Then came more blows, and it was evident to me that the trouble, or whatever it might be, was taking place in the quarters to which I had been directed; but I wanted to make sure, and I turned out of my way to meet the sentry, who halted and saluted as I drew near. "Which are Lieutenant Barton's quarters?" I said. "Straight in front, sir. Through that door where the horses stand." "Is there something the matter?" The man grinned. "Lieutenant's licking his syce, sir, for being dirty." "Oh!" I said; and I was about to turn away, when the man said respectfully-- "Beg pardon, sir; you don't know me again." "No," I said, looking at the man in a puzzled way. "Yes, of course; you are Denny. I did not expect to find you here. How are you?" "Nicely, sir, thank ye. I was picked with two more to enter this troop. Very glad, sir, you are appointed to it." "Thank you, Denny," I said. "It is pleasant to see the same faces." "Beg pardon, sir," continued the man eagerly. "I oughtn't to talk like this, perhaps, but I got a letter from London yesterday, and she's all right, and ain't no worse for being pretty nigh drowned; and she said if ever I see the young gent as saved her life, as she'd always pray for him that he might live long and die happy." "Oh, don't talk about it, Denny," I said hastily. "Thank you. That door where the syces are with the horses?" "Don't stand sulking there, you black-looking scoundrel. It won't do with me; I'll cut it out of you." There was the sound of more blows, and then, as I nearly reached the doorway, where the native servants made way respectfully, I heard what was evidently the final blow, and the words, "Now get out." Directly after, a tall native in white came out, with his face convulsed and the blood streaming down one cheek from a cut on the left temple, and staining his white cotton garment; but as he came upon me, his countenance suddenly grew unnaturally calm, and he drew up on one side and saluted, as if nothing was the matter, though I could see that he was trembling like a leaf. Discipline had already taught me that I had no right to interfere with the actions of my superior officers, but human nature had made me already resent the way in which overbearing Englishmen bullied and ill-used the patient, long-suffering natives; and as I had heard the sounds of abuse and blows coming across the compound, a curious sensation of shame and annoyance made me feel hot and uncomfortable; and now as I came suddenly face to face with the good-looking, dark-faced man, with his bleeding temple, I hurriedly drew out a clean white handkerchief, doubled it into a bandage, and signing to the man to bend down, tied it tightly, bandage fashion, over what was a very severe cut. The man shrank from me for a moment, as if my action repelled him, but the next he had crossed his hands humbly over his breast, and bent forward.