The shrilling voices of the people at home would pipe dismally for a time, but various generals were usually compelled to listen to these ditties.

He of course felt no compunctions for proposing a general as a sacrifice.

He could not tell who the chosen for the barbs might be, so he could center no direct sympathy upon him.

The people were afar and he did not conceive public opinion to be accurate at long range.

It was quite probable they would hit the wrong man who, after he had recovered from his amazement would perhaps spend the rest of his days in writing replies to the songs of his alleged failure.