As proudly, however, as so many Redan heroes, we marched off with our laurels, whatever their real value might be. But if _we_ were so modest, General Cathcart was more outspoken; he was determined to unveil to the gaze of the world our blushing honours: a grand general order came out--Falstaff’s men in buckram went down like stupid wooden-headed skittles compared to the ebony-headed niggers I had bowled over that day. I was perfectly astounded. The General, however, had made one slight mistake in the hurry of the moment; my name had been _left out_, and in its place general officers had been mentioned, getting warm thanks for the able measures they had taken for carrying out the Commander-in-chief’s plan to clear the Water-kloof. Those who had not that day seen a shot fired, or a prisoner taken, nor even had a distant view of the Blacksmith’s Shop, were dragged before the British public as worthy recipients of well-earned thanks. This, I thought, was rather too serious a mistake, so I determined to lay the matter once more before the Commander-in-chief and ask for a revision of his general order. In furtherance of this, I proceeded to headquarters, at Graham’s Town. On arrival I explained the object of my journey to Colonel S----, who told me it was perfectly right that something should be done, but he hardly knew how to set about it, and referred me to Colonel Cloëte as the proper person to apply to. I was, however, of Happy Jack’s opinion, not to appeal to a subordinate when I could get a hearing from the Commander; so, without more ado, I presented myself _in propriâ personâ_ to the General, who was sitting in the adjoining room at the time.