\'You\'reatthebarnow，GrafvonSchwabing。Foryearsyou\'vedoneyourbestagainstthedecenciesoflife。Youhavedeservedwellofyourcountry，Idon\'tdoubtit。Butwhathasyourcountrydeservedoftheworld？OnedaysoonGermanyhastodosomeheavypaying，andyouarethefirstinstalment。\'
\'IappealtotheSwisslaw。IstandonSwisssoil，andIdemandthatIbesurrenderedtotheSwissauthorities。\'Iveryspokewithdrylipsandthesweatwasonhisbrow。
\'Oh，no，no，\'saidBlenkironsoothingly。\'TheSwissareanicepeople，andIwouldhatetoaddtotheworriesofapoorlittleneutralstate……Allalongbothsideshavebeenoutsidethelawinthisgame，andthat\'sgoingtocontinue。We\'veabodebytherulesandsomustyou……Foryearsyou\'vemurderedandkidnappedandseducedtheweakandignorant，butwe\'renotgoingtojudgeyourmorals。WeleavethattotheAlmightywhenyougetacrossJordan。
We\'regoingtowashourhandsofyouassoonaswecan。You\'lltraveltoFrancebytheUndergroundRailwayandtherebehandedovertotheFrenchGovernment。FromwhatIknowthey\'veenoughagainstyoutoshootyoueveryhourofthedayforatwelvemonth。\'
IthinkhehadexpectedtobecondemnedbyusthereandthenandsenttojoinEhrlichbeneaththeice。Anyhow，therecameaflickerofhopeintohiseyes。IdaresayhesawsomewaytododgetheFrenchauthoritiesifheoncegotachancetousehismiraculouswits。Anyhow，hebowedwithsomethingverylikeself-possession，andaskedpermissiontosmoke。AsIhavesaid，themanhadhisowncourage。
\'Blenkiron，\'Icried，\'we\'regoingtodonothingofthekind。\'
Heinclinedhisheadgravelytowardsme。\'What\'syournotion，Dick？\'
\'We\'vegottomakethepunishmentfitthecrime，\'Isaid。IwassotiredthatIhadtoformmysentenceslaboriously，asifIwerespeakingahalf-understoodforeigntongue。
\'Meaning？\'
\'ImeanthatifyouhandhimovertotheFrenchhe\'lleithertwistoutoftheirhandssomehoworgetdecentlyshot，whichisfartoogoodforhim。Thismanandhiskindhavesentmillionsofhonestfolktotheirgraves。Hehassatspinninghisweblikeagreatspiderandforeverythreadtherehasbeenanoceanofbloodspilled。
It\'shissortthatmadethewar，notthebrave，stupid，fightingBoche。It\'shissortthat\'sresponsibleforalltheclottedbeastliness……Andhe\'sneverbeeninsightofashell。I\'mforputtinghiminthefrontline。No，Idon\'tmeananyUriahtheHittitebusiness。Iwanthimtohaveasportingchance，justwhatothermenhave。But，byGod，he\'sgoingtolearnwhatistheupshotofthestringshe\'sbeenpullingsomerrily……Hetoldmeintwodays\'timeGermanywouldsmashourarmiestohell。Heboastedthathewouldbemostlyresponsibleforit。Well，lethimbetheretoseethesmashing。\'
\'Ireckonthat\'sjust，\'saidBlenkiron。
Ivery\'seyeswereonmenow，fascinatedandterrifiedlikethoseofabirdbeforearattlesnake。IsawagaintheshapelessfeaturesofthemanintheTubestation，theresiduumofshrinkingmortalitybehindhisdisguises。Heseemedtobeslippingsomethingfromhispockettowardshismouth，butGeordieHamiltoncaughthiswrist。
\'Wadyeoffer？\'saidthescandalizedvoiceofmyservant。\'Sirr，theprisonerwouldappeartobetryingtopuishonhisself。WullI
searchhim？\'
Afterthathestoodwitheacharminthegripofawarder。
\'MrIvery，\'Isaid，\'lastnight，whenIwasinyourpower，youindulgedyourvanitybygloatingoverme。Iexpectedit，foryourclassdoesnotbreedgentlemen。Wetreatourprisonersdifferently，butitisfairthatyoushouldknowyourfate。YouaregoingintoFrance，andIwillseethatyouaretakentotheBritishfront。Therewithmyolddivisionyouwilllearnsomethingofthemeaningofwar。Understandthatbynoconceivablechancecanyouescape。
Menwillbedetailedtowatchyoudayandnightandtoseethatyouundergothefullrigourofthebattlefield。Youwillhavethesameexperienceasotherpeople，nomore，noless。IbelieveinarighteousGodandIknowthatsoonerorlateryouwillfinddeath-deathatthehandsofyourownpeople-anhonourabledeathwhichisfarbeyondyourdeserts。Butbeforeitcomesyouwillhaveunderstoodthehelltowhichyouhavecondemnedhonestmen。\'
Inmomentsofgreatfatigue，asinmomentsofgreatcrisis，themindtakeschargeandmayrunonatrackindependentofthewill。
Itwasnotmyselfthatspoke，butanimpersonalvoicewhichIdidnotknow，avoiceinwhosetonesrangastrangeauthority。Iveryrecognizedtheicyfinalityofit，andhisbodyseemedtowilt，anddroop。Onlytheholdofthewarderskepthimfromfalling。
I，too，wasaboutattheendofmyendurance。IfeltdimlythattheroomhademptiedexceptforBlenkironandAmos，andthattheformerwastryingtomakemedrinkbrandyfromthecupofaflask。IstruggledtomyfeetwiththeintentionofgoingtoMary，butmylegswouldnotcarryme……IheardasinadreamAmosgivingthankstoanOmnipotenceinwhomheofficiallydisbelieved。
\'What\'sthattheauldmanintheBiblesaid？Nowletthouthyservantdepartinpeace。That\'sthewayI\'mfeelin\'mysel\'。\'Andthenslumbercameonmelikeanarmedman，andinthechairbythedyingwood-ashIsleptofftheacheofmylimbs，thetensionofmynerves，andtheconfusionofmybrain。
CHAPTERTWENTY
TheStormBreaksintheWestThefollowingevening-itwasthe20thdayofMarch-IstartedforFranceafterthedarkfell。IdroveIvery\'sbigclosedcar，andwithinsatitsowner，boundandgagged，asothershadsatbeforehimonthesameerrand。GeordieHamiltonandAmoswerehiscompanions。FromwhatBlenkironhadhimselfdiscoveredandfromthepapersseizedinthePinkChaletIhadfulldetailsoftheroadanditsmysteriousstages。Itwaslikethejourneyofamaddream。
InabackstreetofalittletownIwouldexchangepasswordswithanamelessfigureandbegiveninstructions。AtawaysideinnatanappointedhouravoicespeakingathickGermanwouldadvisethatthisbridgeorthatrailwaycrossinghadbeencleared。Atahamletamongpinewoodsanunknownmanwouldclamberupbesidemeandtakemepastasentry-post。Smoothasclockworkwasthemachine，tillinthedawnofaspringmorningIfoundmyselfdroppingintoabroadvalleythroughlittleorchardsjustbeginningtoblossom，andIknewthatIwasinFrance。Afterthat，Blenkiron\'sownarrangementsbegan，andsoonIwasdrinkingcoffeewithayounglieutenantofChasseurs，andhadtakenthegagfromIvery\'smouth。Thebluecoatslookedcuriouslyatthemaninthegreenulsterwhosefacewasthecolourofclayandwholitcigarettefromcigarettewithashakyhand。
ThelieutenantrangupaGeneralofDivisionwhoknewallaboutus。AthisheadquartersIexplainedmypurpose，andhetelegraphedtoanArmyHeadquartersforapermissionwhichwasgranted。ItwasnotfornothingthatinJanuaryIhadseencertaingreatpersonagesinParis，andthatBlenkironhadwiredaheadofmetopreparetheway。HereIhandedoverIveryandhisguard，forIwantedthemtoproceedtoAmiensunderFrenchsupervision，wellknowingthatthemenofthatgreatarmyarenotusedtoletslipwhattheyoncehold。
Itwasamorningofclearspringsunlightwhenwebreakfastedinthatlittlered-roofedtownamongvineyardswithashiningriverloopingatourfeet。TheGeneralofDivisionwasanAlgerianveteranwithabrushofgrizzledhair，whoseeyekeptwanderingtoamaponthewallwherepinsandstretchedthreadmadeaspider\'sweb。
\'Anynewsfromthenorth？\'Iasked。
\'Notyet，\'hesaid。\'Buttheattackcomessoon。ItwillbeagainstourarmyinChampagne。\'Withaleanfingerhepointedouttheenemydispositions。
\'WhynotagainsttheBritish？\'Iasked。WithaknifeandforkI
madearightangleandputasaltdishinthecentre。\'ThatistheGermanconcentration。Theycansomassthatwedonotknowwhichsideoftheangletheywillstriketilltheblowfalls。\'
\'Itistrue，\'hereplied。\'Butconsider。FortheenemytoattacktowardstheSommewouldbetofightovermanymilesofanoldbattle-groundwhereallisstilldesertandeveryyardofwhichyouBritishknow。InChampagneataboundhemightenterunbrokencountry。ItisalonganddifficultroadtoAmiens，butnotsolongtoChilons。SuchistheviewofPetain。Doesitconvinceyou？\'
\'Thereasoningisgood。NeverthelesshewillstrikeatAmiens，andIthinkhewillbegintoday。\'
Helaughedandshruggedhisshoulders。\'_Nous_verrons。Youareobstinate，mygeneral，likeallyourexcellentcountrymen。\'
ButasIlefthisheadquartersanaide-de-camphandedhimamessageonapinkslip。Hereadit，andturnedtomewithagraveface。
\'Youhaveaflair，myfriend。Iamgladwedidnotwager。ThismorningatdawnthereisgreatfightingaroundStQuentin。Becomforted，fortheywillnotpass。Your_Marechalwillholdthem。\'
ThatwasthefirstnewsIhadofthebattle。
AtDijonaccordingtoplanImettheothers。IonlyjustcaughttheParistrain，andBlenkiron\'sgreatwristsluggedmeintothecarriagewhenitwaswellinmotion。TheresatPeter，adocilefigureinacarefullypatchedoldR。F。C。uniform。WakewasreadingapileofFrenchpapers，andinacornerMary，withherfeetupontheseat，wassoundasleep。
Wedidnottalkmuch，forthelifeofthepastdayshadbeensohecticthatwehadnowishtorecallit。Blenkiron\'sfaceworeanairofsatisfaction，andashelookedoutatthesunnyspringlandscapehehummedhisonlytune。EvenWakehadlosthisrestlessness。Hehadonapairofbigtortoiseshellreadingglasses，andwhenhelookedupfromhisnewspaperandcaughtmyeyehesmiled。Marysleptlikeachild，delicatelyflushed，herbreathscarcelystirringthecollarofthegreatcoatwhichwasfoldedacrossherthroat。I
rememberlookingwithakindofaweatthecurveofheryoungfaceandthelonglashesthatlaysosoftlyonhercheek，andwonderinghowIhadbornetheanxietyofthelastmonths。Wakeraisedhisheadfromhisreading，glancedatMaryandthenatme，andhiseyeswerekind，almostaffectionate。Heseemedtohavewonpeaceofmindamongthehills。
OnlyPeterwasoutofthepicture。Hewasastrange，disconsolatefigure，asheshiftedabouttoeasehisleg，orgazedincuriouslyfromthewindow。Hehadshavedhisbeardagain，butitdidnotmakehimyounger，forhisfacewastoolinedandhiseyestoooldtochange。WhenIspoketohimhelookedtowardsMaryandheldupawarningfinger。
\'IgobacktoEngland，\'hewhispered。\'Yourlittle_mysieisgoingtotakecareofmetillIamsettled。Wespokeofityesterdayatmycottage。Iwillfindalodgingandbepatienttillthewarisover。
Andyou，Dick？\'
\'Oh，Irejoinmydivision。ThankGod，thisjobisover。Ihaveaneasy_trundnowandcanturnmyattentiontostraight-forwardsoldiering。
Idon\'tmindtellingyouthatI\'llbegladtothinkthatyouandMaryandBlenkironaresafeathome。Whataboutyou，Wake？\'
\'IgobacktomyLabourbattalion，\'hesaidcheerfully。\'Likeyou，Ihaveaneasiermind。\'
Ishookmyhead。\'We\'llseeaboutthat。Idon\'tlikesuchsinfulwaste。
We\'vehadabitofcampaigningtogetherandIknowyourquality。\'
\'Thebattalion\'squitegoodenoughforme，\'andherelapsedintoaday-old_Temps。
Maryhadsuddenlywoke，andwassittinguprightwithherfistsinhereyeslikeasmallchild。Herhandflewtoherhair，andhereyesranoverusasiftoseethatwewereallthere。Asshecountedthefourofussheseemedrelieved。
\'Ireckonyoufeelrefreshed，MissMary，\'saidBlenkiron。\'It\'sgoodtothinkthatnowwecansleepinpeace，allofus。Prettysoonyou\'llbeinEnglandandspringwillbebeginning，andpleaseGodit\'llbethestartofabetterworld。Ourwork\'sover，anyhow。\'
\'Iwonder，\'saidthegirlgravely。\'Idon\'tthinkthere\'sanydischargeinthiswar。Dick，haveyounewsofthebattle？Thiswastheday。\'
\'It\'sbegun，\'Isaid，andtoldthemthelittleIhadlearnedfromtheFrenchGeneral。\'I\'vemadeareputationasaprophet，forhethoughttheattackwascominginChampagne。It\'sStQuentinrightenough，butIdon\'tknowwhathashappened。We\'llhearinParis。\'
Maryhadwokewithastartledairasifsherememberedheroldinstinctthatourworkwouldnotbefinishedwithoutasacrifice，andthatsacrificethebestofus。Thenotionkeptrecurringtomewithanuneasyinsistence。Butsoonsheappearedtoforgetheranxiety。ThatafternoonaswejourneyedthroughthepleasantlandofFranceshewasinholidaymood，andsheforcedallourspiritsuptoherlevel。Itwascalm，brightweather，thelongcurvesofploughlandwerebeginningtoquickenintogreen，thecatkinsmadeabluemistonthewillowsbythewatercourses，andintheorchardsbythered-roofedhamletstheblossomwasbreaking。Insuchasceneitwashardtokeepthemindsoberandgrey，andthepallofwarslidfromus。MarycossetedandfussedoverPeterlikeaneldersisteroveradelicatelittleboy。Shemadehimstretchhisbadlegfulllengthontheseat，andwhenshemadeteaforthepartyofusitwasaprotestingPeterwhohadthelastsugarbiscuit。Indeed，wewerealmostamerrycompany，forBlenkirontoldstoriesofoldhuntingandengineeringdaysintheWest，andPeterandIweredriventocapthem，andMaryaskedprovocativequestions，andWakelistenedwithamusedinterest。Itwaswellthatwehadthecarriagetoourselves，fornoqueererrigswereeverassembled。Mary，asalways，wasneatandworkmanlikeinherdress；Blenkironwasmagnificentinasuitofrussettweedwithapale-blueshirtandcollar，andwell-
polishedbrownshoes；butPeterandWakewereinuniformswhichhadseenfarbetterdays，andIworestillthebootsandtheshapelessandraggedclothesofJosephZimmer，theporterfromArosa。
Weappearedtoforgetthewar，butwedidn\'t，foritwasinthebackgroundofallourminds。Somewhereinthenorththerewasragingadesperatefight，anditsissuewasthetruetestofoursuccessorfailure。Maryshoweditbybiddingmeaskfornewsateverystopping-place。Iaskedgendarmesand_Permissionnaires，butI
learnednothing。Nobodyhadeverheardofthebattle。Theupshotwasthatforthelasthourweallfellsilent，andwhenwereachedParisaboutseveno\'clockmyfirsterrandwastothebookstall。
Iboughtabatchofeveningpapers，whichwetriedtoreadinthetaxisthatcarriedustoourhotel。Sureenoughtherewastheannouncementinbigheadlines。TheenemyhadattackedingreatstrengthfromsouthofArrastotheOise；buteverywherehehadbeenrepulsedandheldinourbattle-zone。Theleadingarticleswereconfident，thenotesbythevariousmilitarycriticswerealmostbraggart。AtlasttheGermanhadbeendriventoanoffensive，andtheAllieswouldhavetheopportunitytheyhadlongedforofprovingtheirsuperiorfightingstrength。Itwas，saidoneandall，theopeningofthelastphaseofthewar。
IconfessthatasIreadmyheartsank。Iftheciviliansweresoover-confident，mightnotthegeneralshavefallenintothesametrap？Blenkironalonewasunperturbed。Marysaidnothing，butshesatwithherchininherhands，whichwithherwasasuresignofdeeppreoccupation。
Nextmorningthepaperscouldtelluslittlemore。ThemainattackhadbeenonbothsidesofStQuentin，andthoughtheBritishhadgivengrounditwasonlytheoutpostslinethathadgone。Themisthadfavouredtheenemy，andhisbombardmenthadbeenterrific，especiallythegasshells。Everyjournaladdedtheoldoldcomment-thathehadpaidheavilyforhistemerity，withlossesfarexceedingthoseofthedefence。
