"By Jove! but don't they know how to make themselves at home!" said Jack, as they came in sight of the handsome tent, with a great green bower made of leafy branches in front and an enclosure of the same all round it.
The sentries passed them in at once, and their father came out from the tent and met them with cordial, outstretched hands. He held both their hands for a moment, and looked from one to the other.
"Jack is the Engineer, and Jim is the Hussar, and both of you very creditable Carrons. We must get to know one another better, my boys. The coming campaign should afford us plenty of opportunities."
"Is there to be a campaign, then, sir?" asked Jack. "We'd about given up all hopes of it."
"Oh, we're not through yet by any means," smiled the Colonel.
"I don't know how it is with your men, sir, but all this dawdling about is doing ours no good."
"It is good for nobody, my boy, but we've got to obey orders, and those who pull the strings are far away. However, you need have no fear. The Tsar is far too stiff-necked to give way till he's had a good thrashing, and we have not only to fight him, but distance and climate to boot. Here is His Highness."
And when he introduced them, the Prince, with a smile at Jim, and a pat on the shoulder, told him he would certainly have had difficulty in recognising him again, and he was a "brave boy," which set the brave boy blushing furiously under his tan.
"They are grumbling at getting no fighting, Your Highness," said the Colonel.
"Young blood! Young blood!" said the Prince, with a smile. "Let us hope they will have plenty left when the fighting is over."