Page:The Seven Seas (Kipling, 1896).djvu/209

Rh Since August, when it started, it's been stickin' to our tail,

Though they've 'ad us out by marches an' they've 'ad us back by rail;

But it runs as fast as troop-trains, and we can not get away;

An' the sick-list to the Colonel makes ten more to-day.

There ain't no fun in women nor there ain't no bite to drink;

It 's much too wet for shootin', we can only march and think;

An' at evenin', down the nullahs, we can 'ear the jackals say,

'Get up, you rotten beggars, you've ten more to-day!'

'Twould make a monkey cough to see our way o' doin' things—

Lieutenants takin' companies an' captains takin' wings,

An' Lances actin' Sergeants—eight file to obey—

For we've lots o' quick promotion on ten deaths a day!