and the best, all of us in the barrack-room

agree to that. I saw a scorpion to-day

which pinches when it catches you and draws

the blood awful. There is a mountain battery

with us now, and they use mules instead of

horses, the hills are higher than those at home

and it's hard work going up. There is not

any fighting yet, but I am ready for it when

it comes, and will do my duty to the Queen

and you. My chum has helped me write this