e all knew we must be taught to shoot and understand
everything in connection with the rifle. A lecture-room was fitted up
and furnished, and two companies were struck off duty in order to take
the course.

We had a very funny, good-natured Irishman in my company. His name was
John Deegan. The company was attending a lecture. Mr. Moss had just
finished explaining the three kinds of sights that could be taken, when
he asked the funny man, "What is a fine sight?" and Deegan answered,
"It's a good roast of beef coming from the cookhouse, sir." The company
was then dismissed amid roars of laughter.

In July one year of my service was completed, and we received orders to
be held in readiness to proceed to Aldershot. The men were fond of
moving from one station to another. I soon adapted myself to it, and in
this way I saw what an opportunity I should have in being educated in
all the departments of military service, not thinking that some day I
would be one of the organizers of the splendid forces in our fair
Dominion.

We received our route and entrained at the Plymouth station. It must be
remembered that 75 per cent. of the regiment had only one year's
service to their credit. On the morning we paraded in complete marching
order. The three regiments in garrison sent their bands to help our
send-off. A very striking feature of our departure was the presence of
a large number of fair maidens. Handkerchiefs were very much in
evidence, and by the appearance of things much weeping was going on.
The bands were playing the familiar tunes of "Good-bye, sweetheart,"
and "The girl I left behind me." The train moved out amid much cheering
and bands playing, and we were on our way to the great camp at
Aldershot, where we were to take part with 40,000 men during the drill
season, little dreaming after many roving years to return to Plymouth
again. The conduct of the regiment during its stay in Plymouth was
excellent, and we received many expressions of regret from the citizens
on our departure.

CHAPTER II.

Arriving at Aldershot the next morning, the regiment paraded at
Farnboro station, Aldershot, some three miles from the camp, and
marched to Cove Common and immediately went under canvas. We were
attached to the reserve brigade commanded by Major-General Gordon, and
consisting of the 12th and 21st regiments of infantry, 1st battalion of
Coldstream Guards, a regiment of dragoons, a battery of artillery,
together with t