Milltam Cotton swell 357 



Two years passed away : I was a wanderer again ; 

 and at the beginning of the Crimean War found myself 

 carrying secret service money to Colonel, now Field- 

 Marshal, Lintorn Simmons, political agent at Shumla. 

 On my return to the coast I fell in with a cavalry 

 regiment and the 6oth Rifles encamped near Devna, a 

 few miles from Varna. A sergeant from the latter 

 regiment saluted as I passed and asked for news from 

 the front. Silistria was then besieged. I turned myself 

 half round to the right in my saddle to talk with him, 

 and presently felt a hand very gently, lovingly laid on 

 my left foot. John stood by my stirrup, his face a 

 picture of affectionate triumph at having caught me 

 again. He had taken service with an officer of the 6oth. 

 We threw ourselves down under a bush and renewed 

 old memories. The Major, near whose tent we were, 

 called John, and rinding from him who I was, most 

 courteously entreated me, telling me how beloved John 

 was by the regiment and how well, through him, they 

 knew my name. I had letters to deliver at Constanti- 

 nople and went on. John, I believe, sickened and was 

 invalided to England ; but for two or three years I heard 

 no more of him, for I was away in South America and 

 elsewhere. Shortly after my return a letter came to me, 

 asking me if I could recommend a black man named 

 ' John Thomas ' as a butler ! He referred the writer to 

 me. I was obliged to say I knew nothing of his 

 capabilities in this line, but added that as a staunch 

 ally in a fight with an elephant and an absolutely trust- 

 worthy man in all the relations of life (save that of a 

 butler, in which I had not tried him) I could most highly 



