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| -rw-r--r-- | 60875-0.txt | 8 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 60875-h/60875-h.htm | 748 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
4 files changed, 371 insertions, 391 deletions
diff --git a/60875-0.txt b/60875-0.txt index 7a82b80..573ba6e 100644 --- a/60875-0.txt +++ b/60875-0.txt @@ -3685,7 +3685,7 @@ beams came creeping round the corner. They made the bushland warm and cheerful, and the damp fled away from the patches of brown earth which appeared in places on the hills. The insects came out from cracks and crevices, and set briskly on new travels; and the little birds which were -lovemaking in the greener puffed their breasts out, and chirruped with +lovemaking in the greenery puffed their breasts out, and chirruped with morning confidence. It was going to be a tropic day. The cook, however he was, had boiled some tea and fried rashers of bacon. @@ -5812,7 +5812,7 @@ and the anchorage. Incredible bags stood to his account, and my own back was grazed by his pellet on an unlucky afternoon. Would that I could boast as Beachy Bill! -He had a comrade-a warrior after his heart—the Anafarta gun. This comrade +He had a comrade—a warrior after his heart—the Anafarta gun. This comrade fired from Anafarta, the low land beyond our left, and one or other would sweep the beach all hours of the day. Did you leave the shelter of the provision stacks, you took life in your hands. They would snipe at the @@ -6507,7 +6507,7 @@ so that little was to show of the original uniform. Roads worn solid by passage of many feet led to the principal places, and the thick scrub that once had made this valley so difficult and so romantic had long gone as firewood for the cooks. I have seen mining camps with all the same -appearance. But In time the secret was given away. It might be the enemy +appearance. But in time the secret was given away. It might be the enemy sent us half a dozen big shells at tea-time, or on the way up or down you passed a stretcher making the journey to the beach. Once I met a dead man lying on the side of the road. His lower body was naked and mottled, @@ -6656,7 +6656,7 @@ The mail had arrived, and half-way up men sorted a heap of bags, and all with nothing to do loafed round on the chance of spotting something of their own. Letters were the one interest remaining to this drooping army. A good or bad mail made or marred a fellow’s temper for the week. This -collection was for the infantry, and we passed it by Without interest. +collection was for the infantry, and we passed it by without interest. We climbed past the Infantry Headquarters, and up the next pinch to the mouth of the communication trench where Lewis was said to be. The place was quite deserted, except for hosts of flies. The trench was high and diff --git a/60875-h/60875-h.htm b/60875-h/60875-h.htm index bb4d88a..e7037ef 100644 --- a/60875-h/60875-h.htm +++ b/60875-h/60875-h.htm @@ -1,16 +1,10 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Straits Impregnable, by Sydney De Loghe. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - -<style type="text/css"> + <meta charset="utf-8"> + <title>The Straits Impregnable | Project Gutenberg</title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" > +<style> a { text-decoration: none; @@ -129,69 +123,55 @@ td { margin-top: 3em; text-indent: 0em; } - -@media handheld { - -img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.poetry { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; -} -} </style> </head> <body> <div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 60875 ***</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> -<p class="titlepage larger">THE STRAITS<br /> +<p class="titlepage larger">THE STRAITS<br > IMPREGNABLE</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> -<p class="titlepage larger">THE STRAITS<br /> +<p class="titlepage larger">THE STRAITS<br > IMPREGNABLE</p> <p class="titlepage">BY SYDNEY DE LOGHE</p> -<p class="titlepage">LONDON<br /> -JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.<br /> +<p class="titlepage">LONDON<br > +JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.<br > 1917</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p> <p class="titlepage smaller"><span class="smcap">All Rights Reserved</span></p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> -<p class="titlepage larger"><span class="smaller">TO</span><br /> +<p class="titlepage larger"><span class="smaller">TO</span><br > THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN DIVISION</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span></p> -<p class="center"><i>This Book,<br /> -Written in Australia, Egypt and Gallipoli,<br /> +<p class="center"><i>This Book,<br > +Written in Australia, Egypt and Gallipoli,<br > is true.</i></p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> <h2>CONTENTS</h2> -<table summary="Contents"> +<table> <tr> <td></td> <td class="tdpg smaller">PAGE</td> @@ -249,7 +229,7 @@ is true.</i></p> <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VIII</td> </tr> <tr> - <td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span>MUDROS</td> + <td><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span>MUDROS</td> <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">92</a></td> </tr> <tr> @@ -331,14 +311,14 @@ is true.</i></p> </tr> </table> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> -<h1><span class="smaller">THE</span><br /> +<h1><span class="smaller">THE</span><br > STRAITS IMPREGNABLE</h1> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br > <span class="smaller">THE CALL</span></h2> <p>The afternoon was wearing out, and I began to @@ -360,7 +340,7 @@ afternoon away. Now a little breeze—gentle, but rather cold—came out of the west and wandered through the tops of the gum suckers. The scent of eucalyptus came with it; and behind -it followed the voices of countless rustling leaves.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +it followed the voices of countless rustling leaves.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> It moved among the wattle tops where they wound along the river; it moved across the rape crops and over the grassy flats beyond. It bent @@ -396,7 +376,7 @@ the young grass.</p> Mournfully they travelled across the hillside—now the voice of a ewe whose lamb had strayed, now a lamb hungry and alone. Other sights and -sounds began to fill the evening. Small finches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +sounds began to fill the evening. Small finches<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> came hopping into the suckers, dodging and peeping and swinging through the boughs, and preening themselves between the leaves. Gay was the @@ -433,7 +413,7 @@ dived a horny hand, and now it came out filled with letters and papers. “Here you are, Guv’nor,” he shouted again.</p> -<p>I went forward and took the packet, picking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +<p>I went forward and took the packet, picking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> out all that belonged to me. What was left I handed back. “There are one or two for the Piggs,” I said. “You might take them over.”</p> @@ -472,7 +452,7 @@ opened, and again the next. No line of hope!</p> <p>Dusk was deepening, and slow grey fogs wended across the flats. “Watch-and-pray” and “Wait-and-see” sat erect upon their haunches, peering -up to know why I delayed. The evening had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +up to know why I delayed. The evening had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> grown still again, birds and sheep alike were silent; but from the Piggs’ cottage smoke climbed in cheerful wreaths. Pigg and his wife were at @@ -508,7 +488,7 @@ tree rose the voices of amorous frogs.</p> The peaches, pears, and apples were a-flower; and the lemon trees and oranges budded. When we came to the house, I reached down the dogs’ -meat from the shelf beside the window, and led<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +meat from the shelf beside the window, and led<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> the way to the kennels, which were among piles below the flooring. The dogs began to bark again, and ran to their places, sitting down to be @@ -544,7 +524,7 @@ blows sounded sharp and clear. It meant three journeys to the front room with the logs; but those made, I was ready for the night.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> <p>I took off boots and leggings, throwing the spurs into the corner. I went into the bedroom @@ -581,7 +561,7 @@ stood there at this hour, peering down into the reeds below.</p> <p>The hill climbed up behind the house and fell -away before me. All over it tall, barkless trees<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +away before me. All over it tall, barkless trees<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> stood up—grimly some, some wearily—but each one a spectator of the endless procession of day and night. Across the ground other trees were @@ -616,7 +596,7 @@ had watched and watched until the East grew rosy.</p> <p>Two years had I owned and lived upon these -lands. I had challenged the wilderness, driving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +lands. I had challenged the wilderness, driving<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> it ever back. I had known days of hope and days of uncertainty; but victory was within sight. Where scrub had waved, now was open @@ -657,7 +637,7 @@ shovel, and axe were on his back, and laden thus he passed away into the gloom of trees and suckers.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> <p>Through the wet winter we had pulled together fallen logs for burning; and before a @@ -693,7 +673,7 @@ watches his patients.</p> light had gone out; but I did not think of sleep. I realised the cold and, rising, went inside. The fire still burned. The alarm clock on the mantelpiece -said a quarter past ten. I went into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +said a quarter past ten. I went into the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> kitchen in search of cake, and next passed through the back door into the open, and took the track cut in the hillside, the track Scottie had taken. @@ -733,7 +713,7 @@ say so, Guv’nor?”</p> of his pipe. “If it’s a big thing, men wull go frae this country. Don’t you think so?”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> <p>“I expect so,” I said.</p> @@ -742,14 +722,14 @@ or two frae down here wull be going.”</p> <p>“I shall be going,” said I.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br > <span class="smaller">ENLISTED</span></h2> <p>Nearly a month afterwards Ted was driving me @@ -775,7 +755,7 @@ to be seen, ahead and to the left hand. Tents stretched over many acres. Also I caught a glimpse of paddocks filled with manœuvring infantry and occasional artillery teams. Then we -were passing a long row of pines. Opposite them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +were passing a long row of pines. Opposite them<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> were open paddocks, with Melbourne in the distance.</p> <p>“It’ll be somewhere about here,” Ted said, @@ -813,7 +793,7 @@ straight ahead. Inside the lines, much was going on. Men ran, trotted, and walked; joked, argued, and shouted. Tents were going up, horses were being picketed; things were topsy-turvy. And -of uniform, some men possessed military hats<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +of uniform, some men possessed military hats<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> only, others had on military shirts, others military breeches; but the majority wore their civilian clothes. Busy men were to be seen; but just as @@ -849,7 +829,7 @@ came to a full stop.</p> the third—the youngest of them, a lieutenant about twenty—looked up, eyed me, and yawned. When he had finished, he picked up pen again, -and remarked casually: “What do you want?”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +and remarked casually: “What do you want?”<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> When he spoke, the other men stopped writing and lifted their heads.</p> @@ -893,7 +873,7 @@ a moment or two, and all the while looked at me. In the end he spoke gravely.</p> <p>“You know, Lake, a soldier’s life is a hard -life, a very hard life—bad food, the ground for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +life, a very hard life—bad food, the ground for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> a bed, exposure to all weathers, work all hours. The officer is no better off than the man.”</p> @@ -933,7 +913,7 @@ himself outside the tent. He pushed his hat on to the back of his head, stuffed both hands in his pockets and led the way all over the place. The doctor was not in his tent and seemed to have -died or deserted. We wandered about endlessly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +died or deserted. We wandered about endlessly,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> without any obvious plan of campaign. Now and then Sands would stop some one and ask when the doctor had last been seen; and always @@ -968,7 +948,7 @@ in the direction of the doctor’s tent, and departed.</p> <p>I journeyed anew after the doctor, and this time found him in his tent. He was alone, reading -a long letter and smiling over it. He asked what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +a long letter and smiling over it. He asked what<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> I wanted, told me to strip, and went on reading. He read still when I was ready; but presently put the letter away and started to tap me. He @@ -1007,7 +987,7 @@ will give you your pass.” He went off at full speed.</p> <p>I was given the railway pass, and left the tent -with mixed feelings. There was no drawing back;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +with mixed feelings. There was no drawing back;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> but—yes—I was glad. I walked fast, guessing Ted would be bored, and in truth he was at the gate, passing time by cracking his whip.</p> @@ -1043,7 +1023,7 @@ last time set them free. We unharnessed the horses, taking them to the yards behind the buggy shed; and while I stooped to pat the dogs, Ted walked a few paces away, spread apart his -legs, took off his hat, and scratched slowly the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +legs, took off his hat, and scratched slowly the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> centre of his head. I pushed aside the dogs and got up.</p> @@ -1080,7 +1060,7 @@ grown cooler.</p> become very still. A few birds whistled to one another in the trees behind the house; but the sheep were camped out of sight on the flats, and -the bullocks fed in the scrub far away. Across<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +the bullocks fed in the scrub far away. Across<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> the river, small figures moved to and fro. The Browns cut chaff by the willows, the Smithsons mended a fence by their cultivation. Over the @@ -1119,7 +1099,7 @@ dirty hand.</p> <p>“Goodbye, Guv’nor,” he said. “Come back again.”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> <p>“Goodbye, and good luck, Scottie. Look after things,” I answered.</p> @@ -1133,14 +1113,14 @@ bumped over the wooden bridge, where dead wattle blossoms fell upon us. Then I looked back for the last time—and next the trees came between.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br > <span class="smaller">TRAINING</span></h2> <p>At the camp gate I said goodbye to Ted, and he @@ -1168,7 +1148,7 @@ passed to and fro; the same loafers chatted amiably in restful corners; the same guards kept weary watch upon their guns.</p> -<p>There was no hurry as far as I was concerned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +<p>There was no hurry as far as I was concerned.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> From an island in the mud I looked round; and when it was time to move forward, I went no farther than the quartermaster’s tent, where the @@ -1202,7 +1182,7 @@ a jersey and dungaree trousers peeled potatoes, and a second big fat man chopped up vegetables. That was all there was to see.</p> -<p>The sergeant-major sat in the office, and took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +<p>The sergeant-major sat in the office, and took<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> charge of me. I waited a long time while he went through business with a clerk; in truth I was bored to death before he pushed the writing @@ -1240,7 +1220,7 @@ and made me drop my kit there. There were bundles of blankets placed tidily before the tent, and several articles of clothing and equipment hanging from the pole in the centre; but none -of the owners were present. The corporal sat on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +of the owners were present. The corporal sat on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> a packing case and I sat down opposite. He looked me all over, twitched his eyelids and began a talk of the camp in general, describing everything @@ -1276,7 +1256,7 @@ of harness. Sitting there I saw a sight surely not equalled since Noah organised the march into the ark.