"I waant tae mak' a complaint, sir."
"What about?"
"Private M'Ginty punched me for naethin' at a', an' gied me a black e'e."
"I see; well, come with me," said the [pg 198] captain, entering the billet and calling for M'Ginty.
"Look here, M'Ginty, this man complains that you struck him without cause."
"Well, sir, he's a greedy yin. He's pinched wan o' the recruit's dinner every day for a week, so I jist punched him on the nose."
"Quite right, M'Ginty. If you get him at it again, knock his head off, and break every bone in his body. Get out, you scoundrel." Off tailed the little rascal, for in all regiments you will find a few undesirables.
"Private M'Nab wishes to see you, sir," then remarked the colour-sergeant.
"What is it, M'Nab," inquired the captain kindly, for M'Nab was a good soldier.
"The wife's bad, sir, an' the wee boy's got consumption. The doctor says they're tae get steak, eggs, an' beef-tea, but I canna' dae that on a shillin' a day."