Produced by Al Haines. *WRIT IN BARRACKS* BY *EDGAR WALLACE* METHUEN AND CO. 36 ESSEX STREET: STRAND LONDON 1900 _Colonial Library_ DEDICATION TO THE RANK AND FILE OF THE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS AMONGST WHOM I SPENT SIX HAPPY YEARS OF MY LIFE, THIS COLLECTION OF VERSES MOSTLY WRITTEN IN BARRACKS IS ADMIRINGLY DEDICATED RONDEBOSCH _April_ 4, 1900 _’Ginger James’ appeared originally in the ’Daily Chronicle,’ ’Make your own Arrangements’ in the ’Pall Mall Gazette,’ as also did ’T. A. in Love.’ ’Legacies’ is reproduced by the kind permission of the ’Daily News,’ and ’Arthur’ and ’Her Majesty has been Pleased—’ of the ’Evening News.’ Most of the others are new to the English reader._ *CONTENTS* WAR ARMY DOCTOR NICHOLSON’S NEK MY PAL, THE BOER SONG OF THE FIRST TRAIN THROUGH THE NAVAL BRIGADE THE ARMOURED TRAIN MAKE YOUR OWN ARRANGEMENTS GINGER JAMES ’HER MAJESTY HAS BEEN PLEASED—’ ARTHUR LEGACIES T. A. IN LOVE TOMMY ADVISES THE NUMBER ONE BRITANNIA TO HER FIRST-BORN TOMMY TO HIS LAUREATE THE MISSION THAT FAILED THE PRAYER CEASE FIRE TOMMY’S AUTOGRAPH AT THE BRINK! THE KING OF OOJEE-MOOJEE THE SONG OF THE TOWN BY SIMON’S BAY THE SQUIRE THE SEA-NATION NATURE FAILS THE COLONEL’S GARDEN THE PEOPLE TO CECIL JOHN RHODES, JULY 18, 1899 WHEN LONDON CALLS! CAIROWARDS ODE TO THE OPENING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXHIBITION, 1898 *WAR* I A tent that is pitched at the base: A wagon that comes from the night: A stretcher—and on it a Case: A surgeon, who’s holding a light. The Infantry’s bearing the brunt— O hark to the wind-carried cheer! A mutter of guns at the front: A whimper of sobs at the rear. And it’s _War_! ’Orderly, hold the light. You can lay him down on the table: so. Easily—gently! Thanks—you may go.’ And it’s War! but the part that is not for show. II A tent, with a table athwart, A table that’s laid out for one; A waterproof cover—and nought But the limp, mangled work of a gun. A bottle that’s stuck by the pole, A guttering dip in its neck; The flickering light of a soul On the wondering eyes of The Wreck, And it’s _War_! ’Orderly, hold his hand. I’m not going to hurt you, so don’t be afraid. A ricochet! God! what a mess it has made!’ And it’s _War_! and a very unhealthy trade. III