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> <p>Along the road from the station came men and women and children; not in tens, not in hundreds, @@ -1312,7 +1292,7 @@ short-handed. I have said the water troughs were at the other end of the compound, and in that direction we went. The rule was a man to two horses; and from our column and each of the -batteries issued an endless line of horses. At<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +batteries issued an endless line of horses. At<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> the troughs was a long wait, and then one stood in a couple of inches of water while the horses drank. Back to the lines, we tied up, heel-roped, @@ -1349,7 +1329,7 @@ had been sundry conferences of officers and a running about of N.C.O.’s, we marched out of the gates at a smart pace. The crowd still arrived from the station, though not in great numbers; -and the road was absolutely blocked with waiting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +and the road was absolutely blocked with waiting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> vehicles. It was impossible to keep rank, and the order was given to fall out. The horses were in a yard by the road, drafted into pairs by remount @@ -1387,7 +1367,7 @@ Post,” and “Lights Out.”</p> winds and uncharitable showers. Not one sunny smile had it for the recruit.</p> -<p>At break of day “Réveillé” sounded through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +<p>At break of day “Réveillé” sounded through<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> the camp. With the last notes, I threw the blankets off, rubbed my eyes and with an effort got up. The tent was open, showing a leaden sky where @@ -1423,7 +1403,7 @@ up, the roll was called. In five minutes the brigade marched into stables.</p> <p>The routine was yesterday’s—watering, grooming, -and feeding. When we turned out, breakfast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +and feeding. When we turned out, breakfast<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> was ready. Breakfast meant a small chop, bread and jam. After breakfast we paraded again for stables and exercising. Exercising over, there @@ -1462,7 +1442,7 @@ stares; but the corporal said nothing. He led the way into the second tent, which was empty except for blankets in their waterproof covers. “Take the empty place over there,” he said, -pointing with his hand. I dropped my blankets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +pointing with his hand. I dropped my blankets<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> and other gear where he suggested, and while I did this he pulled a lot of chocolate from his pocket, handing me a large piece and filling his own mouth. @@ -1499,7 +1479,7 @@ the Staff to the back of the Brigade Office tent, and formed us up in two rows. Then he disappeared inside. He had been gone a very little time before the bitter winds tested and found -wanting our slender discipline. The men began<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +wanting our slender discipline. The men began<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> to shuffle their feet, to twist about, and next to break rank. A pair started a boxing match, others played leap-frog. What remained turned @@ -1536,7 +1516,7 @@ He beat the air. “What do you mean by coming out like this? You are worse than babies! Go and get them. The next man that comes out without a pencil can consider himself under -arrest!” From the abashed ranks an individual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +arrest!” From the abashed ranks an individual<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> wandered forth in search of pencils. Sands watched with darkening brow. “Double, man, double!” he screamed at last. The figure broke @@ -1572,7 +1552,7 @@ up. In short jerky sentences he explained the principles of signalling, illustrating the position of “Prepare to signal,” and other matters. Presently we stood at “Prepare.” “Now we’ll try -the first circle—Ak to G. To prevent mistakes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +the first circle—Ak to G. To prevent mistakes,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> A is pronounced Ak, B is Beer, D is Don. Now commence. Ak, Beer, C, Don; E, F, G.”</p> @@ -1608,7 +1588,7 @@ spell. The fellows wandered off in different directions, while Tank came over to me and attempted a conversation. He struck me as a curious chap, dissatisfied with things, yet unready -to make efforts to right them. I began to suspect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +to make efforts to right them. I began to suspect<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> him as a poor disciplinarian; he on the contrary blamed the muddled condition of affairs to Sands, who, he said, was no good and heart-breaking to @@ -1644,7 +1624,7 @@ with the infantry.</p> that time the weather did not change. Very soon every man was sick to death of the whole affair. It was belief in our quick departure that -alone sustained us. For constantly it was rumoured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +alone sustained us. For constantly it was rumoured<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> we were about to start on our great adventure, and once or twice we went as far as to make preparation. Disappointment was not @@ -1653,14 +1633,14 @@ One dark and chilly morning found us clattering through Melbourne streets on the road to the wharf.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br > <span class="smaller">THE VOYAGE</span></h2> <p>Our boat, the <i>Blankshire</i>, put out of Albany @@ -1686,7 +1666,7 @@ moved into the swelter of the tropics, and routine gripped us. It was stables, stables, stables! It was stables before breakfast, and stables after breakfast; stables in the afternoon, and stable -picket at night. Across the jumble of trampled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +picket at night. Across the jumble of trampled<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> men and nervous horses came for ever Sands’s voice.</p> @@ -1723,7 +1703,7 @@ fleet moved forward in gloom. And one fine day the <i>Sydney</i> steamed into the horizon, and at morning stables arrived the news she had met and sunk the <i>Emden</i>. A great cheer went up, -one of the few cheers passing our lips for many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +one of the few cheers passing our lips for many<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> a day. But we saw nothing of the fight ourselves, and the weeks went by full of a long monotony. But it was ordained we should have @@ -1761,7 +1741,7 @@ on towards morning, and the fever began to wear out of me. It seemed at last I was wooing sleep.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> <p>With a great roar of waters, an unbelievable shock, and a grinding of timbers, the <i>Uranus</i> @@ -1798,7 +1778,7 @@ men streamed up the companion, fastening lifebelts as they went or carrying them under their arms.</p> -<p>I had wasted no time in jumping on to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +<p>I had wasted no time in jumping on to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> ground; but I paused a minute to pull on my boots and get an overcoat, for I liked little the idea of a voyage in an open boat in pyjamas. I @@ -1833,7 +1813,7 @@ in all directions; but I turned sharp to the right and got a footing on the second companion, leading to the upper deck. The same crowd pushed up and down here; but I was caught -again and emptied out on top as had happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +again and emptied out on top as had happened<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> before. I had been behindhand down below, and up here I found many of the men formed up before their boat stations, lifebelts on, and @@ -1869,7 +1849,7 @@ the strangeness of the calm after all the hubbub, when from near the funnel a rocket went up into the air with a great rush. It hung a long moment high up in the sky, while the lot of us -craned necks after it. The calm night, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +craned necks after it. The calm night, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> the quiet which had fallen over the ship, had loosened the grip of fear on most of us, until this sudden signal rushed into the heavens. Now @@ -1907,7 +1887,7 @@ appearance.</p> <p>For an hour and more we stood there.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> <p>After what seemed a night of waiting, two men went round the lower deck with a lantern, @@ -1943,7 +1923,7 @@ her own way it seemed, the glare of her lights falling over her guns and her armoured sides. Her decks were cleared for action. Aft of her were paraded her crew; an officer, megaphone -in hand, in command. She moved within hailing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +in hand, in command. She moved within hailing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> distance of us, a creature of brilliant lights and gloomy shadows; a creature at once so beautiful and so forbidding that I forgot my last fears @@ -1979,21 +1959,21 @@ shining above us, and the blue phosphorus-filled water swirling below. To wind up, Colonel Irons told us he had news to give. Egypt, not England, was our destination. There was work to -be done, and we might be fighting in a few days.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +be done, and we might be fighting in a few days.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> The jaded company took heart again. Soon we lay off Port Said among a fleet of warboats and other craft; and later we lay against a wharf at Alexandria, and the long voyage was at an end.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br > <span class="smaller">IN EGYPT</span></h2> <p>Eaves put his hairy hands upon my shoulder, @@ -2018,7 +1998,7 @@ got up fully dressed. The sand had grown cold and had gathered much dew, and I was rheumy and knew a hundred little pains. I threw one arm above my head, and after it the other. I -tossed back my head and opened my mouth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +tossed back my head and opened my mouth,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> letting go something between a yawn and an oath.</p> @@ -2054,7 +2034,7 @@ down, grumbling to himself and shouting at the horses. Quickly it was seen the absent heelropes caused work in plenty. We dived together for a brute on his knees, half choked with a tangled -headline; and we dived again for another in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +headline; and we dived again for another in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> worse case. Hardly was there time to swear at each other: there was no time for yawning. Of course there were lulls in the fury when we stood @@ -2088,7 +2068,7 @@ up in coat or blanket. Even now it wanted most of an hour to réveillé, and I thought of bed again. Tank had seized the blanket for himself; but I knelt down and firmly took most -of it away. He groaned, but he did not wake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +of it away. He groaned, but he did not wake<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> up. I lay down beside him and pushed my back against his, which was warm and comforting after the sharp air. I wrapped the @@ -2123,7 +2103,7 @@ stretch of country, hill land and flat land covered deeply with fine sand. Where I stood the floor was printed over with marks of men and beasts; but farther away the sand sparkled virgin and -unsoiled, as though for ages no life had passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +unsoiled, as though for ages no life had passed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> by. It was a sombre and forbidding land, and yet it attracted me strangely. In front, a mile or so away, the country was relieved by an oasis @@ -2157,7 +2137,7 @@ first tents of the camp. There seemed, also, stacks of stores in building. Troops moved about in the neighbourhood, like ourselves the vanguard of the great camp. Behind me the desert stretched -bare of everything to the horizon. So much for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +bare of everything to the horizon. So much for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> the present, thought I, and I went back to the others.</p> @@ -2198,7 +2178,7 @@ Get up at once! Fall in! D’you want to be told a hundred times! Oxbridge, what are you doing there! D’you hear me, Oxbridge!”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> <p>“I damned well hear you,” said Oxbridge, rising leisurely to his feet.</p> @@ -2234,7 +2214,7 @@ wild shouts. Outside this gathering were a score of resting camels, thrusting this way and that snaky heads, or rolling jaws from side to side on the cud. A group of drivers squatted on their -hams, pulling to pieces in their fingers round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +hams, pulling to pieces in their fingers round<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> flat cakes, and pushing the fragments into their mouths. Like the horses, the camels were stale and unkempt; and the gorgeously @@ -2269,7 +2249,7 @@ listening, but a current of good nature ran under all. It did not take us long to learn our part. We secured our lorries, heedless of groans and protests from the drivers that they had worked -all night and could do no more. We crowded on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +all night and could do no more. We crowded on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> to them, dangling our legs over the back, and turned towards last night’s camping ground. The sand made the going very heavy, and the @@ -2304,7 +2284,7 @@ us. With quite a moderate load aboard, the wheels sank into the sand; and pull the weedy beast as he might, and scream the driver as he could, the load waited where it was. So it happened -we must push and haul at the wheel-spokes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +we must push and haul at the wheel-spokes,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> or put a shoulder behind the waggon; and in this way, with imprecations and many rests, the baggage shifted ground. We wore out @@ -2339,21 +2319,21 @@ vendors of silks, chocolates, picture postcards with whom to argue. All this took time. There had been no space to rig tents, and we lay down again at night on the open sands. The -desert was not a bad bedroom, the sky being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +desert was not a bad bedroom, the sky being<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> cloudless and full of bright stars. But the sun had not long gone down before the night grew very cold and made a mock of blankets and overcoats. I turned once or twice before morning.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br > <span class="smaller">THE SOLDIER’S LIFE</span></h2> <p>The camp grew apace. A great area, reaching @@ -2380,7 +2360,7 @@ to wondering hard whether a soldier’s life would suit us. But the start was the worst: there followed a change for the better.</p> -<p>Réveillé tumbled us out of bed on many a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +<p>Réveillé tumbled us out of bed on many a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> frosty morning. I say “tumbled us out of bed,” but I mean turned us on our pillows, for it was Tank’s jerky voice which would not be denied. @@ -2414,7 +2394,7 @@ all the fellows waited for the last few minutes and dressed together, there was great scramble and confusion. When the “Fall in” went, men still were running about, dumping down their -kits, putting on leggings, and pulling on coats.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +kits, putting on leggings, and pulling on coats.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> We fell in in two rows at the end of our lines, and Tank called the roll.</p> @@ -2449,7 +2429,7 @@ other fellows, begging cigarettes, or watching the happenings at the village not far away. The place was for ever full of peasants moving about their work. Women went down to the waterhole, -bearing on their heads large earthenware pots;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +bearing on their heads large earthenware pots;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> children tended the flocks and herds; and the men worked at their cultivation and led away into the palms camels and bullocks. There was @@ -2484,7 +2464,7 @@ Often he suspected me. Frequently he came up and rubbed his hand through “The Director’s” coat. On unlucky days a shower of sand flew out. “Lake,” he screamed once, “the -condition of this horse is worthy of a court-martial.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +condition of this horse is worthy of a court-martial.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> I thought you knew something about horses! I see you never saw a horse before you came here! That’s not the way to use a brush, man! Give @@ -2519,7 +2499,7 @@ was none better than the trumpeter. He could tell a wittier story than anyone else; he could tell a story more wittily than anyone else; he could act better, mimic better, dance better, lie better, -laugh better than anyone in the tent; he could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +laugh better than anyone in the tent; he could<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> do anything that helped to hurry time. Night after night he was the centre of a shaking circle. If half his tales were true he had lived a strange @@ -2556,7 +2536,7 @@ times saw us emptying sardines and salmon on to our plates. And it was “Pass the blasted bread there!” and, “Fer Gawd’s sike, pass the jam!”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> <p>The first weeks of our arrival brigade orders forbade the riding of a single horse, and we exercised @@ -2590,7 +2570,7 @@ Cairo, you passed in a moment from sandy ways into the arms of a passionate throng gathered outside the gates. It needed a man of purpose to reach his goal undeterred. Brown, frantic faces -closed in; gorgeous robes flowed before your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +closed in; gorgeous robes flowed before your<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> eyes. Guides, donkeymen, camel drivers, money changers, fruit sellers, sweet sellers, motor drivers, beggars, fortune tellers, stamp dealers, postcard @@ -2625,7 +2605,7 @@ died, and the gathering swooped upon new victims. Then you were leaving the waiting camels, and eating up the miles to the town.