hardy enough to deny; and the colonel desired
that the goose should be given up to the publican, assuring him, at the
same time, that he should cause the offenders to be severely punished
for the theft which had been committed. Fortunately for our poor backs,
we now found a truly humane and kind-hearted man in the landlord whom we
had offended; for, no sooner did he find that affairs were taking a more
serious turn than he had contemplated, and that it was likely that he
should be the cause of getting a child flogged, than he affected to
doubt the identity of the goose; and, at length, utterly disclaimed it,
saying to the colonel, "This is none of mine, Sir; I see it has a black
spot on the back, whereas mine was pure white; besides, it has a black
head: I wish you a good morning, Sir, and am very sorry for the trouble
I have given you." Thus saying, he left us, muttering, as he went along,
"Get a child flogged for a tarnation old goose? no, no!" Every step he
took carried a ton weight off our hearts. Notwithstanding this generous
conduct in the publican, who was also, by his own acknowledgment a
sinner, our colonel saw very clearly how matters stood; but, in
consideration of our youth, and that this was our first offence--at
least that had been discovered--he contented himself with severely
admonishing us; and the business ended, shortly after, with the
demolition of the goose--roasted.

We remained at Hilsea Barracks for nearly a year, where we acquired the
appellation of the "Red Knights," from our clothing being all of that
colour. I do not recollect anything of importance that occurred to me at
that place, except that I was condemned to pass a week in the black-hole
there, for what the soldiers called "eating my shoes." This punishment I
brought upon myself in the following manner. I had been out to receive
my half-mounting, consisting of a pair of shoes, a shirt, two pair of
stockings, and a stock; and, on my way home, as ill-luck would have it,
an old woman, with whom I had frequently before had dealings, and who
was well known, among us by the title of the plum-pudding woman,
happened to throw herself in my way. Her pudding was smoking hot, I was
exceedingly hungry, and my mouth watered so at the tempting sight, that
I could not drag myself away. But, much as I longed for a slice, what
was to be done? I had no money, and my friend the plum-pudding woman was
by far too old a soldier to give trust till pay-day.[4]