Page:The Five Nations.djvu/187

Rh We used to rescue 'em noble once,—

Givin' the range as we raised 'em once,

Gettin' 'em killed as we saved 'em once—

But now we are M. I.

That is what we are known as—we are the lanterns you view

After a fight round the kopjes, lookin' for men that we knew;

Whistlin' an' callin' together, 'altin' to catch the reply:—

"'Elp me! O 'elp me, Ikonas!" This way, the —— M. I.!

I wish my mother could see me now, a-gatherin' news on my own,

When I ride like a General up to the scrub and ride back like Tod Sloan,

Remarkable close to my 'orse's neck to let the shots go by.

We used to fancy it risky once

(Called it a reconnaissance once),

Under the charge of an orf'cer once,

But now we are M. I.