Wakeappearedatbreakfastinhisprivate\'suniform。Hewantedtogethisrailwaywarrantandbeoffatonce，butwhenIheardthatAmienswashisdestinationIorderedhimtostayandtravelwithmeintheafternoon。Iwasinuniformmyselfnowandhadtakenchargeoftheoutfit。IarrangedthatBlenkiron，Mary，andPetershouldgoontoBoulogneandsleepthenightthere，whileWakeandIwouldbedroppedatAmienstoawaitinstructions。
Ispentabusymorning。OnceagainIvisitedwithBlenkironthelittlecabinetintheBoulevardStGermain，andtoldineverydetailourworkofthepasttwomonths。OnceagainIsatinthelowbuildingbesidetheInvalidesandtalkedtostaffofficers。ButsomeofthemenIhadseenonthefirstvisitwerenotthere。ThechiefsoftheFrenchArmyhadgonenorth。
WearrangedforthehandlingoftheWildBirds，nowsafelyinFrance，andsanctionwasgiventothecourseIhadproposedtoadoptwithIvery。HeandhisguardwereontheirwaytoAmiens，andIwouldmeetthemthereonthemorrow。Thegreatmenwereverycomplimentarytous，socomplimentarythatmyknowledgeofgrammaticalFrenchebbedawayandIcouldonlystutterinreply。
ThattelegramsentbyBlenkirononthenightofthe18th，fromtheinformationgivenmeinthePinkChalet，haddonewondersinclearingupthesituation。
ButwhenIaskedthemaboutthebattletheycouldtellmelittle。
Itwasaveryseriousattackintremendousforce，buttheBritishlinewasstrongandthereserveswerebelievedtobesufficient。PetainandFochhadgonenorthtoconsultwithHaig。ThesituationinChampagnewasstillobscure，butsomeFrenchreserveswerealreadymovingthencetotheSommesector。Onethingtheydidshowme，theBritishdispositions。AsIlookedattheplanIsawthatmyolddivisionwasinthethickofthefighting。
\'Wheredoyougonow？\'Iwasasked。
\'ToAmiens，andthen，pleaseGod，tothebattlefront，\'Isaid。
\'Goodfortunetoyou。Youdonotgivebodyormindmuchrest，mygeneral。\'
AfterthatIwenttothe_Mission_Anglaise，buttheyhadnothingbeyondHaig\'scommuniqueandatelephonemessagefromG。H。Q。
thatthecriticalsectorwaslikelytobethatbetweenStQuentinandtheOise。Thenorthernpillarofourdefence，southofArras，whichtheyhadbeennervousabout，hadstoodlikearock。Thatpleasedme，formyoldbattalionoftheLennoxHighlanderswasthere。
CrossingthePlacedelaConcorde，wefellinwithaBritishstaffofficerofmyacquaintance，whowasjuststartingtomotorbacktoG。H。Q。fromParisleave。HehadalongerfacethanthepeopleattheInvalides。
\'Idon\'tlikeit，Itellyou，\'hesaid。\'It\'sthismistthatworriesme。I
wentdownthewholelinefromArrastotheOisetendaysago。Itwasbeautifullysited，thecleverestthingyoueversaw。Theoutpostlinewasmostlyachainofblobs-redoubts，youknow，withmachine-guns-soarrangedastobringflankingfiretobearontheadvancingenemy。Butmistwouldplaythedevilwiththatscheme，fortheenemywouldbepasttheplaceforflankingfirebeforeweknewit……Oh，Iknowwehadgoodwarning，andhadthebattle-zonemannedintime，buttheoutpostlinewasmeanttoholdoutlongenoughtogeteverythingbehindinapple-pieorder，andIcan\'tseebuthowbigchunksofitmusthavegoneinthefirstrush……Mindyou，we\'vebankedeverythingonthatbattle-
zone。It\'sdamnedgood，butifit\'sgone-\'Heflunguphishands。
\'Havewegoodreserves？\'Iasked。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。
\'Havewepositionspreparedbehindthebattle-zone？\'
\'ididn\'tnoticeany，\'hesaiddryly，andwasoffbeforeIcouldgetmoreoutofhim。
\'Youlookrattled，Dick，\'saidBlenkironaswewalkedtothehotel。
\'Iseemtohavegottheneedle。It\'ssilly，butIfeelworseaboutthisshowthanI\'veeverfeltsincethewarstarted。Lookatthiscityhere。Thepaperstakeiteasily，andthepeoplearewalkingaboutasifnothingwashappening。Eventhesoldiersaren\'tworried。Youmaycallmeafooltotakeitsohard，butI\'veasenseinmybonesthatwe\'reinforthebloodiestanddarkestfightofourlives，andthatsoonPariswillbehearingtheBochegunsasshedidin1914。\'
\'You\'reacheerfuloldJeremiah。Well，I\'mgladMissMary\'sgoingtobeinEnglandsoon。Seemstomeshe\'srightandthatthisgameofoursisn\'tquiteplayedoutyet。I\'menvyingyousome，forthere\'saplacewaitingforyouinthefightingline。\'
\'You\'vegottogethomeandkeeppeople\'sheadsstraightthere。
That\'stheweaklinkinourchainandthere\'samightylotofworkbeforeyou。\'
\'Maybe，\'hesaidabstractedly，withhiseyeonthetopoftheVendomecolumn。
Thetrainthatafternoonwaspackedwithofficersrecalledfromleave，andittookallthecombinedpurchaseofBlenkironandmyselftogetacarriagereservedforourlittleparty。AtthelastmomentI
openedthedoortoadmitawarmandagitatedcaptainoftheR。F。C。
inwhomIrecognizedmyfriendandbenefactor，ArchieRoylance。
\'JustwhenIwasgettin\'niceandcleanandcomfyawirecomestellin\'metobundleback，allalongofanewbattle。It\'sacruelwar，Sir。\'Theafflictedyoungmanmoppedhisforehead，grinnedcheerfullyatBlenkiron，glancedcriticallyatPeter，thencaughtsightofMaryandgrewatonceacutelyconsciousofhisappearance。Hesmoothedhishair，adjustedhistieandbecamedesperatelysedate。
IintroducedhimtoPeterandhepromptlyforgotMary\'sexistence。
IfPeterhadhadanyvanityinhimitwouldhavebeenflatteredbythefrankinterestandadmirationintheboy\'seyes。
\'I\'mtremendouslygladtoseeyousafeback，sir。I\'vealwayshopedImighthaveachanceofmeetingyou。Wewantyoubadlynowonthefront。Lenschisgettin\'abituppish。\'
ThenhiseyefellonPeter\'switheredlegandhesawthathehadblundered。Heblushedscarletandlookedhisapologies。Buttheyweren\'tneeded，foritcheeredPetertomeetsomeonewhotalkedofthepossibilityofhisfightingagain。Soonthetwoweredeepintechnicalities，theappallingtechnicalitiesoftheairman。Itwasnogoodlisteningtotheirtalk，foryoucouldmakenothingofit，butitwasbracingupPeterlikewine。ArchiegavehimaminutedescriptionofLensch\'slatestdoingsandhisnewmethods。He，too，hadheardtherumourthatPeterhadmentionedtomeatStAnton，ofanewBocheplane，withmightyenginesandstumpywingscunninglycambered，whichwasadeviltoclimb；butnospecimenshadyetappearedovertheline。TheytalkedofBali，andRhysDavids，andBishop，andMcCudden，andalltheheroeswhohadwontheirspurssincetheSomme，andofthenewBritishmakes，mostofwhichPeterhadneverseenandhadtohaveexplainedtohim。
Outsideahazehaddrawnoverthemeadowswiththetwilight。I
pointeditouttoBlenkiron。
\'There\'sthefogthat\'sdoingus。ThisMarchweatherisjustlikeOctober，mistmorningandevening。IwishtoHeavenwecouldhavesomegoodolddrenchingspringrain。\'
ArchiewasdiscoursingoftheShark-Gladasmachine。
\'I\'vealwaysstucktoit，forit\'samarvelinitsway，butithasmyheartfairlybroke。TheGeneralhereknowsitslittletricks。Don\'tyou，sir？Wheneverthingsgetreallyexcitin\'，theengine\'sapttoquitworkandtakearest。\'
\'Thewholemakeshouldbepubliclyburned，\'Isaid，withgloomyrecollections。
\'Iwouldn\'tgosofar，sir。TheoldGladashassurprisin\'merits。
Onherdaythere\'snothinglikeherforpaceandclimbing-power，andshesteersassweetasaracin\'cutter。Thetroubleaboutherisshe\'stoocomplicated。She\'slikesomebreedsofcar-youwanttobeamechanicalgeniustounderstandher……Ifthey\'donlygetheralittlesimplerandsafer，therewouldn\'tbehermatchinthefield。
I\'mabouttheonlymanthathaspatiencewithherandknowshermerits，butshe\'softenbeennearlythedeathofme。Allthesame，ifIwereinforabigfightagainstsomefellowlikeLensch，whereitwasneckornothing，I\'mhangedifIwouldn\'tpicktheGladas。\'
