e Cavalry Divisional train, and am second in command of them
all, so I know something about that branch of work, too.

(g) I am quite a useful horseman.

You may say on reading the above list of virtues that a glass
case is the right place for me, but I know to the full that if
one wants one of these "knutty" jobs one has to represent oneself
as a sort of little tin god. Now don't imagine that I am
dissatisfied with my present job. I am more than pleased with it;
still I am very keen to become a fighting soldier.

_October 25th, 1915._

My present quarters are in a mill. I have a fine large room, also
first-rate stabling for my horses. Brigade Headquarters are in
one of those magnificent chateaux that are dotted over this part
of France. A gorgeous place it must have been in time of peace,
and so it is now except that it is beginning to show signs of
war-wear and constant use.

I am very bucked with life. All that we would like now would be a
stupendous advance. This nibbling policy is all very well, but it
doesn't suit cavalry.

My horses have just been clipped. It is the customary thing at
this time of year, as horses' coats get very thick, and in
consequence they sweat heavily when on the march. The effect of
clipping is curious in the extreme, as the animal no longer
appears of its original colour, but of the colour of its skin,
i.e., mouse-grey. My mare was originally chestnut; now she is a
dark grey. Horses are much happier with their thick coats off.
The hair will have grown again in a couple of weeks, but it won't
be thick for some time. My mare is a grand horse for steady,
continuous work, also quite a good galloper. I had a gallop for
two furlongs or so the other day with the Staff Captain and the
A.D.C., each mounted on a crack cavalry charger. My mare came in
with the first of them, and had more left in her at the end than
either of the others.

There is no greater mistake than to suppose that the function of
the horse has vanished in modern war. On the contrary, even in
the transport, horses are quite as much used as motors. Horse
transport is not confined to roads, and can pass much more easily
than motor vehicles over rough ground. When you get up near the
front, where