"I should have liked to be in front so as to do some of the scouting and feeling for the enemy, besides having first go at them before they grew thick.
I say, Val, we must mind that we don't get cut off and taken prisoners." "Ugh! Yes," I said, with a shiver.

"I say, isn't it rather chilly ?" "Be warm enough presently," said Denham bitterly.

"Bah! This is too bad.

I did want to be first in the column." "Form fours--left!" came from the front.
I felt electrified as, quite accustomed to the command, the horses swung round to the left.
Then came the word "March!" and our column moved off, with Denham whispering to me.
"Talk about luck," he said.

"Why, we're going round the other way, and we are to open the ball after all." For so it was.