"It is very desirable to keep up the distinction between the two
professions," said Bradshawe. "One has a strong tendency to slide into
the other. Pray, tell me what arguments you have been using with my
lord."

L'Isle, with an effort at calmness, repeated the substance of the late
conversation, much to Bradshawe's amusement; for in him a genuine love
of mischief rivaled his epicurean tastes.

"On one point, my lord had the advantage of you," said Bradshawe. "It
is his privilege to bid you look after your regiment; not yours to bid
him look after his brigade."

"True," said L'Isle, bitterly. "But as you, though my senior, are not
my commander, I trust there is no insubordination in my telling you
that the brigade is left to look after itself, and is going to the
devil as fast as it can."

"As individuals," said Bradshawe, "that is the probable destination of
most of us."

"We will have to get Julian Sanchez, or the Empecinado, or some other
guerilla chief, to undertake its reformation," continued L'Isle, in
great heat. "I forgot to suggest to my lord, that before we march
away, we ought to levy a contribution, as a bounty for the blessings
we bestow on the neighborhood in leaving it."

"A capital idea," said Bradshawe, "but by no means original. The
French always do so when they change their cantonments; that is, if
there be any thing left in the country around. If our hands were not