"Give them a fitting reception," was my reply.

In a moment our Army halted and pitched their tents. Accustomed to
State functions of every sort and description, it was no difficult
matter to them to decorate the line of march appropriately. Suddenly
there was the sound of firing, and five minutes later an officer
wearing the uniform of the enemy entered my tent and surrendered his
sword.

"General," said he, "I yield to your superior knowledge of military
tactics. I had expected to find friends, and now I have come across
foes. And you number more than half a million of men, do you not?"

"Well, no; you may mean my brother commander, who has that force under
his orders. But we have only about twenty thousand."

"And I have given up my arms for nothing," said my visitor.

"To whom have I the honour of speaking?" I asked, haughtily. "I
presume, the Captain of the 'A' Division?"

"The 'A' Division! Why, they are miles away! and so are the 'B'
Division."

"Then, who on earth are you?"

"Why, surely you know we are the 'C' Division?"

At this moment the Chief of my Staff again appeared. "Sir," said he,
"are we to advance or retire? I must know at once, with a view to