A GARDEN DIARY 147 



many, or how few, is a detail. Few or many 

 they are all civilians, undiluted, country -bred 

 civilians, good shots and good riders ; men of 

 varying ages, but all with a more or less intimate 

 knowledge of the local conditions. They are 

 but generalities are so unsatisfactory let me 

 take one of them, and suppose myself to be 

 him, and I can be multiplied afterwards as 

 required. Here I am ; big and strong, level- 

 headed and resolute ; no boy far from it but 

 sound in health and vigorous, a local magnate 

 in a small way, fairly good at most sports, rather 

 more than fairly good at rifle-shooting ; a familiar 

 figure formerly at Wimbledon, more recently at 

 Bisley. Nothing can be further from my inten- 

 tions than to obtrude my services ; I wish that 

 clearly to be understood. At the same time if 

 I can be of any use under the circumstances, 

 you had better say so ! 



With South Africa fresh in all our minds, can 

 there be any question as to the answer? What 

 more desirable material could unfortunate, under- 

 manned commander have, or desire ? As to 

 what he could do with me there are plenty of 

 answers ready. He might place me in certain 

 chosen positions, rifle and field - glass beside 

 me, and desire me to pick off certain of the 

 enemy's officers, who are known to be surveying 

 the country. He might fill a country house or 

 two with me and others like me, and so prepare 



