As a reward for his brilliancy, B.-P.

was informed by the Duke of Cambridge that his commission would be ante-dated two years.
Until this memorable event Baden-Powell had expressed no special predilection for soldiering.

His chief desire had been to go in for some profession that would take him abroad and show him the world.

The first service which seemed to attract him definitely at all was the Indian Woods and Forests, and this chiefly on account of a burning desire to roam about the gorgeous East.

It was only when an elder brother suggested that, if he wanted to see India and other countries as well, he might be better suited in the Army, that this born soldier gave any indication of his desire for a military career.