ies of the capital. Not that Charlie was a fellow ever to make the
same mistakes as Tom Drift. He never associated with companions he knew
to be bad, or allowed himself to be led into scenes which were in the
slightest degree discreditable. But he did enter rather too readily
into the frivolities of his new quarters, at the expense of his peace of
mind. His popularity was his greatest snare. Everywhere he went he
became a favourite. People were eager to get him to join their parties,
and he was often enough too good-natured to refuse. And thus Charlie
wasted much of his time, and in the end found himself far more
dissatisfied with himself than in the quiet monotony of his up-country
duties.

Do not let me do him injustice, reader, in my account of him during
those few weeks at Calcutta.

He was gay but not fast, frivolous though not dissipated. His errors
were errors of unprofitableness, but never of viciousness. Even in his
most frivolous moments he had never been anything but a gentleman and a
good fellow. Still, it had been unsatisfactory, and he knew it to be so
in his inmost soul.

In the midst of this life came the mutiny, and, like hundreds of others,
Charlie leapt at the call of duty, and flung to the winds all those
attractions which had held him captive during the weeks of his idleness.
Like hundreds of others his blood boiled at the tragedies of that awful
time, and now, of all the rescuing host, there was not one who loved his
own life less, or his country's glory more, than Charlie Newcome.

And thus it was with him when I found him.

But to-night, whatever may have been the memories, and hopes, and
regrets which secretly animated his breast in finding himself again
possessed of his boyish treasure and the companion of so many of his
happiest days, Charlie Newcome had no leisure to sit down and spend his
time in passive contemplation. He had a report to make to his colonel,
and an important despatch to carry to the commander-in-chief. Then
there was the ammunition to be served out among his men, and he had to
superintend the process. And there were the plans for next day's
assault to be talked over with his brother officers, and the various
detachments for that duty to be selected. So that Charlie was a busy
man that night. But with what a light heart he laboured! Among his
occupations he did not forget the gold watch, but had the satisfaction
of making Paddy the happiest man (but one)