"Ah!" and the colonel's face beamed. "Two of our brave fellows! Yes, I recognise them now. My lads," he continued earnestly, "many a brave act was done by our men at the Alma, but of all yours was the most conspicuous. We are proud to own you. You, Corporal, are promoted to full sergeant, and you," addressing Tony, "to full corporal." Flushing with pleasure, Phil and his friend thanked the colonel and retired to their comrades, who had prepared a sumptuous feast for them. "Here yer are, Corporal!" said one enthusiastic fellow, addressing Tony, and emphasising the corporal, "take a bite at this;" and he offered him a helping of a wonderful pie. Tony blushed, and looked upon the point of exploding, for he was unused to his new title. But he took the helping and quickly caused it to disappear. "Look here, mates," he said, after a long pause, "I'm promoted corporal, and yer can call me that as much as yer like to-day, but after that it's off. Remember that;" and he glowered round at them. "This here pal of mine," he continued, pointing to Phil, "is a full sergeant, but that ain't all--he's a gent, and this very day he's done what'll bring him the gold lace of an officer. I tell yer all he saved a chap right up there by the Russian guns, when the Light Brigade charged, and brought him safely out. That's what he did, and mind what I say, to-morrow or next day will see him an officer. Then I chucks the stripe and takes on as his servant." The honest fellow's face shone with pleasure, while his comrades looked on in astonishment. Phil reached over and grasped his gallant old friend by the hand. "Tony," he said with a gulp, "you're talking bosh. Of course I sha'n't be an officer; besides, you helped to bring that wounded man out as well. But if ever I do get a commission I'd have you as my servant and true friend sooner than anyone." The men cheered eagerly. "Hallo!" said one of them, recovering from his momentary excitement, "what's this here about bringing a pal out? Yer talk about the Light Brigade. Spin us the yarn, mates, and don't forget to tell us how you was taken, and how you gave them Russians the slip." Late that night, when all turned in, Phil and his friend were the heroes of the camp, and Tony, whose admiration for his friend had increased, if possible, during the past few trying days, blurted out to the man lying by his side that Phil would make as fine an officer as ever wore queen's uniform, and that if anyone dared to gainsay this he would smash him to pieces. A loud snore was his only answer; but, relieved to some extent by this outburst, the noble-hearted fellow fell peacefully asleep. When the orders for the army were published two days later, there was one portion which particularly attracted the attention of the Brigade of Guards. _Corporal Western_, the paragraph ran, _is promoted to sergeant for gallantry at the Alma in helping to save a colour_. Then it continued: