The regiment was a very fine one, composed of sturdy Punjabis; and all agreed that, if there were an expedition, they would probably form part of it.

Lisle entered fully into the general feeling, and his eyes glistened as he listened to the sepoys talking of the expeditions in which they had taken part.
"It would be splendid to go," he said to himself, "but I don't see how the colonel could take me.

I shall certainly ask him, when the time comes; but I feel sure that he will refuse.

Of course, I ought to be starting before long for Calcutta; but the expedition will probably not last many weeks and, if I were to go with it, the excitement would keep me from thinking, and do me a lot of good.
Besides, a few weeks could make no difference in my working up for the examination." The more he thought of it, the more he felt determined to go with the column.

He felt sure that he could disguise himself so that no one would suspect who he was.