At intervals thesilence became so intense that he
almost expected it to crack likeice.
Eventually it wasover, and they went off to their
huts for what little time wasleft to them.
Anothershell hurtled shrieking over them, to
explode behind Dunmow witha roar of triumphant fury. Some buggers ave all the bloody
luck, said the corporalenviously. He had to hurry, or he would be alone in the fog.
Some of the men had forgotten to fill their bottles,and were told what bloody
nuisances they were.
Just before beingrelieved, Corporal Jakes and
Bourne were fired on by a sniper.
No; of course, as you say, there was no time. He
had slept placidly through every interval of duty.
Bourne had a vision of Sergeant-Major Glasspool.
The sergeant went off and spoke to Jakes, and to the corporal ofthe Gordons. As he
turned to Bourne his manner became perceptibly colder.
One could not help admiring the way he declined
toshare his troubles with anyone. Robinsons gone down the line wounded, an Sergeant
Tozerstakin over, he whispered.
Quite suddenly, as it werespontaneously, they
climbed out of the trench and over the wire.
Chapter XVIWe see yonder the beginning of day, but
I think we shall never seethe end of it.
The Hun certainly had become suspicious of that
brooding quiet.
They might have given him a bloody
chance.
No; of course, as you say, there was no
time.
Towardsevening it became quieter, and they were
relieved, marching backto Bus.
Then, to show howlittle he knew about what was
happening, Fritz began to shell hisown front line. They carried him tenderly,
soothing himwith the gentleness of women.
I am afeard there are few die well that die in
abattle.
Yes, answered the other two, as though they engaged
themselvesquietly. They shook hands, the three among themselves and then with
othersnear them. Get into it, Minton cried in his anxiety.
And then, almost surprisedat the lack of effort
which it needed, he moved towards the ladder.
I am afeard there are few die well that die in
abattle.
Then they all slid into the wrecked
trench.
Men carrying or helping the woundedcontinued
steadily enough.
Minton told him Shem had been hit inthe
foot.
His mittens were caked with wet mud, and the stock
ofhis rifle was greasy with moisture. The extremities of pain andpleasure had met
and coincided too. Towardsevening it became quieter, and they were relieved,
marching backto Bus.
Suddenly theHun barrage fell: the air was split and
seared with shells.
Men carrying or helping the woundedcontinued
steadily enough. Mr Finch ordered them to staywith him; and almost immediately they
heard some egg-bombs.