Archielaughedapologetically。\'Thesubjectisbannedformeinourmess。I\'mtheoldthing\'sonlychampion，andshe\'slikeamareI
usedtohuntthatlovedmesomuchshewasalwaystryin\'tochewthearmoffme。ButIwishIcouldgetherafairtrialfromoneofthebigpilots。I\'monlyinthesecondclassmyselfafterall。\'
WewererunningnorthofStjustwhenabovetherattleofthetrainroseacuriousdullsound。Itcamefromtheeast，andwaslikethelowgrowlofaveldthunderstorm，orasteadyrollofmuffleddrums。
\'Harktotheguns！\'criedArchie。\'Myaunt，there\'satidybombardmentgoin\'onsomewhere。\'
Ihadbeenlisteningonandofftogunsforthreeyears。IhadbeenpresentatthebigpreparationsbeforeLoosandtheSommeandArras，andIhadcometoaccepttheracketofartilleryassomethingnaturalandinevitablelikerainorsunshine。Butthissoundchilledmewithitseeriness，Idon\'tknowwhy。Perhapsitwasitsunexpectedness，forIwassurethatthegunshadnotbeenheardinthisareasincebeforetheMarne。ThenoisemustbetravellingdowntheOisevalley，andIjudgedtherewasbigfightingsomewhereaboutChaunyorLaFere。Thatmeantthattheenemywaspressinghardonahugefront，forherewasclearlyagreateffortonhisextremeleftwing。Unlessitwasourcounter-attack。
ButsomehowIdidn\'tthinkso。
Iletdownthewindowandstuckmyheadintothenight。Thefoghadcrepttotheedgeofthetrack，agossamermistthroughwhichhousesandtreesandcattlecouldbeseendiminthemoonlight。
Thenoisecontinued-notamutter，butasteadyrumblingflowassolidastheblareofatrumpet。Presently，aswedrewnearerAmiens，weleftitbehindus，forinalltheSommevalleythereissomecuriousconfigurationwhichblanketssound。Thecountryfolkcallitthe\'SilentLand\'，andduringthefirstphaseoftheSommebattleamaninAmienscouldnothearthegunstwentymilesoffatAlbert。
AsIsatdownagainIfoundthatthecompanyhadfallensilent，eventhegarrulousArchie。Mary\'seyesmetmine，andintheindifferentlightoftheFrenchrailway-carriageIcouldseeexcitementinthem-Iknewitwasexcitement，notfear。Shehadneverheardthenoiseofagreatbarragebefore。Blenkironwasrestless，andPeterwassunkinhisownthoughts。Iwasgrowingverydepressed，forinalittleIwouldhavetopartfrommybestfriendsandthegirlI
loved。Butwiththedepressionwasmixedanoddexpectation，whichwasalmostpleasant。Thegunshadbroughtbackmyprofessiontome，Iwasmovingtowardstheirthunder，andGodonlyknewtheendofit。ThehappydreamIhaddreamedoftheCotswoldsandahomewithMarybesidemeseemedsuddenlytohavefallenawaytoaninfinitedistance。IfeltonceagainthatIwasontherazor-edgeoflife。
ThelastpartofthejourneyIwascastingbacktorakeupmyknowledgeofthecountryside。IsawagainthestrickenbeltfromSerretoCombleswherewehadfoughtinthesummerOf\'17。Ihadnotbeenpresentintheadvanceofthefollowingspring，butIhadbeenatCambraiandIknewallthedowncountryfromLagnicourttoStQuentin。Ishutmyeyesandtriedtopictureit，andtoseetheroadsrunninguptotheline，andwonderedjustatwhatpointsthebigpressurehadcome。TheyhadtoldmeinParisthattheBritishwereasfarsouthastheOise，sothebombardmentwehadheardmustbedirectedtoouraddress。WithPasschendaeleandCambraiinmymind，andsomenotionofthedifficultieswehadalwayshadingettingdrafts，Iwaspuzzledtothinkwherewecouldhavefoundthetroopstomanthenewfront。Wemustbeunholilythinonthatlongline。Andagainstthatawesomebombardment！AndthemassesandthenewtacticsthatIveryhadbraggedof！
WhenweranintothedingycavernwhichisAmiensstationI
seemedtonoteanewexcitement。Ifeltitintheairratherthandeduceditfromanyspecialincident，exceptthattheplatformwasverycrowdedwithcivilians，mostofthemwithanextraamountofbaggage。Iwonderediftheplacehadbeenbombedthenightbefore。
\'Wewon\'tsaygoodbyeyet，\'Itoldtheothers。\'Thetraindoesn\'tleaveforhalfanhour。I\'mofftotryandgetnews。\'
AccompaniedbyArchie，IhuntedoutanR。T。O。ofmyacquaintance。
Tomyquestionsherespondedcheerfully。
\'Oh，we\'redoingfamously，sir。IheardthisafternoonfromamaninOperationsthatG。H。Q。wasperfectlysatisfied。We\'vekilledalotofHunsandonlylostafewkilometresofground……You\'regoingtoyourdivision？Well，it\'supPeronneway，orwaslastnight。CheyneandDunthorpecamebackfromleaveandtriedtostealacartogetuptoit……Oh，I\'mhavingthedeuceofatime。
Theseblightedcivilianshavegotthewindup，andalotaretryingtoclearout。TheidiotssaytheHunswillbeinAmiensinaweek。
What\'sthephrase？“__Pourvuquelescivils_tiennent。“\'FraidImustpushon，Sir。\'
IsentArchiebackwiththesescrapsofnewsandwasabouttomakearushforthehouseofoneofthePressofficers，whowould，Ithought，beinthewayofknowingthings，whenatthestationentranceIranacrossLaidlaw。HehadbeenB。G。G。S。inthecorpstowhichmyoldbrigadebelonged，andwasnowonthestaffofsomearmy。HewasstridingtowardsacarwhenIgrabbedhisarm，andheturnedonmeaverysickface。
\'GoodLord，Hannay！Wheredidyouspringfrom？Thenews，yousay？\'Hesankhisvoice，anddrewmeintoaquietcorner。\'Thenewsishellish。\'
\'Theytoldmewewereholding，\'Iobserved。
\'Holdingbedamned！TheBocheiscleanthroughonabroadfront。HebrokeustodayatMaissemyandEssigny。Yes，thebattle-
zone。He\'sflingingindivisionafterdivisionliketheblowsofahammer。Whatelsecouldyouexpect？\'Andheclutchedmyarmfiercely。\'HowinGod\'snamecouldelevendivisionsholdafrontoffortymiles？Andagainstfourtooneinnumbers？Itisn\'twar，it\'snakedlunacy。\'
Iknewtheworstnow，anditdidn\'tshockme，forIhadknownitwascoming。Laidlaw\'snerveswereprettybad，forhisfacewaspaleandhiseyesbrightlikeamanwithafever。
\'Reserves！\'andhelaughedbitterly。\'Wehavethreeinfantrydivisionsandtwocavalry。They\'reintothemilllongago。TheFrencharecominguponourright，butthey\'vethedevilofawaytogo。
That\'swhatI\'mdownhereabout。Andwe\'regettinghelpfromHorneandPlumer。Butallthattakesdays，andmeantimewe\'rewalkingbacklikewedidatMons。Andatthistimeofday，too……
Oh，yes，thewholeline\'sretreating。Partsofitwereprettycomfortable，buttheyhadtogetbackorbeputinthebag。IwishtoHeavenIknewwhereourrightdivisionshavegotto。ForallI
knowthey\'reatCompiegnebynow。TheBochewasoverthecanalthismorning，andbythistimemostlikelyhe\'sacrosstheSomme。\'
AtthatIexclaimed。\'D\'youmeantotellmewe\'regoingtolosePeronne？\'
\'Peronne！\'hecried。\'We\'llbeluckynottoloseAmiens！……AndonthetopofitallI\'vegotsomekindofblastedfever。I\'llberavinginanhour。\'
Hewasrushingoff，butIheldhim。
\'Whataboutmyoldlot？\'Iasked。
\'Oh，damnedgood，butthey\'reshotalltobits。Everydivisiondidwell。It\'samarveltheyweren\'tallscuppered，andit\'llbeaflamingmiracleiftheyfindalinetheycanstandon。Westwater\'sgotalegsmashed。Hewasbroughtdownthisevening，andyou\'llfindhiminthehospital。Fraser\'skilledandLefroy\'saprisoner-atleast，thatwasmylastnews。Idon\'tknowwho\'sgotthebrigades，butMasterton\'scarryingonwiththedivision……You\'dbettergetupthelineasfastasyoucanandtakeoverfromhim。SeetheArmyCommander。He\'llbeinAmienstomorrowmorningforapow-wow。\'
Laidlawlaywearilybackinhiscaranddisappearedintothenight，whileIhurriedtothetrain。
TheothershaddescendedtotheplatformandweregroupedroundArchie，whowasdiscoursingoptimisticnonsense。Igotthemintothecarriageandshutthedoor。
