"Another Tommy answered: 'Strafe me pink, where are your h'eyes? Cawn't you bloomin' well see the h'officers usin' 'em be'ind that billet over there? Blime me, they're always a-gummin' the gyme.'
"Sure enough, the officers were using our horseshoes.
"Alex, with a look of determination, turned to me, and said, 'Well, here goes, Yank. Steve Brodie took a chance, so I might be able to get away with this.'
"Then, turning to the Tommies, he said, 'Did any of you blokes ever hear of John McGraw?'
"Three of the Tommies answered, 'Yes.'
"A sunny smile and a look of hope flitted across Alex's face, and he breathlessly asked, 'Who is he?'
"The three started to answer at once, but Alex majestically extending his hand, palm forward, said, 'Get in line, one at a time. Now, Perkins, who is John McGraw?'
"Perkins answered, 'Why, 'e's a Lawnce Corporal in the Royal Irish Rifles.'
"According to Alex's look, that Tommy should have immediately dropped dead. Turning to the next, he said, 'Thwaites, for the Love o' Mike, who is he?'