"TOMMY ATKINS OFF DUTY. 2_; 3 on to a grass hawser, which almost invariably snapped suddenly and overthrew the whole party. The struggle over, the first boat round the difficult point would sail triumphantly away, the soldiers on board cheering and railing at the less fortunate occupants of the other boats still plodding wearily on the bank. The labour ended, and all the boats, save some one laggard, well under weigh again, the soldiers would sit, as Tommy Atkins will always sit when he gets a chance, with their pipes upside down in their mouths and their legs hanging over the sides of the boats and almost touching the water, and as one nuggar now and again overhauled another a volley of chaff would be exchanged between the occupants of the two crafts. Shortly before dusk the halt would be signalled from the major's boat, and all the crafts would, if possible, join and moor up to the bank. Then, as soon as guards were placed, all the men were allowed on shore, with, however, strict orders to keep out of the village if there happened to be one near. Orders were also given to spare the date-palms, but strict compliance with such a mandate was hardly to be expected. . . .

Sometimes when the wind failed altogether, or was so adverse as to render towing absolutely impracticable, the halt was necessarily called quite early in the afternoon. Then was Thomas Atkins in his element. He bathed in some shallow part of the stream, took his tea comfortably and at his ease reclining on the bank, and then, attired in his favourite off-duty undress, lounged about the bank enjoying the inevitable pipe and the jokes and conversation of his friends. Comfort in costume to the British soldier is represented as follows. His jacket and shirt are replaced by his greatcoat, the cuffs of which are turned back. His trousers, unbraced, are rolled up to his knees. His boots are unlaced, his pipe, of course, upside down, and his helmet is put on wrong side before.

Has he been able to obtain some particularly uncouth head-dress — such as an old and mangy rabbit or rat skin cap, a battered tarboosch, or broken-down and brimlcss felt hat — he dons it with pride and satisfaction, provided always it be thoroughly disreputable — for otherwise where would be the merit; but failing this, he is content with the helmet worn as I have described. In this attire,