tub of suds from another woman. 'Let's show Mr. Cheeky our new wringing machine,' said one. 'Do, do,' they shouted, and I was soon surrounded by a dozen or more nymphs of the tub, one of whom dropped down behind me, and another pushed me backward over her; and amid shouts of laughter, they took me, head and heels, like a sheet ready for wringing, and gave me a twist, head one way and heels the other, and then dropped me. 'Now rinse him, they shouted, and I was nearly drowned. One of them then dabbed my cheeks with the blue bag, and suggested that the sheet should be hung out to dry, but I managed to get to the door, and took to my heels." These laundresses are generally the wives of the married soldiers, and each man contributes a halfpenny per day to the laundry fund, and there is no limit to the clothes he likes to send to be washed.
Convalescent.
Trades were not taught in our regiment, but there was a tailor's shop, a boot shop, and a carpenter's shop, in which soldiers who were qualified and were inclined that way, could earn extra pay. It was only repairing and altering that was done in these shops.
The evenings were very enjoyable. In the summer we had cricket, and for those who thought this too hard work or not to their taste, there was a skittle alley attached to the canteen.
Some went into the town, and often got into trouble through stopping too long and drinking too much at "The Swiggers' Arms." There was an awful shindy there one night, which ended in a free fight between the "Dare Devil Dicks" and the "Bangshire Bucks," in which belts and fists were freely used, and we had to send out an extra strong picket and the ambulance to bring home our wounded. The guard-room was full to overflowing, and some of the more obstreperous had to be put into the cells, Dick, am sorry to say, amongst the rest. He heard a call for "Dare Devil Dicks," and joined in the scrimmage when he saw some of our men being badly mauled, and he let out right and left, to the astonishment of the "Bangshire Bucks."
"A good conduct badge."
Some of our men had been so badly hurt that they were sent into hospital.
I found that all sick soldiers were attended to with the greatest care. Anyone who wanted advice reported himself at nine o'clock in the morning, but urgent cases were sent to the hospital at once. The best of advice, medicine, and nursing were available, and the convalescents had a pretty
