Captain Blacker himself early in the Great War saw much hard fighting in France, till shot down and disabled whilst in the Flying Corps. Sent back to the regimental depot to rest and recuperate, the spirit being more than willing he did so very shortly, and then with the true Guides spirit started on a series of hazardous services which were pro longed for three years, and during which he and his patrol covered very nearly miles on foot or on horseback. The little band who followed him were of Lumsden's own breed, hardy, brave, and loyal, and never to be the least upset by any sudden emergency. Some, as this tale unfolds, undoubtedly had a lurid past, but only with the same luridness as had the past lives of knights of old.