was instant silence, broken, however, by sundry
dull pops, as men drew the crooks out of their brass instruments, and
drained away the condensed breath.

"We'll try that march from _Forst_ again," said the bandmaster; and the
men began to turn over the leaves of their music, while others adjusted
the cards ready upon their brass instruments.

Dick stood by the regular flute-player, who, rather grudgingly, made
room at his tall stand; and then, as the bandmaster called attention
with a fresh tap of the baton and opened the score, the flautist said:

"Beg pardon, Mr Wilkins, sir; here's the recruit. Is he to stand with
me?"

Dick waited, curious to hear what followed, and incensed at what did;
for, when the bandmaster entered, he had glanced sharply at the now
bandsman, and then passed on.

"Eh! what recruit?" said the little leader, looking up and giving a
start as he made believe to see Dick for the first time. "Oh, that
young man? Well, perhaps he had better stand by you, and then he may
pick up what he can. This is a difficult piece."

"I know Gounod's work pretty well, sir," said Dick, quietly.

"Oh, do you!" said the bandmaster, with a little jerky laugh, like that
of a spiteful woman. "Now, then; what's your name, sir?"

"Smithson," said Dick, feeling as if he would like to kick the
mean-spirited little cad.

"Oh, Smithson, eh?--son of the great Smith!"

He looked round, twinkling, for a laugh to follow what he meant for a
joke; and the obsequious bandsmen uttered a sniggering kind of concreted
grin, followed instantly by a loud-toned sonorous _Phoomp_! from the
huge bell-mouth of the contra-bass.

"What do you mean by that, Banks?" cried the bandmaster, as soon as
there was silence, for the men had burst into a loud and general roar.

"Beg pardon, sir; I was listening, sir," said the offender. "It was
only one of those deep notes I was doubtful about."

"Then don't you let it occur again, sir! It was an excuse for a marked
show of disrespect, and I won't have it! Here is the colonel
complaining about the inefficiency of our band, and people are saying
that the 310th is far better--which is a lie, a ridiculous lie--but I
want to know how our band is to become efficient if there is not more
discipline maintained?"

"Beg pardon, sir?"

"Silence, sir! Attend to what I say! I have long noted a want of
attention among the men--a mutinous spirit--and I won't allow it! While
I'm bandmaster,