baggage together, but got it done some'ow--a regular nigger drivin' sort
of job.
Felt quite sorry when we fell in on p'rade for the last time. Camp's
stiffish work an' everybody grumbles, but it aint bad fun on the whole;
an' after all a chap as 'as been to camp is worth half-a-dozen as
'asn't, you learns things there that you can't learn nohow else, no
matter 'ow clever you are.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Outposts.
Both the sentry and the group indulge in a little "Nap."]
[Illustration: BLANK CARTRIDGES]
What the service would be without the Junior Subaltern the Junior
Subaltern cannot imagine.
* * * * *
Do not anathematize the genius who formulates the Regulations. He is
quite right, if you could but understand him.
* * * * *
Gun practice with obsolete weapons is instructive. One cannot know too
much of the history of one's country.
* * * * *
A sealed pattern at the War Office is something different from the kit
you have just purchased.
[Illustration: At Last!
Private Jones having contrived to sit upon his bayonet, the various
ambulances and bearer sections get a look in.]
The expenses of the officer's dress should be reduced whenever possible.
Abolish ten shillings worth of lace, and substitute three buttons at
three-and-sixpence apiece. There is only a slight difference, but every
little helps.
[Illustration]
Rifles should be cleaned very carefully: one man should hold the rifle,
and the other should manipulate the "pull-through."
[Illustration]
The difference between field service kit and parade dress is very
marked. You wear out the one and grow out of the other.
[Illustration: Off Duty.
That enthusiastic Volunteer, Jack Rackett, holds that, while in camp,
you should consider yourself a soldier for the time being; but, he says,
Tommy has a "deuced good time, don't you know!"]
[Illustration: Trouble in the Band.
_Bugler:_ "'Ere, if you go on increasin' at this rate, Fatty, you'll
'ave to send in your resignation. You won't be able to reach the middle
o' the drum soon!"]
You may be traffic manager of a railway, but you cannot know as much
about a baggage train as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps
who has been at it for a week.
* * * * *
Now this is the creed of the Subaltern.--
The Subaltern knows everything and does everything.
The Captain knows (?) everything and does nothing.
The Major knows nothing and does nothing.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
There is such a thing as too much enthusiasm, and when, after joining
the Signalling section, Edwin's fond epistles took the above form,
Angelina decided that it was time to break off the engagement.
* * * * *
If you want to know anything always ask the Adjutant; recollect that he
has nothing to do but to attend to _you_.
* * * * *
No water-cart is perfect. You may abuse it without incurring rebuke.
* * * * *
When in doubt say you have received no instructions.
* * * * *
Many rules apply equally well in civil and military life. If you are in
a responsible position, never do anything till you are absolutely
pushed.
Presenting arms never killed the enemy, neither has physical drill, but
each helps to make a soldier.
* * * * *
It is curious how an indifferent shot always gets a badly sighted rifle
issued to him.
* * * * *
"Intelligence in the obeyin' of commands," said "Tiny," "is of the
utmost importance. If you are with an off'cer as knows 'is work you may
close yer eyes and rest in peace, an' just do as you're told without
worryin'. But they differ. There's that little devil with the eyeglass
now, if 'e's takin' you an' you see me convenient to 'is elbow you can
be easy in your minds an' jump to the word, but if, by misfortune, 'e's
out there alone, keep yer wits about yer an' step off slow, for 'As you
were' an' 'Mark time' is favourite commands with 'im.'"
* * * * *
"Discipline is a good word; it fills the mouth and makes the chest swell
with the sound, but it's easier to spell than to explain," said "Tiny."
"I have not my patent-instalment-plan Dictionary with me, but 'tis in
the nature of obedience, only more so. Any fool can do as 'e's told, but
the disciplined man will do it even when 'e thinks it's wrong--not, I
want ye to understand, just because it's an order, but because 'e ses to
'imself: this is for a reason as I don't know on. F'rinstance, when the
father told the boy to slip into the orchard an' shin up a tree an'
collar all the apples 'e could, that boy didn't hesitate, but started
'tooty sweet,' as the French say. Now, thinks 'e as 'e goes along,
'Wot's the little game? The apples is rotten, the dawg's about, an' the
farmer 'll catch me for sure. It can't be for the sake of getting me a
lammin', cos,' says he, 'the ole man likes doin' that 'isself. I don't
'arf like the looks of it,' 'e says, 'but I'll take me precautions:'
with that he shoves a bone in 'is pocket to amuse the tripe hound if he
gets too pressing, an' takes a stone or two for the farmer, an' by the
end of the campaign comes back to find that the enemy's attention
'aving been diverted to the orchard, the ole man 'as cleaned out the hen
roost, an' there's a hot supper an' general rejoicings."
[Illustration: "All exercises should generally conclude with a
conference, at which Officers and Non-commissioned Officers should be
encouraged to explain any action they may have taken." _Vide_ Army
Orders, 1901.]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
The original hyphenation, spelling and grammar have been preserved.
Page 21, "Reglashuns" changed to "Reg'lashuns" [Ed. for consistency]
Page 99, 'anywhere.' changed to 'anywhere."'
Page 111, "isself" changed to "'isself"