The prize was to slip from our grasp.

Then suddenly out sprang the Major,

His face lighted over with bliss—

“Pass the word there for Lance-Private Wilson;

He’ll find us a way out of this!”

(If there’s one thing I hate, it is skiting,[14]

When I hear it I always feel sore,

So you won’t think I boast when I tell you

He ought to have done it before!)

And a great cheer arose as I faced him