All was peace, the corps was happy, and in the fullness of time (and the absence of the Adjutant) it went to Annual Camp of Exercise a few miles from Gungapur. And there the activities of Captain John Robin Ross-Ellison and a large band of chosen men were peculiar. While the remainder, with whom went Colonel Dearman, the officers, and the permanent staff, marched about in the usual manner and enjoyed the picnic, these others appeared to be privately and secretly rehearsing a more specialized part--to the mystification and wonder of the said remainder. Even on the great day, the day of the Annual Inspection, this division was maintained and the "remainder" were marched off to the other side of the wood adjacent to the Camp, some couple of hours before the expected arrival of the General, who would come out by train. The arrangement was that the horses of the General and the Brigade-Major should await those officers at the camp station, and that, on arrival, they would be mounted by their owners who would then ride to the camp, a furlong distant. Near the camp a mounted orderly would meet the General and escort him to the spot where the battalion, with Colonel Dearman at its head, would be drawn up for his inspection. A large bungalow, used as the Officers' Mess, a copse, and a hillock completely screened the spot used as the battalion parade-ground, from the view of one approaching the Camp, and the magnificent sight of the Gungapur Fusiliers under arms would burst upon him only when he rounded the corner of a wall of palms, cactus, and bamboos, and entered by a narrow gap between it and a clump of dense jungle. * * * * * General Murger was feeling distinctly bad as he sat on the edge of his bed and viewed with the eye of disfavour the _choti hazri_[51] set forth for his delectation. [51] "Little presence," early breakfast, _petit déjeuner_. As he intended to inspect the Volunteers in the early morning and return to a mid-day breakfast, the _choti hazri_ was substantial, though served on a tray in his bedroom. The General yawned, rubbed his eyes and grunted. "Eggs be demmed," said he. "Toast be demmed," he said. "Tea be demmed," he shouted. "_Paté de fois gras_ be demmed," shouted he. "Jobler! Bring me a bottle of beer," he roared. "No, bring me a brandy-cocktail," roared he.