To this general boskiness, I have said, there was one exception. It was Jones. In fact, with all his faults, I never, on any one occasion, saw Jones overcome with liquor; which was the more remarkable, because he got more than any other soldier of the detachment. His own ration—all that he could appropriate of mine—occasional contributions from Coosey—all he could get from every quarter, (and he never missed an opportunity,) all went down his throat without visible effect. In short, he seemed brandy-proof. I never saw him affected, nor had he the appearance of a hard drinker. Observing that he looked much as usual, while all around were looking so different, I applied to him for an explanation. “Why, Jones, what’s the cause of this disgraceful scene? How did the men get it?” “Please, sir, the fellers is very sorry for it, sir. Hadn’t no intentions to get drunk _now_, sir.” “Well, but how did it happen, man?” “Please, sir, the jeddleham stood treat, sir; treated ’em all, sir.” “What gentleman?” “Please, sir, the same as treated me the night before last, sir: give me a tumbler of hot punch what was all a-fire, sir; brought it out into the inn-yard all of a blaze, sir. Told me the French soldiers got that twice a day, sir. Said, if the Hinglish soldiers had their rights, they’d get the same, sir.” “The night before last? What gentleman treated you the night before last?” “Please, sir, it was the same jeddleham as aast to speak to you, sir; the jeddleham what you went into the house to speak to him, sir.” “Oh, that fellow! Why, you might have seen him again yesterday. Didn’t you notice him among the people at the ferry?” “Please, sir, when we come to the ferry, I was in the rear, sir; halted there, and remained till we turned the hinnimy over the ford, sir. Didn’t git a sight on him, sir. Only wish I had, sir.” “Well, but how comes it some of the other men didn’t know him again? They must have seen him yesterday, if you didn’t.” “Please, sir, I s’pose it’s ’cause this morning he was dressed different, sir. Had a large hat pulled over his eyes, sir; and muffled up in a long cloak, sir. Shouldn’t not have knowed him myself, sir, only if it hadn’t not a-been for his nose, sir.” “Stood treat, though? How?—did he treat the whole party?”