C.Q.X. Now the general is a G.C.Q.X., and he
says that gives him precedence. Nobody can settle it, and so they have
to fight it out every time they meet."
"I see," said Sam. "I don't know anything about such things, but I
should think that the general was clearly in the right. He could hardly
afford to let the army be overridden."
"Quite so," said the captain. "I don't suppose you know these people,"
he added.
"Not one of them, except my friend, Mr. Cleary. We only arrived
to-day."
"The general is a good deal of a fellow," said the captain. "I was with
him in Egypt and afterward in South Africa."
"Were you, indeed?" cried Sam. "Do tell me all about those wars. They
were such great affairs."
"Yes, they were. Not much like this business here. Nothing could stop
us in the Sudan, and when we dug up the Mahdi and threw his body away
there was nothing left of the rebellion. I believe the best way to
settle things here would be to dig up somebody--Confusus, for instance.
If there's anything of that kind to be done our army could do it in
style."
"It must be a very effective means of subjugating people," said Sam.
"Yes, and would you believe it? the natives objected to it. They asked
us what we would think of it if they dug up our Queen. Just think of
it! The impudent niggers! As if there was any similarity in the two
cases."
"Outrageous," said Sam.
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