthesementotheirofficersortome，CaptainDunbar，ordidyoureportthecorporalinchargeofthecanteen？"
　　"No，sir，Ididnot。"
　　"Thensir，doyouknowthatyouhavebeenguiltyofseriousneglectofduty？"saidthecolonelsternly。
　　"DoIunderstand，sir，thatitismydutytoreporttoyoueverymanIseetheworseforliquoronthisship？"
　　"Mostcertainly，"repliedthecolonel，emphatically。"Everybreachofdisciplinemustbereported。"
　　"Iunderstood，sir，thatanofficerhadacertainamountofdiscretioninamatterofthiskind。"
　　"Wheredidyougetthatnotion？"inquiredthecolonel。"Letmetellyouthatyouarewrong。Discretionarypowersliesolelywithme。"
　　"Then，sir，IamtounderstandthatImustreporteverymanwhomI
　　seetheworseforliquor？"
　　"Certainly，sir，"
　　"Andeveryofficer，aswell，sir？"
　　Thecolonelhesitatedamoment，fumbledwithhispapers，andthenblurtedout：
　　"Certainly，sir。Andletmesay，CaptainDunbar，thatanofficer，especiallyanofficerinyourposition，oughttobeverycarefulinmakingachargeagainstaN。C。O。，moreparticularlythesergeantmajorofhisbattalion。Nothingismorecalculatedtodragdowndiscipline。Thecaseisdismissed。"
　　"Sir，"saidBarry，maintaininghisplacebeforethetable。"MayI
　　askonequestion？"
　　"Thecaseisdismissed，CaptainDunbar。Whatdoyouwant？"askedthecolonelbrusquely。
　　"Iwanttobequiteclearastomyduty，inthefuture，sir。DoI
　　understandthatifanymanorofficerisfoundundertheinfluenceofliquor，anywhereinthisship，andatanyhourofthedayornight，heistobereportedatoncetotheorderlyroom，eventhoughthatofficershouldbe，say，eventheadjutantoryourself？"
　　Barrysaid，gazingupatthecolonelwithafaceinwhichearnestnessandcandourwereequallyblended。
　　Thecolonelgazedbackathimwithafaceinwhichrageandperplexitywereequallyapparent。Forsomemoments，hewasspeechless，whilethewholeorderlyroomhelditsbreath。
　　"Imean——thatyou——youunderstand——ofcourse，"stutteredthecolonel，"thatanofficermustusecommonsense。Hemustbedamnedsureofwhathesays，inotherwords，"saidthecolonel，rushinghisspeech。
　　"But，sir，"continuedBarry。
　　"Oh，gotothedevil，sir，"roaredthecolonel。"Thecaseisdismissed。"
　　Barrysalutedandlefttheroom。
　　"Isthemananinfernalandcondemnedfool，orwhatisthematterwithhim？"exclaimedthecolonel，turningtohisadjutantinahelplessappeal，whiletheorderlyroomstruggledwithitsgrins。
　　"Thedevilonlyknows，"saidMajorBustead。"Hebeatsme。Heisaninterferingandimpertinentass，inmyopinion，butwhatelseheis，Idon’tknow。"
　　Itisfairtosaythatthesergeantmajorborethechaplainnogrudgeforhispartintheaffair。Thewholebattalion，however，soonbecamepossessedofthetale，adornedandexpandedtoanunrecognisableextent，andrevelledinecstasyoverthediscomfortoftheC。O。Theconsensusofopinionwasthatonthewholethesergeantmajorhadcomeoffwithpremierhonours，andasbetweenthe"oldman"andthe"SkyPilot，"asBarrywascomingtobecalled，itwasaboutanevenbreak。AsforthePilot，heremainedmorethaneveramystery，andonthewhole，thebattalionwasinclinedtoleavehimalone。
　　Thechaplain，however，hadpartially，atleast，achievedhisaim，inthattheregulationsgoverningthecanteenweremorestrictlyenforced，tothevastimprovementofdisciplinegenerally，andtotheimmenseadvantageofHarryHobbsinparticular。
