True Story from Ypres
180
THE YPRES TIMES
By A Machine Gun Officer
Mules.
THE trouble all began with a mule, or rather two mules.
Now our Transport Officer had gone on leave and it fell to me to take his place;
presumably because I knew a lot about machinery and motors but nothing what
ever about mules and horses.
All our mules were carefully paired, and were the pride and joy of our Transport with
the exception of one white mule.
A neighbouring battalion also had one white mule, and naturally both wanted to
make a pair, so the result had been trouble for some time past and a matter of serious
consequence, as I was well aware.
You can imagine my dismay when one morning along came a deputation from this bat
talion stating that I was to hand over our mule, as our Commanding Officer had told
their people, up the line, that it would be alrightso they had brought along another
one for exchange.
Obviously they had heard that J-was on leave and dark deeds were afoot.
Indignantly I faced them What hand over our precious white mule, certainly not,
any way, where is your authority to make the exchange
This bothered them considerably and they departed, muttering darkly, That I
should hear more of the matter."
Now something was undoubtedly at the back of it all and I was uneasy what would
Jsay on his return, if I lost the battle and failed in my charge
I had a decidedly bad night's sleep with dismal forebodings, and next day, sure
enough, the blow feila message from HeadquartersI was to hand over our white
mule to the battalion.
Desperately I sent a note back saying There was surely some mistake, as Jhad
told me not to let them have it at any price
I was bitterly determined to fightif only I could hold out until J— came back.
One more day of peace, then came the worst blow of all; this time from the C. O. him
self, from the line.
Dear S. Have lost white mule at cards to C. O. Nth. Battalion, very sorry, cannot
get out of it, hand it over to their T. O. at once, and get a good one in exchange."
This was awfulwhat was I to do Desperately I consulted the Transport Sergeant
no help therewe were lost.
Ideas come even to the oppressed and feeble in moments of great crisis, and I got one then.
The scheme was carefully explained to the Sergeant as we went along leading the
white mule, which was evidently feeling the crisis acutely, as it was looking very depressed.
Our arrival was greeted with triumphant grins "Well so you've got to hand him over
at last said the T. 0. Won't Jbe sick when he gets back."
I'll bet he will I replied, keeping one eye on the Sergeant, who was by now patting
a very fine brown mule further down their lines.
Of course, I must have an equally good one in exchange."
Oh yesof course he replied, Here are one or two "No thanks I inter
rupted They are obviously not a patch on our'snow that one over there—that brown
one, is the one we must have."
I pointed to where the Sergeant was standing and the triumphant grin fadedthis
was turning the tables with a vengeance as, according to plan, the Sergeant had spotted
one of their most precious pair, which he knew quite well.
In vain their T. O. pointed out the virtues of the others I declined with firm dignity
and the procession returned victoriously.