</p> -<p>All the way the road was filled with hurrying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +<p>All the way the road was filled with hurrying<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> soldiers—tramsful, gharrisful, carsful of them. They forked their legs over tiny donkeys, they rolled to and fro on camels. There were those @@ -2660,7 +2640,7 @@ here the journey ended.</p> <p>The town was full of soldiers—Australians, New Zealanders, and English Territorials. They owned the place. They swaggered, hurried, or -mooched down every street, stared into every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +mooched down every street, stared into every<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> shop, and commonly explored the inside. At all corners they were meeting and calling out; every dozen paces they pulled up to examine the @@ -2696,7 +2676,7 @@ smells, strange cries, and vague flitting forms. The tall, dirty houses leaned over you, leaving no more than a strip of sky filled with stars, and that very far away. When you passed the flaring -lights flickering in the windows, painted faces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +lights flickering in the windows, painted faces<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> smiled at you and eager hands beckoned. Out of wineshops sounded the notes of cheap pianos, and you heard the noise of dancers’ feet, and it @@ -2731,21 +2711,21 @@ cool of night found no way down there.</p> happenings took place, nor was it during the first hours of dark. There were many lanes to be followed, there was much wine to be spilled -ere you had learned all. First you drifted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +ere you had learned all. First you drifted to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> the Bullring, where much was to be seen and done; then you passed to the Wazir, where fresh secrets might be discovered. And then you——. Dear sir, over the nuts and wine, come, listen to me.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br > <span class="smaller">THE PASSING OF WINTER</span></h2> <p>Winter passed and spring followed, bearing in @@ -2771,7 +2751,7 @@ to say. On horseback he, too, moved swiftly about his business, covering many miles in a morning’s journeying.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> <p>Sands—Sands the marvellous—became a telephone expert, and was to be found anywhere @@ -2812,7 +2792,7 @@ eating?”</p> <p>“I was waiting for the order, ‘Feed,’ sir.”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> <p>“Oh, man, you’re a fool. I told you to feed that horse all day long. Feed it at once!”</p> @@ -2853,7 +2833,7 @@ grew hotter, the winds fell on us more fiercely, the flies multiplied. Men went about their work with bitter hearts.</p> -<p class="tb">Between “Turn out” and “Cookhouse” Sands<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +<p class="tb">Between “Turn out” and “Cookhouse” Sands<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> bore down on me as I loitered in the lines. Unsuspicious of his intention, I let him approach.</p> @@ -2890,7 +2870,7 @@ sounds fainting. Now the palm grove was near at hand.</p> <p>The sun fell over the forest of treetops, polishing -them as a jeweller polishes emeralds; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +them as a jeweller polishes emeralds; but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> there was not a breath of wind to move a leaf. I passed into the trees near the smaller village. The peasants had left their work, and the herds @@ -2925,7 +2905,7 @@ a couple of miles through the trees, when I caught sight of them all of a sudden. They crossed the border of the desert land, moving towards home. They rode side by side, and distance changed -them to pigmies. I could only guess at them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +them to pigmies. I could only guess at them.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> I turned at a right angle to cut them off. No path led that way; but I made one of my own; and now and then the vegetable patches suffered. @@ -2968,7 +2948,7 @@ willingness.”</p> <p>And we spurred over the last stretch of sand.</p> -<p class="tb">The afternoon had grown old when we formed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +<p class="tb">The afternoon had grown old when we formed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> up in the desert for the last time—when we mounted and passed in column of route through the camp towards the Pyramids Road. News of @@ -3004,7 +2984,7 @@ before one could count ten, we were turning to the left hand, and streaming on to the road to Cairo. The desert was left behind.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> <p>At the corner was the usual ravening throng of guides, camels, donkeys, money changers, @@ -3040,7 +3020,7 @@ some of the horses across the way. Once a dozen Army Service waggons rattled by with forage aboard; and sometimes there were evil-eyed camels to pass, and strings of native cattle and -flocks of shorn sheep, herded by glad-faced children.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +flocks of shorn sheep, herded by glad-faced children.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> Sometimes a motor car tore out of the distance. But these meetings were far between on the long road.</p> @@ -3077,7 +3057,7 @@ yer think you’re going with that ’orse? Let ’is mouth go! Of course, ’e won’t stand with you jerking ’is teeth out!”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> <p>The clatter of thousands of hoofs and the murmur of many hundred tongues set me pondering @@ -3114,7 +3094,7 @@ to have no end; and it grew darker and darker, until there were only seen dim forms on either hand and lights through countless windows.</p> -<p>An order came down from the head of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +<p>An order came down from the head of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> column. “Halt!” At once there was tightening of reins, and the drivers lifted their short whips in the air. You could see the signal passing @@ -3150,7 +3130,7 @@ again, and the shopkeepers to their doors. The better quarters we did not see; for we followed back streets haunted by strange cries and stranger smells. Half the shops were eating-houses, where -natives smoked together, drinking coffee, playing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +natives smoked together, drinking coffee, playing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> dominoes and backgammon. They would look from their square of light, and peer at us threading the outside dark. I do not think the blessings @@ -3186,7 +3166,7 @@ the whirlpool caught me.</p> <p>Men hurried this way and that; men shouted to one another, and cried out orders and swore; horses stamped and bumped and sidestepped. -In truth it was no spot for a dreamer. Now,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +In truth it was no spot for a dreamer. Now,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> and again now, went up the cries, “Gangway there, gangway!” or “Clear the way!” and rattling and jangling a fearful warning to careless @@ -3223,7 +3203,7 @@ damnable!” And then he would disappear in a riot of horses, and someone would mutter, “I hope he’s done in this time!”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> <p>The slender patience of the Staff failed under trial. Out of the darkness rose a voice.</p> @@ -3263,7 +3243,7 @@ aboard.</p> <p>The place was as busy as an anthill on a sunny morning and as noisy as a rookery at even. Gangs -of men swept to and fro, bearing baggage on their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +of men swept to and fro, bearing baggage on their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> shoulders. Gangs of men hauled vehicles aboard the trucks, with cheery and weary cries and yo-hos. Still other gangs, roaring warning, pulled @@ -3299,7 +3279,7 @@ nor did the stream show sign of running shallow.</p> a thousand errands given me. Once I passed outside again, and found the courtyard blocked yet with traffic of waiting men and horses. I -came back by the station buffet, where knowing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +came back by the station buffet, where knowing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> ones drank coffee and ate such stale pastry as soldiers only buy. On the platform I ran into the Staff trucking the last horses, and must help @@ -3335,7 +3315,7 @@ a window looking out on things. The men began to rid themselves of the marching gear which weighed as the nether millstone. There were seats for all, and there was little room for any. -Thus started anew perennial argument. By the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +Thus started anew perennial argument. By the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> time gear was stacked we were no better than sardines.</p> @@ -3371,7 +3351,7 @@ out. At the end of five minutes a noisy order reigned. We were bumping through the town, and I looked from the window to see lights come and go; and to catch odd scenes, such as a house -set in a garden of palms, a level crossing where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +set in a garden of palms, a level crossing where<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> waited a native and his camel in lazy patience; a glimpse of water flecked with the images of stars.</p> @@ -3409,7 +3389,7 @@ circulation and spirit were at lowest ebb, the train drew up and emptied us on to the platform of Alexandria. Such is a soldier’s fortune.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> <p>There were last night’s doings to repeat. We stumbled on to the platform, bag and baggage, to @@ -3446,7 +3426,7 @@ had collected; and past it was a French airship transport corps.</p> <p>But why recall that day? We were loaded by -evening, and about our ears fell the rattling of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +evening, and about our ears fell the rattling of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> the dripping anchors. I stood on deck above the emptying wharf. And the Colonel passing by said, “We are off, Lake.” Foot by foot we drew @@ -3457,14 +3437,14 @@ of land went out: Africa was no more. The screw thumped and churned, and we moved into the ocean towards an unknown anchorage.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br > <span class="smaller">MUDROS</span></h2> <p>It seemed at last we were drawing into port. The @@ -3489,7 +3469,7 @@ wait. Finally we were moving parallel with the shore, towards a cape directly ahead—everywhere the gentle slopes climbed up towards the hills, carrying vegetation all the way. Sunbeams flecked -the pasture land, and swept across the squares<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +the pasture land, and swept across the squares<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> of cultivation. Balmy breezes floated to us anew.</p> @@ -3526,7 +3506,7 @@ crammed with uniformed men.</p> <p>Noble was that company, and one there was nobler than all. Long and low and plain of detail, -the <i>Queen Elizabeth</i> nursed jealously her fifteen-inch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +the <i>Queen Elizabeth</i> nursed jealously her fifteen-inch<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> guns. Through the lines she moved now: she passed the open net into the outer bay: she gathered speed and churned towards the Dardanelles. @@ -3562,7 +3542,7 @@ same brisk scene, when gigs, cutters, and small boats of a hundred designs plied between the giant ships. Against our sides bumboats would presently collect, handled by wily Greeks with -offerings of tobacco, dried fruits and nuts, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +offerings of tobacco, dried fruits and nuts, or<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> Turkish delight and chocolate. Business was always brisk until whisky arrived abroad, and afterwards the bumboats came no more. @@ -3599,7 +3579,7 @@ through it, I vouch—winked the Morse lights. <p>When evening aged, and man’s energy had revived, we held sing-songs on the deck below -the bridge. No bright peculiar star illumined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +the bridge. No bright peculiar star illumined<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> the meetings; but Time passed by on lighter foot. B Battery had a song by a poet of theirs, which always scored encores. It ran like @@ -3641,7 +3621,7 @@ that moment.</p> Frenchmen were to land at Kum Kale on the Asiatic side; the British at Sed-el-Bahr opposite. The New Zealanders and ourselves would pass -beyond the British, and attempt a point somewhere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +beyond the British, and attempt a point somewhere<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> near Gaba Tepeh. A fleet of mine-sweepers was the van of the expedition, with cruisers to follow and cover the destroyers bearing the infantry. @@ -3676,7 +3656,7 @@ moved along. Many a noble craft of war we passed, with cold grey sides and polished guns; many a splendid liner bearing a townshipful of men. Past all we went—past all—and through -the open net into the outer bay. Our engines<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +the open net into the outer bay. Our engines<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> slowed again, cables roared and rattled anew, and the anchors plunged into the sea. Here we must wait until the final hour.</p> @@ -3713,7 +3693,7 @@ morrow.</p> <p>Down went the sun: upon the ocean lamps came out, and lamps came out in the sky. The -green and red lights of the hospital ships glittered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +green and red lights of the hospital ships glittered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> like fairy palaces. All evening, and into the night, boats threaded the way out of harbour. The hours went by. “Lights out” was blown. @@ -3749,7 +3729,7 @@ away from it all I travelled at last.</p> <p>The horse deck was practically dark in places, for there was a single electric lamp hanging low -over the hatchway for every man to knock himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +over the hatchway for every man to knock himself<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> against, or stumble over with an oath. It would be better later on. The stars shone lustily through the open, and soon there would be part of a moon. @@ -3789,7 +3769,7 @@ to find how fast the time had gone, for my relief arrived a few minutes later. We talked for more than half an hour, and then I turned into bed. I rolled up in the blankets and started to read. I -was directly under the light, and I had a magazine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +was directly under the light, and I had a magazine<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> to finish. I read and read, feeling utterly unlike sleep. I read until I yawned my head off. The heavy air and monotonous noises made me drowsy, @@ -3824,21 +3804,21 @@ even with much booty. The merry of to-day will be with him, and the downhearted; the blasphemous and the pure will be there: here and there he will have flown, picking up without -choice and design. Aye, Gunner Lake, even you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +choice and design. Aye, Gunner Lake, even you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> may be of that silent company. Is that why you toss here to-night, and woo sleep so vainly? Go, rest—what matters it? Let the Book of Death be opened wide; and be your name writ there, add to it a bold AMEN.”</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br > <span class="smaller">THE LANDING IN GALLIPOLI</span></h2> <p>I ended by waking up quite late in the morning—not @@ -3863,7 +3843,7 @@ course.</p> <p>Up went my head, and I listened hard for the guns, but not a sound I caught. I did not wait long after that. In three minutes my toilet was -finished, and up the ladder two rungs at a time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +finished, and up the ladder two rungs at a time<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> I went, to find myself on the hatch top and a big crowd of fellows all round me.</p> @@ -3902,7 +3882,7 @@ the parade deck, and stayed leaning over the rails listening for the guns until the trumpeter blew “Stables.”</p> -<p>For an hour we were in stables doing the usual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +<p>For an hour we were in stables doing the usual<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> things; and I think affairs went less wearily. On the way to breakfast not a man did not linger to discover what might be seen or heard; but @@ -3939,7 +3919,7 @@ so far away, an endless, tireless grumbling or murmuring. I drank the sound rather than heard it. It was like a draught of thunder and champagne.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> <p>Fresh fellows came up from breakfast, and pressed behind us. Some would cry out and @@ -3978,7 +3958,7 @@ number of boats lay out at sea. They were no more than dots upon the water. It was the fleet.</p> -<p>Now the gunfire was distinct and threatening,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +<p>Now the gunfire was distinct and threatening,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> like—I don’t know what it was like, I can’t find words—but a grander and more awful sound I had not heard.</p> @@ -4014,7 +3994,7 @@ The land did not seem far off, and yet it must have been miles away, for one could make out nothing beyond the outline of the battleships, and the great shell-bursts on the ridges: no sign -of men or targets, nothing of that sort. