He could drink more than any officer of the whole mess, including old Heavytop, the colonel. He could spar better than Knuckles, the private (who would have been a corporal but for his drunkenness, and who had been in the prize-ring); and was the best batter and bowler, out and out, of the regimental club. 
He could drink more than any officer of the mess, and box, and was the best batter and bowler of the regimental cricket club. 