The First Hundred Thousand by Ian Hay
page 57 of 303 (18%)
page 57 of 303 (18%)
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"A nock!" bellow the platoon, with stunning enthusiasm. (All but
Private M'Micking, that is.) "A clock, sir," translates the sergeant, _sotto voce_. "A clock? All right: but what I wanted was a steeple. Then, farther away, we can see a mine, a winding brook, and a house, with a wall in front of it. Who can see them?" To judge by the collective expression of the audience, no one does. Bobby ploughs on. "Upon the skyline we notice--Squad, '_shun!_" Captain Wagstaffe has strolled up. He is second in command of A Company. Bobby explains to him modestly what he has been trying to do. "Yes, I heard you," says Wagstaffe. "You take a breather, while I carry on for a bit. Squad, stand easy, and tell me what you can see on that target. Lance-Corporal Ness, show me a pit-head." Lance-Corporal Ness steps briskly forward and lays a grubby forefinger on Bobby's "mine." "Private Mucklewame, show me a burn." The brook is at once identified. "Private M'Leary, shut your eyes and tell me what there is just to the right of the windmill." |
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