　　Soonafterthis，anothereventoccurredwhichaidedmateriallyinbringingaboutthissameresult，andwhichalsoledtoamodificationofopinioninthebattalioninregardtotheirchaplain。
　　Totheciviliansoldierthepunctilioofmilitaryetiquetteisfrequentlynotonlyabore，butattimestakesontheappearanceofwilfulinsultwhichnogrownmanshouldbeexpectedtotolerate。
　　TotheciviliansoldierbornandbroughtupinwidespacesofthefarNorthwestthisisespeciallythecase。
　　Itisnotsurprising，therefore，thatMcCuaig，freshfromhisthirty—fiveyearsoflifeintheAthabascawilds，shouldfindtheroutineofmilitarydisciplineextremelyirksomeandthenicetiesofmilitaryetiquetteasfromaprivatetoanofficernotonlyfoolishbutdegradingbothtoofficerandman。UnderthepatientshepherdingofBarry’sfather，hehadenduredmuchwithoutprotestorcomplaint，but，withtheadventofSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，withhisrigidmilitarydisciplineandhisstrictinsistenceuponetiquette，McCuaigpassedintoanewatmosphere。TothefreebornandfreebredrecruitfromtheAthabascaplains，thestiffandsomewhatexaggeratedmilitarybearingofthesergeantmajorwasatfirstasourceofquietamusement，laterofperplexity，andfinallyofannoyance。ForMcFetteridgeandhisminutiaeofmilitarydisciplineMcCuaigheldonlycontempt。Tohim，thewholebusinesswasapieceofsillynonsenseunworthyofseriousmen。
　　ItwasinevitablethatthesergeantmajorshouldsoonerorlaterdiscoverthisopinioninPrivateMcCuaig，andthatheshouldconsidertheholdingofthisopinionasatendencytowardinsubordination。Itwasalsoinevitablethatthesergeantmajorshouldorderacourseofspecialfatiguescalculatedtosubduethespiritoftheinsubordinateprivate。
　　IttookMcCuaigsomedaystodiscoverthatinthesefrequentfatiguesandspecialduties，hewasundergoingpunishment，butoncemade，thediscoverywroughtinhimacoldandsilentrage，whichdrovehimtoanundueandquiteunwonteddevotiontothecanteen，whichinturntransformedthereserved，self—controlledmanofthewildsintoademonstrative，disorderlyandquarrelsome"rookie"
　　achingfortrouble。
　　Underthesecircumstances，anoutburstwasinevitable。CorporalFerry，inchargeofthecanteen，furnishedtheoccasion。
　　"Nomoreforyou，McCuaig。You’vegotmoreaboardnowthanyoucancarry。"
　　Totheinjuryofbeingdeniedanotherbeerwasaddedtheinsultofsuggestinghisinabilitytocarrywhathehad。ThistoamanofMcCuaig’sexperienceineverybarandcampandroadhousefromEdmontontotheArcticcircle，wasnottobeendured。
　　Heleanedovertheimprovisedbar，untilhisfacealmosttouchedthecorporal’s。
　　"What？"heejaculated，butinthesingleexpletivetheredartedoutsuchconcentratedfury，thatthelittlecorporalsprangbackasfromastrikingsnake。
　　"Youcan’thaveanymorebeer，McCuaig，"saidthecorporal，fromasafedistance。
　　"Watchme，sonny！"repliedMcCuaig。
　　Withasinglesweepofhishand，hesnatchedtwobottlesfromtheledgebehindthecorporal’shead。Holdingonealoft，heknockedthetopofftheother，drankitscontentsslowlyandsmashedtheemptybottleatthespotwherethecorporal’sheadhadbeen；