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +of men or targets, nothing of that sort. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> gunflashes, the smoke clouds, and the voices of the explosions were endless and very distinct, for now we were level with the point, and about @@ -4050,7 +4030,7 @@ a risk into the bargain.</p> came down to us once more, and started us listening anew. Every minute brought the sounds with greater distinctness, until the even roll a -second time broke into many separate explosions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +second time broke into many separate explosions.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> I should have liked to run up the ladder and find out what was going forward, but Mr. Gardiner stood at the bottom, and I resigned myself to @@ -4085,7 +4065,7 @@ over the side, one seemed almost at a standstill. I could not stay long, as Mr. Gardiner might reappear at any moment, so I dodged back again, and took out the next horse. But I need not -have hurried. Gardiner had not returned, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +have hurried. Gardiner had not returned, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> most of the other fellows were gone. They straggled back one by one, talking with animation, and even laughing and calling out. We passed @@ -4120,7 +4100,7 @@ enamoured of it. No! an uncharitable land, said I.</p> <p>As a matter of fact I had no time for the land -at first; I could not leave the sea. The water<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +at first; I could not leave the sea. The water<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> teemed with boats, it floated a Noah’s Ark of boats—two of every build. There were Dreadnoughts and there were rowing boats, and there @@ -4155,7 +4135,7 @@ if the crisis of affairs were passed.</p> <p>At first it seemed we were having all our own way; but in time I discovered the enemy answered back from somewhere right over the hills. -While I watched, the sea received their efforts;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +While I watched, the sea received their efforts;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> but in spite of this a feeling of uncertainty fluttered the spectator’s heart, for the shells I saw plunging into the sea were of the kind one would not stroll @@ -4190,7 +4170,7 @@ of puny figures, and ahead of them plumped our shells with gay precision. They crowded the open space in quick time, and next the scrub engulfed them. There was no sign of the enemy, -who must have been retreating. The rest of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +who must have been retreating. The rest of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> our watching showed us nothing, the scrub telling no tales.</p> @@ -4230,7 +4210,7 @@ he made me grin.</p> I said. “You didn’t see me there by any chance?”</p> -<p>He looked at me in his sad way, and I could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +<p>He looked at me in his sad way, and I could<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> not help feeling sorry for him. There was no reason for it. Tank always over-ate and so had liver, and consequently got the blues. Yet I @@ -4267,7 +4247,7 @@ to get into marching order. I girt myself with waterbottle and haversack, and hung the iron rations at my belt. There were a dozen other things about me too, and when I had pulled an -overcoat over my shoulder and had taken hold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +overcoat over my shoulder and had taken hold<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> of a rifle, I felt more ready for an armchair than an enemy to engage.</p> @@ -4304,7 +4284,7 @@ for the listening.</p> <p>It was a good drop down to the barge—thirty foot, maybe—nor was the rope-ladder the easiest -of stairways. With a prayer that Norris would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +of stairways. With a prayer that Norris would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> not fall on my head, I pushed up to the side, climbed over the rails, and got hold of the ladder. I felt as nimble as a steamroller, and glanced @@ -4342,7 +4322,7 @@ with as slender warning. I hoped hard the evening would prove charitable. I had small fancy for a wet skin.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> <p>We waited only for the doctor, and just now a naval launch steamed out of nowhere towards @@ -4380,7 +4360,7 @@ officer called out again, “If you’re ready, sir, cast off from the ship, please!” We threw overboard our ropes; and the launch, which had chug-chugged fussily alongside, moved up ahead of us, -strained on our hawser, and took us in tow. Now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +strained on our hawser, and took us in tow. Now<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> we were moving gently through the waters, and the great hull of the ship towered above, and the fellows in hundreds hung over the side and @@ -4415,7 +4395,7 @@ thankful the hour had struck. In the launch a cable’s length away every man was behind armour. The officer looked through a hole before him, and turned from time to time to the man at the -spitting engine, or in spare moments examined the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +spitting engine, or in spare moments examined the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> shape of his boots. The man at the engine was frowning and looking at the land.</p> @@ -4451,7 +4431,7 @@ And—Jove, yes!—there were sappers driving roads; and—Jove!—there was a mule battery passing from view.</p> -<p>As we bumped along, the one or two bullets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +<p>As we bumped along, the one or two bullets<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> that passed our way, and an odd dose of shrapnel falling generally afar off, were all the attention the enemy gave us; but nearing the land, matters @@ -4486,7 +4466,7 @@ our ropes and threw themselves with a will to hauling us ashore. The beach shelved slowly into the water, so that we scraped on the pebbles some way out. There was overmuch shrapnel -for happiness, and though we had passed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +for happiness, and though we had passed the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> warmest zone, it looked yet more restful across the beach. “That’s as far as she’ll come!” someone on the rope was calling out. “Lower @@ -4522,7 +4502,7 @@ and the loudest noise was the buzzing of the wireless plant, which spelt its messages at racing speed, nor stopped a moment.</p> -<p>Then my eye fell on the first dead man. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +<p>Then my eye fell on the first dead man. He<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> lay on his back where the waves moved up and down across the sand, so that part of him was soaking wet and part quite dry. His fingers were @@ -4558,7 +4538,7 @@ and rowing boats dodged round and round one another. I had forgotten to tell of something else—about a Red Cross flag, opening and closing in the busy breezes, lay many a line of -stretchers with their mangled loads; and, while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +stretchers with their mangled loads; and, while<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> the orderlies were yet busy at the bandages, fresh cases arrived.</p> @@ -4594,7 +4574,7 @@ midshipmen or naval cadets, two bantam cocks, guarding it, no doubt. They were no age at all, so that they must have been at trouble to get there, but either was protected by a weighty -revolver at belt. This way and that way they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +revolver at belt. This way and that way they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> bobbed like sparrows on a twig, and every time a shell clapped overhead they eyed each other and giggled and dived for shelter. And next @@ -4631,7 +4611,7 @@ course and mounted all the way. We went by several natural dug-outs all occupied, and presently came on Divisional Artillery. All the fellows were there, crowding as close to the right bank -as possible. Constantly the shrapnel clapped over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +as possible. Constantly the shrapnel clapped over<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> our heads and swept into the bushes near by; but we were fairly secure, especially when sitting down. I don’t know where the shells came from, @@ -4666,7 +4646,7 @@ along. The leaves grew heavy with moisture and started to drip on to the ground, and the dusty watercourse looked like turning to a treacherous camping-ground. For safety’s sake we sat -close against the bank, and the drip of the leaves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +close against the bank, and the drip of the leaves<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> had a tricky way of creeping under the collar of a coat.</p> @@ -4703,7 +4683,7 @@ of uneasiness.</p> <p>The Indian colonel sat down on a rock, and a native orderly took off his boots, and gently and at much length massaged his feet. He appeared -to have had a hard day of it, and his face was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +to have had a hard day of it, and his face was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> yellow and seamed, while he sipped a pot of tea. And then our colonel turned up and drank himself, and fell to talking earnestly with Irons. I @@ -4739,7 +4719,7 @@ an evening haze. And the beach was full of men.</p> <p>We were on solid ground, as the pebbles scarcely reached to here: we passed our original landing-place, and went on until another ravine in the -hills opened before us. Where now we stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +hills opened before us. Where now we stood<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> the sappers had driven the beginnings of a road, and farther on they cut steps up another steep pinch. It happened the enemy shrapnel was @@ -4773,7 +4753,7 @@ pick out the faces of the gunners and mark all they did.</p> <p>Either we had made ourselves unpopular and -the enemy searched for us, or else the spot was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +the enemy searched for us, or else the spot was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> naturally unhealthy, for the Turkish shrapnel came tearing over this way in the most unpleasant manner, and often three or four puffs of smoke @@ -4808,7 +4788,7 @@ came. Our camp was cramped and rough and damp; but there was no doubt it was the safest spot anywhere about. The adjutant went on to the higher place, and sat down with the officers. -Several men were turning in for the night, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +Several men were turning in for the night, that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> is, lying down as they were with boots off, on a bed of a blanket and an overcoat. This left us more pressed for room than ever, as nobody was @@ -4842,7 +4822,7 @@ the bank frequently, though none of them very low; but the bushes moved at intervals, whether from the wind or from gathering raindrops I do not know; but often I could have vowed to -moving bodies there—be it sniper or imagination,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +moving bodies there—be it sniper or imagination,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> it made one wake up and listen. Truly I have slept in more secure bedrooms than that one.</p> @@ -4850,14 +4830,14 @@ slept in more secure bedrooms than that one.</p> stayed out longer, and larger patches of sky uncovered. Those were the last things I remembered.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br > <span class="smaller">IN THE FIRING LINE</span></h2> <p>That first night on land was a restless night and @@ -4885,7 +4865,7 @@ grunted again. Something more was said, and one got up, went a little way into the bushes and poked about a bit with stick or bayonet, I could not see which. The search was without result, -and he came back and lay down, and the conversation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +and he came back and lay down, and the conversation<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> went on a while in whispers. I was dozing again when a couple of bullets plumped into the bank three or four foot overhead, and @@ -4920,7 +4900,7 @@ and a higher stack of provisions. Our battleships were moving, for action later on it might be, and Turkish shrapnel came over in merry morning bursts. We spent much time on the beach, and -the sun rose high up at last. We went this way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +the sun rose high up at last. We went this way<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> and that way and every way, tramping over the shingle and threading through the crowds. The colonel was full of business. He met endless @@ -4955,7 +4935,7 @@ packed up for the wars. He marched solemnly up and down the line of men, eyeing this one and that one, and giving short, sharp commands. The front men splashed in the water, and the -tail of the line trailed across the beach; and all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +tail of the line trailed across the beach; and all<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> the while the shrapnel came over in a dirty fashion, clawing at the water sometimes, and sometimes spurting on to the pebbles. I could not help @@ -4989,7 +4969,7 @@ came ashore.</p> offers his salute.”</p> <p class="tb">Finally the colonel’s business on the beach -ended, and he went the way I had gone overnight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +ended, and he went the way I had gone overnight.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> The sappers had driven the road out of sight, and farther on the stairway over the hill was completed. We followed up the ravine, until I @@ -5024,7 +5004,7 @@ crest was a scooped-out spot, not exactly a trench, probably some old Turkish observing station. The colonel saw there what he wanted, and we went for it at the double, jumped down into it -and dropped on our knees. It had a depth of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +and dropped on our knees. It had a depth of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> three or four foot, and we could stay fairly protected and look over the top and scan the whole countryside. The morning was wonderfully pretty—the @@ -5061,7 +5041,7 @@ were hid there, with anxious wife or aged mother as guardian. For the lords had gone forth, changing the sickle for the musket.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> <p>Somewhere in that flat country the enemy lay, though I never picked them up, as I was without @@ -5097,7 +5077,7 @@ came out of the valley and disappeared towards the beach. There were those who passed at a walk, and those who went by at a halting run, dodging before the guns and losing themselves in -no time. Several lines of stretcher cases arrived<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +no time. Several lines of stretcher cases arrived<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> at slower pace, or a single stretcher advanced down the road, or even a walking wounded man appeared, leaning on the shoulder of a friend. @@ -5135,7 +5115,7 @@ and once or twice he used a telescope. Often he would look towards the beach and curse the absence of his guns.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> <p>This cup in the hills was not the only spot of battle: the enemy still remembered the beach @@ -5173,7 +5153,7 @@ up and down the small hills which met the beach. All day the shells came from inland, tumbling about us at every angle, or tearing up the waters for a brief moment. All day the transports sent -reinforcements; and new guns and barges of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +reinforcements; and new guns and barges of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> ammunition and provisions arrived. The hospital ships sailed away, and others steamed from the horizon. Men dug in wherever an inch of cover @@ -5209,7 +5189,7 @@ stayed unafraid?”</p> <p>Old Grandmother Lake used to take me, a small boy, to her knee, and bid me pray for the welfare of the British army. Now her grandsons -fight in many corners of the world. Among the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +fight in many corners of the world. Among the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> battle maidens Grandmother Lake sits in Valhalla and waits serenely their coming.</p> @@ -5247,7 +5227,7 @@ miles away, the battleships lay before them; and in and out moved restless destroyers. Other craft were there—numberless they seemed and of every kind—anchored among the shadows closer -in shore. I saw the Morse lamps winking to one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +in shore. I saw the Morse lamps winking to one<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> another, and felt companionship, knowing others watched with me. I followed great yellow searchlights in ceaseless journeyings round the bay, and @@ -5287,7 +5267,7 @@ to putting together a battle prayer.</p> <div class="verse">Here and here, among the hills,</div> <div class="verse indent1">Gleam the tiny supper fires;</div> <div class="verse">There and there a hard-spent man</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To a barren bed retires.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +<div class="verse indent1">To a barren bed retires.