MILITAR Y AD VENTURES. 13 



prospect, and looked forward to the pig- 

 sticking, tiger-shooting and deer-stalking, 

 with the greatest excitement and longing, 

 counting the hours till we should embark. 

 The time came at last, and I marched out 

 of the garrison town with a much lighter 

 heart than fellows usually do when starting 

 for the East ; and yet there are, perhaps, 

 but few who reflect how possible it is that 

 they may never return, but go on their 

 way, never looking at anything gloomy, 

 and thinking only of the bright future that 

 awaits them. But, I am getting into 

 a gloomy strain, which is not my object, 

 as I think there are melancholy subjects 

 enough in this world without mixing them 

 up with our pleasant moments ; and I in- 

 tend that this little book shall show only 

 as much of the gloomy side of life as 

 necessary, and I shall try to confine my- 



