And the Colonel returned to his first venture and again announced to the battalion that it would advance in succession and in fours from the left of companies. It bore the news with equanimity and Captain Trebizondi visibly brightened at the idea of leaving the spot on which he had suffered and sweated--but he took no steps in the matter personally. He tried to scratch his leg through his gaiter. "'A' Company going this evening?" inquired the General. "Wouldn't hurry you, y'know, but--I dine at nine." Captain Trebizondi remembered his parade-manners and threw a chest instead of a stomach. The jerk caused his helmet to tilt forward over his eyes and settle down slowly and firmly upon his face as a fallen cliff upon the beach beneath. "The Officer commanding the leading company appears to be trying to hide," commented General Murger. Captain Trebizondi uncovered his face--a face of great promise but no performance. "_Will_ you march your company off, sir," shouted Colonel Dearman, "the battalion is waiting for you." With a look of reproachful surprise and an air of "Why couldn't you say so?" the harassed Captain agitated his sword violently as a salute, turned to his company and boomed finely:-- "March off!" The Company obeyed its Commander. Seeing the thing so easy of accomplishment Captains Allessandropoulos, Schloggenboschenheimer, Da Costa, Euxino, Spoophitophiles and José gave the same order and the battalion was in motion--marching to its front in quarter-column instead of wheeling off in fours. Unsteadily shoulder from shoulder, Unsteadily blade from blade, Unsteady and wrong, slouching along, Went the boys of the old brigade. "Halt," roared Colonel Dearman. "Oh, don't halt 'em," begged General Murger, "it's the most entertainin' show I have ever seen." The smart and dapper Brigade-Major's mouth was open. Major Pinto and Captain-and-Acting-Adjutant Petropaulovski forgot to cling to their horses with hand and heel and so endangered their lives. The non-commissioned officers of the permanent staff commended their souls to God and marched as men in a dream. On hearing the Colonel's cry of "Halt" many of the men halted. Not hearing the Colonel's cry of "Halt" many of the men did not halt. In two minutes the battalion was without form and void. In ten minutes the permanent staff had largely re-sorted it and, to a great extent, re-formed the original companies. Captain José offered his subaltern, Lieutenant Bylegharicontractor, a hundred rupees to change places with him. Offer refused, with genuine and deep regret, but firmly. "Shall we have another try, Colonel," inquired General Murger silkily. "Any amount of real initiative and originality about this Corps. But I am old-fashioned enough to prefer drill-book evolutions on the barrack-square, I confess. Er--let the Major carry on as it is getting late."