THE THREE CAPTAINS

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 347, 1 August 1885, Page 11

THE THREE CAPTAINS

A VERACIOUS CHKONICLE. (Cornniunicated by ' Asuiodeus ' his brother to the Editor of his pet Observer). After the cavalry parade on an afternoon not many days ago, as the shades of evening were softly falling and Evening Bell boys their vespers loudly chanting, and tired nature fain would seek repose, I, Asmodeus' brother, wandering forth on evil bent, saw three officers arm -in- arm. The glittering uniforms first caught my eye, and I then saw that two were tall and bearded, the other short in stature but of aspect fierce. Invisible to mortal eye as is my wont, I nearer drew, and found the tall ones two — my old friends Captains Secondtonone and Sabredash — the third was little Capt. Ninirod. I followed them, and lo! they entered the private portal of a lofty hostelry. Tired and hungry they all seemed to be, and so it came to pass they loudly called for dinner. I watched and saw the goodly viands disappear, and thought they they ate like troopers, though captains they were, or used to be. So, the inner man replete, with jubilant face they rise and seek the upper regions amid the gas-light glitter and the { upper ten.' I followed close, when lo ! each lounged in ease and bIeAV vast clouds of fragrant honey dew, too happy far to please me. Then it was (alas ! I could not help it) that I whispered soft in Secondtonone's ear I

the thought, ' Ask Sabreclash to show some sword point and parry.' Well I knew Sabredash into my trap would fall, unless a mighty change had o'er him come since ten years past we met. So up stood Secondtonone. and nothing loath was Sabredash; but one knew t'other far too well, and so much mischief ne'er befel. Then I bethought me to stir up fierce little Nimrod ; so I made him dream he was Bussy de Anibois(bymyDemonart), for he shouted ' Make way ! Stand aside ! Captain Secondtonone — a Bussy ! a Bussy !' You ' watch and learn. I whispered the same in Sabredash's ear, and saw he was cold if but j once in the year. And then a small flea I i sent to bite him in the rear, and just at the I time he back should have come he made a jump forward, the dream was dispelled and the truth shone out clear. Secondtonone learnt a lesson, but not on the point ; Sabredash gave one, but not as he wished ; Nimrod received one not to hurt but to bless him. I had pointed my moral and seen out my fun, so I fled through the window, but I sent for a doctor and hastened a cab. I stole from forty bold troopers three toasts which they drank, the sho\xt and the toast came from every rank. The poetry is naught, but the sentiments good — Here's to gallant Secondtonone ; long may he liye to command and to lead us, to help and to cheer us. ' With our captain we'll stand or with him we'll fall ; So here's to his health, and long life from from us all.

And here's to little Nimrod, with hound and with hare. Though we can't back him up the Eussians to

scare ; Yet well can he ride o'er valley and hill, But with sword or lance no Russian he'll kill. And here's to bold Sabredash, good at need; Well he'll lead our charge on his dark bay steed. A soldier is he, and if in a mess, We love brave Sabredash nevertheless.