"Taking in provisions for the troops, I am," he said. "If you're
going to Lunnon, you might as well ride along with me. Eh,
Tommy?"

His question was addressed to a sleepy private, who was nodding on
the seat beside die driver. He started now, and looked at Harry.

"All aboard!" he said, with a sleepy chuckle. "More the merrier,
say I! Up all night -- that's what I've been! Fine sort of war
this is? Do I see any fightin'? I do not! I'm a bloomin'
chaperone for cabbages and cauliflowers and turnips, bless their
little hearts!"

Harry laughed. It was impossible not to do that.

But he knew that if the soldier wanted fighting, fighting he would
get before long. Harry could guess that regular troops -- and
this man was a regular -- would not be kept in England as soon as
the territorials and volunteers in sufficient number had joined
the colors. But meanwhile guards were necessary at home.

He told them, in exchange for the ride, of the explosion and the
flood that had probably followed it.

"Bli'me!" said the soldier, surprised. "Think of that, now! What
will they be up to next -- those Germans? That's what I'd like to
mow! Coming over here to England and doing things like that! I'd
have the law on 'em - that's what I'd do!"

Harry laughed. So blind to the real side of war were men who, at