It walked and I rode and there were many halts for drinks and cigarettes.

They all ran after a stray colt and were lost for some time but we re-mobilized and advanced with great effect into this town.

I was here taken in charge by at least fifty sailors and as many soldiers and comic opera brigands in drawers and white petticoats, who conducted me to a house on the hill where the innkeeper brought me a live chicken to approve of for dinner.

Then the mayor of the town turned up in gold clothes and Barrison Sister skirts and said the General had telegraphed about me and that I was his-- The innkeeper wept and said he had seen me first and the chorus of soldiers, sailors and brigands all joined in.

I kept out of it but I knew the Mayor would win and he did.