　　knockedthetopoffthesecondbottleandwasproceedingtodrinkit，inamoreorlessleisurelyfashion。
　　"PrivateTimms！PrivateMulligan！"shoutedCorporalFerry，reappearingfrombeneaththecounter。"Arrestthatman！"
　　"Wait，sonny；givemeachance，"criedMcCuaig，inawild，high，singsongvoice。Liftinghisbottletohislips，hecontinuedtodrinkslowly，keepinghiseyeuponthetwoprivates，whowereconsideringthebestmethodofcarryingouttheirorders。
　　"There，sonny，fillthatupagain，"criedMcCuaig，good—naturedly，whenhehadfinishedhisdrink，tossingthesecondbottleattheheadofthecorporal，who，beingonthealert，againmadeasuccessfuldisappearance。
　　"Now，then，boys，comeon，"saidMcCuaig，backingtowardthewall，anddroppinghishandstohiships。Withacurseofdisappointmentthathefoundhimselfwithouthisusualweaponsofdefence，McCuaigraisedashout，sprangintotheair，crackedhisheelstogetherinadoublerap，andswinginghisarmsaroundhishead，yelled：
　　"Comeon，myboys！I’mhungry，Iam！Meat！Meat！Meat！"
　　Witheach"meat，"hiswhiteteethcametogetherwithasnaplikethatofahungrywolf。SuchwasthebeastlyferocityinhisfaceandposturethatbothPrivateTimmsandPrivateMulligan，themselvesmenofmorethanaveragestrength，pausedandlookedatthecorporalforfurtherorders。
　　"Arrestthatman，"saidthecorporalagain，preservingatthesametimeanattitudethatrevealedacompletereadinessforswiftdisappearance。"PrivateMcTavish，"headded，callinguponatallHighlanderwhowasgazingwithadmiringeyesupontheragingMcCuaig，"assistPrivateTimmsandPrivateMulliganinarrestingthatman。"
　　"Whydon’tyoucomeyourself，sonny？"inquiredMcCuaig。Withaswiftsidestepandaswifterswoopofhislongarm，hereachedforthecorporal，whooncemorefoundsafetyinswiftdisappearance。
　　Atthatinstant，theHighlander，seeinghisopportunity，flunghimselfuponMcCuaig，andwindinghisarmsaroundhim，hungtohimgrimly，cryingout：
　　"Getholdofhislegs！Queeck！Willyou？"
　　Whenthesergeantmajor，attractedbytheunwonteduproar，appeareduponthescene，therewasamanoneveryoneofMcQuaig’slimbs，andanotheroneastridehisstomach。"Heavin’likesawlogsshootin’arapid，"asPrivateCorbin，alumberjackfromtheEauClaire，waslaterheardtoremark。
　　"Whatishelikenow？"inquiredthecolonel，afterlisteningtothesergeantmajor’sreportoftheHomericcombat。
　　"Heisinacompartmentinthehold，sir，andraginglikeonedemented。HeverynearlydidforMajorBustead，smashingathimwithascantlingthatherippedfromtheship’stimbers，sir。Hestillhasthescantling，sir。"
　　"Lethimcooloffallnight，"saidtheCommandingOfficer，afterconsultationwiththeadjutant。
　　Barry，whowithdifficultyhadrestrainedhimselfduringthesergeantmajor’sreport，slippedfromtheroom，foundtheM。O。，towhomhedetailedthestoryanddraggedhimofftovisittheragingMcCuaig。
　　Theyfoundacorporalonguardoutside。
　　"Iwouldnotopenthedoor，sir。Heisreallydangerous。"
　　"Oh，rot！"repliedtheM。O。"Openupthedoor！"
　　"Excuseme，sir，"saidthecorporal，"itisnotsafe。Atpresent，heiscleancrazy。Heisoffhisnutentirely。"
　　TheM。O。stoodlisteningatthedoor。Fromwithincamemoaningsoundsasfromasufferingbeast。
　　"Thatmanissuffering。Openthedoor！"orderedtheM。O。
　　peremptorily。
