ButBarryhadcaughtthemajor’swords。Foramomenthestoodirresolute；thenwalkedquietlytowardthegroup。
\"Icouldn’thelphearingyou，MajorBustead，\"hesaid，inavoicepleasantandunderperfectcontrol。\"Igatheryouwerereferringtome。\"
\"Iwas，sir，\"saidthemajordefiantly。
\"AndwhyshouldIbesenttoCoventry，orexchanged，mayIask？\"
Barry’svoicewasthatofaninterestedoutsider。
\"Because，\"stutteredtheMajor，\"Iconsider，sir，that——that——youhavebeenguiltyofapieceofdamnableimpertinencetowardyourCommandingOfficer。Ineverheardanythinglikeitinmylife。
Infernalcheek，Icallit，sir。\"
Whilethemajorwasspeaking，Barrystoodlisteningwithanairofrespectfulattention。
\"Iwonder！\"hesaid，afteramoment’sthought。\"IfIthoughtIhadbeenimpertinent，Ishouldatonceapologise。But，sir，doyouthinkitispartofmydutytoallowanyman，evenmyCommandingOfficer，to——pardonthedisgustingmetaphor，itisnotsodisgustingastheactioncomplainedof——tospitinmysoup，andtakeitwithoutprotest？Doyou，sir？\"
\"I——you——\"Themajorgrewveryredintheface。\"Youneedtolearnyourplaceinthisbattalion，sir。\"
\"Ido，\"saidBarry，stillpreservinghisquietvoiceandmanner。
\"Iwanttolearn——Iamreallyanxioustolearnit。Doyoumindansweringmyquestion？\"Histonewasthatofamanwhoisearnestlybutquiterespectfullyseekinginformationfromasuperiorofficer。
\"Yourquestion，sir？\"stutteredthemajor，\"your——your——question。
Damnyourquestion，andyourselftoo。\"
Themajorturnedabruptlyaway。Barryheardhimquiteunmoved，stoodlookingafterhiminsilenceamomentortwo，then，shakinghishead，withapuzzledexpressiononhisface，movedslowlyawayfromthegroup。
\"Oh，myauntCaroline，\"breathedSallyintohisfriendHopeton’sear，restingheavilymeanwhileagainsthisshoulder。\"Whatascore！Whatascore！\"
\"Abull，begad！acleanbull！\"murmuredHopeton，supportinghisfriendoutoftheroomasheadded，\"Alittlefreshair，asapreventativeofvertigo，astheolddocsays，eh，Sally。\"
\"GoodLord，ishejustaplainass，orwhat？\"inquiredyoungBooth，hiseyefollowingBarrydowntheroom。
\"Ass！Amule，Ishouldsay。Andonewithagoodlotofkickinhim，\"repliedCaptainTrain。\"Idon’tknowthatIcareforthatkindofananimal，though。\"
Beforemanyhourshadpassed，thewholebattalionhadreceivedwithundilutedjoyanaccountoftheincident，forthoughtheCommandingOfficerwaspopularwithhismen，tohavehimcalleddownathisownmessbyoneofhisownofficerswasaneventtoothrillingtogiveanythingbutunalloyeddelighttothosewhohadtosufferinsilencesimilarindignitiesatthehandsoftheirofficers。
Anotableexceptioninthebattalion，however，wasSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，who，becauseofhismilitaryexperience，andofhisreputationasadisciplinarian，hadbeenrecentlytransferredtothebattalion。TothesergeantmajorthisactofBarry’swasbutanotherandmoreflagrantexampleofhisfondnessfor\"buttin’in，\"
andthesergeantmajorletitbeknownthathestronglycondemnedthechaplainforwhathedeclaredwasanunheardofbreachofmilitarydiscipline。
Ofcoursetherewereotherswhoopenlyapproved，andwhoadmiredthechaplain’s\"nerveinstandinguptotheoldman。\"Intheiropinionhewasentirelyjustifiedinwhathehadsaid。TheO。C。
