THE BOOK OF THE RIFLE.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In the review of the above book which appears in the Spectator of February 22nd a wish is expressed that "Mr. Conan Doyle or some novelist with a military bias" would write a romance dealing with the extraordinary skill and en- durance of the old English archers. I believe that Mr. Conan Doyle has already set this forth with all his accus- tomed force and insight in a book called "The White Com- pany," published some few years ago. With regard to your remarks on the vexed question of clips v. loose cartridges, it would appear certain that some change must be made as to the manner in which our soldiers carry their ammunition in the field. I have been informed that a serious loss of car- tridges resulted from the men's pouches becoming un- fastened, and that at each step, or rather, on any sudden movement, a man would leave a trail of ammunition on the veld. The bandolier would seem to provide against this
waste of powder.—I am, Sir, &c., F. P. WHITBREAD. 12 Hans Place, S.W.
Previous page
