We all hung back nervously. To obey an order as one of ten is so much easier than to give an order as one of one. "I will, if you like," said James doubtfully, "but I'm not sure if----" "Go on," we all said; "have a try." James stepped out of the ranks and faced us. "Cover off, there," he said briskly. "Squad--_'shun_!" We were five files, and I was No. 3 in the front rank. "Stand at--_ease_ ... Number Three, what the blank are you smoking for? Number Three--the stout one in the front rank. Put that pipe away, Private Haldane. Blanket, Sir, this isn't a Cabinet meeting; you're drilling." "Steady, James, old man," I said. "Silence in the ranks! Two days cells for Private Haldane--both of them week-days. 'Shun! Number!... Form _fours_!" We formed fours. Of course it is absurdly easy, even with an odd number of files, but it is also absurdly easy to forget. "As you were!" shouted James. "The last file is always an even number. Surely you ought to know that by this time, Private Kitchener. The fourth file--Private Asquith and Private Tree, chest out, Private Tree--the fourth file stands fast. 'Form _fours_! Right _turn_! Form two _deep_! 'Bout _turn_! Form _fours_! I thought so; Private Tree is wrong again. _Silence_, Private Haldane! Private Haldane will be shot at dawn to-morrow. Private Tree will be shot at dawn on the day after, this giving him time to prepare his farewell speech. Right _turn_! Where _are_ you, Private Carson? Try and remember that you're not reviewing troops just now; you're attempting to decide as quickly as possible which is your right hand and which is your left. You'll find it a much harder job. The Army Corps will advance. By the right, quick _march_! Step out, Private Tich, my lad, step out." James was now thoroughly enjoying himself. "Left _incline_! Theirs not to reason why, Private Kipling; if I had meant 'right incline, and stop at the canteen,' I should have said so.... Tut-tut, Private Tree, 'left incline' doesn't mean 'advance like a crab'.... Right _incline_! And now where are you, Private Masterman? Left behind _again_. Halt! Dress up by the right. Blanket, Private Haldane, you're _still_ talking. Private Haldane will be blown from the guns at dusk. As you were. It's no good taking half measures with Private Haldane; kindness is wasted on him. Private Haldane will be stopped jam for tea this afternoon." And then a smile came over James's face. He repressed it, drew himself up, and surveyed us sternly. "Squad, _'shun_! Scratch--_noses_!" * * * "Thank you, I feel much better," said James. A. A. M. * * * * * DISCOVERERS' RIGHTS. DEAR MR. PUNCH,--Unless the blackberrying season is to be utterly ruined and thousands of homes thus rendered poisonously unhappy, something must be done to make people play the game.