hadinsultedhim，andeveryofficeratthemess，byhisoff—colourstory，butonthewholethegeneralresultoftheincidentwasthatBarry’slifebecamemoreandmoreoneofisolationfrombothofficersandmen。Forthisreasonandbecauseofahauntingsenseoffailurethemonthsoftrainingprecedingthebattalion’sdepartureforEnglandwereforBarryonelongandalmostuninterruptedmisery。
Itseemedimpossibletoestablishanypointofcontactwitheithertheofficersorthemen。Intheirathletics，intheirsocialgatherings，intheirreading，hewasquietlyignoredandmadetofeelthathewasinnowaynecessary。Animpalpablebutveryrealbarrierpreventedhisnearapproachtothosewhomhewassoeagertoserve。
Thisunexpressedoppositionwasquickenedintoactivehostilitybythechaplain’suncompromisingattitudeontheliquorquestion。Bythearmyregulations，thebattalioncanteenwasdry，butinspiteofthismany，bothoftheofficersandthemen，freelyindulgedintheuseofintoxicatingdrink。Theeffectupondisciplinewas，ofcourse，deplorable，andinhispublicaddressesaswellasprivateconversation，Barryconstantlydenouncedthesedemoralisinghabits，winningtherebytheviolentdislikeofthoseespeciallyaffected，andthelatenthostilityofthemajorityofthemenwhoagreedwiththesergeantmajorinresentingthechaplain’s\"buttin’in。\"
Itwas，therefore，withunspeakablejoythatBarrylearnedthatthebattalionwaswarnedforoverseasservice。Anychangeinhislotwouldbeanimprovement，forhewasconvincedthathehadreachedthelimitofwretchednessintheexerciseofhisdutyaschaplainofthebattalion。
Inthisconviction，however，hewasmistaken。Onshipboard，hediscoveredthattherewerestilldepthsofmiserywhichhewascalledupontoplumb。Assignedtoamiserablestateroominanuncomfortablepartoftheship，hesufferedhorriblyfromseasickness，andforthefirsthalfofthevoyagelayfoodlessandspiritlessinhisbunk，indifferenttohisenvironmentortohisfate。Hissolefriendwashisbatman，HarryHobbs，but，ofcourse，hecouldnotconfidetoHarrythemiseryofhisbody，orthedeepermiseryofhissoul。
ItwasHarry，however，thatbroughtrelief，foritwashethatcalledtheM。O。tohisofficer’sbedside。TheM。O。wasshockedtofindthechaplaininastateofextremephysicalweakness，andmentaldepression。Atonce，hegaveordersthatBarryshouldberemovedtohisownstateroom，whichwaslargeandairyandopentotheseabreezes。Theeffectwasimmediatelyapparent，forthechangeofroom，andmoreespeciallythetouchofhumansympathy，didmuchtorestoreBarrytohisnormalhealthandspirits。A
friendshipsprangupbetweentheM。O。andthechaplain。WiththisfriendshipanewinterestcameintoBarry’slife，andwithsurprisingrapidityheregainedbothhisphysicalandmentaltone。
Thedoctortookhimresolutelyinhand，pressedhimtotakehispartinthedailyphysicaldrill，inducedhimtosharethedailyprogrammeofsports，and，bestofall，discoveringaviolinonboard，insistedonhistakingaplaceonthemusicalprogrammerenderednightlyinthesalon。Asmightbeexpected，hisviolinwonhimfriendsamongallofthemusicloversonboardship，andlifeforBarrybeganoncemoretobebearable。
Returningstrength，however，recalledhimtotheperformanceofhisdutiesaschaplain，andstraightwayintheexerciseofwhatheconsideredhisduty，hecameintoconflictwithnolessapersonagethanthesergeantmajorhimself。Thetroublearoseoverhisbatman，HarryHobbs。
