Well , how was it , old Hay-bales ? '' `` The proper way , '' said the camel . `` We all sat down -- '' `` Oh , my crupper and breastplate ! '' said the troop-horse under his breath . `` Sat down ! '' `` We sat down -- a hundred of us , '' the camel went on , `` in a big square , and the men piled our packs and saddles , outside the square , and they fired over our backs , the men did , on all sides of the square . '' `` What sort of men ? Any men that came along ? '' said the troop-horse . `` They teach us in riding school to lie down and let our masters fire across us , but Dick Cunliffe is the only man I 'd trust to do that . It tickles my girths , and , besides , I ca n't see with my head on the ground . '' `` What does it matter who fires across you ? '' said the camel . `` There are plenty of men and plenty of other camels close by , and a great many clouds of smoke . I am not frightened then . I sit still and wait . '' `` And yet , '' said Billy , `` you dream bad dreams and upset the camp at night . Well , well ! Before I 'd lie down , not to speak of sitting down , and let a man fire across me , my heels and his head would have something to say to each other . Did you ever hear anything so awful as that ? ''
There was a long silence , and then one of the gun bullocks lifted up his big XXXXX and said , `` This is very foolish indeed .
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