At this they all turned round and went off in the opposite direction, limping slower and slower.
“Surely that’s wrong,” said Jaques; “that’s right about turn; they should have gone straight on and faster.”
“Not at all,” said the Colonel; “in our movements we follow Levrett’s manœuvres.”
“But that’s not the way to double march,” said Jaques.
“Oh yes, it is. Did you ever see a March hare double? Well, we double just as he does. Pussian tactics, you know.”
Without waiting for an answer he cried—
“Discharge!”
and gallantly going at the head of his men on his crutches, shouted “Victory!” After they were brought to a stand at one end of the ground, he gave the order—
“Stand a tease!”
Upon this the Brown Bessies turned round upon the men and began to plague them most horribly, pulling their hair, poking fingers into their ears, and pricking them with pins. The men stood it for some time wonderfully, but at last began to bawl out.