CHAPTER XVI. OUR FINAL JOURNEY. Indian Hospitality--Reminiscences of Hindostan--My Bearer--A Spinster in a Dilemma--Deollalee--Our Final Journey--Bombay--Voyage in the _Jumna_--Escape of a Minar--Loss of a Parrot--Return to England--Escapade of a Young Officer--Anecdote 313 CHAPTER I. THE CONNAUGHT RANGERS. MY FIRST EXPERIENCES IN THE REGIMENT--TOBY WHITE--THE CASTLE GUARD--CHANGES IN IRELAND--DONNYBROOK FAIR--HALF-A-CROWN’S WORTH OF FIGHTING--ORDERED TO MALTA--AFFAIRS IN SYRIA--IRISHMEN AND SCOTCHMEN--TRANSPORTS--A CRUEL JOKE--AMUSEMENTS AT MALTA--CRUISE TO CANDIA AND GREECE--AN OLD COLONEL’S OPINION OF ROME AND ITS RUINS--DEPOT AT PAISLEY--FIRING A SALUTE AT DUMBARTON CASTLE--MARCH FROM STIRLING TO ABERDEEN--ILLUSTRIOUS TOM AND THE BLOTTING BOOKS--REMINISCENCES. CHAPTER I. In the year 1839 I entered the Army as ensign in the 88th Regiment Connaught Rangers, which was then quartered in Dublin; and a merry life it was. What with drill and parties, hunting and field-days, the officers of the old regiment were always occupied. There were several packs of hounds within easy distance of Richmond Barracks; but the Ward Union was the one most patronised by my brothers-in-arms. The manœuvres in the Phœnix Park were not much varied. I remember one day, when, my captain being absent, I was in command of the company in which I was ensign. The old colour-sergeant took the greatest care of me. We advanced in line, and so sure was the non-commissioned officer of what the manœuvre would be that he whispered to me: ‘When ye get to that black thing on the ground, ye must give the words, “Form fours to the right; right wheel;”’ which, I think, was the form in those days. The black thing was a crow, which flew away before we got up to it. But, by my friend the colour-sergeant’s help, I gave the proper word, and we retired in time to let the cavalry through. Week after week passed, and the same manœuvres were executed. Old Toby White was town-major then, and his portrait, often repeated, appeared on the walls of the Castle Guard. I always tried to be sub. on the Castle Guard, for it was a pleasant lounge during the day, and in the evening a good dinner was served free of expense, while at night a supper of grilled bones, etc., was always ready for those who had been at the theatre, and who looked in on their way home. Everything is changed in Ireland now-a-days. The spirit of fun seems to have vanished, and a sombre gloom appears to overshadow everything. There was always a comical side to all the proceedings of our Irish friends, even when the affair was serious, or assumed an air of importance.