CHAP. v. FLIES AFTER A. BUTTERFLY. 83 



arrest for insubordination, chiefly because of the in- 

 sulting language they used towards their officers. 



The militia were only embodied for four weeks. 

 During the first fortnight, the regiment was drilled 

 without arms of any sort. It was only during the 

 last fortnight that the men were provided with mus- 

 kets and bayonets. The company to which Edward 

 belonged was drilling one day on the links. It was 

 a bright sunny afternoon. The company was march- 

 ing along near the lower part of the links, when 

 a large brown butterfly flitted past. Edward saw 

 it in an instant. He had never seen the like of that 

 butterfly before ! * Without thinking for a moment of 

 what he was doing, he flew after it, among the bents 

 and sand hillocks, grasping after it with his hand. 



" A very hunter did he rush 

 Upon the prey : with leaps and springs 

 He followed on from brake to bush." 



The butterfly eluded him ; it flew away before 

 him. Again he rushed after it, losing his bonnet 

 in the hunt. He was nearing the spot where it had 

 alighted. He would catch it now, when suddenly 

 he was gripped by the neck ! He looked round, and 

 saw it was the corporal of his company, with four 

 militiamen behind him. 



Looking Edward sternly in the face, the corporal 

 said, "What's up, Edward?" "Nothing." "The 

 deuce!" "No, it wasn't that, it was a splendid 



* It proved to be a Brown Fritillery. 



