Then
I picked up the colors again and 'eld 'em high over my head, for the
smoke were pretty thick, and, 'To the colors,' I shouted,' Rally,
lads, rally!' And oh, by the Lord, sir,--to hear our lads cheer! And
so the square formed up again--what was left of it--formed up close
and true round me and the colors, and the last thing I mind was the
cheering. Ah! they was fine fellows, they Cuirassiers!"
"So that vere the end o' the Corp's soldiering!" nodded Mr. Shrig.
"Yes," sighed the Corporal, "a one-handed soldier ain't much good,
ye see, sir."
"So they--throwed 'im out!" snarled Mr. Shrig.
"Now Jarsper," smiled the giant, shaking his head. "Why so 'ard
on the sarvice? They give me m' stripe."
"And your dis-charge!" added Mr. Shrig.
"And a--pension," said the soldier.
"Pension," sniffed Mr. Shrig, "a fine, large vord, Dick, as means
werry little to you!"
"And they mentioned me in the Gazette, Jarsper," said the Corporal
looking very sheepish, and stroking his whisker again with his hook.
"And a lot o' good that done you, didn't it? Your 'eart vos broke
the night I found you--down by the River."
"Why, I did feel as I weren't much good, Jarsper, I'll admit.
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