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> <div class="verse">Now across the darkened bowl,</div> <div class="verse">Pass the stars on their patrol,</div> <div class="verse">Staring down on War’s still feast,</div> @@ -5326,7 +5306,7 @@ altogether: you know ’im, a big bouncing brute in D Company. ’E got a bullet through the heart, and jumped about ten foot in the air.” And then a third voice. “I got three in the arm from a -swine of a machine gun. Aching like Hell!” So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +swine of a machine gun. Aching like Hell!” So<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> from the trenches they came, and passed to the Red Cross station on the beach.</p> @@ -5335,14 +5315,14 @@ hurried off and pulled my relief out of bed. Next minute the blankets were over me, and I was falling asleep.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br > <span class="smaller">ACTION FRONT</span></h2> <p>Faintest dawn climbed over the bay as I woke @@ -5367,7 +5347,7 @@ the faint peaks of Imbros. The bay filled with vessels—small and great. Cruisers and churlish battleships manœuvred from point to point; and scouts and destroyers sped along a thoroughfare -where mine-sweepers, trawlers, tugboats, colliers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +where mine-sweepers, trawlers, tugboats, colliers,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> barges, pontoons, lifeboats, and rowing-boats jostled one another all the way. The transports rode beyond this highway, with thin smoke lines creeping @@ -5402,7 +5382,7 @@ on one another, waiting for the shins of the unwary.</p> roofings and men staggered under bales of hay. Gangs of sappers drove roads along the hillsides, and telephonists ran wires from bush to bush. -Infantry parties bore sandbags on their heads<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +Infantry parties bore sandbags on their heads<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> towards the firing line, and other parties trudged uphill, loaded with water-bottles. Men mooched round with rifles on their backs, and men were @@ -5433,12 +5413,12 @@ patches of brown earth which appeared in places on the hills. The insects came out from cracks and crevices, and set briskly on new travels; and the little birds which were lovemaking in the -greener puffed their breasts out, and chirruped +greenery puffed their breasts out, and chirruped with morning confidence. It was going to be a tropic day.</p> <p>The cook, however he was, had boiled some tea -and fried rashers of bacon. He sent me a “Cooee,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +and fried rashers of bacon. He sent me a “Cooee,”<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> and I went over with a mess tin. There were half a dozen about the fire holding out pannikins for filling; and Hawkins was crouched among @@ -5475,7 +5455,7 @@ through space.</p> standstill and swung slowly about; and even while I poured the pannikin of tea in joyous stream down my throat, with a roar like the last trump -she vomited a thousand-pound shell half-across<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +she vomited a thousand-pound shell half-across<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> the peninsula. As I stopped choking, a cruiser took up the running; and behold another round in the battle had begun.</p> @@ -5513,7 +5493,7 @@ overhanging ledge.</p> <p>The bombardment grew in volume: battleship after battleship engaged a target. Like a colossal -thunderstorm the explosions roared around the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +thunderstorm the explosions roared around the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> bay. The very ground was a-tremble. Now the veteran <i>Triumph</i> opened fire; and the <i>Queen Elizabeth</i> drew farther out and came to a standstill. @@ -5548,7 +5528,7 @@ a lucky shot a riot would start among the mules, or some poor chap would go to his Maker or fall down winged: and then would go forward a cry for stretcher-bearers and Red Cross men. Or -may be a party hauling at some gun would scatter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +may be a party hauling at some gun would scatter<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> without warning behind a pile of stores, like mice into a hole. Yet in that bustling thoroughfare it was strange how few were the accidents.</p> @@ -5586,7 +5566,7 @@ the beach very hard.</p> <p>“Hallo,” I answered, and turned towards him.</p> -<p>He looked at me out of palest blue eyes. “I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +<p>He looked at me out of palest blue eyes. “I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> just come from the firing line,” he said. “It’s murder there. What are you blokes doing?”</p> @@ -5629,7 +5609,7 @@ one-ough minutes elevation! One round battery fire!”</p> <p>The section commander saluted, and cried to -his sergeants, the sergeants, kneeling at the trails,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +his sergeants, the sergeants, kneeling at the trails,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> saluted and turned to the gunners. No. 3, on the left seat, laid the gun; No. 6 set the fuse, and No. 5 passed the shell to No. 4. No. 2, on the @@ -5669,7 +5649,7 @@ strike me.</p> minutes more left! Drop five-ough! Gunfire!”</p> <p>We were into it with a vengeance now: by -land, by sea equally engaged. Never a moment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +land, by sea equally engaged. Never a moment<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> slackened the enemy fire: rather the sky became more terrible with the voices of travelling shells, and more beautiful with delicate bursts of shrapnel. @@ -5703,7 +5683,7 @@ colonel, adjutant, and sergeant-major with maps across their knees. An argument was going on. News was through we were shelling our own infantry. “They’re dirty liars!” I heard the -colonel burst out—and then the message was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +colonel burst out—and then the message was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> taken in, and I was beckoned away by a quick gesture.</p> @@ -5742,7 +5722,7 @@ out of reach of the longest gun. Presently the aeroplanes faded from sight, and I went back to the old pastime of staring at the beach.</p> -<p>Heat and howitzers, shrapnel and sunstroke,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +<p>Heat and howitzers, shrapnel and sunstroke,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> alike could not affect the buzzing throng there. From my perch I looked down on to another world. Directly below lay the Red Cross jetty @@ -5777,7 +5757,7 @@ to sea, new boats put into harbour; and throughout the day the procession of stretchers moving to the wharf did not stop. As the boats filled with recumbent men, all odd spaces were taken -by those who still could stand or sit erect; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +by those who still could stand or sit erect; and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> these clambered painfully aboard with staring bandages round head or arm. Weary and broken were the most, I grant; yet more than once that @@ -5813,7 +5793,7 @@ and falling on my back somewhere near the ledge. Just here a brain wave came along: I bethought me of a four days’ beard, and rising up, bolted on to my own funk-hole at the bottom of the hill. -Into my kit I dived, caught up the shaving tackle,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +Into my kit I dived, caught up the shaving tackle,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> and was back again at the ledge while you could count fifty. There I lay and perspired, while the voice of Major Felix called out the new @@ -5853,7 +5833,7 @@ behind his sandbag ramparts, and boomed defiance at the foul infidel guns. Upon his stout overhead cover shells and shrapnel burst in vain.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> <p>But he had not met the good <i>Queen Bess</i>.</p> @@ -5891,7 +5871,7 @@ of shade had gone—as far as I was concerned, that is to say. I sat leaning forward on a bare ledge, and the sun blazed in my face. “So be it,” I muttered and swore, and spread out the -shaving tackle. Into a pannikin went a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +shaving tackle. Into a pannikin went a few<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> drops of water, meaning a drink lost; and picking up the soap from the sand, I rubbed it over my face. I was hot, tired, thirsty, and sticky @@ -5926,7 +5906,7 @@ where loaded barges swung at anchor. I looked and I said: “Gunner Lake, not yet is the hour for complaint.”</p> -<p>Eaves woke me up. He waved a message form.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +<p>Eaves woke me up. He waved a message form.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> I took it without a word, and started up to the observing station. The soap was on my face, and was a crust by the time I was back again. @@ -5961,7 +5941,7 @@ pulled with the heart of a Yarra eight through a sea knocked up with bullets. Methought in days to come, in some village pothouse—when the mellow ale had done its work—methought -of certain hoary seamen who would swell their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +of certain hoary seamen who would swell their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> chests and relate to youth agape the epic of stout times departed.</p> @@ -6003,7 +5983,7 @@ waited on the quay while a string of boats drew in. I saw them break and scatter; I saw the puff of a bursting shell; and down went one poor fellow, and away into cover staggered another. -A couple of comrades ran back and picked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +A couple of comrades ran back and picked<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> up the fallen man, and the group passed under the cliff, where I could not follow.</p> @@ -6044,7 +6024,7 @@ long, mate.”</p> <p>“So long,” I answered.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> <p>He watched for the sky to clear of shrapnel, pulled the rifle on to his shoulder, and ambled off @@ -6081,7 +6061,7 @@ were in action. Plainly now could be heard the rifle fire. I stood up and blinked. I took the form and started on another climb, and on the way ran into the sergeant-major and Wilkinson -coming down. “Lake, you nearly had a new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +coming down. “Lake, you nearly had a new<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> sergeant-major twice to-day. My belt stopped this.” And Gardiner held up a bullet in his fingers. Near the dug-out the colonel jumped @@ -6089,14 +6069,14 @@ almost on top of me. The adjutant was just behind. “Yards,” he called out, “this battle is already won!”</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br > <span class="smaller">THE DAY’S BUSINESS</span></h2> <p>A couple of mornings later, I was pulled out of @@ -6122,7 +6102,7 @@ long ago.</p> <p>And yet it was a deucedly cold night too! I fastened the coat collar round my ears, and -pulled the woollen cap down to meet it. Over a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +pulled the woollen cap down to meet it. Over a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> shoulder went the bandolier, and over that a rifle. With tucker bag at waist I was ready.</p> @@ -6158,7 +6138,7 @@ ever rising. Little we said, unless the direction became uncertain, and for the most part our footsteps were all the sounds made.</p> -<p>In the open I had got used to the dark, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +<p>In the open I had got used to the dark, but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> down here in the valleys it was quite impossible to make out anything farther than a yard or two away. The country went up on either side steep @@ -6193,7 +6173,7 @@ waking.</p> suddenly to us the whisperings of a number of voices, voices undecided and even timid. Next moment we were into the tail of a score of men—more -there may have been, one could only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +there may have been, one could only<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> guess—they formed an uncertain line along the track, and were in full marching order, with their packs up. Either they were coming from @@ -6230,7 +6210,7 @@ For already dawn was near: I could not turn to it and say, “Look!”—it was a suggestion rather than a change. But dawn was coming.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> <p>We arrived at a spot high up on the hill where the path turned abruptly to the left. Here we @@ -6268,7 +6248,7 @@ who alive. That’s the excuse, I suppose. Last evening I was coming down here after that poor Mr. Byers was shot. I spoke to one lot with a fire going, who were filling themselves with -bully beef and jam, and asked them what they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +bully beef and jam, and asked them what they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> were doing. The fellow I spoke to seemed ready to give cheek, so I pulled out my revolver and he climbed down at once. Later on I met an @@ -6306,7 +6286,7 @@ The concert had opened. “There goes the first!” Wilkinson cried. “Aye,” I said, and Cliffe nodded his head.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> <p>We had little breath for remarks and went on as quickly as we could. The half light had @@ -6342,7 +6322,7 @@ some without. It was the first time for a long while I had seen so many Englishmen together, and their faces struck me as kindlier than the Australian face and more simple too. They looked -at us with interest when we came in and marched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +at us with interest when we came in and marched<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> across to the corner reserved for artillery observation. A lieutenant with a brown woollen cap on his head, which made him look like a stage @@ -6380,7 +6360,7 @@ we were the rampart was very low, and not more than a foot above our heads, even when we sat down. The sandbags had been dumped on one another and placed a double thickness, and Cliffe -and I started to pull them all ways, finishing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +and I started to pull them all ways, finishing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> by leaving several cracks, through one or other of which the whole landscape might be viewed. I took a look through and saw a stretch of desolate @@ -6417,7 +6397,7 @@ now many a shrapnel shell was coming over too, but happily the valley was their target, for they searched it with care from top to bottom.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> <p>On the opposite bank, not so far from me, was the grave of one of our fellows. An upright @@ -6453,7 +6433,7 @@ before landing. There was nothing interesting, but I started away. I left the beef for later on, and dipped the biscuits into the jam, taking care to bring out more jam than biscuit. I could -hear the Englishmen talking among themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +hear the Englishmen talking among themselves<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> in rather depressed tones. They spoke with a broad accent, and I gathered they were from somewhere up north. “’Tis a bitter place this, @@ -6488,7 +6468,7 @@ shovel deepening the trench, and in desperation finally I got up from my funk-hole and took a hand at the work myself. I worked hard and fast until out of breath. I had just given the -tools back when the word “Colonel” passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +tools back when the word “Colonel” passed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> from mouth to mouth, and a party of officers came into the trench on a tour of inspection. The colonel was a middle-aged, middle-sized man @@ -6523,7 +6503,7 @@ on top of the parapet to our right hand. The situation was murderous—for us, not the enemy. There was no cover, and to fire the gun meant crouching among the bushes, a sure target for -any bullets straying this way. A sergeant was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +any bullets straying this way. A sergeant was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> in charge of the gun, and lay on his stomach up there observing the enemy’s movements, and sending down reports every few minutes. For @@ -6570,7 +6550,7 @@ do.”</p> damned gun again.</p> <p>Cliffe proved something of a sportsman, and, -being so far unoccupied, he had borrowed my rifle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +being so far unoccupied, he had borrowed my rifle<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> and sniped away at intervals through his loophole. I don’t know what he saw to shoot at any more than I could discover where all the @@ -6604,7 +6584,7 @@ I took his advice, but settled down where I was in case of fun later on.</p> <p>Time went along very, very slowly. There -was absolutely nothing doing. I tried to talk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +was absolutely nothing doing. I tried to talk<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> to Wilkinson and then to Cliffe; but there was nothing to talk about. The Englishmen became more depressed, and finally nobody spoke at all. @@ -6643,7 +6623,7 @@ of false ridge. Straight away. Righto, sir.”</p> <p>Back went Cliffe to his peepholes to stare through one of them. “They seem to have woken up down below at last,” he said. “The old balloon -has spotted some guns in action three o’clock<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +has spotted some guns in action three o’clock<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> right of the false ridge up there. There’s one of them now!” We waited a minute or two, crouching down below the parapet, then Wilkinson, @@ -6679,7 +6659,7 @@ and such an hour. To-day it was to be five o’clock in the afternoon. The village of Krithia had been taken, and Heaven knows what else besides, and at any instant now they ought to -come pouring over the top of Achi Baba. