THE MAD MAJOR. 27 



The body was carried to its last resting-place, accom- 

 panied by all the pomp of a miUtary funeral. His own 

 beloved company, the Grenadiers who had often followed 

 their hon-hearted leader into action, now formed his 

 guard of honour to the grave ; and when his remains 

 were committed to the earth there was not a dry eye 

 among the ** Dirty Half Hundred." 



Two months afterwards, when an Irish soldier was 

 questioned on the merits of his successor — " The man 

 is well enough," said Pat, with a heavy sigh, *' but 

 where will we find the equal of the Mad Major ? It 

 was a comfort to be cursed by him 1 " 



