They know that the man who can make them laugh till the tears stream down their faces, can at the right moment show a serious face, and give ear to the humblest tale of trouble.

He makes it his business--and surely it is part of an officer's business--to know all about his men's lives, their families, their favourite sports, their objects in life, and the way in which they spend their leave.

When he was in the 13th Hussars he was always a favourite with the children in the married quarters, and if you could pick out an apple-cheeked urchin playing in the dust of the barracks who did not grin from ear to ear when you asked if he knew Baden-Powell, you had stumbled upon a young gentleman the guest of the regiment.
Baden-Powell even got to learn the names men gave their horses.

There was in the 13th Hussars some years ago a handsome little black horse whose regimental number was, I think, A18.

To the men he was Smut, and no one ever thought of calling him anything else.