4 PINK AND SCARLET 



mandant (Major-General H. J. T. Hildyard, C. B.) 

 say that he " looked upon the drag-hounds as one of 

 the most important institutions of the college " ? 



What says Lectures on Staff Duties, when talking 

 of a reconnaissance in force with a view to gaining 

 intelligence of the enemy's positions? 



" Whilst the fight is proceeding, well-mounted 

 Staff officers should endeavour, by making a detour 

 round the flanks, to penetrate the enemy's veil and 

 observe something of his positions." ^ 



This is Wellington's method of gaining informa- 

 tion, again recommended. " Well-mounted " — yes, 

 but besides that the officers must ride well, have an 

 eye for country, and a good bump of locality. All 

 this hunting can teach and give them. 



Secondly, how much of the character for dash, 

 determination, and go-straight-to-the-pointness that 

 we Britons have among other nations, do we owe to 

 the fact that so many of us are horsemen } An 

 instance will explain what is meant. 



An officer in an English militia regiment (who is 

 now dead) managed, by hook or by crook, to get 

 attached to the Staff of the French General 

 Bourbaki, and was present with that officer during 

 most of the engagements round Belfort in the early 

 part of 1 87 1. During one of these engagements 

 the General and his Staff were with a portion of 

 the troops who were engaged on one side of a 

 valley, while another portion were engaged on the 



^ Lectures on Staff Duties, p. 34. 



