CHAP. VI. 
THE HIGHLAND MAJOR. 
37 
I there found my old friend under it, with his bald 
head within a few inches of a roaring fire, and the per¬ 
spiration pouring off it in large drops. When 'lie saw 
me, he exclaimed, 4 Um—gad, Bisset—coolest place in 
the house,’ to make me believe that he had got there 
of his own free will, whereas if I had not come in when I 
did he would have been a 4 cooked man ’ in more senses 
of the word than one. With the aid of a servant we 
got him into bed. 
From the Province of Queen Adelaide the troops 
marched to take up the Fish River line of defence, 
and the major 4 took up’ Commetty’s Post, on that 
river. Being a field-officer commanding, he had a 
sentry posted in front of his own hut, which had also 
a porch to it. To show what sort of a figure this old 
warrior possessed, and how hazy he was when he got up 
in the morning or rather at about noon—when he 
generally made his first appearance—I must mention 
that, on one occasion, when he came outside, the sentry 
instead of 4 throwing his musket up and catching it,’ 
as the ladies call presenting arms, brought it to the 
4 carry,’ with a broad grin on his face. This put the 
major on his metal, and, clearing his throat, he said, 
4 Um—gad—field-officer—present arms—make pri¬ 
soner.’ The sentry now certainly 4 presented,’ but he 
laughed outright, whereupon the irate officer called the 
sergeant of the guard to confine him ; but this staid old 
