98 PINK AND SCARLET 



suppose that we have completed our voyage to the 

 scene of action, and have actually landed in the 

 theatre of war (z. e. we are about to begin hunting, 

 either in the place we have been in during the 

 summer, or where we have gone for our leave). 

 We have now the march up-country to our first 

 objective, i.e. the meet. 



We have seen that we have a casus belli (Chapter 

 I.) ; we know that we have equipment, clothing, 

 necessaries, transport, and a certain amount of 

 training, and also of intelligence of the enemy's 

 strength, composition, and tactics (Chapters II., 

 III., IV., v., VI., and VII.). We must now inspect 

 our troops before the march begins, and issue the 

 necessary orders (i.e. see to the horse's shoes, his 

 saddle, bridle, etc., and also see that our own kit is 

 ready). The only remaining thing to do is to 

 communicate with the commanders of the columns, 

 should there be any, who are to march on roads 

 parallel to ours {i.e. with our pals who will ride to 

 the meet with us). 



Not the least good part of pleasure is the antici- 

 pation of it ; and this is the case with hunting, at 

 any rate to those who are keen. How lovingly the 

 horse, the coat, the breeches, the boots, and all the 

 paraphernalia of the chase are regarded the night 

 before the season begins, and how sorrowfully when 

 it is about to end ! 



But we have nothing to do with sorrow just now, 

 for are we not about to begin } 



There seems little doubt that soldiers, to whom 



