w of the
right sort. Why, you'd look as thin as a rake in our clothes."

"But I'm young, and I shall grow," said Richard, hurriedly.

"Then go home and grow bigger and wiser, my lad; and if you still want
to join the service, come and ask for me, Sergeant Price, 205th
Fusiliers, and I'll talk to you."

"Only he might be at the Cape," said another of the sergeants, smiling.

"Or in India," said another; and there was a general laugh, which
irritated the would-be recruit, and, feeling completely stunned by his
reception, after taking it for granted that all he had to do was to hold
out his hand when a shilling would be placed therein: after that he was
a soldier.

Giving a sharp, comprehensive glance round, he turned upon his heels and
walked away towards the entrance, feeling ready to go back indignantly,
for there was a roar of laughter apparently at his expense.

"Am I such a contemptible-looking boy?" he thought; and then he felt
better: for there was evidently someone following him, and the laughter
was not at his expense, but at that of the man coming in his direction,
for someone cried--

"Wait a bit, Lambert!"

"Yes; steady there, Dan'l!"

"Hi! you sir, don't you stand anything. He eats and drinks more than is
good for him already."

"I say, Brummy, take him to the King's Head, and we'll join you."

"Dan'l and Lambert," thought Richard. "Why, it's the fat sergeant
coming after me; they're laughing at him!"

But he did not turn his head to see, only went steadily on towards the
gate, with his pulses beating rapidly once more, for the hope rose now
that this man had repented and was, perhaps, going to enlist him, after
all. Telling himself that it would be better to seem careless and
independent, he kept on to the gate, passed out, and heard the steps
still behind him, but so close now that he noticed a rather thick
breathing. Then he started as if thrilled by an electric touch, for
there came in sharp tones--

"Hold hard, my lad!" and then, in military fashion, "Halt! Right about
face!"

Richard obeyed the order on the instant, and in such thorough soldierly
style that the fat sergeant stared.

"Humph! Volunteers!" he muttered: and then, coming close up, he looked
pleasantly in the lad's face, and clapped him on the shoulder. "So you
wanted to 'list, did you?" he said.

"Yes. Will you have me?"

"No, my lad," said the sergeant, smiling. "I only wanted a word with
you before you go i