RETREAT IN ORDER
Even an extremely aggressive enemy can be conquered by strategy; it is only a question of employing the stratagem fitted to the case.
An open-air preacher of East London understood this, and his stratagem fitted to a charm. He was addressing a crowd when a soldier who had been drinking came up and ridiculed the service. Finding it was useless to ignore the man, the preacher said:
“Ah, my friend, you’re no soldier. No servant of the King would get drunk and interrupt a peaceful service.”
The man said he was a soldier, and asked the preacher to test him.
“Very well,” was the reply, “I will. Now, then, attention!”
This the soldier did as well as his condition would allow.
“About—turn!”
This order was also obeyed, though with some trouble.
“Quick march!”
And off went the valiant soldier, marching down the road at a quick pace, while the preacher resumed his address.