"Well, sergeant-major—what's up?" asked the adjutant on arriving at the muster-place.
"A free fight, sir. Only way to quell it."
"What's that?" interjected the colonel, who, at that moment, made his bow.
"A free fight—skin and hair all round. Had to sound the alarm, sir. Only way—absolutely, sir——"
"When did you sound it?"
"Twenty minutes ago, sir."
"Twenty minutes! That's good business!"
"Yes, sir."
"Why were they fighting—too much beer?"
"The want of it."