loyal observance of the territorial idea; but they themselves had
no notion of that idea. They were made up of drafts from an over-
populated manufacturing district. The system had put flesh and
muscle upon their small bones, but it could not put heart into the
sons of those who for generations had done overmuch work for
overscanty pay, had sweated in drying-rooms, stooped over looms,
coughed among white-lead, and shivered on lime-barges. The men had
found food and rest in the Army, and now they were going to fight
"niggers" - people who ran away if you shook a stick at them.
Wherefore they cheered lustily when the rumour ran, and the
shrewd, clerkly non-commissioned officers speculated on the
chances of batta and of saving their pay. At Headquarters men
said: "The Fore and Fit have never been under fire within the last
generation. Let us, therefore, break them in easily by setting
them to guard lines of communication." And this would have been
done but for the fact that British Regiments were wanted - badly
wanted - at the Front, and there were doubtful Native Regiments
that could fill the minor duties. "Brigade 'em with two strong
Regiments," said Headquarters. "They may be knocked about a bit,
but they'll learn their business before they come through. Nothing
like a night-alarm and a little cutting-up of stragglers to make a
Regiment smart in the field. Wait till they've had half a dozen
sentries' throats cut."

The Colonel wrote with delight that the temper of his men was
excellent, that the Regiment was all that could be wished, and as
sound as a bell. The Majors smiled with a sober joy, and the
subalterns waltzed in pairs down the Mess-room after dinner, and
nearly shot themselves at revolver-practice. But there was
consternation in the hearts of Jakin and Lew. What was to be done