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"The Royal Picts--Sergeant-Major Stanislas Anastasius Wilders McKay to
be Ensign, _vice_ Arrowsmith, killed in action."

They had lost no time; the reward had followed quickly upon the
gallant deed that deserved it. Barely a month had elapsed since the
Alma, yet already he was an officer, bearing the Queen's commission,
which he had won with his own right arm.

His letters were from home--from his darling mother, who, in simple,
loving language, poured forth her joy and pride.

"My dearest, bravest boy," she said, "how nobly you have justified the
choice you made; you were right, and we were wrong in opposing your
earnest wish to follow in your poor father's footsteps--would that he
had lived to see this day! It was his spirit that moved you when, in
spite of us all, of your uncles' protests and my tears, you persisted
in your resolve to enlist. They said you had disgraced yourself and
us. It was cruel of them; but now they are the first to come round. I
have heard from both your uncles; they are, of course, delighted, and
beg me to give you their heartiest good wishes. Uncle Ralph said
perhaps he would write himself; but he is so overwhelmed with work at
the Munitions Office he may not have time. Uncle Barto you will,
perhaps, see out in the Crimea; he has got command of the _Burlington
Castle_, one of the steamers chartered from his Company, and is going
at once to Balaclava.

"Oh, my sweet son be careful of yourself!" went on the fond mother,
her deep anxiety welling forth. "You are my only, only joy. I pray God
hourly that He may spare your precious life. May He have you in His
safe keeping!"

The reading of these pleasant letters occupied Stanislas till
nightfall. Then, utterly wearied, but with a thankful, contented
heart, he threw himself upon the ground, and slept till morning.

When he issued forth from his tent it was to receive the cordial
congratulations of his brother officers. Sergeant Hyde came up, too, a
little doubtfully, but McKay seized his hand, saying--

"You do not grudge me my good luck, I hope, old friend?"

"I, sir?"--the address was formal, but the tone was full of heartfelt
emotion. "You have no heartier well-wisher than Colour-Sergeant Hyde.
Our relative positions have changed--"

"Nothing can change them, or me, Hyde. You have always been my best
and staunchest friend. It is to your advice and teachings that I owe
all this."

"Go on as you have begun, my boy; the road is ope