\'It\'sprettybad，\'Isaid。\'Thefront\'spiercedinseveralplacesandwe\'rebacktotheUpperSomme。I\'mafraiditisn\'tgoingtostopthere。I\'moffupthelineassoonasIcangetmyorders。Wake，you\'llcomewithme，foreverymanwillbewanted。Blenkiron，you\'llseeMaryandPetersafetoEngland。We\'rejustintime，fortomorrowitmightn\'tbeeasytogetoutofAmiens。\'
Icanseeyettheanxiousfacesinthatill-litcompartment。WesaidgoodbyeaftertheBritishstylewithoutmuchto-do。IrememberthatoldPetergrippedmyhandasifhewouldneverreleaseit，andthatMary\'sfacehadgrownverypale。IfIdelayedanothersecondI
shouldhavehowled，forMary\'slipsweretremblingandPeterhadeyeslikeawoundedstag。\'Godblessyou，\'Isaidhoarsely，andasI
wentoffIheardPeter\'svoice，alittlecracked，saying\'Godblessyou，myoldfriend。\'
IspentsomewearyhourslookingforWestwater。Hewasnotinthebigclearingstation，butIranhimtoearthatlastinthenewhospitalwhichhadjustbeengotgoingintheUrsulineconvent。Hewasthemoststerlinglittleman，inordinaryliferatherdryanddogmatic，withatrickoftakingyouupsharplywhichdidn\'tmakehimpopular。Nowhewaslyingverystiffandquietinthehospitalbed，andhisblueeyesweresolemnandpatheticlikeasickdog\'s。
\'There\'snothingmuchwrongwithme，\'hesaid，inreplytomyquestion。\'Ashelldroppedbesidemeanddamagedmyfoot。Theysaythey\'llhavetocutitoff……I\'veaneasiermindnowyou\'rehere，Hannay。Ofcourseyou\'lltakeoverfromMasterton。He\'sagoodmanbutnotquiteuptohisjob。PoorFraser-you\'veheardaboutFraser。Hewasdoneinattheverystart。Yes，ashell。AndLefroy。Ifhe\'saliveandnottoobadlysmashedtheHunhasgotatroublesomeprisoner。\'
Hewastoosicktotalk，buthewouldn\'tletmego。
\'Thedivisionwasallright。Don\'tyoubelieveanyonewhosayswedidn\'tfightlikeheroes。OuroutpostlinehelduptheHunforsixhours，andonlyaboutadozenmencameback。Wecouldhavestuckitoutinthebattle-zoneifbothflankshadn\'tbeenturned。
TheygotthroughCrabbe\'sleftandcamedowntheVereyravine，andabigwaverushedShropshireWood……Wefoughtitoutyardbyyardanddidn\'tbudgetillwesawthePlessisdumpblazinginourrear。Thenitwasabouttimetogo……Wehaven\'tmanybattalioncommandersleft。Watson，Endicot，Crawshay……\'Hestammeredoutalistofgallantfellowswhohadgone。
\'Getbackdoublequick，Hannay。Theywantyou。I\'mnothappyaboutMasterton。He\'stooyoungforthejob。\'Andthenanursedrovemeout，andIlefthimspeakinginthestrangeforcedvoiceofgreatweakness。
AtthefootofthestaircasestoodMary。
\'Isawyougoin，\'shesaid，\'soIwaitedforyou。\'
\'Oh，mydear，\'Icried，\'youshouldhavebeeninBoulognebynow。Whatmadnessbroughtyouhere？\'
\'Theyknowmehereandthey\'vetakenmeon。Youcouldn\'texpectmetostaybehind。Yousaidyourselfeverybodywaswanted，andI\'minaServicelikeyou。Pleasedon\'tbeangry，Dick。\'
Iwasn\'tangry，Iwasn\'tevenextraanxious。Thewholethingseemedtohavebeenplannedbyfatesincethecreationoftheworld。Thegamewehadbeenengagedinwasn\'tfinishedanditwasrightthatweshouldplayitouttogether。Withthatfeelingcameaconviction，too，ofultimatevictory。Somehoworsometimeweshouldgettotheendofourpilgrimage。ButIrememberedMary\'sforebodingsaboutthesacrificerequired。Thebestofus。Thatruledmeout，butwhatabouther？
Icaughthertomyarms。\'Goodbye，myverydearest。Don\'tworryaboutme，formine\'sasoftjobandIcanlookaftermyskin。
Butoh！takecareofyourself，foryouarealltheworldtome。\'
Shekissedmegravelylikeawisechild。
\'Iamnotafraidforyou，\'shesaid。\'Youaregoingtostandinthebreach，andIknow-Iknowyouwillwin。Rememberthatthereissomeoneherewhoseheartissofullofprideofhermanthatithasn\'troomforfear。\'
AsIwentoutoftheconventdoorIfeltthatonceagainIhadbeengivenmyorders。
Itdidnotsurprisemethat，whenIsoughtoutmyroomonanupperflooroftheHoteldeFrance，IfoundBlenkironinthecorridor。Hewasinthebestofspirits。
\'Youcan\'tkeepmeoutoftheshow，Dick，\'hesaid，\'soyouneedn\'tstartarguing。Why，thisistheoneoriginalchanceofalifetimeforJohnS。Blenkiron。OurlittlefightatErzerumwasonlyaside-show，butthisisarealhigh-classArmageddon。IguessI\'llfindawaytomakemyselfuseful。\'
Ihadnodoubthewould，andIwasgladhehadstayedbehind。
ButIfeltitwashardonPetertohavethejobofreturningtoEnglandaloneatsuchatime，likeuselessflotsamwashedupbyaflood。
\'Youneedn\'tworry，\'saidBlenkiron。\'Peter\'snotmakingEnglandthistrip。Tothebestofmyknowledgehehasbeatitoutofthistownshipbytheeasternpostern。HehadsometalkwithSirArchibaldRoylance，andpresentlyothergentlemenoftheRoyalFlyingCorpsappeared，andtheupshotwasthatSirArchibaldhitchedontoPeter\'sgripanddepartedwithoutsayingfarewell。Mynotionisthathe\'sgonetohaveafewwordswithhisoldfriendsatsomeflyingstation。OrhemighthavetheideaofgoingbacktoEnglandbyaeroplane，andsohavingonelastflutterbeforehefoldshiswings。Anyhow，Peterlookedamightyhappyman。ThelastIsawhewassmokinghispipewithabatchofyoungladsinaFlyingCorpswaggonandheadingstraightforGermany。\'
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
HowanExileReturnedtoHisOwnPeopleNextmorningIfoundtheArmyCommanderonhiswaytoDoullens。
\'Takeoverthedivision？\'hesaid。\'Certainly。I\'mafraidthereisn\'tmuchleftofit。I\'lltellCarrtogetthroughtotheCorpsHeadquarters，whenhecanfindthem。You\'llhavetonursetheremnants，fortheycan\'tbepulledoutyet-notforadayortwo。Blessme，Hannay，therearepartsofourlinewhichwe\'reholdingwithamanandaboy。You\'vegottostickitouttilltheFrenchtakeover。
We\'renothangingonbyoureyelids-it\'soureyelashesnow。\'
\'Whataboutpositionstofallbackon，sir？\'Iasked。
\'We\'redoingourbest，butwehaven\'tenoughmentopreparethem。\'Hepluckedopenamap。\'Therewe\'rediggingaline-andthere。Ifwecanholdthatbitfortwodaysweshallhaveafairlinerestingontheriver。Butwemayn\'thavetime。\'
ThenItoldhimaboutBlenkiron，whomofcoursehehadheardof。\'HewasoneofthebiggestengineersintheStates，andhe\'sgotanailingfineeyeforcountry。He\'llmakegoodsomehowifyoulethimhelpinthejob。\'
\'Theveryfellow，\'hesaid，andhewroteanorder。\'TakethistoJacksandhe\'llfixupatemporarycommission。YourmancanfindauniformsomewhereinAmiens。\'
AfterthatIwenttothedetailcampandfoundthatIveryhaddulyarrived。
\'Theprisonerhasgivennotrouble，sirr，\'Hamiltonreported。
\'Buthe\'saweethingpeevish。They\'resayingthattheGairmansisgettin\'onfine，andIwastellin\'himthatheshouldbeproudofhisainfolk。Buthewasn\'tverraweelpleased。\'
ThreedayshadwroughtatransformationinIvery。Thatface，oncesocoolandcapable，wasnowsharpenedlikeahuntedbeast\'s。
HisimaginationwaspreyingonhimandIcouldpictureitstorture。
He，whohadbeenalwaysatthetopdirectingthemachine，wasnowonlyacoginit。Hehadneverinhislifebeenanythingbutpowerful；nowhewasimpotent。Hewasinahard，unfamiliarworld，inthegripofsomethingwhichhefearedanddidn\'tunderstand，inthechargeofmenwhowereinnowayamenabletohispersuasiveness。Itwaslikeaproudandbullyingmanagersuddenlyforcedtolabourinasquadofnavvies，andworse，fortherewasthegnawingphysicalfearofwhatwascoming。
Hemadeanappealtome。
