When Denny came off duty I told him all. "Faix, thin," said he, "I wonder would she marry me? Throth I'll go and thry her this very night." "What'll you do with Nelly, for she is sure to be there expecting you, it being the last night we have to stay here?" cried I. "Shure I'll send Andy Ryan down to tell Old Dorcas that you want to spake to her onest more before you lave her for ever." Andy Ryan was a fine, handsome man as ever stepped. He had been twelve years a soldier, and was near upon thirty years of age. Denny opened his mind and told him all the particulars, whereupon Andy started on his mission directly the trumpet had sounded the "dismiss from stables." That was the last either I or Denny ever saw of Andy. He deserted, and most probably went abroad with or without "Old Dorcas." CHAPTER SIX. Bring forth the horse: the horse was brought; In truth he was a noble steed, A Tartar of the Ukraine breed, That seemed as though the speed of thought Were in his limbs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I think no part of a cavalry soldier's duty is so agreeable to him as a long march during spring or summer weather. Apart from the change of scene and a variation to the dull monotony of barrack life, the ride through the country to some distant part, frequently of ten to thirty days' duration, is always looked forward to with feelings of pleasure. Country people, who seldom see soldiers, look upon the marching of a squadron of cavalry through the small towns and villages as a sort of pageant, especially if it be the head-quarters of a corps, which is always accompanied by the band. Young and inexperienced as I then was, the prospect of a sixteen days' march in the merry month of May through the most delightful part of England held out unusual charms for me. The dress of a soldier was my sole weakness--I cared for nothing else; and I cheerfully endured all the miseries of military slavery and short-comings of a comfortable home for the sake of being thought something or somebody above the majority of individuals in my walk of life. My sole object was to attract the attention and, if possible, the envy of others--an idea too frequently indulged by young soldiers, until dear-bought experience teaches them their mistake.