_Instructor._ “Wrong again. Major X. commands in the colonel’s absence. Now, who commands the Brigade?” _Several Voices._ “Colonel Slaughter!” _Instructor._ “Wrong. It is commanded by General Henley. Now, who commands the Division?” _Loud Chorus._ “Solly-Flood.” _Instructor._ “Right. Who commands the Division if the General is away.” _Full Chorus._ “COLONEL SLAUGHTER!!” About this period a violent attack of mange among the R.E. horses carried off eighty per cent. of one field company’s animals. Stringent orders were given to prevent its spread, and the drivers were separated into two lots, one to look after the infected horses, the other to guard those which had not yet developed symptoms. All the clothing was stoved, and for one day drivers had to do their best to keep warm in their shirts and pretend that they were “Jocks.” The Divisional Commander was always pleased to see the transport men on terms of intimacy and affection with their animals, and he frequently asked the names of the horses. One day he heard a driver address his mare as “Phœbe,” and remembered that the man had recently assured him that its name was “Dolly.” He pointed this out, whereupon the driver explained that in the meantime he had changed his girl. Though it is always gratifying to come across men thoroughly devoted to duty and conscientious in its performance, enthusiasm may be carried to extremes. Two worthy men on the pioneer staff of their battalion were detailed to superintend a foot-bath, and being very conscientious, they determined that no foot-bath in the B.E.F. should have a better record. Each day they proudly reported the number of men who had used the bath, and the average was high. But for some reason numbers began to dwindle, so the pioneers resorted to the expedient of seizing passers-by and compelling them to wash their feet. The average went up again until on one unhappy day they grabbed three of the adjutant’s runners. The coming event was already casting its threatening shadow before it. The feeling was in the air that the Germans were preparing for the mightiest of all their amazing military efforts, and as one could only conjecture where the heaviest blows would fall, the whole army was on the alert. The 42nd Division was in a state of readiness to reinforce any part of the 1st Corps front should the necessity arise. In addition, one infantry brigade and machine-gun company were warned to move at short notice by motor-bus and route-march to reinforce the Portuguese[12] on the immediate left of the Corps. On the night of February 25-26 the Portuguese trenches were heavily bombarded, and in the early morning the 126th Brigade moved to its supporting positions in the area around Vieux Chapelle and La Couture, arriving at 10 a.m. However, nothing more serious than a raid was attempted, and in the afternoon the Brigade was withdrawn. [Sidenote: “_Wits and Guts_”]