Who could have thought just then that all that nonsense of Harry Lant's
with the elephant was shaping itself for our good, but so it was, as you
shall by-and-by hear. The march continued, matters seeming to go on
very smoothly--but only seeming, mind you, for let alone that we were
all walking upon a volcano, there was a good deal of unpleasantry
brewing. Let alone my feeling that, somehow or another, Harry Lant was
not so true a mate to me as he used to be, there was a good deal wrong
between Captain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh, and it soon seemed plain that
there was much more peace and comfort in our camp a week earlier than
there was at the time of which I am now writing.
I used to have my turns as sentry here and there; and it was when
standing stock-still with my piece, that I used to see and hear so
much--for in a camp it seems to be a custom for people to look upon a
sentry as a something that can neither see nor hear anything but what
might come in the shape of an enemy. They know he must not move from
his post, which is to say that he's tied hand and foot, and perhaps from
that they think that he's tied as to his senses. At all events, I got
to see that when Miss Ross was seated in the colonel's tent, and Captain
Dyer was near her, she seemed to grow gentle and quiet, and her eyes
would light up, and her rich red lips part, as she listened to what he
was saying; while, when it came to Lieutenant Leigh's turn, and he was
beside her talking, she would be merry and chatty, and would laugh and
talk as lively as could be. Harry Lant said it was because they were
making up matters, and that some day she would be Mrs Leigh; but I
didn't look at it in that light, thought said nothing.
I used to like to be sentry at the colonel's tent, on our halting for
the night, when the canvas would be looped up, to let in the air, and
they'd got their great globe-lamps lit, with the tops to them, to keep
out the flies, and the draughts made by the punkahs swinging backwards
and forwards. I used to think it quite a pretty sight, with the ladies
and the three or four officers, perhaps chatting, perhaps having a
little music, for Miss Ross could sing like--like a nightingale, I was
going to say; but no nightingale that I ever heard could seem to lay
hold of your heart and almost bring tears into your eyes, as she did.
Then she used to sing duets with Captain Dyer, because the colonel
wished it, though it was plain to see Mrs Maine didn't like it, any
more than did Lieutenant Leigh, who, more than once, as I've seen,
walked out, looking fierce and angry, to strike off right away from the
camp, perhaps not to come back for a couple of hours.
It was one night when we'd been about a fortnight on the way, for during
the past week the colonel had been letting us go on very easily, I was
sentry at the tent. There had been some singing, and Lieutenant Leigh
had gone off in the middle of a duet. Then the doctor, the colonel, and
a couple of subs were busy over a game at whist, and the black nurse had
beckoned Mrs Maine out, I suppose to see something about the two
children; when Captain Dyer and Miss Ross walked together just outside
the tent, she holding by one of the cords, and he standing close beside
her.
They did not say much, but stood looking up at the bright silver moon
and the glittering stars; while he said a word now and then about the
beauty of the scene, the white tents, the twinkling lights here and
there, and the soft peaceful aspect of all around; and then his voice
seemed to grow lower and deeper as he spoke from time to time, though I
could hardly hear a word, as I stood there like a statue watching her
beautiful face, with the great clusters of hair knotted back from her
broad white forehead, the moon shining full on it, and seeming to make
her eyes flash as they were turned to him.
They must have stood there full half an hour, when she turned as if to
go back, but he laid his hand upon hers as it held the tent cord, and
said something very earnestly, when she turned to him again to look him
full in the face, and I saw that her hand was not moved.
Then they were silent for a few seconds before he spoke again, loud
enough for me to hear.
"I must ask you," he said huskily; "my peace depends upon it. I know
that it has always been understood that you were to be introduced to
Lieutenant Leigh. I can see now plainly enough what are your sister's
wishes; but hearts are ungovernable, Miss Ross, and I tell you
earnestly, as a simple, truth-speaking man, that you have roused
feelings that until now slept quietly in my breast. If I am
presumptuous, forgive me--love is bold as well as timid--but at least
set me at rest: tell me, is there any engagement between you and
Lieutenant Leigh?"
She did not speak for a few moments, but met his gaze--so it seemed to
me--without shrinking, before saying one word, so softly, that it was
like one of the whispers of the breeze crossing the plain--and that word
was "No!"
"God bless you for that answer, Miss Ross--Elsie," he said deeply; and
then his head was bent down for an instant over the hand that rested on
the cord, before Miss Ross glided away from him into the tent, and went
and stood resting with her hand upon the colonel's shoulder, when he,
evidently in high glee, began to shew her his cards, laughing and
pointing to first one, and then another, for he seemed to be having luck
on his side.
But I had no more eyes then for the inside of the tent, for Captain Dyer
just seemed to awaken to the fact that I was standing close by him as
sentry, and he gave quite a start as he looked at me for a few moments
without speaking. Then he took a step forward.
"Who is this? Oh, thank goodness!" (he said those few words in an
undertone, but I happened to hear them). "Smith," he said, "I forgot
there was a sentry there. You saw me talking to that lady?"
"Yes, sir," I said.
"You saw everything?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you heard all?"
"No, sir, not all; only what you said last."
Then he was silent again for a few moments, but only to lay his hand
directly after on my chest.
"Smith," he said, "I would rather you had not seen this; and if it had
been any other man in my company, I should perhaps have offered him
money, to insure that there was no idle chattering at the mess-tables;
but you I ask, as a man I can trust, to give me your word of honour as a
soldier to let what you have seen and heard be sacred."
"Thank you, captain," I said, speaking thick, for somehow his words
seemed to touch me. "You shan't repent trusting me."
"I have no fear, Smith," he said, speaking lightly, and as if he felt
joyful, and proud, and happy.--"What a glorious night for a cigar;" and
he took one out of his case, when we both started, for, as if he had
that moment risen out of the ground, Lieutenant Leigh stood there close
to us; and even to this day I can't make out how he managed it, but all
the same he must have seen and heard as much as I had.
"And pray, is my word of honour as a soldier to be taken, Captain Dyer?
or is my silence to be bought with money?--Confound you I come this way,
will you!" he hissed; for Captain Dyer had half turned, as if to avoid
him, but he stepped back directly, and I saw them walk off together
amongst the trees, till they were quite out of sight; and if ever I felt
what it was to be tied down to one spot, I felt it then, as I walked
sentry up and down by that tent watching for those two to return.