Few of us would care to go through this campaign as sepoys--their work is terribly hard, poor fellows--to say nothing of the unpleasantness of having to live among the natives.

I certainly shall consider that he has well earned a commission, if he comes through the campaign." "But he is too young for one," the major said.
"I should not think it necessary to mention his age, in recommending him," the colonel said.

"We know that he is doing a man's work, manfully.

He has earned, as you say, the general liking of the men; and is a deal better fitted for a commission than half the fellows they send out to us.
"Well, we may all be mistaken, and he may only be a brave young fellow of good ancestry; so we will think no more of it, at present, and we will wait to see how things turn out, before showing any signs of our suspicions." Now, however, that the idea had been mooted, the officers, as they went up and down the line, looked closer at Lisle than they had hitherto done; and all agreed that, in spite of his uniform and his colour, he was Captain Bullen's son.

Ignorant of their suspicions, Lisle carried out his work, as usual, as a sub-officer.