officer as the Major says I ought to be, I should
report you for want of respect."

"Not you, sir!"

"What!"

"Because you knows, sir, as I feels more respect for you than I do for
the whole regiment put together. I talks a bit, and I never come anigh
you, sir, without feeling slack."

"Feeling slack?"

"Yes, sir. Unbuttoned-like, and as if I was smiling all over."

"What! at your officer?"

"No, sir; not at you, sir. I can't tell you why; only I don't feel
soldier-like--drilled up and stiff as if I had been starched by one of
my comrades' wives."

"Well, you are a rum fellow, Pete."

"Yes, sir," said the man sadly. "That's what our chaps say; and Patient
Job says I am a disgrace to the regiment, that I know nothing, and that
I shall never make a soldier. But I don't care. Still, I do know one
thing: I like you, sir; and if it hadn't been for seeing you always
getting into trouble--"

"Peter Pegg!"

"Yes, sir. But I can't stop saying it, sir. If it hadn't been for you,
and seeing you always getting into trouble too--"

"Pegg!"

"Yes, sir--I should have pegged out."

"What! deserted?"

"Yes, sir. Sounds bad, don't it?"

"Disgraceful!"

"Yes, Mr Maine, sir; but ain't it disgraceful for a sergeant to be
allowed to hit a poor fellow a whack with that cane of his just because
he's a bit out in his drill?"

"Drop it, Pete."

"And 'im obliged to stand up stiff, and dursen't say a word?"

"Didn't you hear me say, `Drop it'?"

"Yes, sir--and one's blood b'iling all the while!"

"Look here; you have been having it again, then, Pete?"

"Again, sir! Why, I am always a-having of it."

"What was it, now?"

"I telled you, sir: nothing."

"That was a lie, Pete. Now, wasn't it?"

"Not a lie, sir. Only a little cracker."

"Well, out with it."

"Not enough pipeclay, sir."

"Oh, I see."

"Jigger the pipeclay! It's a regular cuss. Ah, it's you laughing now,
sir. Can I do anything else for you, sir?"

"N-n-no."

"'Cause the cook will be howling after me directly, and I don't want to
be out with him."

"No, I suppose not; but what about that bait for fishing?"

"Oh, that's all right, sir. I will be ready. But don't you think, sir,
if we was to go higher up the river we could find a better place? It
don't seem much good only ketching them there little hikong-sammylangs."

"Eikon Sambilang, Pete. Don't you know what that means?"

"That's what the niggers call them, sir. I