"The route had come," and the regiment was under orders to
join the expeditionary army in the East.
A splendid body, standing eight hundred strong on parade: strong,
stalwart fellows, all of them, bronzed and bearded, admirably
appointed, perfectly drilled--one of many such magnificent battalions,
the flower of the British army, worthily maintaining the reputation of
the finest infantry in the world.
Alas! that long years of peace should have rusted administrative
machinery! That so many of these and other brave men should be
sacrificed before the year was out for want of food, fuel, and
clothing--the commonest supplies.
There seemed little need to improve a military machine so perfect at
all its points. But the fastidious eye of Colonel Blythe, who
commanded the Royal Picts, saw many blemishes in his regiment, and he
was determined to make the most of the time still intervening before
embarkation. Parades were perpetual; for the inspection of arms and
accoutrements, for developing manual dexterity, and efficiency in
drill. Still he was not satisfied.
"We must have a new sergeant-major," said the old martinet to his
adjutant in the orderly-room.
The post was vacant for the moment through the promotion of its late
holder to be quartermaster.
"Yes, sir; the sooner the better.
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