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +come pouring over the top of Achi Baba. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> fall of Constantinople was only a matter of days.</p> @@ -6716,7 +6696,7 @@ at the flies and swore.</p> things were the same. At times our guns opened and Cliffe observed for them; at times I peeped over the parapet, hoping to snipe a Turk. At -times the machine gun rattled away. There was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +times the machine gun rattled away. There was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> little movement on either side. The armies rested after the big attack. I don’t know who was best pleased when the light grew dim and orders @@ -6754,7 +6734,7 @@ cigarette. “This morning they lobbed two or three percussion shells on to the wall over there. They’re after the machine gun. It’s these fools: they never leave the thing alone for five minutes.” -He tried to borrow a match and failed. Getting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +He tried to borrow a match and failed. Getting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> one elsewhere, he went on. “The gun ought to be taken out of the place: they’ll have us blown out of the hole in the end.”</p> @@ -6793,7 +6773,7 @@ looked up towards the machine gun.</p> <p>“Are you there, sergeant?”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> <p>“No, sir,” was the answer. “I’m here instead.”</p> @@ -6831,7 +6811,7 @@ up there.”</p> <p>I did as he told me, and lay flat on my stomach beside the machine gun. There was absolutely -no cover, so that I flattened out to the last inch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +no cover, so that I flattened out to the last inch.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> I looked across the wilderness of yesterday. Our bullets knocked up the dust along the Turkish line, and our shells broke in delicate white clouds @@ -6867,7 +6847,7 @@ and confusion was general, when a loud and dull explosion took place quite near, stones and a cloud of dust shot up—and then came silence. A percussion shell had come into the trench. -The senior officer was beside me, and he craned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +The senior officer was beside me, and he craned<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> his neck forward, and called out in a sharp voice to know who was hurt. “Forbes killed, sir, and two others hit.” “Get them away to the @@ -6903,7 +6883,7 @@ of the enemy when up by the gun; but excitement ran high and I caught it. Matters began to look really interesting when a call came for reinforcements on the right. Amid enquiries -and commands, a sergeant was sent off at express<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +and commands, a sergeant was sent off at express<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> speed with a party to find out details, and at the same time the trench began to fill up again with the men who had been relieved. Next an @@ -6940,7 +6920,7 @@ of infantry had had his neck blown away.</p> Shrapnel was spattering in the bushes, and at the cross roads waited three dead and still bleeding mules. I hurried along; but I could not -escape that red lump of meat. I could not eat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +escape that red lump of meat. I could not eat<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> that night: though thirsty I threw away the tea. I rolled into my blankets; but still that lump of flesh was there. Darkness and the cool @@ -6948,14 +6928,14 @@ of night had no power to banish it.</p> <p>Beastly! Ah, beastly! Ah, very, very beastly!</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br > <span class="smaller">A PERILOUS EXPEDITION</span></h2> <p>Soon after this Sands singled me out as the victim @@ -6983,7 +6963,7 @@ first words he spoke.</p> <p>I hurried after him, loaded with a hand-reel. We picked a way through the dug-outs down into -the valley. Clear starlight was overhead; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +the valley. Clear starlight was overhead; but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> it was absolutely dark down there. I had no idea where we were going—no idea of the direction, nor of how far—but this I soon discovered. @@ -7025,7 +7005,7 @@ station.”</p> there myself yesterday evening. I have a good general idea where the place is. I was given details last night. Come on, Lake, we -mustn’t waste time. You can’t live where we’re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +mustn’t waste time. You can’t live where we’re<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> going after daybreak.” Those were his last words. I began to have misgivings.</p> @@ -7061,7 +7041,7 @@ a-winking in the bay, saying that on land and sea man was abroad; and I heard no sounds nor caught a movement of beast or bird of night. I looked and listened too. Yet doubtless many -a keen pair of eyes gleamed at us from the roots<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +a keen pair of eyes gleamed at us from the roots<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> of the bushes; but man was passing, man who had come in his hordes and had made the solitude unholy. The night called with stars and dew @@ -7107,7 +7087,7 @@ dead men if you waste time here much longer.”</p> <p>His words sounded alarming; but he did not seem much worried at the prospect.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> <p>Complete darkness favoured us still; but dawn would not long delay. I, too, considered it was @@ -7144,7 +7124,7 @@ hour.”</p> interest; he made the statement as one might remark the evening was excellent for a walk.</p> -<p>We said no more all the way down the slope.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +<p>We said no more all the way down the slope.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> I knew now he had no idea where we were, where we were going, nor what was to happen to us. And I knew also that Gaba Tepeh was straight @@ -7183,7 +7163,7 @@ that, though we never reached our goal, we should find ourselves presently in the neighbourhood of home. I began to take heart.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> <p>After we had gone some distance and the minutes had hurried by and the landscape was taking @@ -7218,7 +7198,7 @@ we were constantly asking the way. Sleeping men lay along the bottom of the trenches, and it was hard to avoid them all; in truth, more than one string of oaths followed our progress. -Finally, we came on the battery observing station,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +Finally, we came on the battery observing station,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> where was Major Felix with several men. I took a seat on a stone in the background while Sands explained his errand. I do not know @@ -7254,7 +7234,7 @@ more.</p> <p>My gallant guide appeared to have lost his bearings again, for he kept no direct course. Once we passed a dead infantryman among the -grasses. The body had been overlooked, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +grasses. The body had been overlooked, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> was fast decaying in the fierce suns, and the morning air was tainted for yards around. I was glad to get by. Sands looked long and hard @@ -7288,7 +7268,7 @@ already, and one or two birds were singing. Here and here, in ones, twos, in threes, were the rude graves of fallen soldiers. A couple of twigs bound to form a cross marked one, a piece of board with -date and initials a second, an upright rifle a third.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +date and initials a second, an upright rifle a third.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> Already the dwarf hollies were closing round them: already the stunted laurels were bending over them.</p> @@ -7327,7 +7307,7 @@ to him, but was waved off. “You can go on, Lake, and get some breakfast. I shall follow in a minute or two.”</p> -<p>I sauntered on, expecting him to overtake me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +<p>I sauntered on, expecting him to overtake me<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> very soon. A wall of cliff rose in front, and just there the platform bent abruptly round it. I strolled to the end of the path and turned the @@ -7364,7 +7344,7 @@ it shone, it seemed the barrier to an enchanted land. I watched, and as I watched the sun rose up from bed and with his foremost glances melted the virgin bank. To right, to left it rolled apart, -and lo! clad in the splendours of the dawn—came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +and lo! clad in the splendours of the dawn—came<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> forth the mountain isle of Imbros. I bowed my head as one who stands on holy ground.</p> @@ -7383,14 +7363,14 @@ glanced round and found him level with me. Straightway I forgave him the expedition. He had shown me this.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br > <span class="smaller">DEATH AND THE BATTERY</span></h2> <p>We had yarned outside the cookhouse since the @@ -7417,7 +7397,7 @@ himself.</p> <p>In spite of the lazy shelling, the beach was thick with the usual crowds. And the bay was full of vessels. Old Sam stood up at last, tall -and with a stoop, and remarked all this with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +and with a stoop, and remarked all this with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> unappreciative eye. I went on stirring Welsh rabbit in a mess-tin lid, all my hopes fixed on it. The fire was nearly done, and called for new @@ -7453,7 +7433,7 @@ and his breathing was loud and difficult, and already he was turning a horrid grey. The Red Cross orderlies joined us.</p> -<p>We, who could not help, drew back out of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +<p>We, who could not help, drew back out of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> way under the shelter of the cookhouse walls. The doctor leaned forward and pulled up Sam’s shirt, baring his chest. Below the heart was a @@ -7489,7 +7469,7 @@ his shoulders. He moved seldom; seldom, I think, lifted his eyes from the dying man. By him the orderlies knelt, huddled together to get what cover they could; and the shells would -swoop down with a roar and a scattering of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +swoop down with a roar and a scattering of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> dust. Nobody said anything that I can remember, but time passed and left us watching the still figure, and listening to the horrible breaths.</p> @@ -7531,7 +7511,7 @@ Not heroic, my friends; not beautiful!</p> with a blanket. Thoughts I would have put aside at that place and at that hour came to me.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> <p>Friend Sam, you were rather “a rotter”—weak and easy to lead. Life owed you more @@ -7564,13 +7544,13 @@ cliffs climb up by Sari Bahr.</p> </div> </div> </div> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br > <span class="smaller">ROUTINE</span></h2> <p>Day and night, night and day; they came and @@ -7596,7 +7576,7 @@ our way. Several more of our fellows were landed now, and the staff was nearly complete again. But Death had interested himself in us, his eye had looked this way, his fingers had felt among us. -First Oxbridge went, then old Bill Eaves followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +First Oxbridge went, then old Bill Eaves followed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> him; then went Lewis, with the face of a girl. I have told you of Oxbridge; I shall tell you of the others in good time.</p> @@ -7633,7 +7613,7 @@ nothing at all. So he emptied somebody’s water-bottle, and next sat down without a word, as though no more fight remained in him.</p> -<p>But after midday tucker he perked up, for was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +<p>But after midday tucker he perked up, for was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> he not Sands the irrepressible? He found a handkerchief somewhere and then came over in my direction, and sat down affably enough to @@ -7673,7 +7653,7 @@ Turkish army was lower down, and there was only a machine gun detachment on the beach. After that had been rushed, there was practically no resistance until we were at the top of the hill. -By then the Turks had brought their men up,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +By then the Turks had brought their men up,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> and when we got to the open country and came properly under fire, our men began to waver and fall back, and that was how so many officers were @@ -7711,7 +7691,7 @@ morgue. One boot will do if you can’t get a pair.”</p> <p>He looked so broken down, and yet said so -little of his troubles, that my heart went out to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +little of his troubles, that my heart went out to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> him, and I answered gladly enough I would do what I could. Next morning I was passing the hospital, and, remembering him, looked inside. @@ -7748,7 +7728,7 @@ track by a yard. And all the way one would tumble on relics of the first advance. It sorrowed my heart to look about. Boxes of ammunition had been thrown down in the undergrowth, tens -of thousands, aye, hundreds of thousands of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +of thousands, aye, hundreds of thousands of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> rounds spilled about for the dews to damp and blacken. Cases of jam, big yellow cheeses, sacks of bully beef lay here, unclaimed except by such @@ -7784,7 +7764,7 @@ presently quite away.</p> At one time there were many Turkish prizes for him who sought. Choked rifles, a clip of pointed cartridges, a belt, a water-bottle: any of these -were there to point out the path of battle. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +were there to point out the path of battle. And<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> of empty shell-cases and fuse-caps there was no end: one never troubled to turn them over.</p> @@ -7820,7 +7800,7 @@ departed.</p> <p>I had a central funk-hole—near headquarters and near the cookhouse. I had a balcony, eighteen inches high maybe, and from a seat I dug there -one could look across the sea into the eye of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +one could look across the sea into the eye of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> setting sun. There was a tiny path just above the funk-hole, used by everyone coming from the valley top to headquarters; and all who went @@ -7855,7 +7835,7 @@ telephonists. The signallers sat down to an office girl’s duty. The staff telephonists dug a funk-hole, quite a roomy affair, with seats and a step down. All lines came together here, so that the -place grew into a regular exchange with switch-boards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +place grew into a regular exchange with switch-boards<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> and other affairs. You would always find two or three fellows at home, and a heap of Melbourne papers in the corner. The fellows were @@ -7890,7 +7870,7 @@ captured seventy-five.</p> to tell, they were at disadvantage. The country was no field gunner’s country. First we lacked the horses, and must move the guns by means -of imprecations and our sweat. Next the lay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +of imprecations and our sweat. Next the lay<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> of the country was wrong; and space so lacked that we must shoot from the pockets of our infantry. This drew fire on neighbouring trenches, @@ -7926,7 +7906,7 @@ and Shrapnel Valley was the centre of our position. Once all had been wilderness as I have told; then appeared half-way a couple of barrels where the sappers had tapped for water, and about the -same time a field dressing station came into being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +same time a field dressing station came into being<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> across the way. The position was important, and soon infantry brigade headquarters claimed the top, a New South Wales battalion headquarters @@ -7962,7 +7942,7 @@ well above the parapet so that every sniper for hundreds of yards was potting away. Possibly periscope casualties were his vanity. One morning the periscope was struck sideways. The -general’s head was just below the parapet, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +general’s head was just below the parapet, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> the bullet passed an inch or so over his cap. He cocked his wicked eye up—he had quick movements like a bird—and looked at the holes in the @@ -7996,7 +7976,7 @@ not always best pleased, and we would start up a very stiff pinch which took us to the top of the valley. There it was the trenches ran away to right and left, excepting for a space of twenty -yards maybe, where the empty waterway down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +yards maybe, where the empty waterway down<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> the valley began. This opening was protected with wire entanglements and sandbag ramparts.</p> @@ -8033,7 +8013,7 @@ a history. I wondered what he thought of sitting there alone after putting his mortars to bed.