arned the
secrets of their acts, which is what Baden-Powell always does when the
natives rebel in South Africa; and Denis Foulkes thought of altering
the sign-posts to lead the foe astray. And if we did cause all this
fighting, and get Maidstone threatened with capture and all that, it
was only because we didn't believe Greek things could happen in Great
Britain and Ireland, even if you sow dragon's teeth, and besides, some
of us were not as e a out sowing them.'

Then the Cocked-Hatted One led his horse and walked with us and made
us tell him all about it, and so did the Colonel. The wicked Colonel
listened too, which was only another proof of his cheek.

And Oswald told the tale in the modest yet manly way that some people
think he has, and gave the others all the credit they deserved. His
narration was interrupted no less than four times by shouts of 'Bravo!'
in which the enemy's Colonel once more showed his cheek by joining. By
the time the story was told we were in sight of another camp. It was the
British one this time. The Colonel asked us to have tea in his tent,
and it only shows the magnanimosity of English chivalry in the field of
battle that he asked the enemy's Colonel too. With his usual cheek he
accepted. We were jolly hungry.

When everyone had had as much tea as they possibly could, the Colonel
shook hands with us all, and to Oswald he said--

'Well, good-bye, my brave scout. I must mention your name in my
dispatches to the War Office.'

H. O. interrupted him to say, 'His name's Oswald Cecil Bastable, and
mine is Horace Octavius.' I wish H. O. would learn to hold his tongue.
No one ever knows Oswald was christened Cecil as well, if he can
possibly help it. YOU didn't know it till now.

'Mr Oswald Bastable,' the Colonel went on--he had the decency not to
take any notice of the 'Cecil'--'you would be a credit to any regiment.
No doubt the War Office will reward you properly for what you have done
for your country. But meantime, perhaps, you'll accept five shillings
from a grateful comrade-in-arms.' Oswald felt heart-felt sorry to wound
the good Colonel's feelings, but he had to remark that he had only done
his duty, and he was sure no British scout would take five bob for doing
that. 'And besides,' he said, with that feeling of justice which is part
of his young character, 'it was the others just as much as me.'

'Your sentiments, Sir,' said the Colonel who was one of the politest
and most discern