I did hope the chief would be so busy that he'd forget all about what I said.

There never was such a miserably unlucky beggar born as I am.

Now we shall--" Just then the Major left the Colonel's side, came to the edge of the wall, and looked down into the court, gave a nod of satisfaction, and made a sign to the trumpeter, whose bugle went with a flip to his lips, and there was a sound as if the pent-up breath of some four hundred men had been suddenly allowed to escape.

Then the walls were echoing to the call "Boot and Saddle," and every man sprang to his hung-up saddle and then to his horse, the willing beasts seeming all of a tremor with an excitement as great as that of their riders.

Long practice had made us quick; and in an incredibly short time I was standing like the rest with my rifle slung across my back, holding Sandho's bridle ready to lead him out through the gateway, military fashion, though he would have walked at my side like a dog.
"We're only going for a bit of a reconnaissance," said Sergeant Briggs gruffly as, after a sharp, non-com glance at his men, he settled down close to my side.
"How do you know ?" I asked, speaking as if to a friend, and not to a superior officer on parade.
"No orders for water-bottles and rations, my lad.