Did a horse, stupid with terror, from its unusual surroundings, balk, Duff had a "twitch" on its upper lip, and before it knew what awful thing had gripped it, the horse was lifted clear out of its tracks, and was on its way to the dock.
Before he had cleared the ship, Duff had a circle of admirers about him, gazing as if at a circus.
"An energetic officer you have there," said the brass hat standing beside the colonel.
"A new man.

This is his first time on the transport," replied the colonel.
"Quite remarkable! Quite remarkable!" exclaimed the brass hat.

"That unloading must have been done in record time, and in spite of quite unusual conditions." The boat being clear and the loads made up, Duff approached the Commanding Officer.
"All ready, sir," he announced.

"Shall we move off?
I should like to get a start.

The roads will be almost impassable, I'm afraid." "Do you know the route ?" asked the Commanding Officer.
"Yes, sir, I have it here." "All right, go ahead, Duff.