Harrywasamanwho，inhisyouthfuldays，hadbeenadiligentpatronoftheLondonmusichalls，andinconsequencehadbecomehimselfanamateurentertainerofveryconsiderableability。Hissailor’shornpipes，Irishjigs，hisoldEnglishNorth—countryballadsandhiscostersongswereanunendingjoytohiscomrades。
TheirgratitudeandadmirationtookformsthatprovedpoorHarry’sundoing，andbesidessomeofthemtookanunholyjoyinsendingthechaplain’sbatmantohisofficerincapableofservice。
Barry’sindignationandgriefwerebeyondwords。HedealtfaithfullywiththeerringHobbs，ashisminister，ashisofficer，aschaplain，butthedownwarddragofhisenvironmentprovedtoogreatforhisbatman’spowersofresistance。OnceandagainBarrysoughttheaidofthesergeantmajortorescueHarryfromhisdownwardcourse，buttheoldsergeantmajorwasunimpressedwiththeaccountofHarry’slapses。
\"Isyourbatmanunfitforduty，sir？\"heinquired。
\"Yes，heis，often，\"saidBarryindignantly。
\"Didyoureporthim，sir？\"inquiredthesergeantmajor。
\"No，Ididnot。\"
\"Then，sir，IamafraidthatuntilyoudoyourdutyIcandonothing，\"answeredthesergeantmajor，withsuaverespect。
\"Ifyoudidyourduty，\"Barrywasmovedtosay，\"thenHobbswouldnotneedtobereported。Theregulationsgoverningthatcanteenshouldpreventthesefrequentexamplesofdrunkenness，whichareadisgracetothebattalion。\"
\"DoIunderstand，sir，\"inquiredthesergeantmajor，withquietrespect，\"thatyouareaccusingmeofafailureinduty？\"
\"Iamsayingthatiftheregulationswereobservedmybatmanandotherswouldnotbesofrequentlydrunk，andtheenforcingoftheseregulations，Iunderstand，isapartofyourduty。\"
\"Then，sir，\"repliedthesergeantmajor，\"perhapsIhadbetterreportmyselftotheCommandingOfficer。\"
\"Youcanpleaseyourself，\"saidBarry，shortly，asheturnedaway。
\"Verygood，sir，\"repliedthesergeantmajor。\"Ishallreportmyselfatonce。\"
Thedayfollowing，thechaplainreceivedanordertoappearbeforetheO。C。intheorderlyroom。
\"CaptainDunbar，IunderstandthatyouaremakingachargeagainstSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，\"wasColonelLeighton’sgreeting。
\"Iammakingnochargeagainstanyone，sir，\"repliedBarryquietly。
\"Whatdoyousaytothat，SergeantMajorMcFetteridge？\"
Inreply，thesergeantmajorgaveafullandfairstatementofthepassagebetweenthechaplainandhimselfthedaybefore。
\"Isthiscorrect，CaptainDunbar？\"askedtheO。C。
\"Substantiallycorrect，sir，exceptthatthesergeantmajorishereonhisownsuggestion，andonnoorderofmine。\"
\"ThenIunderstandthatyouwithdrawyourchargeagainstthesergeantmajor。\"
\"Iwithdrawnothing，sir。Ihadnointentionoflayingacharge，andIhavelaidnochargeagainstthesergeantmajor；butatthesametimeIhavenohesitationinsayingthattheregulationsgoverningthecanteenarenotobserved，and，asIunderstandthattheresponsibilityforenforcingtheseregulationsisinthesergeantmajor’shands，inthatsenseIconsiderthathehasfailedinhisduty。\"
Butthesergeantmajorwastoooldasoldiertobecaughtnapping。
Hehadhiswitnessesreadyathandtotestifythatthecanteenwasconductedaccordingtoregulations，andthatifthechaplain’sbatmanoranyotherstookmoreliquorthantheyshould，neitherthecorporalinchargeofthecanteennorthesergeantmajorwastobeblamed。
