ass are, on the other hand, among the wildest and least
reputable men in the ranks. They are good men in a campaign where pluck
and endurance and high spirits are most valuable, but among the worst
and most troublesome when there is little to do and time hangs heavily
on hand.

There were two of the sergeants who had failed in the examination for
commissions, and were hoping some day to obtain them. One had been five
years in the regiment, the other three. Their attention had first been
called to Edgar by his getting a first-class in the examination, which
at once stamped him as having had an education greatly superior to that
of the majority of recruits. His position in the regimental cricket team
further attracted their attention, and they took an opportunity to speak
to him when it happened they were walking together and met Edgar
returning from an afternoon's ramble across the country.

"Well, Smith, how do you like soldiering?"

"I like it very well; I don't think that there is anything to complain
of at all."

"It is better than grinding away at Latin and Greek and mathematics, and
that sort of thing," the younger of the two sergeants said with a smile.

"There are advantages both ways, sergeant."

"So there are, lad. Of the two I like drill better than grinding at
books, worse luck; if I had been fond of books I should not be wearing
these stripes. I asked the band-master if you were learning an
instrument. He said you were not. So I suppose you mean to give up your
trumpet and join the ranks as soon as you get to eighteen?"

"Yes. I should not care about being in the band."

"Your cricket is not a bad thing for you," the elder of the two men
said. "It brings you into notice, and will help you to get your stripes
earlier than you otherwise would do; as a man who does his regiment
credit either as a good shot or as a cricketer or in the sports is sure
to attract notice, and to be pushed on if he is steady and a smart
soldier. If you won't mind my giving you a bit of advice, I should say
don't try to push yourself forward. Sometimes young fellows spoil their
chances by doing so. Some of the old non-commissioned officers feel a
bit jealous when they see a youngster likely to make his way up, and you
know they can make it very hot for a fellow if they like. So be careful
not to give them a chance. Even if you are blown up when you do not
deserve it, it is better to hold your tongue than to kick against it.
C