"What about Mr. Longlegs?"
"He's lying upstairs wounded too."
"Any other casualties?"
"Two other officers wounded, sir, and I think we've lost over a hundred men."
"Sad—very sad, and some of the best," said the old colonel, turning away to hide the moisture in his eyes.
"Well done, Corkleg," said the Brigadier, walking up to the scene.
"Yes. Our men have done well, but our casualties have been awful."
"Still, Corkleg, your men have captured [pg 244] the key to the whole German lines here. They will have to retire for almost a mile now. Good business! Good business! Terrible scamps, these men of yours, but heroes every time. Let me have any recommendations."
Hardup and Longlegs got the D.S.O., the old sergeant and wire-cutting corporal received the Distinguished Conduct Medals, while every paper in Britain wrote columns about the gallantry of the Glesca Mileeshy.
"Useful men! Useful men!" said Corkleg, on reading the appreciation in 'The Times' a few days later.