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

218 MILITARY LIFE.
wine brought into their midst, and glancing at one of the
quickest soldiers, says : " It 's
your turn ;
take out the
bung and distribute it." They all gather around, holding
out trenchers, canteens, and glasses.
" Wait a moment, for
heaven's sake ! Get out of the way there, or I won't give
any one another "
!
drop They all stand back. And while
the soldier endeavors to open
the cask with his nails and
the point of his bayonet, and the captain stands bending
over it, his hand on his knees, directing the operation ;
all the others, gathered together on one side, smother their
laughs of delight, twist their hands around their knees, and,
bending their backs, they make mute signs to one another, exchange
certain droll gestures, hit each other's elbows, nodding
with their head and a half-closed eye at the unusual treat ;
they pass the back of the hand over the mouth, as if to prepare
it for the full enjoyment of the treat, without leaving any
other profane taste on the lips ;
and they rub their shoulders against each other.
they exchange furtive pinches,
Suddenly, the
captain turns. All are erect and motionless, so not to appear
quite crazed at the idea of a few drops of wine. The captain
makes a sign for them to approach ; they crowd forward ;
the
bung is out, a great purple stream comes bubbling forth ;
ten
trenchers are held under it to catch it,
after these ten others,
another ten, and so on. Down the throat it
goes in perfect
waves.
" " " Shall we touch glasses
? asks one voice. Yes,"
reply twenty others.
The trenchers are raised above the heads,
they move, turn and return, touch ;
the wine overflows and
spreads over their heads, faces, and hands, staining waistcoats
and doublets, and dropping everywhere. But what does it matter
? Hurrah for pleasure Hurrah for the " ! captain exclaims
" !