ooked disdainfully at the cock and cat. "They could
have left them behind and no one would have pinched them,
whereas I know I'll never see 'Sarah' again, she was far too
useful."

Entering Vitry-le-Francois we had a splendid example of the typical
"motto" of the French trooper, "II ne faut pas s'en faire" One of the
motor cars had broken down, and the officer-occupants, who were
evidently not on an urgent mission, had gone to sleep on the
banks by the side of the road whilst the chauffeur was making the
necessary repairs. We offered him assistance, but he was
progressing quite well alone. Later on another officer related to me
his experience when his car broke down at midnight some twelve
miles from a village. The chauffeur was making slow headway with
the repairs. The officer enquired whether he really understood the
job, and received the reply, "Yes, mon Lieutenant, I think I do, but I
am rather a novice, as before the war I was a lion-tamer!"
Apparently the gallant son of Gaul found it easier to tame lions
than to repair motors.

Hunting For Generals

We left Vitry-le-Francois at six o'clock next morning, and started
"the hunt for Generals." It is by no means easy to discover where
the actual Headquarters of the General of any particular sector is
situated.

We were not yet really on the "White Road" to Verdun, and there
was still much to be seen that delighted the eyes. In one yellow
cornfield there appeared to be enormous poppies. On approaching
we discovered a detachment of Tirailleurs from Algiers, sitting in
groups, and the "poppies" were the red fezes of the men--a gorgeous
blending of crimson and gold. We threw a large box of cigarettes
to them and were greeted with shouts of joy and thanks. The Tirailleurs
are the enfants terribles of the French Army. One noble son of
Africa who was being treated in one of the hospitals once presented
me with an aluminium ring made from a piece of German shell.
I asked him to make one for one of my comrades who was working
at home, and he informed me that nothing would have given
greater pleasure, but unfortunately he had no more aluminium.
Later in the day, passing through the ward, I saw him surrounded
by five or six Parisian ladies who were showering sweets, cigarettes
and flowers on him, whilst he was responding by presenting
each of them with an aluminium ring. When they had left I went
to him and told him "Mahmud, that was not kind. I asked you for
a