</p> <p>Once we dragged a couple of guns behind these -trenches, but we had no luck with them. Two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +trenches, but we had no luck with them. Two<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> sergeants were sniped before a shot was fired. The guns went back to the valley bottom afterwards, and stayed there; but the colonel was @@ -8070,7 +8050,7 @@ And then they saluted one another, and Cannister would come away from the big periscope tied against the parapet, leaving the sergeant-major or somebody else to watch in his place. And -the colonel and he would sit side by side on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +the colonel and he would sit side by side on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> hot earth and exchange latest news. As a start the colonel’s cigarette case came into sight. He would open it and eye bitterly the weekly dole @@ -8109,7 +8089,7 @@ of it. He would cross his legs and smile and say nothing. But the colonel could say enough for two.</p> -<p>“What do they bring us here for,” he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +<p>“What do they bring us here for,” he would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> begin again impatiently, “if we mustn’t fight? One might be in Melbourne now, where one could get a drink and a decent cigarette. How much @@ -8146,7 +8126,7 @@ thankless home. These trenches were deep and narrow, and quite safe from rifle fire, and pretty secure from shrapnel. Of course now and then there were accidents. A fellow would keep his -head too long at a loophole and get sniped, or a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +head too long at a loophole and get sniped, or a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> bullet would come through a badly filled sandbag and settle some poor devil’s account. It would mean the call: “Pass the word for stretcher-bearers: @@ -8180,7 +8160,7 @@ could not make space where space was not; you could not blot out the sun, nor make nectar of stewed tea, nor a Lord Mayor’s banquet of army rations. You could not charm away the flies in -their hosts, nor pretend you had no use for Keating’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +their hosts, nor pretend you had no use for Keating’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> Powder. You could not dream of a bank of violets and let the breezes climb in through the loopholes.</p> @@ -8218,7 +8198,7 @@ hard put to it to get the periscope down on to him. Finally I made a crack in the sandbags and looked at him face to face.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> <p>He had been crawling up, and at the last moment our man had fired point blank. In the centre @@ -8253,7 +8233,7 @@ the seams and other crevices, with thumbnail in place of horn and hound, the hunt went forward. You might come on fatigue parties, armed with spade and sandbag, strengthening the parapet, -or building new traverses, or tunnelling towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +or building new traverses, or tunnelling towards<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> the enemy. They were all dirt and sweat and thirst, these parties; yet, the job over, there was no wash for them; they pulled on their shirts @@ -8290,7 +8270,7 @@ a standstill.</p> <p>“Anything special going on?” from the colonel.</p> -<p>“They’re making a great work of Lonesome<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +<p>“They’re making a great work of Lonesome<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> Pine. They have been hard at it all the morning. Something ought to be done before it gets too strong.”</p> @@ -8329,7 +8309,7 @@ be just the thing.”</p> <p>“Quite so. Quite so. By the way, we have been knocked down again. Five rounds per day is the limit now. I wonder why we troubled to -come here? Soon we shall be told there is no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +come here? Soon we shall be told there is no<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> more ammunition, then I shall have to throw my glasses at them, or hit them on the head with the periscope.” He would continue to stare into @@ -8365,7 +8345,7 @@ would laugh. He was stout, with a wonderful complexion, which matched the D.S.O. ribbon on his coat.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> <p>It was quiet round here, as the enemy fire passed over into the open country beyond. An @@ -8401,7 +8381,7 @@ where it finished on the road. The shrapnel was falling down the valley in generous style and here and here, without plan. The rest camp had gone to ground, and such unlucky fellows as -were abroad on business spent as short time on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +were abroad on business spent as short time on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> their errands as possible. The colonel sat down on the bank to cool and allow the Turkish gunners to tire; but five minutes went by and matters @@ -8436,7 +8416,7 @@ had run over a mudbank in a submarine scare. Gaba Tepeh peppered away with might and main, and a battleship in the straits—the <i>Goeben</i> they said—tossed great shells across the Peninsula. -Round the unhappy boat fussed the <i>Canopus</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +Round the unhappy boat fussed the <i>Canopus</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> trying what hawsers might do. Our watch ended as finally the <i>Albion</i> slipped away. “There she goes!” burst out the colonel, shutting up his @@ -8458,7 +8438,7 @@ to his account, and my own back was grazed by his pellet on an unlucky afternoon. Would that I could boast as Beachy Bill!</p> -<p>He had a comrade-a warrior after his heart—the +<p>He had a comrade—a warrior after his heart—the Anafarta gun. This comrade fired from Anafarta, the low land beyond our left, and one or other would sweep the beach all hours of the day. @@ -8473,21 +8453,21 @@ would that I had proved myself as well!</p> <p>In spite of the pastoral outlook, A Battery had few peaceful hours. The enemy judged their -whereabouts with accuracy, and half a dozen shells<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +whereabouts with accuracy, and half a dozen shells<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> tore over directly they opened their mouths. Through the long summer many stretchers made the journey to the beach. And the gunners left behind grew browner and leaner, and swore more heartfelt oaths.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br > <span class="smaller">A FLAG OF TRUCE</span></h2> <p>Every afternoon, at four o’clock sometimes, @@ -8514,7 +8494,7 @@ round here and a round there until we got it, and with little enough need it seemed; but maybe the army would have lost hope had nothing like this happened. For through much of the day—when -even the flies fell exhausted into the tea—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +even the flies fell exhausted into the tea—the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> snipers of either army lost heart to snipe, and the gunners lay by their guns wondering how it was they could not die. But as the sun climbed @@ -8550,7 +8530,7 @@ to the telephonist a few yards away.</p> was in charge. B Battery was dusting up “C” or “Collins Street” or one of the usual targets, and the other batteries banged away elsewhere -with more than daily hate. A great many snipers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +with more than daily hate. A great many snipers<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> were at work too on either side. We had woken up this afternoon.</p> @@ -8587,7 +8567,7 @@ target! That’s pretty shooting! Green’s into has got off! Are you there, Lake?”</p> <p>I stood just below watching for the least sign, -for when he grew interested, often a movement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +for when he grew interested, often a movement<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> of the hand was all his signal, and at best he would jerk out an abrupt word or two. Now I answered, “Yes, sir,” and stood ready. “Tell @@ -8622,7 +8602,7 @@ moment’s excitement was spent. Yet five minutes later it had grown again, and methought something must happen now. I itched to see how matters went, but I must not leave the spot. -The firing lost heart, becoming a number of sharp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +The firing lost heart, becoming a number of sharp<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> explosions in place of an unbroken roll. Again the word came along. The colonel took interest finally and stopped a passing officer to inquire, @@ -8658,7 +8638,7 @@ I went out in a ’urry and joined right away, and I blasted well wish I ’adn’t.”</p> <p>“What did you join fer, Darkie? Was it the -six bob, or a row with yer tart, or was the police<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +six bob, or a row with yer tart, or was the police<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> after yer?” Darkie made no answer. “Wot was it, Darkie?”</p> @@ -8696,7 +8676,7 @@ and this must have taken place over a great deal of the line, as presently the musketry became completely broken up and on the point of cessation.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> <p>I had taken stand among the B Battery men, beside their periscope, where the parapet was @@ -8731,7 +8711,7 @@ special was on hand, for cries went up and down: did die away, though unwillingly, lessening and returning again in gusts, like an April wind or a woman’s last word in an argument. Even when -you might say the musketry had stopped, there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +you might say the musketry had stopped, there<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> was still a splutter and a cracking here and here, for there are ever fools who cannot help themselves.</p> @@ -8765,7 +8745,7 @@ about. But the firing did not start again, or only in short-lived bursts, and the men hung by the loopholes, waiting what might befall. There was a stir on our side now, near Clayton’s trench it -seemed from here, and soon an officer came into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +seemed from here, and soon an officer came into<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> the open, with a handkerchief tied on to a stick or a rifle, I did not notice which. At the same time a couple of Turks hopped from their trenches, @@ -8804,7 +8784,7 @@ at once!”</p> <p>I pushed towards the trench mouth as speedily as could be managed, not the least eager for the -run down the hill and back again. But at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +run down the hill and back again. But at the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> turn I met Bargi blowing with his exertions, and a look half-pleased, half-scared, on his sweating face. He was a little Italian Jew who spoke and @@ -8839,7 +8819,7 @@ he was a rank bore.</p> <p>The couple of seconds’ delay had lost me Bargi; and I did my best to catch him before he met -the colonel and both disappeared. Fortune nodding,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +the colonel and both disappeared. Fortune nodding,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> I saw their heels rounding a traverse, and caught up with them quite soon. The trench was rather empty, and the colonel moved in a @@ -8873,7 +8853,7 @@ of us in a row—the colonel looking into the periscope, the Jew standing on tip-toe, peeping over the parapet, and throwing away no chance of protection, and myself at the end of the line. -The two Turks continued to delay, in fact went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +The two Turks continued to delay, in fact went<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> so far as to make a motion of retreat. “Call them, Bargi!” the colonel burst out. “Tell them to come on; say it’s all right!”</p> @@ -8910,7 +8890,7 @@ He was dressed in the green uniform, with their strange pleated cap on his head. Through all the dealings he spoke no word.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> <p>The man beside him, the empty-handed man, was quite otherwise. He was dressed as an officer, @@ -8948,7 +8928,7 @@ our parley, for someone let a machine gun loose—Australian or Turk I do not know, but may Allah smite him! The bullets sang by my head like a swarm of mad bees. There was no time -for “After you, sir.” Bargi tumbled back into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +for “After you, sir.” Bargi tumbled back into<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> the trench, and I jumped down on top of him. A brisk burst of rifle fire broke out on both sides, and then died with all suddenness. Next I was @@ -8984,7 +8964,7 @@ and staring one another in the face. Men that had lived days on end between two narrow, sun-baked walls, men that had lifted heads above a certain level at risk of their lives, now looked over -the great bare country, and widened their lungs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +the great bare country, and widened their lungs<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> with breezes new from the sea. The sky was filling with clear white clouds, the ground was sown with shadows; and endless heights and @@ -9023,7 +9003,7 @@ Runner parleyed with the other group. I looked across. Several men stood together, but no more could I discover.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> <p>No sooner was the fire of both armies well dead than a number of Turks jumped from their trenches @@ -9059,7 +9039,7 @@ Australia,” the colonel said. And seeing I was all anxiety to follow, he added, “No, Lake, this is not your stunt.”</p> -<p>It was all over presently. The men of truce<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +<p>It was all over presently. The men of truce<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> agreed to take back the message, and fire would open again in a few minutes. Afresh they saluted, afresh they bowed: and our men came this way, @@ -9095,7 +9075,7 @@ Andrews, and Major Green.</p> <p>Behind C Battery and before A, the five of us climbed from the trenches on to open ground. The sun was out, but the day was cool; and it -was pleasant to stand up at ease in the open. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +was pleasant to stand up at ease in the open. A<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> great gathering had come about on the debatable land. It was like a day at the races, with a shabby crowd in attendance. The rule limiting the number @@ -9131,7 +9111,7 @@ me catch my breath. But it was when we turned to go over to A Battery that we passed the scene it will take me longest to forget.</p> -<p>Four of our own fellows lay on their backs in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +<p>Four of our own fellows lay on their backs in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> the grass, all within a few paces. They were of those who had fallen in the first rush, and had been overlooked. Their clothes were little stained, @@ -9175,7 +9155,7 @@ Amen!</p> <div class="verse">The sun yet doth warden the day:</div> <div class="verse">And we’ll lie down and rest,</div> <div class="verse">On the earth’s ample breast,</div> -<div class="verse">While these rivers of blood run away.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +<div class="verse">While these rivers of blood run away.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="verse">Come, loosen the belt and the tunic,</div> @@ -9203,13 +9183,13 @@ Amen!</p> </div> </div> </div> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII<br > <span class="smaller">THE MARCH OF MONOTONY</span></h2> <p>The weeks marched by, one upon the heels of the @@ -9235,7 +9215,7 @@ with big patches of broken skin where the sun had blistered. And there were men burnt as brown as niggers. Here and here were groups smoking, playing cards, and talking. I heard -little said of the war, which had long since failed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +little said of the war, which had long since failed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> to interest; but there were endless stories of race-horses and prize-fighters, and endless boasts about girls. And many liars told and retold their @@ -9271,7 +9251,7 @@ know how he treated his Staff; but he seemed reasonable in his dealings.</p> <p>Another man with the face of a student was -Captain Carrot, the war correspondent. I took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +Captain Carrot, the war correspondent. I took<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> him about the trenches more than once. He was rather tall and rather thin, with a peaky face and glasses. He carried a camera in place @@ -9306,7 +9286,7 @@ Birdwood, with his A.D.C., his periscope bearer, his mapcase bearer, and all the following of a mighty man of war. He was a popular general. As often as not his dress was a sun helmet, a plain -khaki shirt, corduroy knickerbockers, and leggings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +khaki shirt, corduroy knickerbockers, and leggings<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> out after the style of an English squire or well-to-do yeoman. He carried a walking-stick in his hand. In his ways he was calm and easy @@ -9341,7 +9321,7 @@ the transports steaming East.</p> <p>The colonel kept to his habits all the time: we tramped up and down hill in the morning, and in the evening we had our battle. Once he went -away for a change, and came back with his old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +away for a change, and came back with his old<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> energy. The sun peeled the skin from the end of his nose, and burnt his face a fierce red; his clothes began to wear, and he changed them for @@ -9375,7 +9355,7 @@ and shakes his head, and then they fall to talking on another subject. Says the other man, “You had a gun blown out yesterday, didn’t you?” “I think it can be fixed up,” says the colonel. -“Three men went with it.” And then he wags<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +“Three men went with it.” And then he wags<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> his head with very great sadness. “You can get new guns; but you can’t send down to Hell for new gunners.”