hat the Sergeant, whose task was ended
until the hour came for rounds, paused to say a few words to the sentry,
a well-built fellow who looked as upright as the rifle he carried; and
before speaking Sergeant Ripsy glanced through the clear, transparent
darkness of the night to right and left, up and down what seemed to be a
brilliant river of black ink, which rippled as it ran swiftly, and
sparkled as if sprinkled with diamonds, from the reflections of the
stars; for, strangely enough, the fire-flies, which had been so frequent
amongst the overhanging vegetation, had now ceased to scintillate.

"Here, you, Corporal Dart, hold up that lantern. A little higher. Now
left; now right. That will do."

The non-com, who knew his Sergeant's motive, had opened the door of the
swinging lantern, and flashed it to and fro so that its light fell
athwart the stolid countenance of the sentry, who stood up--as rigid as
if he had been an effigy cast in bronze.

"You have been drinking again, sir."

"Not a drop, Sergeant," said the man gruffly.

"What's that?" came fiercely.

"Not a drop, Sergeant; nor yesterday nayther."

"Smell him, Corporal."

_Sniff, sniff_, from the Corporal, accompanied by a mild chuckle from
the remains of the strong squad.

"Silence in the ranks!" roared the Sergeant.--"Well, Corporal Dart?
Report."

"Onions, Sergeant; not drink."

"Faugh! Lucky for you, Private Smithers, for there's going to be no
mercy next time you are caught."

"Well, but, Sergeant, this is now, and it aren't next time."

"Silence! A man who is going on duty must keep his tongue still. Now
then, you know the word and what's your duty. Sentry-go until you are
relieved. Strict watch up and down the river, for no boat is to land.
If the enemy come, take him prisoner; but you are not to fire without
cause."

"Without what, Sergeant?"

"Cause, idiot. Don't you know your own language?"

_Plosh_!

"Oh, there's one of them big scrawlers. Keep your eyes open, and don't
go to sleep."

"All right, Sergeant."

"Don't be so handy with that tongue of yours, sir. Listen, and don't
talk. Do you know what will happen if you do go to sleep?"

Private Smithers thought of the many scoldings--tongue-thrashings he
would have called them--which he had had from his wife, and in answer to
the Sergeant's question he drew himself up more stiffly and sighed.

"I said, sir, do you know what would happen if you went to sleep?"

Pri