RANDOM READINGS.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 343, 25 August 1914, Page 7

RANDOM READINGS.

—♦ — THE BEAVEE.Y OP "BOBS.'*

A soldier tells the following story of Lord Roberts on active service:—

"Talk about your commanders," said Tommy Atkins, "Bobs is the boy for me. I found out what he was in Afghanistan. My company was digging trendies, and while finishing one of the Afghans began firing, and the N bullets whistled close to our heads.

"Well, there was a kid in the company that couldn't have been over 18. Never ought to have let him 'list. He was always growling and kicking, and at the first fire, down he went flat on his face, and laid there. Then along came 'Bobs,' cool and easy, and sees the kid. 'Hello, there!' says Bobs, 'What's the matter, you fellow, down there? Get up and fight with the company.' 'No, I can't!' whines the kid. 'Can't,' says 'Bobs,' jumping down into the trench and hauling the boy up. 'What's the matter with you that you can't? Are you hurt?' 'No, sir, says he, 'l'm afraid of getting hit.' 'Well, you're a fine soldier!' says the general. Then ho looked at the boyish face of the lad, and his face softened. 'I suppose you can't help it,' he said.

"Any other commander would have sent the boy to the rear in disgrace, and that would have boon the end of it; but 'Bobs' stood there with the bullets 'flying around him, beside the boy, who had crouched down again, and thoughtfully stroked his chin. By-and-by lie put his hand on the boy's shoulder. 'There isn't as much danger as you imagine,' said he. 'Now, get up and take your rifle and fight, and I'll stand here beside you. That's too high,' says 'Bobs.' 'Keep cool and try again.' "Well, in three minutes that scared lad was fighting like a veteran, and cool as a cucumber, and when be saw it 'Bobs' started on. 'You're all right now, my boy,' he said; 'you'll make a good soldier.' 'God bless you, sir!' said the youngster. 'You've saved me from worse than death,' and he was pretty near crying when lie said it.

"After a while orders came to retire from tho trench, and we just had to collar that youngster and haul him away by the neck to get him to retreat with the company. And afterwards there was none his superior in point of courage, and good behaviour, thanks to the wonderful tact displayed at such a. critical period by 'Our Bobs.' "