seen; he is always at the
head of a rush whether on horseback or on foot, and invariably
goes into action with a hunting-crop.

A French Territorial Infantry Regiment marched into the town
yesterday. They all wore the new grey uniform that is superseding
the red trousers and blue tunics of the old days. Quite an
interesting spectacle! But for sheer beauty you should see our
cavalry on the move. A wonderful sight, I assure you, even
without all the gay accoutrements of the Military Tournament. In
fact, to my mind, the field-dress makes the affair even more
impressive. The horses are simply beauties, and every one of them
is in perfect condition.

I have met an old Bedfordian among the cavalry. We have had many
a chat comparing notes as to the past, especially in regard to
the fierce-fought struggles of old between Bedford and the
Blue-and-Blacks. We hope to get some sort of Rugger up when the
winter comes, though of course a very great proportion of the
cavalry officers are men from Eton, Harrow, Winchester and other
schools where, I regret to say, the game of games is not played!
They will have to be taught.

_August 13th, 1915._

A lot of cavalry men are up trench-digging and I have had my
first experience of being up really close to the firing-line. It
doesn't take one long to get from here to the thick of things,
and we were soon apprised of the fact by heavy and ponderous
crashes. Just above us a British aeroplane was winging its flight
towards the German lines. Presently one saw small flashes of
flame in the air all around it, followed by curious little puffs
of smoke; then came the sound of exploding shells; you know that
light travels faster than sound. The Boches were potting at the
'plane. However, the British airman was easily able to clear
away. After this, a Taube came in our direction and our artillery
was having pots at it. Pursued by two British 'planes the Taube
turned tail and skedaddled, passing exactly over our car. I
wonder it didn't buzz a bomb at us, for the road was crowded with
cars, lorries, waggons, and columns of marching soldiers. But it
didn't, and went off as fast as it could lick.

We soon reached a village which, during the previous day, had
been subjecte