</p> @@ -9410,7 +9390,7 @@ in the office. “Who would think this was war?” says the colonel, rubbing his nose with the end of the periscope. “Half a dozen men sitting on boxes smoking and cursing the flies. And a -beautiful blue sea to look at, and a beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +beautiful blue sea to look at, and a beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> blue sky overhead. I always pictured myself galloping into action at the head of my brigade and flourishing a sword. Why a sword I don’t @@ -9441,10 +9421,10 @@ principal places, and the thick scrub that once had made this valley so difficult and so romantic had long gone as firewood for the cooks. I have seen mining camps with all the same appearance. -But In time the secret was given away. It might +But in time the secret was given away. It might be the enemy sent us half a dozen big shells at tea-time, or on the way up or down you passed -a stretcher making the journey to the beach.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +a stretcher making the journey to the beach.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> Once I met a dead man lying on the side of the road. His lower body was naked and mottled, and the two legs stuck stiffly into the air with @@ -9479,7 +9459,7 @@ off to tea,” says the colonel. And away we go.</p> <p>The bitter monotony of every day put men at their wit’s end to escape the place, and fellows went sick unaccountably, and had strange bullet -wounds in hand or foot. And this brings to mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +wounds in hand or foot. And this brings to mind<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> a man I met near Clayton’s trenches. The enemy was giving us hurry-up with five- and six-inch shells, and the colonel led the way in solid style @@ -9513,7 +9493,7 @@ their eyes. They were tongue-tied, except for one or two murmurs of regret. Not far off Gaba Tepeh lay the battleship listing to one side: to her aid raced destroyers from all over the bay. -They closed about her and began the work of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +They closed about her and began the work of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> rescue; and Gaba Tepeh seized the opportunity of a lifetime, and opened fiercely with shrapnel. The destroyers blazed back, the flashes winked @@ -9547,7 +9527,7 @@ colonel one day: “I shall not try and fly until I become an angel. I’m a nervous little fellow.” The enemy planes were German Taubes, which circled overhead in fashion most trying to those -below. When the bomb came free, it sounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +below. When the bomb came free, it sounded<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> as if it fell in a succession of dives, and gave no hint of its target. Then came the final rush, and a moment of fierce suspense; and then the roar @@ -9557,14 +9537,14 @@ abroad the cry for stretcher-bearers.</p> <p>With such diversions as I tell of, the summer wore on.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII<br > <span class="smaller">REALITIES</span></h2> <p>I had finished breakfast half an hour, and now @@ -9595,7 +9575,7 @@ after a silence. And what more was there to say? The corporal shrugged his shoulders, lingered a moment, and went off to his dug-out.</p> -<p>I sat down on the ground to wait for the colonel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +<p>I sat down on the ground to wait for the colonel.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> It was early yet; but already the sun menaced us. It was the start of another heartbreaking day. The flies in their tens of thousands blackened @@ -9632,7 +9612,7 @@ from his face, and then he said: “Well, you understand about Lewis?” And away he went.</p> -<p>I sat down again and dozed as before. Norris<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +<p>I sat down again and dozed as before. Norris<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> did not turn up for a long while, and I had no quarrel against him on that score. It was between ten and eleven when he and the two stretcher-bearers @@ -9654,7 +9634,7 @@ of their own. Letters were the one interest remaining to this drooping army. A good or bad mail made or marred a fellow’s temper for the week. This collection was for the infantry, -and we passed it by Without interest. We climbed +and we passed it by without interest. We climbed past the Infantry Headquarters, and up the next pinch to the mouth of the communication trench where Lewis was said to be. The place @@ -9666,7 +9646,7 @@ on the body of Lewis on its back on the ground, three parts covered over with sacks. Lying thus, it looked no different from a sleeping man, for all covered themselves after this manner for shade -and to escape the flies. But the trench walls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +and to escape the flies. But the trench walls<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> told the truth. For a dozen yards the brains of Lewis clung to them. They could be traced by the flies settled there. It was a sight sickening @@ -9702,7 +9682,7 @@ body, and covered them over. I took care not to explore underneath the sack. I had no relish for what might be there.</p> -<p>So this was the end of Lewis, the beloved of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +<p>So this was the end of Lewis, the beloved of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> his family, the fellow whose face had been the face of a girl. The golden hair was blotted with blood and dirt, and the worms were to make a @@ -9740,7 +9720,7 @@ for the afternoon battle we were to slap at him. We had extra ammunition to spend. The colonel was like a schoolboy on holiday. He invited a couple of infantrymen, and we went away to a -new observing station connected by telephone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +new observing station connected by telephone<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> with the old place. I sat by to take messages in case of emergency.</p> @@ -9775,7 +9755,7 @@ out orders at the telephonist. Just now I took the cigarette from my mouth, and looked at it. It was half-smoked.</p> -<p>“Why have the New Zealanders shut up shop?”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +<p>“Why have the New Zealanders shut up shop?”<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> the colonel burst out. “What’s happened to them? Find out from Mr. Sands what’s happened to them!”</p> @@ -9818,7 +9798,7 @@ but this was seldom, as much of the way the men were wide awake and in places they stood to arms. There was anxiety on most faces. Usually I progressed at a fast walk; but there were times -when I must elbow the way forward. The fellows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +when I must elbow the way forward. The fellows<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> talked hard to one another, and those who knew me for an artilleryman called out to know what we were up to. In good truth I was advancing @@ -9852,7 +9832,7 @@ gods. As I went along the pace shortened up my breath. I came on another dead man laid on his back, and had to manœuvre to pass without treading on him. I puffed at the cigarette -end, for it was the last of the week’s issue. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +end, for it was the last of the week’s issue. It<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> tasted what it was—cheap and nasty. As half the journey was done, I heard the scream of a shell right atop of me: there was a thud and @@ -9886,7 +9866,7 @@ manner. “Message, sir, from the C.O.!” I called out. “Please find out why New Zealand Battery has ceased fire.” Great sadness came into Sands’s face: he nodded his head to himself. “Lake,” -he said, “you are too slow to be in time for your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +he said, “you are too slow to be in time for your<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> own funeral. I got that message two minutes ago over the ’phone.”</p> @@ -9921,7 +9901,7 @@ morrow. Often I sat on the balcony of my funk-hole, staring into the eye of the setting sun. Many lovely sunsets have I watched spread over the bay, and have fed on them my starved eyes. -Next the sky faded, the sea grew dim and shadowy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +Next the sky faded, the sea grew dim and shadowy,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> and overhead stars came out. The cool of night moved abroad. It was drink to a thirsting man. The valley grew hushed, as now the armies forgot @@ -9959,7 +9939,7 @@ This evening my visitor was strangely depressed.</p> <p>“Lake,” he said, “what do you think of it?”</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> <p>I shrugged my shoulders. When he got no answer he turned his head, and, our eyes meeting, @@ -9996,7 +9976,7 @@ He gave a series of chuckles.</p> a towel and joined the throng moving to the beach. Half the army bathed at sundown, and on the way home men lined up and filled water-bottles -for the next day. About sunset hour<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +for the next day. About sunset hour<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> the beach was filled with naked men treading over the treacherous pebbles to the water, and with others drying and dressing. The piers overflowed @@ -10032,7 +10012,7 @@ shell grazed me on the side of the head. I came off with a headache and a little blood drawn; but it was a close touch.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> <p>Summer wore on. We on the Peninsula seemed no nearer victory; and the news from France @@ -10069,7 +10049,7 @@ fork where Shrapnel and Monash Valleys join—“I can send you down to the Column as acting bombardier.”</p> -<p>“Sir,” I answer, “acting bombardier is a thankless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +<p>“Sir,” I answer, “acting bombardier is a thankless<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> job. The men know an acting bombardier draws no extra pay, and they value him accordingly.”</p> @@ -10079,14 +10059,14 @@ make a beginning.”</p> <p>That is all our speech, but next day I am ordered down to the Column, and I go as full bombardier.</p> -<hr /> +<hr > -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX<br /> +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX<br > <span class="smaller">THE LAST OF ANZAC</span></h2> <p>The Column had dug themselves in on the ruins @@ -10113,7 +10093,7 @@ becoming of me.</p> duty. Two days after arrival, I was detailed three men and sent a little way up the valley to guard a provision depot built in anticipation of the -reinforcements. These reinforcements now were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +reinforcements. These reinforcements now were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> expected daily. I divided the guard into shifts of two hours on duty and four hours off, and after seeing that the work was carried out, I could call @@ -10147,7 +10127,7 @@ a considerable fenced cemetery, full of cared-for graves. As afternoon declined, this sheltered road became crowded with passengers. At the end of twenty or thirty yards it emptied on to a hillock -overlooking the sea. Here was a square of ground<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +overlooking the sea. Here was a square of ground<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> quite destitute of cover from shell-fire. The path ran round it, and by a flight of steps led you down on to the beach.</p> @@ -10184,7 +10164,7 @@ The sun blazed on you, and you thought of Beachy Bill and his ill-humours. Water-tanks were his favourite targets.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> <p>Beachy Bill had no call to be careful of his mark; did he miss one target, he found another. There @@ -10220,7 +10200,7 @@ evening wandered round the enclosure with morose looks.</p> <p>The shadow of Death over the land did not -prevent certain spirits from seeking to turn an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +prevent certain spirits from seeking to turn an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> honest or dishonest penny. A trade began in eggs, chocolate, tinned fish and cigarettes, smuggled over from Imbros and elsewhere. Profits made @@ -10254,7 +10234,7 @@ experience the change of numbers; henceforward the filling of water-bottles was a bitter business. Three or four days must be spent before the attack, and the Englishmen had no luck in that time. -The big shells fired by the enemy haphazard into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +The big shells fired by the enemy haphazard into<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> the valleys found targets on many occasions. This cold-blooded sitting-about to be blown up must have tried severely new nerves.</p> @@ -10289,7 +10269,7 @@ Indian regiments. Brief commands and the jangle of arms came to us. Such parties as I describe were engaged on their own business, and said no word to us, nor took we account of them. -There was endless mutter of rifle-fire from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +There was endless mutter of rifle-fire from the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> trenches, and other sounds were the rustling of the wavelets and the mumble of the guns rolling over the sand. In early morning hours the battery @@ -10322,7 +10302,7 @@ men gaped at you wherever shadows were least thick. When I arrived the fury of the Turkish fire had abated for a while, but even so it was not a journey one would wish to repeat. However, -my first journey was my last. The climb up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +my first journey was my last. The climb up the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> hills and the weight of the shells stole my strength. I fell down half a dozen times on the journey, and though I managed the return empty-handed, @@ -10357,7 +10337,7 @@ other fellows, and together we watched the battle. I was not on duty before nightfall, and the day was my own. The enemy fire continued with great fury, and kept us on the threshold of our -funk-holes; but in the afternoon I went down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +funk-holes; but in the afternoon I went down<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> to the tanks to fill a water-bottle, and to see anything worth seeing.</p> @@ -10395,7 +10375,7 @@ hospital ships waited at sea. Filling my water-bottle, I returned to the Column. The assault continued all day; but it abated towards evening.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p> <p>About sunset the sergeant-major sent for me to say I must report at Brigade Headquarters. @@ -10432,7 +10412,7 @@ I saw the gleam of a few fires, and even heard voices of men. Presently I got again to my feet.</p> -<p>I went along the empty valley, meeting only a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +<p>I went along the empty valley, meeting only a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> mule waggon on the way. As I arrived at the waterbutts, two star-shells burst in the sky, and a volley of rapid fire broke from the trenches. @@ -10470,7 +10450,7 @@ went across to the telephone office.</p> <p>There I found Wilkinson. He read <cite>The Bulletin</cite> by the light of a lantern. The receiver was -strapped over his ears. He seemed pleased to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +strapped over his ears. He seemed pleased to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> see me, and said all of a sudden, “You look crook.”</p> @@ -10508,7 +10488,7 @@ on the right was without motion, with a pallor about his face warning of Death’s coming; the other sat cross-legged and bent over me when my eyes opened. He said many words in a high -cooing voice; but I understood only Australian.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +cooing voice; but I understood only Australian.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> He meant to be of comfort, he pulled about the blanket beneath my head that I might rest the easier. Over all the wide deck lay bodies of @@ -10543,7 +10523,7 @@ salute.</p> a standstill, and there were sounds of raised voices. We were under the shadow of a hospital ship. There came a rattling of chains, and followed -it the work of lifting us aboard. Presently I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> +it the work of lifting us aboard. Presently I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> mounted through the air. Arms came out to steady me and draw me in. And then I found myself looking into a woman’s face.</p> @@ -10553,9 +10533,9 @@ their message ends—I write</p> <p class="center larger">VIK E.</p> -<p class="titlepage smaller">PRINTED BY<br /> -HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD.,<br /> -LONDON AND AYLESBURY,<br /> +<p class="titlepage smaller">PRINTED BY<br > +HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD.,<br > +LONDON AND AYLESBURY,<br > ENGLAND.</p> <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 60875 ***</div> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt index 6312041..b5dba15 100644 --- a/LICENSE.txt +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. @@ -7,5 +7,5 @@ the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize -this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +this book outside of the United States should confirm copyright status under the laws that apply to them. @@ -1,2 +1,2 @@ Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for -eBook #60875 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60875) +book #60875 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60875) |