u into
notice. Be careful with your self, lad. I know you don't drink, so I
need not warn you about that. Don't get cocky. I don't think you will,
for you haven't done so at present, and the notice you have had from
your cricket and that Aldershot affair would have turned a good many
lads' heads. But it is a thing to be careful about. You know there are a
good many old soldiers who are inclined to feel a little jealous when
they see a young fellow pushing forward, but if they see he is quiet,
and gives himself no airs and is pleasant with every one, they get over
it in time; and in your case every one will acknowledge that you deserve
all the luck that may fall to you. So be careful on that head, Smith.

"You will find very little jealousy among us sergeants when you once get
into our mess, for there are very few of us who have any idea whatever
of ever getting a commission, or would take one if it were offered. A
sensible man knows when he is well off, and except for a man who has had
the education you have had one is much more comfortable as a sergeant,
and better off too, than one would be as an officer. When one is with
other men one wants to do as they do, and an officer who has got to live
on his pay finds it hard work and painful work. Of course most men
promoted from the ranks--I mean my class of men--get quarter-masterships,
but there is no great pull in that. Quarter-masters are neither one
thing nor the other. The officers may try to put him at his ease, but
his ways are not their ways; and I have known many a quarter-master who,
if he had his choice, would gladly come back to the sergeant's mess
again."

"Thank you for your advice, sergeant," Edgar said quietly. "I will
follow it to the best of my power. I don't think there is anything to be
cocky about; for the thing at Aldershot was pure luck, and so it was the
other day. I happened to be next to North when his horse fell, and of
course I turned round to help him without thinking who he was or
anything about him. It was just instinct, and it hasn't done him any
good after all, for I hear he is not likely to live many days."

CHAPTER VIII

TAMANIEB.

"Are you sure you feel fit for active work again, Smith?" Major Horsley
said as he met Edgar in camp.

"Yes, sir," the lad said saluting. "I am a little stiff, and it hurts me
if I move suddenly, but I am sure I should not feel it if we were
engaged again."

"Well, do not do anything rash, lad;