e were rowing, you did not like that, and said you
would sooner be doing any work on your legs."

"But I didn't mean this; why, I have cut two pairs of boots to pieces
against these here sharp rocks since we began it."

"Ay," said Kavanagh, "but you had already worn-out some of your garments
at the other game, so it was only considerate to give the feet a
chance."

"Well, it's a pity them that likes it should not have the doing of it,"
said the judicious Tarrant.

"Well, you know, you could not pull an oar, and you _can_ pull a rope,"
said Grady, "so you are a trifle more useful now than you were before;
and begorra you had need."

"I could pull a rope if it were over the bough of a tree, and the other
end round your neck," snarled Tarrant.

"Oh, the murdering villain!" cried Grady. "And would ye be after
hanging a poor boy who never harmed ye in all his life?"

"Well, keep a civil tongue in your head."

"Sure, and it's myself that has kissed the Blarney stone, and can do
that same. And if you had such a thing as a bottle of whisky or a pound
of tobacco about you, I would make you believe you were a pleasant
companion, and pretty to look at besides. But what's the use of telling
lies when there's nothing to be got by it?"

"Suppose you were to pull a bit harder and talk a bit less," said
Corporal Adams.

"And I will, corporal dear," replied Grady. "But sure I thought we was
marching at ease."

It may be well to explain that when troops get the word _March at
ease_!--which is generally given directly they step off, when they are
not drilling or manoeuvring, but simply on the route--they are allowed
to carry their arms as they please, open the ranks, though without
losing their places or straggling, smoke their pipes, and chat or sing
if they like.

At the word of command--_Attention_! They close up, slope their arms
properly, put away their pipes, and tramp on in perfect silence.

But marching at ease was such a singularly inappropriate expression for
men who were dragging a heavy nuggar up a cataract under a blazing sun
that there was a general laugh, and even Tarrant relaxed into a grin. A
general laugh, I say, not a universal one, for Macintosh, who was
plodding along behind Grady, preserved his gravity.

"I don't say that silence is incumberous," explained Corporal Adams,
who, since he had got his stripes, had taken to using rather fine
language, "but too much talking don't go with hauling."