\"AllIcansay，sir，\"repliedBarry，\"isthatsoldiersarefrequentlydrunkonthisship，andImyselfhaveseenthemwhentheworseforliquorgoingintothecanteen。\"
\"Anddidyoureportthesementotheirofficersortome，CaptainDunbar，ordidyoureportthecorporalinchargeofthecanteen？\"
\"No，sir，Ididnot。\"
\"Thensir，doyouknowthatyouhavebeenguiltyofseriousneglectofduty？\"saidthecolonelsternly。
\"DoIunderstand，sir，thatitismydutytoreporttoyoueverymanIseetheworseforliquoronthisship？\"
\"Mostcertainly，\"repliedthecolonel，emphatically。\"Everybreachofdisciplinemustbereported。\"
\"Iunderstood，sir，thatanofficerhadacertainamountofdiscretioninamatterofthiskind。\"
\"Wheredidyougetthatnotion？\"inquiredthecolonel。\"Letmetellyouthatyouarewrong。Discretionarypowersliesolelywithme。\"
\"Then，sir，IamtounderstandthatImustreporteverymanwhomI
seetheworseforliquor？\"
\"Certainly，sir，\"
\"Andeveryofficer，aswell，sir？\"
Thecolonelhesitatedamoment，fumbledwithhispapers，andthenblurtedout：
\"Certainly，sir。Andletmesay，CaptainDunbar，thatanofficer，especiallyanofficerinyourposition，oughttobeverycarefulinmakingachargeagainstaN。C。O。，moreparticularlythesergeantmajorofhisbattalion。Nothingismorecalculatedtodragdowndiscipline。Thecaseisdismissed。\"
\"Sir，\"saidBarry，maintaininghisplacebeforethetable。\"MayI
askonequestion？\"
\"Thecaseisdismissed，CaptainDunbar。Whatdoyouwant？\"askedthecolonelbrusquely。
\"Iwanttobequiteclearastomyduty，inthefuture，sir。DoI
understandthatifanymanorofficerisfoundundertheinfluenceofliquor，anywhereinthisship，andatanyhourofthedayornight，heistobereportedatoncetotheorderlyroom，eventhoughthatofficershouldbe，say，eventheadjutantoryourself？\"
Barrysaid，gazingupatthecolonelwithafaceinwhichearnestnessandcandourwereequallyblended。
Thecolonelgazedbackathimwithafaceinwhichrageandperplexitywereequallyapparent。Forsomemoments，hewasspeechless，whilethewholeorderlyroomhelditsbreath。
\"Imean——thatyou——youunderstand——ofcourse，\"stutteredthecolonel，\"thatanofficermustusecommonsense。Hemustbedamnedsureofwhathesays，inotherwords，\"saidthecolonel，rushinghisspeech。
\"But，sir，\"continuedBarry。
\"Oh，gotothedevil，sir，\"roaredthecolonel。\"Thecaseisdismissed。\"
Barrysalutedandlefttheroom。
\"Isthemananinfernalandcondemnedfool，orwhatisthematterwithhim？\"exclaimedthecolonel，turningtohisadjutantinahelplessappeal，whiletheorderlyroomstruggledwithitsgrins。
\"Thedevilonlyknows，\"saidMajorBustead。\"Hebeatsme。Heisaninterferingandimpertinentass，inmyopinion，butwhatelseheis，Idon’tknow。\"
Itisfairtosaythatthesergeantmajorborethechaplainnogrudgeforhispartintheaffair。Thewholebattalion，however，soonbecamepossessedofthetale，adornedandexpandedtoanunrecognisableextent，andrevelledinecstasyoverthediscomfortoftheC。O。Theconsensusofopinionwasthatonthewholethesergeantmajorhadcomeoffwithpremierhonours，andasbetweenthe\"oldman\"andthe\"SkyPilot，\"asBarrywascomingtobecalled，itwasaboutanevenbreak。AsforthePilot，heremainedmorethaneveramystery，andonthewhole，thebattalionwasinclinedtoleavehimalone。
