68 WHIP AND SPUR. 



sible and kindly regard for all mankind, and full 

 of hope for the men who are to come after us ; 

 but Superiority and Fraternity ! who shall tell all 

 the secret emotions this implies 1 To be the head 

 of the brotherhood, with the unremitted clank 

 of a guard's empty scabbard trailing before one's 

 tent-door day and night ; with the standard of the 

 regiment proclaiming the house of chief author- 

 ity ; with the respectful salute of all passers, and 

 the natural obedience of all members of the com- 

 mand ; with the shade of deference that even 

 comrades show to superior rank ; and with that 

 just sufficient check upon coarseness during the 

 jovial bouts of the headquarters' mess, making 

 them not less genial, but void of all offence, — 

 living in this atmosphere, one almost feels the 

 breath of feudal days coming modified through 

 the long tempestuous ages to touch his cheek, 

 whispering to him that the savage instinct of the 

 sires has not been, and never will be, quite civil- 

 ized out of the sons. And then the thousand 

 men, and the yearly million that they cost, while 

 they fill the cup of the colonel's responsibility 



