The rabble they call an army has never
fired a shot or marched a yard with us, except Trant's small command, and
they were kept so far out of it in both fights, that I doubt whether they
fired a shot; and yet they take upon themselves to throw every obstacle in
our way, to dictate to our generals, and to upset every plan as soon as it
is formed.
"Well, I shall be glad to be back with the regiment again, Terence. There
is some fun going on there anyhow, and I have not had a hearty laugh since
O'Grady went off ten days ago."
"We were all heartily glad to see him back again," Terence said. "He does
not seem a bit the worse for having lost his hand."
"No, he has got through it a deal better than I had expected, considering
that he is not what might be called a very temperate man."
"Not by any means. It is not very often that he takes more liquor than he
can carry, but he generally goes very close to the mark."
"I kept him very short here," O'Flaherty laughed, "and told him that if he
did not obey orders I would have him invalided home; I have got him to
promise that he will draw in a bit in future, and have good hopes of his
keeping it, seeing that when the army starts again you won't get much
chance of indulging."
"It will be a good thing for others as well as O'Grady," Terence said,
quietly.
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