Peter the Great once inspected a battalion of soldiers. Anxious to test the loyalty of his troops, he approached an imposing-looking soldier in uniform and said,
"Listen, if I should tell you to shoot me, would you obey?"
"Yes, Majesty," returned the sturdy trooper. "I must do whatever my superiors tell me."
Putting the question to several other soldiers, the sovereign received the same reply. At last the Czar approached a man standing alone:
"And you, would you shoot me if ordered to do so?"
"No, Majesty," came the emphatic reply.
The great ruler was deeply moved. Here, at least, was one soldier whose love for his Czar was sufficient to outweigh his sense of duty. Full of emotion, the Czar continued,
"Tell me, son, why wouldn't you shoot me?"
"Because, Majesty, I am a drummer in the army," answered the loyal soldier. "I am forbidden from doing any shooting ..."