Soldier Stories

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Rudyard Kipling. Soldier Stories

WITH THE MAIN GUARD

THE DRUMS OF THE FORE AND AFT

THE MAN WHO WAS

THE COURTING OF DINAH SHADD

THE INCARNATION OF KRISHNA MULVANEY

THE TAKING OF LUNGTUNGPEN

THE MADNESS OF PRIVATE ORTHERIS

Отрывок из книги

In the Army List they still stand as 'The Fore and Fit Princess Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen-Auspach's Merthyr-Tydfilshire Own Royal Loyal Light Infantry, Regimental District 329A,' but the Army through all its barracks and canteens knows them now as the 'Fore and Aft.' They may in time do something that shall make their new title honourable, but at present they are bitterly ashamed, and the man who calls them 'Fore and Aft' does so at the risk of the head which is on his shoulders.

Two words breathed into the stables of a certain Cavalry Regiment will bring the men out into the streets with belts and mops and bad language; but a whisper of 'Fore and Aft' will bring out this regiment with rifles.

.....

'Not a bloomin' anna, they say, unless you dig up the ground an' see what the niggers 'ave 'id. They're a poor lot.' Jakin stood upright on the branch and gazed across the plain.

'Lew,' said he, 'there's the Colonel coming. 'Colonel's a good old beggar. Let's go an' talk to 'im.'

.....