But there was this difference: the floral effects in front of the dingy
buildings surrounding the yard were all in motion, for the men were
collecting fast, and in obedience to the sharp "Fall in!" roughly formed
line after line, each man making for his company.

The bandsmen, too, were collecting, like the men of the regiment, in
full review order; for that day there was to be a march out to meet the
310th, now on its way to take up quarters in the High Barracks, and the
band of the 205th were to play them in through the town to their new
quarters.

Quite an unnecessary proceeding, but one of those forms which, provided
the weather is good, proves satisfactory to the British soldier; for it
means show, excitement, a pleasant tramp, and something to relieve the
deadly monotony of barrack-life, with its eternal drill and routine.

No morning could have been more genial for the purpose, and the prospect
of a few miles' march, with the people of town and village _en fete_,
was a welcome one to all but the men in the infirmary, who were looking
gloomily from the windows at their comrades, all spick and span, eager
for the change.

Then, with the sun flashing from the brass instruments, the band formed
up, all the officers began to drop down from their quarters, best
uniforms being the order of the day, as there were no signs of rain;
and, at last, after a few sharp orders from the sergeants, the companies
were formed, the preliminary examinations made, and the usual
adjurations delivered respecting buttons, belts, and suspicious spots.
But there was not much cause for complaint, and the men were well in
place when the trampling of horses was heard. The men stood to their
arms, and the mounted colonel and major came slowly up to the front;
while a group of officers passed to and fro along the line of
well-drilled young fellows, who made up one of the smartest corps in the
service.

A few movements, performed with wonderful accuracy, giving the regiment
the aspect of some peculiar piece of mechanism, and then the order was
given, "Band to the front!" A brief pause, a sharp command or two, and
then _boom_--_boom_--_boom_--_boom_, so many beats of the big drum, a
crash from the brass instruments, which came echoing strangely back from
the barrack walls, and away they went toward the gates, where half the
boys and idlers of the neighbourhood were waiting, ready to give a cheer
as the drum-and-fife band passed out first i