AN ARMED SPECTRE. 25 



the neighbours informing me tliat he had left over 

 night. On this I returned to barracks, and dispatched 

 a letter to my bankers, desiring them not to pay the 

 cheque I had given. The letter was in time, and I 

 was done out of nothing but my horse, still having a 

 horse, such as it was, in hand. 



I cannot help being amused now at the things I 

 used to do, and that a good many of us used to do, 

 in the way of duty with the regiment — as fine a re- 

 giment as any in the world, and with the best set of 

 non-commissioned officers. In the mounting guard, 

 when I was a novice in the service, a funny thing 

 occurred in marching up to Buckingham Palace. The 

 excellent non-commissioned officer was aware that I 

 was a novice, and he saw around us many spectators, 

 so, by way of caution to the guard, in case I gave a 

 wrong word, he said softly to the men, " Now, men, 

 in marching up, don't you mind what your officer 

 says ; you go right." However, I did not give a 

 wrong word, and the caution, though well intended, 

 but oddly expressed, was not necessary. 



Assisting to keep a pack of hounds, and doing duty 

 with a regiment, don't go cosily together. It was 

 hunting day, and I was named for parade in waiting, 

 in case any of the officers who were down for the re- 

 spective guards fell ill. I ought to have been on 

 parade, but settling it in my own mind that all the 

 chaps were in full health, and that I should not be 

 wanted, I stayed at Cranford, and went out hunting. 

 Oh, by Jove ! what an armed spectre appeared in the 

 courtyard at Cranford, to greet my return from the 

 chase ! He took away all appetite for dinner ! It was 

 an orderly dragoon, with an express, to bid me appear 

 at the Horse Guards next morning, in uniform. 



