"Halt," roared Colonel Dearman.
"Oh, don't halt 'em," begged General Murger, "it's the most entertainin' show I have ever seen."
The smart and dapper Brigade-Major's mouth was open.
Major Pinto and Captain-and-Acting-Adjutant Petropaulovski forgot to cling to their horses with hand and heel and so endangered their lives.
The non-commissioned officers of the permanent staff commended their souls to God and marched as men in a dream.
On hearing the Colonel's cry of "Halt" many of the men halted. Not hearing the Colonel's cry of "Halt" many of the men did not halt.
In two minutes the battalion was without form and void.
In ten minutes the permanent staff had largely re-sorted it and, to a great extent, re-formed the original companies.
Captain José offered his subaltern, Lieutenant Bylegharicontractor, a hundred rupees to change places with him.
Offer refused, with genuine and deep regret, but firmly.