He decided upon the latter course. In portentous
silence he turned his back upon Fatty Matthews and walked the whole
length of the line to get a mule back over the rope. It took him some
little time for the mule had his own mind about the manoeuvre and
the sergeant was unwontedly deliberate and gentle with him. Then, the
manoeuver executed, he walked slowly back to the pioneer sergeant and in
restrained and carefully chosen speech addressed him.
"Look here, Fatty, I'm askin' you, don't you ever say things like that
outside of these lines, for the sake of the regiment, you know. I'd
really hate the other battalions to know we had got such--" He halted
himself abruptly and then proceeded more quietly, "A man as you in this
battalion. My God, Fatty, they'd think your brains had run down into
your pants. I know they haven't, because I know you haven't any." He
took a fresh breath, and continued his address in a tone of patient
remonstrance. "Why, man, don't you know that wherever the British Army
has gone, its Highland regiments have cleared the way; and that when the
pipes get playin' the devil himself couldn't hold them back?"
"I don't wonder," said Fatty innocently.
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