SENTRY-GO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3130, 6 August 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

SENTRY-GO.

In the first number of the Volunteer Service Magazine Mr Leyson T. Merry has an amusing paper on the above subject, from which we extract the following:— In the course of a week's training, either in the barracks or under canvas, at Aldershot, some funny things happen and still funnier things are said; but it would be safe to assume that the most merriment is extracted from the blunders and the failings of the gentlemen who are for the nonce compelled to struc their little hour—or two hours—on their posts, zealously guarding the approach to the camp, keeping watch over the officers' quarters, or in some way or other employing the two hours that intervene between the "Sentries port arms!" of the corporal of the guard. Ever since the first guard was mounted there have been funny stories connected with sentry-go, but it would not be fair to assume that any but a small proportion of them were true. Our comrade, the militiaman, is made responsible for a good share of them, but then the militiaman, rightly or wrongly, is the butt of the great majority of the jests recounted by civilians at the expense of the military element. Who has not heard of the militiaman who, whilst on guard during the Egyptian War, requested a venerable-looking old gentleman to " come off that grass, old 'un." The only notice taken was an astonished, angry glare by the "old 'un." " D' year," shouted the enraged sentry. "Come off the grass, mister, or you'll get what for." The venerable one approached nearer, and asked for an explanation of such an unmilitary proceeding. " Well, you see, it's this way, mister. My duties is to see as nobody walks acrost that grass, and I'm agoin' to do it." "Indeed ! and do you know who I am ?" was the next question. "No," was the reply. " I am the officer commanding this district." " Oh, are you r" was the cool rejoinder. " Then you've got a jolly good job if you can keep off the booze." I suppose this story is about as true as another one told of a sentry with an incurable propensity for rhyming. Asked to deliver over his orders to the new relief, he replied that his duties were to— Safely guard all shot and shell And all the water in the well. The corporal of the guard being a matter-of-fact unromantic individual, with no more taste for poetry than is possessed by a tadpole, sternly bade him be careful who he was " a foolin' of," and deliver over his orders in a proper manner, and svith less levity. He was an unconscious poet, this!

sentry, and so he complacently retorted that— Them's the orders I received From the cove what I relieved. The unlucky wight was incontinently placed under arrest, and was later on informed that poetry and sentry duty did not run well together. The worst of a guard is that they never seem to see the point of a sentry's joke. Stupid fellows that they are, they never see any fun in being called out two or three times an hour on a false alarm. I remember once forming one of a guard which was mounted over an encampment in Sandown Park, and the five fellows who were on duty were terribly wanting in enthusiasm and in a sense of humour. I had not been at my post ten minutes, when I fancied I descried a dark : form making for the camp. In I stentorian tones I demanded that it should " Halt!" but it heard me I not, or at least took no notice of my " Who comes there ?" though I repeated it again and again, and brought my rifle to the " charge " in a ferocious manner. I peered into the darkness, and gave my imagination full play, with the result that in a few seconds the guard was awakened from a comfortable snooze, and two of its members with fixed bayonets, made their way at the double towards the would-be invaders. Yery soon they reappeared, hurling imprecations at my head, and consigning me to regions where a prolonged sojourn would be apt to pall, I had sent them out to arrest a gatepost ! Later on I called them out at different times to arrest a horse, a donkey, and a cow, and it is needless to say that during my vigil there was sleep and more profanity in the guard-room than was the case during the whole of the remaining period we were on duty. Our canteen contractor—l think it was dear old Debus, of Chelsea— employed a couple of fair creatures to minister to our needs in the refreshment line. These young ladies used ,tc Seave us about ten every night, and make their way to the village, where they had lodgings. One night, about 10.30, the sentry over the guard-room door espied a figure advancing towards him. " Halt! Who comes there ?" was the defiant challenge. .The advancing figure stopped short. "Halt! Who comes there?" resounded for a second time, and the sentry came to the " charge." Them a timid little voice floated out on the stillness of the night : " Oh, if you please, sir, it's only one of Mr Debus' females. I want something out of the canteen, air !" For a moment there was silence, and then the hard stern voice of the sentry could be heard ; " Pass, Mr Debus' female. All's well!"