"Very good, sir."
The company was awed. They had only heard of "Sunny Jim." Now, there he stood in his gold-braided cap and ribboned chest—a perfect type of soldier.
"'Shun," he roared. They shivered, for the voice told them that Jim was very much alive.
"Advance." They trekked behind him over the manœuvring area. The whole regiment stopped to look on.
"Extend," was his next command.
They went out in a sleepy way.
"Come back! Come back!" he roared. They doubled back half startled.
"Now, look here, you young rascals, I'm fifty, and about fifteen stone. I've been [pg 139] through five wars and fifteen battles. I've been wounded twice and half starved in all my Army life, but if I couldn't double better than that I would desert and go home." Then in his thundering voice he bellowed, "Extend," once more. Out they ran like whippets.
"That's the way, my lads, and that's the way you'll run when the bullets are cracking round your ears. Now, advance."
Off they went again.