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Updated: June 8, 2025
None the less there was a Battle-Royal in the barrack-room, for the boys were consumed with envy and hate, and neither Jakin nor Lew behaved in conciliatory wise. "I'm goin' out to say adoo to my girl," said Lew, to cap the climax. "Don't none o' you touch my kit because it's wanted for active service; me bein' specially invited to go by the Colonel."
They swore habitually after the manner of the Barrack-room, which is cold swearing and comes from between clenched teeth, and they fought religiously once a week. Jakin had sprung from some London gutter, and may or may not have passed through Dr. Barnardo's hands ere he arrived at the dignity of drummer-boy.
"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 they stood in the arched gate-house, breathing hard and looking at each other. Jane's mouth was open. "Cheer up, Jenny," said Robert, "it won't last much longer." There was a creaking above, and something rattled and shook. The pavement they stood on seemed to tremble. Then a crash told them that the drawbridge had been lowered to its place. "That's that beast Jakin," said Robert.
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.
'This to my face! Beshrew thee for a knave! replied Sir Wulfric. But the appeal seemed to have gone home. 'Yet thou sayest sooth, he added thoughtfully. 'Go where thou wilt, he added nobly, 'thou art free. Wulfric de Talbot warreth not with babes, and Jakin here shall bear thee company. 'All right, said Robert wildly. 'Jakin will enjoy himself, I think. Come on, Jakin.
Would the Band go to the Front? How many of the Drums would accompany the Regiment? They took counsel together, sitting in a tree and smoking. "It's more than a bloomin' toss-up they'll leave us be'ind at the Depot with the women. You'll like that," said Jakin sarcastically. "Cause o' Cris, y' mean? Wot's a woman, or a 'ole bloomin' depot o' women, 'longside o' the chanst of field-service?
But between this shattered line and the enemy, who with Afghan suspicion feared that the hasty retreat meant an ambush, and had not moved therefore, lay half a mile of a level ground dotted only by the wounded. The tune settled into full swing and the boys kept shoulder to shoulder, Jakin banging the drum as one possessed.
The rough-handled pocket-knife was taken out in the same moment, and the largest blade opened by way of irresistible demonstration. "What! Bob Jakin?" said Tom, not with any cordial delight, for he felt a little ashamed of that early intimacy symbolized by the pocket-knife, and was not at all sure that Bob's motives for recalling it were entirely admirable.
The one fife made a thin and pitiful squeaking, but the tune carried far, even to the Gurkhas. "Come on, you dogs!" muttered Jakin, to himself, "Are we to play forhever?" Lew was staring straight in front of him and marching more stiffly than ever he had done on parade.
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