Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

THE CAMP. 217
passage between the tables there is a crowd forming, composed
of two lines moving in opposite directions, some who are coming
to fill their trenchers with wine, and others who, having
theirs full, shout " : Make way there," swearing at and cursing
the unfortunate man who does not give way and thus makes
them spill a few drops. Around the vivandifo-e a circle of
young corporals has formed that of the third ;
company, among
the others, who is so graceful and so impudent the husband
;
knows it,
and cannot refrain from casting certain sharp glances
in that direction which are like so many arrows ;
and the wife
does not neglect to make eyes at her favorites ;
the husband
would like to protest, but the affairs of the shop are flourishing,
and much of this is due to the wheedling of madame. " Let
us close our eyes," he thinks,
" until we have taken in the
money." A soldier approaches the counter. " What do you
wish?" "A little glass of rum." "Here it is; pay for it."
"Take this"; and he presents a bill. "I cannot change
it; I have no small money."
" Then what shall I do ?
Ah,
that is delightful ! try." And the poor soldier stands there,
puzzled and confused, fingering the bill and glancing at the
little glass with an angry expression of face. Then moves
slowly off, murmuring : "
They pay us in paper, and to say
that there is no specie
!
But all those who go on horseback put
it
in their pockets."
Fifty paces nearer there is another picture. It is a captain
who has collected about fifty soldiers of his company, as
many as he could pick up round about,
has placed them in a
circle, and, after telling them that they will have a great deal
of marching to do the following day, and that the first one who
gives out will be put immediately in irons, has a small cask of