Thechaplain，however，hadpartially，atleast，achievedhisaim，inthattheregulationsgoverningthecanteenweremorestrictlyenforced，tothevastimprovementofdisciplinegenerally，andtotheimmenseadvantageofHarryHobbsinparticular。
Soonafterthis，anothereventoccurredwhichaidedmateriallyinbringingaboutthissameresult，andwhichalsoledtoamodificationofopinioninthebattalioninregardtotheirchaplain。
Totheciviliansoldierthepunctilioofmilitaryetiquetteisfrequentlynotonlyabore，butattimestakesontheappearanceofwilfulinsultwhichnogrownmanshouldbeexpectedtotolerate。
TotheciviliansoldierbornandbroughtupinwidespacesofthefarNorthwestthisisespeciallythecase。
Itisnotsurprising，therefore，thatMcCuaig，freshfromhisthirty—fiveyearsoflifeintheAthabascawilds，shouldfindtheroutineofmilitarydisciplineextremelyirksomeandthenicetiesofmilitaryetiquetteasfromaprivatetoanofficernotonlyfoolishbutdegradingbothtoofficerandman。UnderthepatientshepherdingofBarry’sfather，hehadenduredmuchwithoutprotestorcomplaint，but，withtheadventofSergeantMajorMcFetteridge，withhisrigidmilitarydisciplineandhisstrictinsistenceuponetiquette，McCuaigpassedintoanewatmosphere。TothefreebornandfreebredrecruitfromtheAthabascaplains，thestiffandsomewhatexaggeratedmilitarybearingofthesergeantmajorwasatfirstasourceofquietamusement，laterofperplexity，andfinallyofannoyance。ForMcFetteridgeandhisminutiaeofmilitarydisciplineMcCuaigheldonlycontempt。Tohim，thewholebusinesswasapieceofsillynonsenseunworthyofseriousmen。
ItwasinevitablethatthesergeantmajorshouldsoonerorlaterdiscoverthisopinioninPrivateMcCuaig，andthatheshouldconsidertheholdingofthisopinionasatendencytowardinsubordination。Itwasalsoinevitablethatthesergeantmajorshouldorderacourseofspecialfatiguescalculatedtosubduethespiritoftheinsubordinateprivate。
IttookMcCuaigsomedaystodiscoverthatinthesefrequentfatiguesandspecialduties，hewasundergoingpunishment，butoncemade，thediscoverywroughtinhimacoldandsilentrage，whichdrovehimtoanundueandquiteunwonteddevotiontothecanteen，whichinturntransformedthereserved，self—controlledmanofthewildsintoademonstrative，disorderlyandquarrelsome\"rookie\"
achingfortrouble。
Underthesecircumstances，anoutburstwasinevitable。CorporalFerry，inchargeofthecanteen，furnishedtheoccasion。
\"Nomoreforyou，McCuaig。You’vegotmoreaboardnowthanyoucancarry。\"
Totheinjuryofbeingdeniedanotherbeerwasaddedtheinsultofsuggestinghisinabilitytocarrywhathehad。ThistoamanofMcCuaig’sexperienceineverybarandcampandroadhousefromEdmontontotheArcticcircle，wasnottobeendured。
Heleanedovertheimprovisedbar，untilhisfacealmosttouchedthecorporal’s。
\"What？\"heejaculated，butinthesingleexpletivetheredartedoutsuchconcentratedfury，thatthelittlecorporalsprangbackasfromastrikingsnake。
\"Youcan’thaveanymorebeer，McCuaig，\"saidthecorporal，fromasafedistance。
\"Watchme，sonny！\"repliedMcCuaig。
Withasinglesweepofhishand，hesnatchedtwobottlesfromtheledgebehindthecorporal’shead。Holdingonealoft，heknockedthetopofftheother，drankitscontentsslowlyandsmashedtheemptybottleatthespotwherethecorporal’sheadhadbeen；