　　Thecorporal，withgreatreluctance，unlockedthepadlock，shotbackthebolt，andthenstoodawayfromthedoor。
　　"Itisthemedicalofficer，McCuaig，"saidthedoctor，openingthedoorslightly。
　　Bang！Crash！camethescantlinguponthedoorjamb，shatteringittopieces。Thewholeguardflungthemselvesagainstthedoor，shoveditshut，andshotthebolt。
　　"Iwarnedyou，sir，"saidthepantingcorporal。"Betterleavehimuntilmorning。He’saregulardevil！"
　　"Heisnomoreadevilthanyouare，corporal，"saidBarry，inaloud，clearvoice。"Heisoneofthebestmeninthebattalion。
　　Morethanthat，heismyfriend，andifhespendsthenightthere，Ispenditwithhim。"
　　Sosaying，andbeforeanyonecouldstophim，Barryshotbackthebolt，openedthedoor，andwithhistorchlightflashingbeforehim，steppedinside。
　　"Hello，McCuaig，"hecalled，inaquiet，clearvoice，"whereareyou？It’sDunbar，youknow。"
　　Hedrewthedoorshutafterhim。Thecorporalwasforfollowinghim，buttheM。O。interposed。
　　"Stopout！"heordered。"Staywhereyouare！Youhavedoneenoughmischiefalready。"
　　"But，sir，he’llkillhim！"
　　"Thisismycase，"saidtheM。O。sharply。"Fallbackallofyou，outofsight！"
　　Togethertheystoodlisteninginawestrucksilence，expectingeverymomenttohearsoundsofconflict，andcriesforhelp，butalltheyheardwasthecool，evenflowofaquietvoice，andaftersomeminuteshadpassed，thesoundofmoans，mingledwithaterriblesobbing。
　　TheM。O。，movingtowardthecorporalandhisguard，saidinalowtone：
　　"TakeyourmendownthepassageandkeepthemthereuntilIcallforyou。"
　　"Sir，"beganthecorporal。
　　"Willyouobeymyorders？"saidtheM。O。"I’mincommandhere！
　　Go！"
　　Withoutfurtherwords，thecorporalmovedhismenaway。
　　Halfanhourlater，thesergeantmajor，goinghisrounds，receivedarudeshock。InthepassageleadingtoMcCuaig’scompartment，hemetfourmen，bearingonastretchertowardthesickbayalongsilentform。
　　"Whohaveyougotthere，corporal？"heinquiredinatoneofkindlyinterest。
　　"McCuaig，sir。"
　　"McCuaig？"roaredthesergeantmajor。"Andwho——"
　　"Medicalofficer’sorders。"
　　"Silencethere，"saidasharpvoiceintherear。"Carryon，men。"
　　Andpasttheastonishedsergeantmajor，theprocessionfiledwiththemedicalofficerandthechaplainatitstailend。
　　AfterthesergeantmajorhadmadehisreporttotheO。C。，aswashisduty，theM。O。wassentfor。Whattookplaceatthatinterviewwasneverdivulgedtothemess，butitwasknownthatwhereastheconversationbeganinveryloudtonesbytheOfficerCommanding，itendedhalfanhourlaterwiththeM。O。beingshownoutoftheroombythecolonelhimself，whowasheardtoremark：
　　"Averyfinebitofwork。TellhimIwanttoseehimwhenhehasafewminutes，andthankyou，doctor，thankyou！"
　　"Whodoestheoldmanwanttosee？"inquiredSally，who，withHopetonandBooth，happenedtobepassing。
　　"Thechaplain，"snappedtheM。O。，goingonhisway。
　　"Thechaplain？ByJove，he’saqueerone，eh？"
　　TheM。O。turnedsharplyback，andcomingveryclosetoSally，saidinawrathfulvoice：
　　"Aqueerone？Yes，aqueerone！Butifsomeofyoudamnedyoungidiotsthatsniffathimhadjusthalfhisguts，you’dbetwicethemenyouare。——Shutup，Hopeton！Listentome——"andinwordsoffieryragethatranclosetotears，herecountedhisexperienceofthelasthour。
　　"ByJove！Doc，someguts，eh？"saidSallyinalowtone，ashemovedaway。