\'DotheEnglishtorturetheirprisoners？\'heasked。\'Youhavebeatenme。Iownit，andIpleadformercy。Iwillgoonmykneesifyoulike。Iamnotafraidofdeath-inmyownway。\'
\'Fewpeopleareafraidofdeath-intheirownway。\'
\'Whydoyoudegrademe？Iamagentleman。\'
\'Notaswedefinethething，\'Isaid。
Hisjawdropped。\'Whatareyougoingtodowithme？\'hequavered。
\'Youhavebeenasoldier，\'Isaid。\'Youaregoingtoseealittlefighting-fromtheranks。Therewillbenobrutality，youwillbearmedifyouwanttodefendyourself，youwillhavethesamechanceofsurvivalasthemenaroundyou。Youmayhaveheardthatyourcountrymenaredoingwell。Itisevenpossiblethattheymaywinthebattle。Whatwasyourforecasttome？Amiensintwodays，Abbevilleinthree。Well，youarealittlebehindscheduledtime，butstillyouareprospering。Youtoldmethatyouwerethechiefarchitectofallthis，andyouaregoingtobegiventhechanceofseeingit，perhapsofsharinginit-fromtheotherside。Doesitnotappealtoyoursenseofjustice？\'
Hegroanedandturnedaway。IhadnomorepityforhimthanI
wouldhavehadforablackmambathathadkilledmyfriendandwasnowcaughttoaclefttree。Nor，oddlyenough，hadWake。IfwehadshotIveryoutrightatStAnton，IamcertainthatWakewouldhavecalledusmurderers。Nowhewasincompleteagreement。
Hispassionatehatredofwarmadehimrejoicethatachiefcontriverofwarshouldbemadetoshareinitsterrors。
\'Hetriedtotalkmeoverthismorning，\'hetoldme。\'ClaimedhewasonmysideandsaidthekindofthingIusedtosaylastyear。Itmademeratherashamedofsomeofmypastperformancestohearthatscoundrelimitatingthem……Bytheway，Hannay，whatareyougoingtodowithme？\'
\'You\'recomingonmystaff。You\'reastoutfellowandIcan\'tdowithoutyou。\'
\'RememberIwon\'tfight。\'
\'Youwon\'tbeaskedto。We\'retryingtostemthetidewhichwantstorolltothesea。YouknowhowtheBochebehavesinoccupiedcountry，andMary\'sinAmiens。\'
Atthatnewsheshuthislips。
\'Still-\'hebegan。
still“Isaid。\'Idon\'taskyoutoforfeitoneofyourblessedprinciples。Youneedn\'tfireashot。ButIwantamantocarryordersforme，forwehaven\'talineanymore，onlyalotofblobslikequicksilver。Iwantaclevermanforthejobandabraveone，andIknowthatyou\'renotafraid。\'
\'No，\'hesaid。\'Idon\'tthinkIam-much。Well。I\'mcontent！\'
IstartedBlenkironoffinacarforCorpsHeadquarters，andintheafternoontooktheroadmyself。Ikneweveryinchofthecountry-theliftofthehilleastofAmiens，theRomanhighwaythatranstraightasanarrowtoStQuentin，themarshylagoonsoftheSomme，andthatbroadstripoflandwastedbybattlebetweenDompierreandPeronne。IhadcometoAmiensthroughitinJanuary，forIhadbeenuptothelinebeforeIleftforParis，andthenithadbeenapeacefulplace，withpeasantstillingtheirfields，andnewbuildingsgoingupontheoldbattle-field，andcarpentersbusyatcottageroofs，andscarcelyatransportwaggonontheroadtoremindoneofwar。NowthemainroutewaschokedliketheAlbertroadwhentheSommebattlefirstbegan-troopsgoingupandtroopscomingdown，thelatterinthelaststageofweariness；aceaselesstrafficofambulancesonewayandammunitionwaggonstheother；busystaffcarstryingtowormawaythroughthemass；
stringsofgunhorses，oddmentsofcavalry，andhereandthereblueFrenchuniforms。AllthatIhadseenbefore；butonethingwasnewtome。Littlecountrycartswithsad-facedwomenandmystifiedchildreninthemandpilesofhouseholdplenishingwerecreepingwestward，orstoodwaitingatvillagedoors。Besidethesetrampedoldmenandboys，mostlyintheirSundaybestasiftheyweregoingtochurch。Ihadneverseenthesightbefore，forIhadneverseentheBritishArmyfallingback。Thedamwhichheldupthewatershadbrokenandthedwellersinthevalleyweretryingtosavetheirpitifullittletreasures。Andovereverything，horseandman，cartandwheelbarrow，roadandtillage，laythewhiteMarchdust，theskywasblueasJune，smallbirdswerebusyinthecopses，andinthecornersofabandonedgardensIhadaglimpseofthefirstviolets。
Presentlyaswetoppedarisewecamewithinfullnoiseoftheguns。That，too，wasnewtome，foritwasnoordinarybombardment。
Therewasaspecialqualityinthesound，somethingragged，straggling，intermittent，whichIhadneverheardbefore。Itwasthesignofopenwarfareandamovingbattle。
AtPeronne，fromwhichthenewlyreturnedinhabitantshadasecondtimefled，thebattleseemedtobeatthedoors。ThereIhadnewsofmydivision。ItwasfarthersouthtowardsStChrist。Wegropedourwayamongbadroadstowhereitsheadquarterswerebelievedtobe，whilethevoiceofthegunsgrewlouder。Theyturnedouttobethoseofanotherdivision，whichwasbusygettingreadytocrosstheriver。Thenthedarkfell，andwhileairplanesflewwestintothesunsettherewasareddersunsetintheeast，wheretheunceasingflashesofgunfirewerepaleagainsttheangryglowofburningdumps。Thesightofthebonnet-badgeofaScotsFusiliermademehalt，andthemanturnedouttobelongtomydivision。
HalfanhourlaterIwastakingoverfromthemuch-relievedMastertonintheruinsofwhathadoncebeenasugar-beetfactory。
TheretomysurpriseIfoundLefroy。TheBochehadheldhimprisonerforpreciselyeighthours。Duringthattimehehadbeensointerestedinwatchingthewaytheenemyhandledanattackthathehadforgottenthemiseriesofhisposition。Hedescribedwithblasphemousadmirationtheendlesswheelbywhichsuppliesandreservetroopsmoveup，thesilence，thesmoothness，theperfectdiscipline。Thenhehadrealizedthathewasacaptiveandunwounded，andhadgonemad。Beingaheavy-weightboxerofnote，hehadsenthistwoguardsspinningintoaditch，dodgedtheensuingshots，andfoundshelterintheleeofablazingammunitiondumpwherehispursuershesitatedtofollow。Thenhehadspentananxioushourtryingtogetthroughanoutpostline，whichhethoughtwasBoche。
OnlybyoverhearinganexchangeofoathsintheaccentsofDundeedidherealizethatitwasourown……ItwasacomforttohaveLefroyback，forhewasbothstout-heartedandresourceful。ButIfoundthatIhadadivisiononlyonpaper。Itwasaboutthestrengthofabrigade，thebrigadesbattalions，andthebattalionscompanies。
Thisisnottheplacetowritethestoryoftheweekthatfollowed。I
couldnotwriteitevenifIwantedto，forIdon\'tknowit。Therewasaplansomewhere，whichyouwillfindinthehistorybooks，butwithmeitwasblankchaos。Orderscame，butlongbeforetheyarrivedthesituationhadchanged，andIcouldnomoreobeythemthanflytothemoon。OftenIhadlosttouchwiththedivisionsonbothflanks。Intelligencearrivederraticallyoutofthevoid，andforthemostpartweworriedalongwithoutit。IheardwewereundertheFrench-firstitwassaidtobeFoch，andthenFayolle，whomI
hadmetinParis。Butthehighercommandseemedamillionmilesaway，andwewerelefttouseourmotherwits。Myproblemwastogivegroundasslowlyaspossibleandatthesametimenottodelaytoolong，forretreatwemust，withtheBochesendinginbrand-newdivisionseachmorning。Itwasakindofwarworldsdistantfromtheoldtrenchbattles，andsinceIhadbeentaughtnootherIhadtoinventrulesasIwentalong。Lookingback，itseemsamiraclethatanyofuscameoutofit。OnlythegraceofGodandtheuncommontoughnessoftheBritishsoldierbluffedtheHunandpreventedhimpouringthroughthebreachtoAbbevilleandthesea。Wewerenobetterthanamosquitocurtainstuckinadoorwaytostoptheadvanceofanangrybull。
