s at the head of the
table, "I must ask you to excuse me leaving the table. The colonel
wishes to see me immediately at his quarters."

"What can be the matter now?" one of the officers said. "It must be
something of importance or the colonel would never hare called
Hallowes out in that way."

"Heard of some still away among the hills, I suppose. That means a
night's tramp for some of us. Too bad to be put to this sort of work
within a week of sailing on foreign service," grumbled another.

Various guesses were made as to the nature of the business, and
several wagers were laid on the subject. In ten minutes the adjutant
returned. He was evidently excited, and all listened with great
interest as, instead of resuming his seat, he remained standing.

"Gentlemen," he said, "I have great news for you. A vessel has just
come in from Plymouth with dispatches. Napoleon has escaped from Elba.
He has landed in France, and been received with enthusiasm. The troops
have joined him, and he is already close to Paris, which he is
expected to enter without opposition. The King of France has fled."

For a moment there was silence, then the major leaped to his feet.

"Three cheers, gentlemen!" and all of those present joined in a hearty
cheer.

Then a sudden silence fell upon them. The first idea that had struck
each man was that the news meant their again taking the field for
another stirring campaign. Then the dismal thought occurred to them
that the regiment was under orders for America. It soon found
expression in words.

"Why, major, they surely won't be sending us across the Atlantic now
this news has arrived. The Powers will never permit all their work to
be undone, and Napoleon to mount the throne of France again. Why, in a
short time all Europe will be in a blaze, and how is England to take
the field again? The greater portion of Wellington's army are
scattered over the world--in America, India, and the Colonies. I don't
believe there are half a dozen of the old fighting regiments
available, and even their ranks are half-filled with raw recruits.
Almost all the regiments at home are mere skeletons. Surely they will
never be sending us away at such a moment?"

"That I can say nothing about," the adjutant replied. "Certainly no
counter orders have reached the colonel this evening. I don't suppose
anything will be decided upon for some time. The Powers will all
exchange notes and hold councils and spend weeks in talk be