THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

'And mules, of course. I have the highest opinion
of mules. . . . We shall buy them in Spain/

The American looked very upset.

In Spain?5 he cried, 'when we have magnificent
mules to sell in Missouri!'

The Q.M.G. smiled:

'We shall also buy them/ he said, 'in Missouri.5

The American regained his calm. And to-morrow
the gigantic headlines of the Middle West news-
papers will read:

'British Army Needs Missouri Mules'

Tanks
The regiment of tanks had been drawn up in an
ocean of mud, the men standing before their
machines. The Colonel, in rubber Wellingtons,
leaned over each vehicle in turn, concerned about
the efficiency of the wireless, the condition of the
caterpillars.
'This mud/ he said, 'is bound to stretch them in
the end. We've got to guard against it.'
'Is it true/ I asked him, 'that the Germans have
had a lot of trouble with their tanks?'
'It probably is/ he said, 'but they don't care very
much. Their policy is to take enormous risks. If
only half their tanks get there, that half, they think,
is enough to ensure victory. This succeeded in
39