TheArmyCommanderwasright；wewerehangingonwithoureyelashes。Wemusthavebeeneasilytheweakestpartofthewholefront，forwewereholdingalinewhichwasneverlessthantwomilesandwasoften，asIjudged，nearerfive，andtherewasnothinginreservetousexceptsomeoddmentsofcavalrywhochasedaboutthewholebattle-fieldundervagueorders。MercifullyforustheBocheblundered。
Perhapshedidnotknowourcondition，forourairmenweremagnificentandyouneversawaBocheplaneoverourlinebyday，thoughtheybombedusmerrilybynight。Ifhehadcalledourbluffweshouldhavebeendone，butheputhismainstrengthtothenorthandthesouthofus。NorthhepressedhardontheThirdArmy，buthegotwellhammeredbytheGuardsnorthofBapaumeandhecouldmakenoheadwayatArras。SouthhedroveattheParisrailwayanddowntheOisevalley，buttherePetain\'sreserveshadarrived，andtheFrenchmadeanoblestand。
Notthathedidn\'tfighthardinthecentrewherewewere，buthehadn\'thisbesttroops，andafterwegotwestofthebendoftheSommehewasoutrunninghisheavyguns。Still，itwasadesperateenoughbusiness，forourflankswereallthetimefallingback，andwehadtoconformtomovementswecouldonlyguessat。Afterall，wewereonthedirectroutetoAmiens，anditwasuptoustoyieldslowlysoastogiveHaigandPetaintimetogetupsupports。Iwasamiserabouteveryyardofground，foreveryyardandeveryminutewereprecious。Wealonestoodbetweentheenemyandthecity，andinthecitywasMary。
IfyouaskmeaboutourplansIcan\'ttellyou。Ihadanewoneeveryhour。IgotinstructionsfromtheCorps，but，asIhavesaid，theywereusuallyoutofdatebeforetheyarrived，andmostofmytacticsIhadtoinventmyself。Ihadaplaintask，andtofulfilitI
hadtousewhatmethodstheAlmightyallowedme。Ihardlyslept，I
atelittle，Iwasonthemovedayandnight，butIneverfeltsostronginmylife。ItseemedasifIcouldn\'ttire，and，oddlyenough，Iwashappy。Ifaman\'swholebeingisfocusedononeaim，hehasnotimetoworry……Irememberwewereallverygentleandsoft-
spokenthosedays。Lefroy，whosetonguewasfamousforitsedge，nowcooedlikeadove。Thetroopswereontheiruppers，butassteadyasrocks。Wewereagainsttheendoftheworld，andthatstiffensaman……
Dayafterdaysawthesameperformance。IheldmywaveringfrontwithanoutpostlinewhichdelayedeachnewattacktillI
couldtakeitsbearings。Ihadspecialcompaniesforcounter-attackatselectedpoints，whenIwantedtimetoretiretherestofthedivision。Ithinkwemusthavefoughtmorethanadozenofsuchlittlebattles。Welostmenallthetime，buttheenemymadenobigscoop，thoughhewasalwaysontheedgeofone。Lookingback，itseemslikeasuccessionofmiracles。OftenIwasinoneendofavillagewhentheBochewasintheother。Ourbatterieswerealwaysonthemove，andtheworkofthegunnerswaspastpraising。
Sometimeswefacedeast，sometimesnorth，andonceatamostcriticalmomentduesouth，forourfrontwavedandblewlikeaflagatamasthead……ThankGod，theenemywasgettingawayfromhisbigengine，andhisordinarytroopswerefaggedandpoorinquality。ItwaswhenhisfreshshockbattalionscameonthatIheldmybreath……Hehadaheathenishamountofmachine-gunsandheusedthembeautifully。Oh，ItakemyhatofftotheBocheperformance。
HewasdoingwhatwehadtriedtodoattheSommeandtheAisneandArrasandYpres，andhewasmoreorlesssucceeding。
Andthereasonwasthathewasgoingbald-headedforvictory。
Themen，asIhavesaid，werewonderfullysteadyandpatientunderthefiercesttrialthatsoldierscanendure。Ihadallkindsinthedivision-oldarmy，newarmy，Territorials-andyoucouldn\'tpickandchoosebetweenthem。TheyfoughtlikeTrojans，and，dirty，weary，andhungry，foundstillsomesaltofhumourintheirsufferings。Itwasaproofoftherock-bottomsanityofhumannature。Butwehadonemanwithuswhowashardlysane……
InthehustleofthosedaysInowandthencaughtsightofIvery。
Ihadtobeeverywhereatallhours，andoftenvisitedthatremnantofScotsFusiliersintowhichthesubtlestbraininEuropehadbeendrafted。Heandhiskeeperswereneveronoutpostdutyorinanycounter-attack。Theywerepartofthemasswhoseonlybusinesswastoretirediscreetly。Thiswaschild\'splaytoHamilton，whohadbeenoutsinceMons；andAmos，aftertakingadaytogetusedtoit，wrappedhimselfinhisgrimphilosophyandratherenjoyedit。
Youcouldn\'tsurpriseAmosanymorethanaTurk。Butthemanwiththem，whomtheyneverleft-thatwasanothermatter。
\'Forthefirstweebit，\'Hamiltonreported，\'wethochthewasgaundaft。Everyshellthatcamenearhejumpedlikeayounghorse。Andthegas！Wehadtotieonhismaskforhim，forhishandswerefushionless。Therewaswhileswhenhewadnabehinderedfromstandin\'upandtalkin\'tohisself，thoughthebulletswasspittin\'。Hewaswhatyecalldemoralized……Synehegotasthoughhedidnahearorseeonything。Hedidwhatwetell\'thim，andwhenwelethimbehesatdownandgrat。He\'sayegreetin\'……
Queerthing，sirr，buttheGairmanscannahithim。I\'mayeshakin\'
bulletsouto\'myclaes，andI\'vegotaholeinmyshoulder，andAndratookabashonhistinthatwadhaefelledonybodythathadnaaheidlikeastot。But，sirr，theprisonertaksnoscaith。Ourboysarefearedofhim。TherewasanIrishmansaystomethathehadtheevileye，andyecanseeforyerselfthathe\'snocanny。\'
Isawthathisskinhadbecomelikeparchmentandthathiseyeswereglassy。Idon\'tthinkherecognizedme。
\'Doeshetakehismeals？\'Iasked。
\'Hedoesnaeatmuckle。Buthehasanuncothirst。Yecannakeephimoffthemen\'swater-bottles。\'
Hewaslearningveryfastthemeaningofthatwarhehadsoconfidentlyplayedwith。IbelieveIamamercifulman，butasI
lookedathimIfeltnovestigeofpity。Hewasdreeingtheweirdhehadpreparedforothers。IthoughtofScudder，ofthethousandfriendsIhadlost，ofthegreatseasofbloodandthemountainsofsorrowthismanandhislikehadmadefortheworld。OutofthecornerofmyeyeIcouldseethelongridgesaboveComblesandLonguevalwhichthesaltoftheearthhadfallentowin，andwhichwereagainunderthehoofoftheBoche。Ithoughtofthedistractedcitybehindusandwhatitmeanttome，andtheweak，thepitifullyweakscreenwhichwasallitsdefence。IthoughtofthefouldeedswhichhadmadetheGermannametostinkbylandandsea，foulnessofwhichhewasthearch-begetter。AndthenIwasamazedatourforbearance。Hewouldgomad，andmadnessforhimwasmoredecentthansanity。
Ihadanothermanwhowasn\'twhatyoumightcallnormal，andthatwasWake。Hewastheoppositeofshell-shocked，ifyouunderstandme。Hehadneverbeenproperlyunderfirebefore，buthedidn\'tgiveastrawforit。Ihadknownthesamethingwithothermen，andtheygenerallyendedbycrumplingup，foritisn\'tnaturalthatfiveorsixfeetofhumanfleshshouldn\'tbeafraidofwhatcantortureanddestroyit。Thenaturalthingistobealwaysalittlescared，likeme，butbyaneffortofthewillandattentiontoworktocontrivetoforgetit。ButWakeapparentlynevergaveitathought。Hewasn\'tfoolhardy，onlyindifferent。Heusedtogoaboutwithasmileonhisface，asmileofcontentment。Eventhehorrors-andwehadplentyofthem-didn\'taffecthim。Hiseyes，whichusedtobehot，hadnowacuriousopeninnocencelikePeter\'s。Iwouldhavebeenhappierifhehadbeenalittlerattled。
Onenight，afterwehadhadabaddayofanxiety，ItalkedtohimaswesmokedinwhathadoncebeenaFrenchdug-out。Hewasanextrarightarmtome，andItoldhimso。\'Thismustbeaqueerexperienceforyou，\'Isaid。
\'Yes，\'hereplied，\'itisverywonderful。Ididnotthinkamancouldgothroughitandkeephisreason。ButIknowmanythingsI
didnotknowbefore。Iknowthatthesoulcanberebornwithoutleavingthebody。\'
Istaredathim，andhewentonwithoutlookingatme。
