a few moments' intense silence, during which, in the tropic
heat, it seemed as if Nature was plunged in her deepest sleep. Then
came a renewal of the footsteps, a sharp tap upon the door, a loud "Come
in!" and a very closely cropped and shaven, sun-browned face appeared,
its owner clad in clean, white military flannel, drawing himself up
stiffly as he held out the missive he was bearing.

"Letter, sir."

"Well, bring it here. My arms are not telescopes."

"_Pouf_! No, sir. Here you are, sir." And as the letter was taken the
bearer's droll-looking, good-humoured face gradually expanded into a
broad grin, and then seemed to shut up sharply as the young officer
raised his eyes.

"Here, Pete, what were you grinning at? At me?"

"No, sir. That I warn't, sir. I never grin at you. I only do that at
the Sergeant when he aren't looking."

"You were certainly grinning, Pete."

"No, sir; only felt comfy-like."

"Oh, that's right," said the young officer; and then to himself, "It is
seven o'clock, and it is to get up his appetite, I suppose. Sharpen it
on me.--Well, Pete, what have you been up to now?"

"I d'know, sir."

"Nonsense! You must know."

"S'elp me, sir, I don't. The patient one has got his knife into me as
usual. I expected it was to be pack-drill, but I come off with a two
bucket job--water for the cook."

"Now, look here, Pete; tell the truth for once in a way. The Sergeant
wouldn't have come down upon you for nothing."

"What, sir! Oh, I say, Mr Archie, you can go it! Old tipsy Job not
come down upon a fellow for nothing! Why, I have heerd him go on at you
about your drill--"

"That will do, Pegg. Don't you forget yourself sir."

"Beg pardon, sir. I won't, sir; but there have been times when--"

"That will do."

"Yes, sir; of course, sir--when I have thought to myself if I had been a
officer and a gentleman like you--"

"I said that would do, Pegg."

"Yes, sir; I heerd you, sir--I'd have punched his fat head, sir."

"Look here, Peter Pegg; I see you have been having your hair cut again."

"Yes, sir. It's so mortal hot, sir. I told Bob Ennery, sir, to cut it
to the bone;" and the young fellow smiled very broadly as he passed both
hands over the close crop, with an action that suggested the rubbing on
of soap.

"Then look here; next time you have it done I should advise you to have
a bit taken off the tip of your tongue. It's too long, Pete; and if I
were as strict an