irmish, for it proved nothing more, was soon over. The greater
part of the regiment escaped in safety. William in the mean time
suffered cruelly both in mind and body. To the pains of a wounded
soldier, he added the disgrace of a coward, and the infamy of a
deserter. O, cried he, why was I such a fool as to leave the _great
family_ I lived in, where there was meat and drink enough and to
spare, only on account of a little quarrel? I might have made up
that with them as we had done our former quarrels. Why did I leave a
life of ease and pleasure, where I had only a little rub now and
then, for a life of daily discipline and constant danger? Why did I
turn soldier? O what a miserable animal is a soldier!

As he was sitting in this weak and disabled condition, uttering the
above complaints, he observed a venerable old officer, with thin
gray locks on his head, and on his face, deep wrinkles engraved by
time, and many an honest scar inflicted by war. William had heard
this old officer highly commended for his extraordinary courage and
conduct in battle, and in peace he used to see him cool and
collected, devoutly employed in reading and praying in the interval
of more active duties. He could not help comparing this officer with
himself. I, said he, flinched and drew back, and would even have
deserted in the moment of peril, and now in return, I have no
consolation in the hour of repose and safety. I would not fight
then, I can not pray now. O why would I ever think of being a
soldier? He then began afresh to weep and lament, and he groaned so
loud that he drew the notice of the officer, who came up to him,
kindly sat down by him, took him by the hand, and inquired with as
much affection as if he had been his brother, what was the matter
with him, and what particular distress, more than the common fortune
of war it was which drew from him such bitter groans? "I know
something of surgery," added he, "let me examine your wound, and
assist you with such little comfort as I can."

William at once saw the difference between the soldiers in the
king's army, and the people in the great family; the latter commonly
withdrew their kindness in sickness and trouble, when most wanted,
which was just the very time when the others came forward to assist.
He told the officer his little history, the manner of his living in
the great family, the trifling cause of his quarreling with it, the
slight ground of his entering into the king's serv