As we drove away for the second time I remembered that they were
having "torchlight tattoo" at the barracks, and we decided to stop for
a moment.
"It won't seem bad to see some soldiers who can march, for the English
soldiers are magnificently trained," I said, as we stopped to buy our
tickets. A young officer whom I had met heard my remark, and smiled
and saluted.
"The English soldiers _are_ the best in the world, _aren't_ they?" he
said, teasingly.
"Undoubtedly," I replied, tranquilly.
He looked a little staggered. He had encountered my belligerent spirit
before, and he did not expect me to agree with him.
"You--you, an American, admit _that_?" he said.
"Surely," I replied. "But why?" he persisted, most unwisely, for it
gave me my chance.
"Because the Americans are the only ones who ever whipped them!
American soldiers can beat even the best!"
It is now six weeks since I said that, but as yet he has made no
reply.
XI
THE NILE
In travelling abroad there are some things which you wish to do more
than others. There are certain treasures you particularly desire to
see, certain scenes your mind has pictured, until the dream has almost
become a reality.
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