The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Scenes of Long Aoo. 59
ccmpanions sometimes thought that he made rather too
much of the incident, livery one of themselves, however,
had one story, of man\- stories the favourite. Every one
spoke of one engagement, more than other engagements, as
the scene of his particular glory. Moreover, having fought
in Gascony, might the\- not in reason be permitted to
indulge now and again in the Gasconading vein ?
Any one passing along the road came within earshot of
these reminiscences, which, as might be supposed, waxed
louder and warmer as the afternoon advanced. The youth
of the neighbourhood, always eager for a lark, drew as near
as they durst, and afterwards followed each retiring hero
with mocking echoes of his own words.
So it had been on many a successive Pension Day ;
but I need not tell how, in process of time, the noise of the
captains and the shouting died away, as one after another
responded to the last roll-call, and went to rejoin old com-
rades, even at headquarters. At length there came that
Pension Day—the only one within my recollection- -when
a solitary individual appeared where full fifty had formerly
convened. I do not think that he felt in any degree
friendless and forlorn, or experienced any sadness on
account of the comrades that were gone. Nature is very
kind and considerate, especially perhaps to the aged,
taking means to conceal from our view, or, at least, to gloss
over, the tragedy and pathos of life, which, if plainly per-
ceived in all their nakedness, might cast us into dejection.
Thus, the Last of the Pensioners, far from feeling in any-
wise despondent, was probably at heart somewhat proud
of the peerless importance of his position ; and, notwith-
standing our ribald greeting, he came towards us with a
waggish smile, making feint as though he would give us
chase, until, as I have described, there rang out in jeering
tones those fatal words, " Make for the rear, my man, while
your blood is warm."
At this the poor old soldier suddenly paused, gave a
slow glance aroimd like one bewildered, and then, putting
his sleeve up to his eyes, sobbed like a child.