"It is better to go back though wounded than be starved to death."
We also held a court of justice. A driver complained that one of the Englishmen had given him a pair of boots and that the corporal had taken them.
"CORPORAL!!"
He came grinning. We exposed the complaint.
"Certainly the man had a pair of boots," said he; "but he has them no longer. Now, they are mine, I have taken them."
"But they were given to him."
"But I have taken them. I needed new boots." He exhibited his own, which were split.
We told him that possession by capture was not recognized in our circle, and ordered immediate restitution. He agreed gloomily, no doubt feeling that the foundations of his world were falling about his ears, and what was the use of being a corporal anyway?
In the afternoon we sought out the motor authorities, finding our old friends Ristich and Derrok in command. They easily promised us transport for Sir Ralph Paget's box and henchmen—no trouble at all they said. Yet had we not known them personally we might have waited a month without help. One is irresistibly reminded at every turn that the Near East means the East near the East and not the East near the West.