.

CHAPTER IX

"_The best-laid schemes o' mice and men
Gang aft agley._"

BURNS

They didn't find Jim in the camp of his regiment, so went up to
head-quarters to institute inquiries.

"Given?" a little thought and investigation. "Oh! Given is out on picket
duty."

"Whereabouts?"

The direction indicated. "Thanks! we'll find him."

Having commenced the search, Surrey was determined to end it ere he
turned back, and his two friends bore him company. As they came down the
road, they saw in the distance a great stalwart fellow, red-shirted and
conspicuous, evidently absorbed in some singular task,--what they did
not perceive, till, coming to closer quarters, they discovered, perched
by his side, a tin cup filled with soap-suds, a pipe in his mouth, and
that by the help of the two he was regaling himself with the pastime of
blowing bubbles.

"I'll wager that's Jim," said Surrey, before he saw his face.

"It's like him, certainly: from what I've heard of him, I think he would
die outright if he couldn't amuse himself in some shape."

"Why, the fellow must be a curiosity worth coming here to see."

"Pretty nearly."

Surrey walked on a little in advance, and tapped him on the shoulder.
Down came the pipe, up went the hand in a respectful military salute,
but before it was finished he saw who was before him.

"Wow!" he exclaimed, "if it ain't Mr. Willie Surrey. My! Ain't I glad to
see you? How _do_ you do? The sight of you is as good as a month's pay."

"Come, Given, don't stun me with compliments," cried Surrey, laughing
and putting out his hand to grasp the big, red paw that came to meet it,
and shake it heartily. "If I'd known you were over here, I'd have found
you before, though my regiment hasn't been down here long."

Jim at that looked sharply at the "eagles," and then over the alert,
graceful person, finishing his inspection with an approving nod, and the
emphatic declaration, "Well, if I know what's what, and I rayther reckon
I do, you're about the right figger for an officer, and on the whole I'd
sooner pull off my cap to you than any other fellow I've seen
round,"--bringing his hand once more to the salute.

"Why, Jim, you have turned courtier; army life is spoiling you,"
protested the inspected one; protesting,--yet pleased, as any one might
have been, at the evidently sincere admiration.

"Nary time," Jim strenuously denied; and, these little courtesies being
ended,