Soldiers Three

Soldiers Three Summary

Soldiers Three by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of short stories first published in 1888. The narratives revolve around three British soldiers—Privates Terence Mulvaney, Stanley Ortheris, and John Learoyd—serving in British India. Through their adventures and camaraderie, Kipling offers a vivid portrayal of military life during the British Raj, exploring themes of loyalty, bravery, and the complexities of colonialism.

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Soldiers Three Excerpt

Short Summary: This collection of short stories follows the exploits of three British soldiers—Mulvaney, Ortheris, and Learoyd—in colonial India, highlighting their adventures, challenges, and the bonds they share amidst the backdrop of the British Empire.

"The Inexpressibles gave a ball. They borrowed a seven-pounder from the Gunners, wreathed it with laurels, and made the dancing-floor plate-glass. The supper was a marvel of luxury, and two sentries stood at the door holding trays of programme-cards. Private Mulvaney, being the tallest man in the regiment, was one of the sentries. Once the dance was underway, the sentries were relieved. Mulvaney sought favor with the Mess Sergeant overseeing the supper. Whether the Sergeant gave or Mulvaney took, it’s uncertain. What is certain is that, at supper-time, Mulvaney, along with Private Ortheris, possessed two-thirds of a ham, a loaf of bread, half a pâté de foie gras, and two magnums of champagne, all situated on the roof of my carriage. Approaching them, I overheard Mulvaney say, 'Praise be a dance doesn't come as often as Orderly-room, or, by this and that, Ortheris, me son, I would be the disgrace of the regiment instead of the brightest jewel in its crown.' 'And the Colonel's pet nuisance,' added Ortheris. 'But what makes you curse your rations? This here fizzy stuff's good enough.' 'Stuff, you uncivilized pagan! 'Tis champagne we're drinking now. 'Tisn't that I am set against. 'Tis this queer stuff with the little bits of black leather in it. I misdoubt I will be distressingly sick with it in the morning. What is it?' 'Goose liver,' I interjected, climbing onto the carriage, knowing well that sitting with Mulvaney was preferable to many dances. 'Goose liver, is it?' Mulvaney mused. 'Faith, I'm thinking them that makes it would do better to cut up the Colonel. He carries a power of liver under his right arm when the days are warm and the nights chill. He would give them tons and tons of liver. 'Tis he says so. "I'm all liver today," says he; and with that he orders me ten days C.B. for as mild a drink as ever a good soldier took between his teeth.' 'That was when 'e wanted to wash 'isself in the Fort Ditch,' Ortheris explained. 'Said there was too much beer in the Barrack water-butts for a God-fearing man. You was lucky in getting off with what you did, Mulvaney.' 'Say you so? Now I'm persuaded I was cruel hard treated, seeing what I've done for the likes of him in the days when my eyes were wider open than they are now. Man alive, for the Colonel to whip me on the peg in that way! Me that have saved the reputation of a ten times better man than him! 'Twas nefarious and that means a power of evil!' 'Never mind the nefariousness,' I interjected. 'Whose reputation did you save?' 'More's the pity, 'twasn't my own, but I took more trouble with it than if it was. 'Twas just my way, messing with what was no business of mine. Hear now!' He settled himself comfortably atop the carriage. 'I'll tell you all about it. Of course, I will name no names, for there's one that's an officer's lady now, that was in it, and no more will I name places, for a man is tracked by a place.' 'Eyah!' said Ortheris lazily, 'but this is a mixed story what's coming.' 'Once upon a time, as the children-books say, I was a recruit.' 'Was you though?' said Ortheris; 'now that's extraordinary!' 'Ortheris,' said Mulvaney, 'if you open them lips of yours again, I will, saving your presence, Sir, take you by the slack of your trousers and heave you.' 'I'm mum,' said Ortheris. 'What happened when you was a recruit?' 'I was a better recruit than you ever was or will be,' Mulvaney retorted."