midday
For all spirit is a very poison to any Indian . And of all the crimes of which men of my colour stand attainted , the offering of this death-cup to our red brothers is , I think , the wickedest and the most contemptible . For when we white men become merely exhilarated in the performance of such social usages as politeness requires of us , the Indian becomes murderous . And I remember at this Artillery Punch many officers danced a Shawanese dance , and General Hand , of the Light Troops , did lead this war-dance , which caused me discomfiture , I not at all pleased to see officers who ranked me cut school-boy capers ` round a midday fire . And it was like very school-lads that many of us behaved , making of this serious and hazardous expedition a silly pleasure jaunt . I have since thought that perhaps the sombre and majestic menace of a sunless and unknown forest reacted a little on us all , and that many found a nervous relief in brief relaxations and harmless folly , and in antics performed on its grim and dusky edges . For no one , I think , doubted there was trouble waiting for us within these silent shades .