I ca n't say I 'm over-fond of 'em myself . Besides , white men who have n't a place to sleep in are more than likely to be thieves , and I 've a good deal of Government property on my back . Come along , young un , and we 'll go back to our lines . Good-night , Australia ! See you on parade to-morrow , I suppose . Good-night , old Hay-bale ! -- try to control your feelings , wo n't you ? Good-night , Two Tails ! If you pass us on the ground tomorrow , do n't trumpet . It spoils our formation . '' Billy the Mule stumped off with the swaggering limp of an old campaigner , as the troop-horse 's head came nuzzling into my breast , and I gave him biscuits , while Vixen , who is a most conceited little dog , told him fibs about the scores of horses that she and I kept . `` I 'm coming to the parade to-morrow in my dog-cart , '' she said . `` Where will you be ? '' `` On the left hand of the second squadron . I set the time for all my troop , little lady , '' he said politely . `` Now I must go back to Dick . My tail 's all muddy , and he 'll have two hours ' hard work dressing me for parade . '' The big parade of all the thirty thousand men was held that afternoon , and Vixen and I had a good place close to the Viceroy and the Amir of Afghanistan , with high , big black hat of astrakhan wool and the great diamond star in the center . The first part of the review was all sunshine , and the regiments went by in wave upon wave of legs all moving together , and guns all in a line , till our eyes grew dizzy . Then the cavalry came up , to the beautiful cavalry canter of `` Bonnie Dundee , '' and Vixen cocked her ear where she sat on the dog-cart .
The second squadron XXXXX the Lancers shot by , and there was the troop-horse , with his tail like spun silk , his head pulled into his breast , one ear forward and one back , setting the time for all his squadron , his legs going as smoothly as waltz music .
Besides If about in into of on than to with