Lew nearly fell out of the tree at the audacity of the suggestion. Like Jakin he feared not God, neither regarded he Man, but there are limits even to the audacity of a drummer-boy, and to speak to a Colonel was-- But Jakin had slid down the trunk and doubled in the direction of the Colonel. That officer was walking wrapped in thought and visions of a C. B. yes, even a K. C. B., for had he not at command one of the best Regiments of the Line--the Fore and Fit? And he was aware of two small boys charging down upon him. Once before it had been solemnly reported to him that “the Drums were in a state of mutiny,” Jakin and Lew being the ringleaders. This looked like an organised conspiracy. The boys halted at twenty yards, walked to the regulation four paces, and saluted together, each as well set-up as a ramrod and little taller. The Colonel was in a genial mood; the boys appeared very forlorn and unprotected on the desolate plain, and one of them was handsome. “Well!” said the Colonel, recognising them. “Are you going to pull me down in the open? I'm sure I never interfere with you, even though”--he sniffed suspiciously--“you have been smoking.” It was time to strike while the iron was hot. Their hearts beat tumultuously. “Beg y' pardon, Sir,” began Jakin. “The Reg'ment's ordered on active service, Sir?” “So I believe,” said the Colonel courteously. “Is the Band goin', Sir?” said both together. Then, without pause, “We're goin', Sir, ain't we?” “You!” said the Colonel, stepping back the more fully to take in the two small figures. “You! You'd die in the first march.” “No, we wouldn't, Sir. We can march with the Reg'ment anywheres--p'rade an' anywhere else,” said Jakin. “If Tom Kidd goes 'e'll shut up like a clasp-knife,” said Lew. “Tom 'as very-close veins in both 'is legs, Sir.” “Very how much?” “Very-close veins, Sir. That's why they swells after long p'rade, Sir. If 'e can go, we can go, Sir.” Again the Colonel looked at them long and intently. “Yes, the Band is going,” he said as gravely as though he had been addressing a brother officer. “Have you any parents, either of you two?” “No, Sir,” rejoicingly from Lew and Jakin. “We're both orphans, Sir. There's no one to be considered of on our account, Sir.” “You poor little sprats, and you want to go up to the Front with the Regiment, do you? Why?” “I've wore the Queen's Uniform for two years,” said Jakin. “It's very 'ard, Sir, that a man don't get no recompense for doin' of 'is dooty, Sir.” “An'--an' if I don't go, Sir,” interrupted Lew, “the Bandmaster 'e says 'e'll catch an' make a bloo--a blessed musician o' me, Sir. Before I've seen any service, Sir.” The Colonel made no answer for a long time. Then he said quietly: “If you're passed by the Doctor I dare say you can go. I shouldn't smoke if I were you.”