nd children in an expedition--"

"Oh, come, come," said the resident, gaily; "I am afraid I have been
croaking. There may be danger; but when we are surrounded by such brave
men as the officers and crew of the `Startler,' and her Majesty's
somethingth foot, I see, after all, nothing whatever to fear."

"Fear? no!" said Captain Horton. "Why, we could blow the whole place to
Cape Horn with my guns; and the Malays would never face Sandars' boys,
with their bayonets."

"Did you notice that sentry, Smithers?" asked the little doctor, in a
low voice, of his companion, as the conversation now became less
general.

"Sentry? which one?"

"This one," said the doctor. "Don't speak aloud, or he'll hear you."

"Private Gray? No, I did not notice anything. What do you mean?"

"The light of that lantern shines full on his face, and he made a
movement that drew my attention, when we were talking of there being
danger."

"Indeed?" said the captain.

"Yes; he was evidently listening to the conversation, and I saw him
start so that he nearly dropped his piece; his face was quite convulsed,
and he turned of a sickly pallor. The light was so strong upon him that
I could see his lips whiten."

"Or was it fancy, doctor?"

"Fancy? No, my lad, that was no fancy; and I hope we have not many more
like him in the regiment."

"Well, for my part," said Captain Smithers, quietly, "I have often
wished that my company was composed of Adam Grays."

"Adam, eh? To be sure; I remember the fellow now. Well, he's a poor
descendant of the first Adam, for if that fellow is not an arrant coward
my name isn't Bolter."

"Really, doctor, I think you do the man an injustice. He is a very
superior, well educated fellow; and it has often puzzled me how he
became a private soldier."

"Scamp!" said the doctor, shortly. "Some runaway or another. The ranks
of the army are made a receptacle for blackguards!"

"Hang it, doctor!" cried the young captain, warmly, "I cannot sit here
and listen to such heresy. I confess that we do get some scoundrels
into the army; but as a rule our privates are a thoroughly trustworthy
set of fellows, ready to go through fire and water for their officers;
and I only wish the country would make better provision for them when
their best days are past."

"Ah, that's right enough," said the doctor; "they are all what you say,
and they do deserve better treatment of their country. I mean, ha, ha,
ha! to make te