t, stationed at Manchester.

We answered, "Not in the least."

On that we handed back our shillings to the sergeant of the 44th
regiment; the recruiting-sergeant of the 90th Light Infantry putting
fresh shillings in our hands, and thus enlisting us in his regiment. We
were then taken to a magistrate, and sworn in to serve Her Majesty for a
period of ten years, if at home; or if on foreign service, not to exceed
twelve.

We finished our day with a dinner, of which I may say that I have eaten
many a better; and we then took a stroll about Westminster, and had a
look at the fine old abbey and the Houses of Parliament, where the laws
are made. I may just remark that a soldier, if he keeps his eyes open,
and himself out of the beer-shop, may, wherever he goes, see a number of
places and things worth seeing, which will give him something to think
about and talk about to the end of his life.

The next day, after breakfast, we were marched off to "pass the
colonel;" that is, that he might see us, and say whether he would have
us. He arrived at noon.

"Now, my boy, get under that standard," said he to me.

I did so, and found that I measured five feet six and three-quarter
inches.

"Is he all right, doctor?" he asked. "Perfectly so, sir," was the
answer. "That will do, my boy; you can go." The trial I thought so
much about was over. Marshall and I had now a few shillings handed over
to us, and were fast bound for our agreed-on term of servitude, unless
at any time we might be able to buy ourselves out of the army. For the
next three days we had nothing to do but eat our meals and walk about
till five o'clock, when we had to appear at the rendezvous; that is, the
house where the recruiting-officer had his head-quarters.

On a dark morning--the 5th of November--we were roused up at half-past
four, and, after parade, were marched off to the railway-station to
proceed to Manchester, the barracks at which place we reached at ten at
night. We were at once sent to a room full of beds, ranged along the
two walls. All were occupied except two, which were turned up. These
were soon made ready, and Marshall and I crept into them. We did not
speak to any of the men, and no one took any notice of us. Though we
were both well tired, what with the strangeness of the place, and the
sentinel every half-hour calling out the number of his post and "All's
well," neither of us could sleep till near morning, when the bugle's
so