human
You'll see to them, there's a good fellow, as they lighted their cigars at the door.
gpt
That Vavasour is greener than grass, you know, _tant pis_ for my poor sister.
human
I am not going.
gpt
Not going?
human
Certainly not; so my rooms will be at their service; and you had much better escort them yourself. It will be much less disagreeable for Vavasour, who knows nothing of commanding sailors, or himself, thought the Major,
gpt
But why are you going to stay?
human
Oh, I have not half done with the sea-beasts here. I found too new ones yesterday.
gpt
Quaint old beetle-hunter you are, for a man who has fought in half-a-dozen battles!
human
I cannot! By George, I cannot; and what's more, I won't!
gpt
What?
human
Run away. It will look so--so cowardly, and there's the truth of it, before those fine fellows down there: and just as I am come among them, too! The commander-in-chief to turn tail at the first shot! Though I can't be of any use, I know, and I should have liked a fortnight's fishing so, said he in a dolorous voice,
gpt
Don't be too sure of that, said Campbell.
human
We shall go; and some of us who go will never come back, Freddy. I know those Russians better than many, and I have been talking them over lately with Thurnall, who has been in their service.
gpt
Has he been at Sevastopol?
human
No. Almost the only place on earth where he has not been: but from all he says, and from all I know, we are undervaluing our foes, as usual, and shall smart for it!
gpt
We'll lick them, never fear!
human
Yes; but not at the first round. Scoutbush, your life has been child's play as yet. You are going now to see life in earnest,--the sort of life which average people have been living, in every age and country, since Adam's fall; a life of sorrow and danger, tears and blood, mistake, confusion, and perplexity; and you will find it a very new sensation; and, at first, a very ugly one. All the more reason for doing what good deeds you can before you go; for you may have no time left to do any on the other side of the sea.
gpt
Well; I'm afraid of nothing, I hope: only I wish one could meet this cholera face to face, as one will those Russians, with a good sword in one's hand, and a good horse between one's knees; and have a chance of giving him what he brings, instead of being kicked off by the cowardly Rockite, no one knows how; and not even from behind a turf dyke, but out of the very clouds.
human
So we all say, in every battle, Scoutbush. Who ever sees the man who sent the bullet through him? And yet we fight on. Do you not think the greatest terror, the only real terror, in any battle, is the chance shot? which come from no one knows where, and hit no man can guess whom? If you go to the Crimea, as you will, you will feel what I felt at the Cape, and Cabul, and the Punjab, twenty times,--the fear of dying like a dog, one knew not how.
gpt
And yet I'll fight, Campbell!
human
Of course you will, and take your chance. Do so now!
gpt
By Jove, Campbell--I always say it--you're the most sensible man I ever met; and, by Jove, the doctor comes the next. My sister shall have the yacht, and I'll go up to Penalva.
human
You will do two good deeds at once, then, said the Major.
gpt
You will do what is right, and you will give heart to many a poor wretch here. Believe me, Scoutbush, you will never repent of this.
human
By Jove, it always does one good to hear you talk in that way, Campbell! One feels--I don't know--so much of a man when one is with you; not that I shan't take uncommonly good care of myself, old fellow; that is but fair: but as for running away, as I said, why--why--why I can't, and so I won't!
gpt
By the by, said the Major,
human
Whew--w--
gpt
I will go back, borrow a lantern, and forage in the garden, like an old campaigner. I have cut a salad with my sword before now.
human
And made it in your helmet, with macassar sauce?