"All mules attached to the American Army in France have little
khaki bags containing gas masks fastened to the collars of their
harness. In the event of a gas attack these are slipped over their
pleading noses."--_Daily Paper_.

This, we understand, is not what the drivers call them.

* * * * *

_LÈSE-MAJESTÉ._

Our triumphal march into Germany having been arrested just west of the
Meuse, Sir DOUGLAS HAIG (through the usual channels) gave me ten days'
leave to visit the historic town of St. Omer. As I only asked for
seven-days and he gave me ten I knew there was a catch somewhere. It
appeared that the ten days was worked out on the idea that it would
take me five days to get there and five to get back. Needless to say
I ignored trains, which are a snare and delusion in these days. I
lorry-hopped. Most people would think many times before lorry-hopping
from Charleroi to Lille _viâ_ Brussels and Tournai, but there is
nothing that a man with a leave warrant in his pocket will not
do--except perhaps save money.

It was during this leave that I barged right into GEORGE, "George"
being our very own King, besides being Emperor of India.

To bridge the apparent gap between my arrival and the perturbing
catastrophe referred to, it is only necessary to add that if you enter
from the main route from Hazebrouck you will find just off the road a