We were paraded for six mortal hours; then we were marching and countermarching, moving into line, back again into column, now forming open column, then into square; till at last, we began to think that the old general was like the Flying Dutchman, and was probably condemned to keep on drilling us to the day of judgment.

To be sure, he enlivened the proceeding to me by pronouncing the regiment the worst-drilled and appointed corps in the service, and the adjutant (me!) the stupidest dunderhead--these were his words--he had ever met with.
"'Never mind,' thought I; 'a few days more, and it's little I'll care for the eighteen manoeuvres.

It's small trouble your eyes right or your left, shoulders forward, will give me.

I'll sell out, and with the Widow Boggs and seven hundred a year,--but no matter.' "This confounded inspection lasted till half-past five in the afternoon; so that our mess was delayed a full hour in consequence, and it was past seven as we sat down to dinner.

Our faces were grim enough as we met together at first; but what will not a good dinner and good wine do for the surliest party?
By eight o'clock we began to feel somewhat more convivially disposed; and before nine, the decanters were performing a quick-step round the table, in a fashion very exhilarating and very jovial to look at.
"'No flinching to-night,' said the senior major.