CHAPTER X.

ON DETACHMENT.

Ralph was soon at home in the regiment. He found his comrades a cheery and pleasant set of men, ready to assist the newly-joined young officers as far as they could. A few rough practical jokes were played; but Ralph took them with such perfect good temper that they were soon abandoned.

He applied himself very earnestly to mastering the mystery of drill, and it was not long before he was pronounced to be efficient, and he was then at Captain O'Connor's request appointed to his company, in which there happened to be a vacancy for an ensign. He had had the good luck to have an excellent servant assigned to him. Denis Mulligan was a thoroughly handy fellow, could turn his hand to anything, and was always good tempered and cheery.

"The fellow is rather free and easy in his ways," Captain O'Connor told Ralph when he allotted the man to him; "but you will get accustomed to that. Keep your whisky locked up, and I think you will be safe in all other respects with him. He was servant to Captain Daly, who was killed at Toulouse, and I know Daly wouldn't have parted with him on any account. His master's death almost broke Denis' heart, and I have no doubt he will get just as much attached to you in time. These fellows have their faults, and want a little humoring; but, take them as a whole, I would rather have an Irish soldier servant than one of any other nationality, provided always that he is not too fond of the bottle. About once in three months I consider reasonable, and I don't think you will find Mulligan break out more frequently than that."

1. Who was new to the group?
2. Did he try hard to do well?
3. Who was in charge?
4. Was someone to work for him?
5. Who?
6. What country is he from?
7. Is he an angry person?
8. What is he like then?
9. Did people ever play pranks on Ralph?
10. Did it go on incessantly?
11. What is it recommended that he keep away from his helper?
12. Who did Denis previously serve?
13. What happened to him?
14. Where?
15. Did this make Denis happy?
16. How did he feel then?
17. Does the leader think he'll make a good helper?
18. What other type of person would he rather have as a helper?
19. How often does he think drinking is ok?
20. Does he think Denis will overdo the drinking?
1. Ralph
2. yes
3. Captain O'Connor's
4. yes
5. Denis
6. Irish
7. no
8. good tempered
9. yes
10. no
11. whisky
12. Captain Daly
13. killed
14. Toulouse
15. no
16. broke Denis' heart,
17. thoroughly handy fellow
18. Mulligan
19. once in three months
20. yes