\'You\'renotaclassicalscholar，Hannay？Therewasastrangecultintheancientworld，theworshipofMagnaMater-theGreatMother。Toenterintohermysteriesthevotarypassedthroughabathofblood——IthinkIampassingthroughthatbath。IthinkthatliketheinitiateIshallbe_renatus_in_aeternum-rebornintotheeternal。\'
Iadvisedhimtohaveadrink，forthattalkfrightenedme。ItlookedasifhewerebecomingwhattheScotscall\'fey\'。Lefroynoticedthesamethingandwasalwaysspeakingaboutit。Hewasasbraveasabullhimself，andwithverymuchthesamekindofcourage；butWake\'sgallantryperturbedhim。\'Ican\'tmakethechapout，\'hetoldme。\'HebehavesasifhismindwastoofullofbetterthingstogiveadamnforBocheguns。Hedoesn\'ttakefoolishrisks-Idon\'tmeanthat，buthebehavesasifrisksdidn\'tsignify。It\'spositivelyeerietoseehimmakingnoteswithasteadyhandwhenshellsaredroppinglikehailstonesandwe\'reallthinkingeveryminute\'sourlast。You\'vegottobecarefulwithhim，sir。He\'salongsighttoovaluableforustospare。\'
Lefroywasrightaboutthat，forIdon\'tknowwhatIshouldhavedonewithouthim。Theworstpartofourjobwastokeeptouchwithourflanks，andthatwaswhatIusedWakefor。Hecoveredcountrylikeamoss-trooper，sometimesonarustybicycle，ofteneronfoot，andyoucouldn\'ttirehim。Iwonderwhatotherdivisionsthoughtofthegrimyprivatewhowasourchiefmeansofcommunication。Heknewnothingofmilitaryaffairsbefore，buthegotthehangofthisrough-and-tumblefightingasifhehadbeenbornforit。Heneverfiredashot；hecarriednoarms；theonlyweaponsheusedwerehisbrains。Andtheywerethebestconceivable。
Inevermetastaffofficerwhowassoquickatgettingapointoratsizingupasituation。Hehadputhisbackintothebusiness，andfirst-classtalentisnotcommonanywhere。OnedayaG。S。O。fromaneighbouringdivisioncametoseeme。
\'WhereonearthdidyoupickupthatmanWake？\'heasked。
\'He\'saconscientiousobjectorandanon-combatant，\'Isaid。
\'ThenIwishtoHeavenwehadafewmoreconscientiousobjectorsinthisshow。He\'stheonlyfellowwhoseemstoknowanythingaboutthisblessedbattle。Mygeneral\'ssendingyouachitabouthim。\'
\'Noneed，\'Isaid，laughing。\'Iknowhisvalue。He\'sanoldfriendofmine。\'
IusedWakeasmylinkwithCorpsHeadquarters，andespeciallywithBlenkiron。ForaboutthesixthdayoftheshowIwasbeginningtogetratherdesperate。Thiskindofthingcouldn\'tgoonforever。
Weweremilesbacknow，behindtheoldlineOf\'17，and，aswerestedoneflankontheriver，theimmediatesituationwasalittleeasier。ButIhadlostalotofmen，andthosethatwereleftwereblindwithfatigue。Thebigbulgesoftheenemytonorthandsouthhadaddedtothelengthofthetotalfront，andIfoundIhadtofanoutmythinranks。TheBochewasstillpressingon，thoughhisimpetuswasslacker。IfheknewhowlittletherewastostophiminmysectionhemightmakeapushwhichwouldcarryhimtoAmiens。
Onlythemagnificentworkofourairmenhadpreventedhimgettingthatknowledge，butwecouldn\'tkeepthesecrecyupforever。
Somedayanenemyplanewouldgetover，anditonlyneededthedriveofafreshstorm-battalionortwotoscatterus。Iwantedagoodpreparedposition，withsoundtrenchesanddecentwiring。
AboveallIwantedreserves-reserves。Thewordwasonmylipsalldayandithauntedmydreams。IwastoldthattheFrenchweretorelieveus，butwhen-when？MyreportstoCorpsHeadquarterswereonelongwailformoretroops。Iknewtherewasapositionpreparedbehindus，butIneededmentoholdit。
WakebroughtinamessagefromBlenkiron。\'We\'rewaitingforyou，Dick，\'hewrote，\'andwe\'vegottenquiteanicelittlehomereadyforyou。Thisoldmanhasn\'thustledsohardsincehestruckcopperinMontanain\'92。We\'vedugthreelinesoftrenchesandmadeaheapofprettyredoubts，andIguessthey\'rewelllaidout，fortheArmystaffhassupervisedthemandthey\'renoslouchesatthisbrandofengineering。Youwouldhavelaughedtoseethelabourweemployed。WehadallbreedsofDagoandChinaman，andsomeofyourownSouthAfricanblacks，andtheygotsobusyonthejobtheyforgotaboutbedtime。Iusedtobereckonedabitofaslavedriver，butmyspecialtalentsweren\'tneededwiththispush。I\'mgoingtoputalotofmoneyintoforeignmissionshenceforward。\'
Iwroteback:\'Yourtrenchesarenogoodwithoutmen。ForGod\'ssakegetsomethingthatcanholdarifle。Mylotaredonetotheworld。\'
ThenIleftLefroywiththedivisionandwentdownonthebackofanambulancetoseeformyself。IfoundBlenkiron，someoftheArmyengineers，andastaffofficerfromCorpsHeadquarters，andI
foundArchieRoylance。
Theyhaddugamightygoodlineandwireditnobly。ItranfromtherivertothewoodofLaBruyereonthelittlehillabovetheAblainstream。Itwasdesperatelylong，butIsawatonceitcouldn\'twellbeshorter，forthedivisiononthesouthofushaditshandsfullwiththefringeofthebigthrustagainsttheFrench。
\'It\'snogoodblinkingthefacts，\'Itoldthem。\'Ihaven\'tathousandmen，andwhatIhaveareattheendoftheirtether。Ifyouput\'eminthesetrenchesthey\'llgotosleepontheirfeet。WhencantheFrenchtakeover？\'
Iwastoldthatithadbeenarrangedfornextmorning，butthatithadnowbeenputofftwenty-fourhours。Itwasonlyatemporarymeasure，pendingthearrivalofBritishdivisionsfromthenorth。
Archielookedgrave。\'TheBocheispushin\'upnewtroopsinthissector。WegotthenewsbeforeIleftsquadronheadquarters。
Itlooksasifitwouldbeanearthing，sir。\'
\'Itwon\'tbeanearthing。It\'sanabsoluteblackcertainty。Myfellowscan\'tcarryonastheyareanotherday。GreatGod，they\'vehadafortnightinhell！Findmemoremenorwebuckleupatthenextpush。\'Mytemperwascomingverynearitslimits。
\'We\'verakedthecountrywithasmall-toothcomb，sir，\'saidoneofthestaffofficers。\'Andwe\'veraisedascratchpack。Bestpartoftwothousand。Goodmen，butmostofthemknownothingaboutinfantryfighting。We\'veputthemintoplatoons，anddoneourbesttogivethemsomekindoftraining。There\'sonethingmaycheeryou。We\'veplentyofmachine-guns。There\'samachine-gunschoolnearbyandwegotallthemenwhoweretakingthecourseandalltheplant。\'
Idon\'tsupposetherewaseversuchaforceputintothefieldbefore。ItwasawildermedleythanMoussy\'scamp-followersatFirstYpres。Therewaseverykindofdetailintheshapeofmenreturningfromleave，representingmostoftheregimentsinthearmy。Therewerethemenfromthemachine-gunschool。TherewereCorpstroops-sappersandA。S。C。，andahandfulofCorpscavalry。Aboveall，therewasabatchofAmericanengineers，fatheredbyBlenkiron。Iinspectedthemwheretheyweredrillingandlikedthelookofthem。\'Forty-eighthours，\'Isaidtomyself。
\'Withluckwemayjustpullitoff。\'
ThenIborrowedabicycleandwentbacktothedivision。ButbeforeIleftIhadawordwithArchie。\'Thisisonebiggameofbluff，andit\'syoufellowsalonethatenableustoplayit。Tellyourpeoplethateverythingdependsonthem。Theymustn\'tstinttheplanesinthissector，foriftheBocheoncesuspicionshowlittlehe\'sgotbeforehimthegame\'sup。He\'snotafoolandheknowsthatthisistheshortroadtoAmiens，butheimagineswe\'reholdingitinstrength。Ifwekeepupthefictionforanothertwodaysthething\'sdone。Yousayhe\'spushinguptroops？\'
\'Yes，andhe\'ssendin\'forwardhistanks。\'
\'Well，that\'lltaketime。He\'sslowernowthanaweekagoandhe\'sgotadeuceofacountrytomarchover。There\'sstillanoutsidechancewemaywinthrough。YougohomeandtelltheR。F。C。
whatI\'vetoldyou。\'