One of the Six Hundred: A Novel

A classic by James Grant following one of the men who participated in The Charge Of The Light Brigade. CHAPTER I. To be handsome young and twenty-two With nothing else on earth to do; But all day long to bill and coo It were a pleasant calling. —THACKERAY. I was just in the act of humming the above verse when the following announcement was put into my hand— Regimental Orders.—Head-quarters Maidstone December 31st. As the regiment is to be held in readiness for foreign service in spring captains of troops will report to Lieutenant and Adjutant Studhome for the information of the commanding officer on the state of the saddlery the holsters and lance-buckets; and the horses must be all re-shod under the immediate inspection of the veterinary surgeon and Farrier-Sergeant Snaffles. Leave of absence to the 31st proximo is granted to Lieutenant Newton Calderwood Norcliff in consequence of his urgent private affairs. Hah! this is what most concerns me I exclaimed as I read the foregoing and then handed the order-book a squat vellum-bound quarto to the orderly-serjeant who was in waiting. Any idea of where we are likely to go sir? he asked. The East of course. So say the men in the barracks; for the present good-bye sir said he as he wheeled about on his spurred heel and saluted; I wish you a pleasant journey. Thanks Stapylton said I; and now to be off by the night train for London and the north. Ugh! the last night of December; I shall have a cold journey of it.