ept so splendidly over Britain caused, at first, not a little
suspense.

"Good Heavens! he's asking for a million men," gasped the Subaltern.

"Well, if he doesn't get them, this Company will go over and fight for
Germany," said the Captain. "The country isn't worth fighting for if it
can't raise a million men."

"The Government seem to be doing jolly well," some one volunteered.

"And so they darn well ought," said the Senior Subaltern. "But you wait
and see. If something wonderful does not happen in about six months'
time, all sorts of fools will be up on their hind legs, shouting out how
the show, as they would do it, should be run."

As events turned out, the Senior Subaltern was not far wrong.

At this time, too, the country was thrilled with its first feeling of
pride in the Army since Waterloo. The dramatic rush of events--Mons, the
Retreat, the dramatic rally when all seemed lost, and the splendid
victory of the Marne, the continued advance, the deadlock on the
Aisne--people were gasping at the magnificence of the success. They
realised that the swift and sudden victory which Germany had counted on
had been frustrated, and that owing to the French and the "contemptible
little Army" eventual victory had been assured.

Every one who had the ear of the "public" was raining praise upon this
contemptible little Army, and the contemptible little Army was
surprised; but although they classified the eloquent speeches and
dashing articles under the sweeping phrase of "hot air," these things
pleased them a good deal, although they never have admitted it. The
country, it appeared, had learned to appreciate them--a little late, it
is true; still, in the volatile imagination of the public, they had
arrived. They were quietly pleased, and awoke to the realisation of what
fine fellows they were.

"No more of the 'expensive, idle loafer' talk," said some one.

It was the vindication of the British Army.

CHAPTER XXIX

TO STRAIGHTEN THE LINE

Later in the morning there would probably be an inspection of arms. They
had always to be very careful that the rifles were in proper working
order. A few stiff bolts at a critical moment might make all the
difference.

The next function would be dinner. This generally consisted of bully
beef made into a sort of stew, and some potatoes, stolen from a field
near by. It must be confessed that the stews were not a great success,
and the Subaltern conceived a violent dis