James Baquet Talbot Mundy was an Englishman whose first works were published in American “pulp fiction” magazines. One of the best of these was called “The Soul of the Regiment.” In this simple, touching story, Billy Grogram — a retired soldier — takes on the task of training a native regiment in Egypt, a task his superiors consider impossible. But the “First Egyptian Foot” — that is, foot soldiers — were inspired when Billy bought six fifes with his own money, as well as a native drum, and taught the men two songs: “God Save the Queen” and “The Campbells Are Coming.” The men learned to march in formation, and finally to fulfill their potentials as soldiers. And they loved Billy for the silly dances he sometimes performed when they played. He also taught them that the company’s “colors,” or flag, were the “soul of the regiment” and should be preserved at all costs, even on the battlefield. Sadly, the regiment was lost in their first engagement, and no one knew their fate. For years afterward there were garbled rumors of a group appearing here and there: three natives playing fifes and one a drum, and a European with them — dancing. But Billy Grogram and his regiment were forgotten. Then one day, years later, something odd happened at the annual polo match between the Army team and a team of civil servants. During the half-time interval, five men — a drummer, three fifes, and a ragged man who walked upright like a British soldier — marched in at one corner of the field, and proceeded to play “The Campbells Are Coming” as they crossed the field to the stand where the dignitaries sat. There they stopped and stood at attention. When questioned, they declared that they were the “First Egyptian Foot.” When asked, “Where are your colors?” the fifth man revealed that they were wrapped around his body! The dignitaries and the crowd rose up in awe — and removed their hats when the motley band began to play, “God Save the Queen.” At its conclusion, Billy Grogram himself — for it was he — gave the dignitaries a sharp salute, and dropped dead on the spot. The First Egyptian Foot was re-formed under new colors, and Billy was buried in the old colors under a stone that read simply, “Here Lies a Man.” Vocabulary: Which word above means: 1. break, space of time 2. instruments like flutes 3. important people 4. made up again 5. outcome, result 6. cheaply-printed magazines 7. wonder, amazement 8. unproven stories 9. proper order 10. mixed up, unclear | 