"Na, sir, but they were the enemy the ither day. We're piyin' them back," chirped Micky Cameron.
"Ay! an' here's an officer," gleefully yelled a brave then coming into the light.
"A what?" queried the now startled colonel.
"An officer, sir," said Spud Tamson, saluting proudly as he presented the form of a young subaltern who had been having a quiet stroll with the daughter of the Brigadier.
"I protest, sir. It is an insult to me and my regiment."
"Yes, positively disgusting," pouted a [pg 174] very charming maid of seventeen, with a haughty flush on her cheek.
"We didnae protest the ither day when you made us fu' in the pub," chirped Spud, almost sticking his nose into the young scout-officer's face.
"Silence!" roared Colonel Corkleg.
Addressing the officer, he said, "I apologise for this rude interference with your very pleasant mission. I can well understand your indignation," at the same time casting a roguish glance at the pretty girl.
"Oh, it's all right, sir," replied the subaltern, saluting and marching off.