I left McGill, Queen’s, and Toronto still digging in their trench, which
another undergraduate, mounted and leading a horse, went out of his way
to jump standing. My last glimpse was of a little detachment, with five
or six South African ribbons among them, who were being looked over by
an officer. No one thought it strange that they should have embodied
themselves and crossed the salt seas independently as ‘So-and-So’s
Horse.’ (It is best to travel with a title these days.) Once arrived,
they were not at all particular, except that they meant to join the
Army, and the lonely batch was stating its qualifications as Engineers.
‘They get over any way and every way,’ said my companion. ‘Swimming, I
believe.’
‘But who was the So-and-So that they were christened after?’ I asked.
‘I guess he was the man who financed ‘em or grub-staked ‘em while they
were waiting. He may be one of ‘em in that crowd now; or he may be a
provincial magnate at home getting another bunch together.’