knockedthetopoffthesecondbottleandwasproceedingtodrinkit，inamoreorlessleisurelyfashion。
\"PrivateTimms！PrivateMulligan！\"shoutedCorporalFerry，reappearingfrombeneaththecounter。\"Arrestthatman！\"
\"Wait，sonny；givemeachance，\"criedMcCuaig，inawild，high，singsongvoice。Liftinghisbottletohislips，hecontinuedtodrinkslowly，keepinghiseyeuponthetwoprivates，whowereconsideringthebestmethodofcarryingouttheirorders。
\"There，sonny，fillthatupagain，\"criedMcCuaig，good—naturedly，whenhehadfinishedhisdrink，tossingthesecondbottleattheheadofthecorporal，who，beingonthealert，againmadeasuccessfuldisappearance。
\"Now，then，boys，comeon，\"saidMcCuaig，backingtowardthewall，anddroppinghishandstohiships。Withacurseofdisappointmentthathefoundhimselfwithouthisusualweaponsofdefence，McCuaigraisedashout，sprangintotheair，crackedhisheelstogetherinadoublerap，andswinginghisarmsaroundhishead，yelled：
\"Comeon，myboys！I’mhungry，Iam！Meat！Meat！Meat！\"
Witheach\"meat，\"hiswhiteteethcametogetherwithasnaplikethatofahungrywolf。SuchwasthebeastlyferocityinhisfaceandposturethatbothPrivateTimmsandPrivateMulligan，themselvesmenofmorethanaveragestrength，pausedandlookedatthecorporalforfurtherorders。
\"Arrestthatman，\"saidthecorporalagain，preservingatthesametimeanattitudethatrevealedacompletereadinessforswiftdisappearance。\"PrivateMcTavish，\"headded，callinguponatallHighlanderwhowasgazingwithadmiringeyesupontheragingMcCuaig，\"assistPrivateTimmsandPrivateMulliganinarrestingthatman。\"
\"Whydon’tyoucomeyourself，sonny？\"inquiredMcCuaig。Withaswiftsidestepandaswifterswoopofhislongarm，hereachedforthecorporal，whooncemorefoundsafetyinswiftdisappearance。
Atthatinstant，theHighlander，seeinghisopportunity，flunghimselfuponMcCuaig，andwindinghisarmsaroundhim，hungtohimgrimly，cryingout：
\"Getholdofhislegs！Queeck！Willyou？\"
Whenthesergeantmajor，attractedbytheunwonteduproar，appeareduponthescene，therewasamanoneveryoneofMcQuaig’slimbs，andanotheroneastridehisstomach。\"Heavin’likesawlogsshootin’arapid，\"asPrivateCorbin，alumberjackfromtheEauClaire，waslaterheardtoremark。
\"Whatishelikenow？\"inquiredthecolonel，afterlisteningtothesergeantmajor’sreportoftheHomericcombat。
\"Heisinacompartmentinthehold，sir，andraginglikeonedemented。HeverynearlydidforMajorBustead，smashingathimwithascantlingthatherippedfromtheship’stimbers，sir。Hestillhasthescantling，sir。\"
\"Lethimcooloffallnight，\"saidtheCommandingOfficer，afterconsultationwiththeadjutant。
Barry，whowithdifficultyhadrestrainedhimselfduringthesergeantmajor’sreport，slippedfromtheroom，foundtheM。O。，towhomhedetailedthestoryanddraggedhimofftovisittheragingMcCuaig。
Theyfoundacorporalonguardoutside。
\"Iwouldnotopenthedoor，sir。Heisreallydangerous。\"
\"Oh，rot！\"repliedtheM。O。\"Openupthedoor！\"
\"Excuseme，sir，\"saidthecorporal，\"itisnotsafe。Atpresent，heiscleancrazy。Heisoffhisnutentirely。\"
TheM。O。stoodlisteningatthedoor。Fromwithincamemoaningsoundsasfromasufferingbeast。
\"Thatmanissuffering。Openthedoor！\"orderedtheM。O。
