re of which afforded me neither time nor inclination to
attend either to personal annoyance or personal comfort. I felt that,
while it was untarnished, I should be proud and happy. My
covering-sergeant once had the assurance to ask me to permit him to
deprive me of the incumbrance. I really thought I should have jumped
down the fellow's throat. "An incumbrance!" I repeated; "how dare you
cast such an imputation on England's pride? No, sergeant: he who takes
this colour, when before an enemy, will take with it my life." "I beg
pardon, Sir; I did not intend to offend you, or cast a reflection on
that flag under which I have fought and bled." I replied, "No, sergeant,
I know you did not intend to offend me, or cast a stigma upon the
colour; but supposing that I should be so imprudent as to give up such a
charge to you, and you should lose it, or be killed, or meet with any
other accident, which in the course of war we are all liable to, what
answer should I make my justly-offended country, when asked, Where is
the banner which was intrusted to your charge? What excuse would it be
to say, I gave it to a sergeant to carry? Should I not deserve to be
carried to the gallows? No, sergeant, the post of ensign is one of most
distinguished trust, and, so long as I hold that commission, nothing
but death shall part me and my flag, while it is my duty to bear it;
but your offer was that of kindness. Come, let us drink to its
prosperity." Here I gave him my little pistol or brandy-bottle; and, in
the most prophetic manner, he said, "Well, Sir, God bless and prosper
our old banner; and, ere to-morrow's dawn, may you wave it over a
conquered foe." I took a drop, and said, "Amen." My young friend, who
had journeyed with me from Dinapore, and who was now my chum, had the
honour of carrying the other flag, and he also gloried in the
distinction; and although he had some twenty desperate falls, and
sprained his thumb, he would not part with it.

Our march now became more and more tardy, and the ascents and descents
more difficult and intricate. In some places rocks of gigantic size hung
some hundred feet over head. These sudden and tremendous hills and dales
indicated that we could not have far to go; for the last hill was
scarcely accessible. The soles of both my boots had long refused to bear
me company any further; but I had one faithful soul that bore me through
every difficulty and hardship.

The morn now began to break through the c