we have lived so long amid these savage scenes, that we
have almost forgotten what luxury, or even comfort, means.
Doubt not, my friend, that in time you will, like us, be
reconciled to the change."

"Confound me for an idiot, then, if I give myself time,"
replied Sir Everard affectedly. "It was only five minutes
before that cursed alarm bell was sounded in my ears,
that I had made up my mind fully to resign or exchange
the instant I could do so with credit to myself; and, I
am sure, to be called out of a warm bed at this unseasonable
hour offers little inducement for me to change my opinion."

"Resign or exchange with credit to yourself!" sullenly
observed a stout tall officer of about fifty, whose spleen
might well be accounted for in his rank of "Ensign" Delme.
"Methinks there can be little credit in exchanging or
resigning, when one's companions are left behind, and in
a post of danger."

"By Jasus, and ye may say that with your own pritty
mouth," remarked another veteran, who answered to the
name of Lieutenant Murphy; "for it isn't now, while we
are surrounded and bediviled by the savages, that any
man of the ---- rigimint should be after talking of bating
a retrate."

"I scarcely understand you, gentlemen," warmly and quickly
retorted Sir Everard, who, with all his dandyism and
effeminacy of manner, was of a high and resolute spirit.