peremptorily。
Thecorporal，withgreatreluctance，unlockedthepadlock，shotbackthebolt，andthenstoodawayfromthedoor。
\"Itisthemedicalofficer，McCuaig，\"saidthedoctor，openingthedoorslightly。
Bang！Crash！camethescantlinguponthedoorjamb，shatteringittopieces。Thewholeguardflungthemselvesagainstthedoor，shoveditshut，andshotthebolt。
\"Iwarnedyou，sir，\"saidthepantingcorporal。\"Betterleavehimuntilmorning。He’saregulardevil！\"
\"Heisnomoreadevilthanyouare，corporal，\"saidBarry，inaloud，clearvoice。\"Heisoneofthebestmeninthebattalion。
Morethanthat，heismyfriend，andifhespendsthenightthere，Ispenditwithhim。\"
Sosaying，andbeforeanyonecouldstophim，Barryshotbackthebolt，openedthedoor，andwithhistorchlightflashingbeforehim，steppedinside。
\"Hello，McCuaig，\"hecalled，inaquiet，clearvoice，\"whereareyou？It’sDunbar，youknow。\"
Hedrewthedoorshutafterhim。Thecorporalwasforfollowinghim，buttheM。O。interposed。
\"Stopout！\"heordered。\"Staywhereyouare！Youhavedoneenoughmischiefalready。\"
\"But，sir，he’llkillhim！\"
\"Thisismycase，\"saidtheM。O。sharply。\"Fallbackallofyou，outofsight！\"
Togethertheystoodlisteninginawestrucksilence，expectingeverymomenttohearsoundsofconflict，andcriesforhelp，butalltheyheardwasthecool，evenflowofaquietvoice，andaftersomeminuteshadpassed，thesoundofmoans，mingledwithaterriblesobbing。
TheM。O。，movingtowardthecorporalandhisguard，saidinalowtone：
\"TakeyourmendownthepassageandkeepthemthereuntilIcallforyou。\"
\"Sir，\"beganthecorporal。
\"Willyouobeymyorders？\"saidtheM。O。\"I’mincommandhere！
Go！\"
Withoutfurtherwords，thecorporalmovedhismenaway。
Halfanhourlater，thesergeantmajor，goinghisrounds，receivedarudeshock。InthepassageleadingtoMcCuaig’scompartment，hemetfourmen，bearingonastretchertowardthesickbayalongsilentform。
\"Whohaveyougotthere，corporal？\"heinquiredinatoneofkindlyinterest。
\"McCuaig，sir。\"
\"McCuaig？\"roaredthesergeantmajor。\"Andwho——\"
\"Medicalofficer’sorders。\"
\"Silencethere，\"saidasharpvoiceintherear。\"Carryon，men。\"
Andpasttheastonishedsergeantmajor，theprocessionfiledwiththemedicalofficerandthechaplainatitstailend。
AfterthesergeantmajorhadmadehisreporttotheO。C。，aswashisduty，theM。O。wassentfor。Whattookplaceatthatinterviewwasneverdivulgedtothemess，butitwasknownthatwhereastheconversationbeganinveryloudtonesbytheOfficerCommanding，itendedhalfanhourlaterwiththeM。O。beingshownoutoftheroombythecolonelhimself，whowasheardtoremark：
\"Averyfinebitofwork。TellhimIwanttoseehimwhenhehasafewminutes，andthankyou，doctor，thankyou！\"
\"Whodoestheoldmanwanttosee？\"inquiredSally，who，withHopetonandBooth，happenedtobepassing。
\"Thechaplain，\"snappedtheM。O。，goingonhisway。
\"Thechaplain？ByJove，he’saqueerone，eh？\"
TheM。O。turnedsharplyback，andcomingveryclosetoSally，saidinawrathfulvoice：
\"Aqueerone？Yes，aqueerone！Butifsomeofyoudamnedyoungidiotsthatsniffathimhadjusthalfhisguts，you’dbetwicethemenyouare。——Shutup，Hopeton！Listentome——\"andinwordsoffieryragethatranclosetotears，herecountedhisexperienceofthelasthour。
\"ByJove！Doc，someguts，eh？\"saidSallyinalowtone，ashemovedaway。
