It seems to me as if these here generals wanted to give 'em time to make the place so strong as we cannot take it, before they begins.

Why, it stands to reason that the Rooshians, who've got their guns all stored close at hand, their soldiers and their sailors handy, and no trouble as to provisions and stores, can run up works and arm them just about three times as fast as we can; and where shall we be at the end of three months?
We shall be just a-shivering and a-shaking, and a-starving with cold, and short of grub on that 'ere hill; and the Rooshians will be comfortable in the town a-laughing at us.

Don't tell me, Mr.Archer; my opinion is, these 'ere soldiers are no better than fools.

They don't seem to have no common sense." "I hope it's not as bad as all that, Dick," Jack laughed.

"But it certainly does seem as if we were purposely giving the Russians time to strengthen themselves.