In a bedroom above the stable slept his groom, a man who had been through his campaigns with him from first to last.

It was to waken him that the Major took his way up the narrow stairs towards the loft.
"Jim," he said, "I want my horse in an hour." The man was out of bed in a moment, and while he was dressing, the Major continued:-- "You know Buckingham Street, Strand, Jim, don't you?
When you were recruiting you used to hang out at a public-house there, unless I am mistaken." "Exactly so, sir! We did; and a many good chaps we picked up there, gents and all sorts.

Why, it was in that werry place, Major, as we 'listed Lundon; him as was afterwards made sergeant for being the first man into Sebastian, and arterwards married Skettles; her as fell out of eighteen stories at Brussels looking after the Duke, and she swore at them as came to pick her up, she did; and walked in at the front door as bold as brass." "There, my good lad," said the Major; "what's the good of telling such stories as that?
Nobody believes them, you know.

Do you know the Nag's Head there?
It's a terribly low place, is it not ?" "It's a much changed if it ain't, sir," said Jim, putting on his breeches.

"I was in there not eighteen months since.