During some of the darkest days of the great war, things has become just a little too hot for the new soldier at the front, so he decided an unplanned retreat would be his best course.
Eluding everyone's attention, he sneaked away from the group and, once in open territory, began running as fast as he could.
It wasn't long before in the pitch blackness, he collided with somebody who, it was immediately apparent, was an officer.
"Where the devil are you going," cried the officer.
"Why Lieutenant, I ..." began the frightened soldier.
"Lieutenant!" echoed the officer in amazement.
"Maybe you're a Captain," began the private.
"A Captain!" cried the officer.
"You can't be a Major, could you?" essayed the Private.
"Major!" came the reply in a tone even more outraged than before. "Can't you tell a General when you see one?"
"A General!" gasped the private. "Have I run that far ..."