As this rigmarole was delivered in the most comical manner, it put the soldiers in a better humour, both breaking out into laughter.
Of course the corporal had no thought of availing himself of the permission so accorded. Their orders were strict to stay in that spot, and stay they must. The question was, how were they to spend the time. A smoke to begin with; and they drew out their cigarritos, with flint, steel, and tinder.
Soon as the red coal appeared beneath their noses, said the cabo to his comrade—
“By the way, Perico, have you your cards with you?”
“Did you ever know me to be without them?”
“How lucky! I quite forgot mine.”
“That’s because your mind was bent upon Pepita. I saw you giving your moustache an extra twist this evening.”
“Oh! bother Pepita. Let’s have an albur of monté.”
“How about light?”
“The moon’s clear enough, if it wasn’t we could manage with our cigars. Many’s the game I’ve played that way.”