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"There's nothing to prevent your becoming a Bandmaster, Lew," said the Bandmaster, who had composed waltzes of his own, and worked day and night in the interests of the Band. "What did he say?" demanded Jakin after practice. "Said I might be a bloomin' Bandmaster, an' be asked in to 'ave a glass o' sherry wine on Mess-nights." "Ho! 'Said you might be a bloomin' noncombatant, did 'e!
"One might as well admonish thistledown, and I can't well put you in cells or under stoppages. You must be flogged again." "Beg y' pardon, Sir. Can't we say nothin' in our own defence, Sir?" shrilled Jakin. "Hey! What? Are you going to argue with me?" said the Colonel. "No, Sir," said Lew.
He closed in on the man's left flank. "Jes' 'cause you find two gentlemen settlin' their diff'rences with their fistes you stick in your ugly nose where you aren't wanted. Run 'ome to your 'arf-caste slut of a Ma or we'll give you what-for," said Jakin. The man attempted reprisals by knocking the boys' heads together.
"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.
Jakin drank, but there was no sign of the regiment's return. They could hear a dull clamor from the head of the valley of retreat, and saw the Ghazis slink back, quickening their pace as the Gurkhas fired at them. "We're all that's left of the Band, an' we'll be cut up as sure as death," said Jakin. "I'll die game, then," said Lew, thickly, fumbling with his tiny drummer's sword.
You may even call him a coward without finding more than a boot whiz past your ear, but you must not call a man a bastard unless you are prepared to prove it on his front teeth. "You might ha' kep' that till I wasn't so sore," said Lew, sorrowfully, dodging round Jakin's guard. "I'll make you sorer," said Jakin, genially, and got home on Lew's alabaster forehead.
Me an' Jakin are the only acting-drummers that'll be took along. All the rest is full men, an' we'll get our medals with them." "They might ha' taken anybody but you, Piggy. You'll get killed you're so venturesome. Stay with me, Piggy, darlin', down at the Depot, an' I'll love you true forever." "Ain't you goin' to do that now, Cris? You said you was."
The Colonel walked home and told the story to his wife, who nearly cried over it. The Colonel was well pleased. If that was the temper of the children, what would not the men do? Jakin and Lew entered the boys' barrack-room with great stateliness, and refused to hold any conversation with their comrades for at least ten minutes.
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.
Lew reflected on the future as arranged by Jakin a short time previously, but Cris's mouth was very near to his own. "I promise, s'elp me Gawd!" said he. Cris slid an arm round his neck. "I won't 'old you back no more, Piggy. Go away an' get your medal, an' I'll make you a new button-bag as nice as I know how," she whispered.
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