CHAPTER XXIV.
I EXCHANGE THE LAUREL FOR THE OLIVE.
Thus, in hospital in Ciudad Rodrigo, ended my first campaign; and here in a few words may end my story.

The surgeons, having their hands full, and detecting no opportunities of credit in a small bugler with a splintered ankle, sent me down to Belem, splinters and splints and all, to recover: and at Belem hospital, just as the surgeons were beginning to congratulate themselves that, although never likely to be fit again for active service, I might in time make a fairly active hospital orderly, the splinters began to work through the flesh; and for two months I lay on my back in bed and suffered more pain than has been packed into the rest of my life.
The curious part of it was that, having extracted the final splinter, they promptly invalided me home.

From the day I limped on board the _Cumberland_ transport in the Tagus, leaning on two crutches, I began to mend: and within twelve months--as may hereafter be recounted--I was back again, hale and hearty, marching with no perceptible limp, on the soil of Spain.
But I must not, after all, conclude in this summary fashion.
And why?
Because scarcely had I set foot in the _Cumberland_ when a voice from somewhere amidships exclaimed: "My blessed Parliament!" I looked up and found myself face to face with--Ben Jope! "And you've grown!" he added, as we shook hands.
"But Ben, I thought you were married and settled ?" He turned his eyes away uneasily.
"Whoever said so told you a thundering lie." "Nobody told me," said I; "but when you left me, I understood--" "My lad," he interrupted hoarsely, "I couldn't do it.

I went straight back, same as you saw me start--now don't say a word till you've heard the end o't!--I went straight back, and up to door without once looking back.

There was a nice brass knocker to the door (I never denied the woman had some good qualities); so I fixed my eyes hard on it and said to myself, if there's peace to be found in this world--which was a Bible text that came into my head--the heart that is humble, which is the case with me, may look for it here.