Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1899-06-24
THEDRuMs OF THE FORE AND AFT
By Rudyard KipIing.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE II

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ~
cutting up of stragglers to make a regi-
ment smart in the field. Wait till
they've had half dozen sentries'
| Threats cut
The colonel wrote with delight that
the temper of his men was excellent,
that the regiment was all that could be
wished and as sound as bell. The
majors smiled with sober joy, and the
subaIterns waltzed in pairs down the
messroom after dinner and nearly shot
themselves at revolver practice. But
there was CONSERVATION in the hearts of
Jakin and Lew. What was to be done
with the drums2 Would the band go to
the front? How many of the drums
would accompany the regiment?
They took counsel together, sitting in
tree and smoking.
cts more than bloomin toss up
they II leave us be ind at the depot with
the women. You'll like that, " said
Jakin sarcastically.
=" Cause O. Girls, you mean? Wot'sa
woman, or a ole bloomin depot O
women, 'longside O. the chanst O field
service? You know I'm as keen on go
in as you, said Lew.
''Wish | was bloomin bugler,
said Jakin sadly. They'll take Tom
Kidd along, that can plaster wall
with, an like as not they won't take
us, "
"Then let s go an make Tom Kidd so
bloomin sick e can't bugle no more
You old is 'ands an I'll kick him,
said Lew, wriggling on the branch.
THAT amt no good, neither. We
amt the sort O characters to presoon
on our rep tations. They re bad. If they
have the band at the depot. we don
go, an no error there. If they take the
band we may get cast for medical I'M
fitness. Are you medical fit Piggy?'
said Jakin, digging Lew in the ribs
with force
"Yus, said Lew, with an oath
1.-THE doctor says your carts weak
through smokin on an empty STUN
mick. Throw a chest. an I'll try
yer
Jakin threw out his chest, which
Lew smote with all his might. Jakin
turned very pale, gasped, crowed,
screwed up his eyes and said, That's
all right
You'll do, - said Lew. I've card
O. men dyin when you it EN- fair on
the breastbone.
Don't bring us no nearer goin,
though, " said Jakin. do you know
where we're ordered?
"Gawd knows, an e won't split on
pal Somewheres up to the front to
kill Paythans-hairy big beggars that
turn you inside out if they get old G
you. They say their women are good
lookin too
Amy loot? asked the abandoned
Jakin.
mot bloomin anna, they say. I'M
less you dig up the ground an see what
the niggers ave id They're a poor
lot Jakin stood uprighto on the branch
and gazed across the plain.
Lew, said he, "'there's the colonel
comm Coloneps a good old beggar
Let go an talk to i'm. .
Lew nearly fell out of the tree at the
audacity of the suggestion. Like Jakin,
ne feared not God, neither regarded he
man, but there are limits even to the
audacity of drummer boys, and to speak
to colonel was
But Jakin had slid down the trunk
and doubled in thedirection of the colo
mel That officer was walking, wrapped
in thought and visions of c. B.-yes,
even K C. B., for had he not at COM
mand one of the best regiments of the
line-the Fore and Fit? And he was
aware Of two small boys charging down
upon him Once before it had been sol
EMMY reported to him that '+the drums
were in a state of mutiny," Jakin and
Lew being the ringleaders. This looked
like an organized conspiracy.
The boys halted at SO yards walked
, to the regulation four PAGES and saluted
together, each SIS we'll set Up as ram
rod and little taller
The CLONE! was in Il genial 7nood, the
boys appeared very foriorn and unpro-
tected en- the desolate plain. and one Of
them was handsome
"Weil = said the colonel, recognizing
them Are you going to pull me down
in the OPEN I'm sure | never interfere
with you. even though he shifted sns-
piciously-~,g you have been smoking"
1t was time TIC strike while the iron
was hot Their hearts beat tumultuous-
ly.
beg your pardon, sir, - began Jakin
1.-The reg ment's ordered on active serv
ice sir p
$50 believe, " said the colonel cour-
teously
SIS the band goin, sir? said both to-
gether Then, without pause, Were |
goin, sir. ain t we?'
''Your' said the colonel, stepping
back the more fully to take in the two
small figures. "YouI You'd die in the |
first march.
mo, we wouldn't, sir We can
march with the regiment anywheres-
p'rade an anywhere else, y said Jakin
IF Tom Kidd goes, ell shut up like a