t up all night. The ground is fast turning into soft
mud, and we have got to sleep upon it, or rather in it; for by the
time we are ready to lie down it will be soft enough to let us sink
right in. I think the best plan will be to try to get hold of a small
bundle of rushes or straw, or something of that sort, to keep our
heads above it, otherwise we shall risk suffocation."

"It is beastly," Stapleton said emphatically. "Look at the men; what a
change in them since we marched along this road yesterday. Then they
were full of fun and spirits, now they look washed out and miserable.
Were the French to attack us now you wouldn't see our men fight as you
did yesterday."

"But you must remember, Stapleton, the French are just as wet as we
are. This is not a little private rain of our own, you know, got up
for our special annoyance; but it extends right over the country."

"What nonsense you talk, Conway; as if I didn't know that."

"Well, you spoke as if you didn't, Stapleton; but you will see the
fellows will fight when they are called upon. Just at present they are
not only wet but they are disgusted. And I own it is disgusting after
fighting as hard as we did yesterday to find it's all been of no use,
and that instead of marching against the enemy we are marching away
from them. Of course it can't be helped; and if we had waited another
half-hour we should have had all the French army on us, and
yesterday's work would have been mere child's play to it. Still I can
quite enter into the soldier's feelings. Of course they do not
understand the position, and regard it as simply a retreat instead of
a mere shifting of ground to take up better position and fight again
to-morrow.

"Still this is a nice position, isn't it? You see there's room enough
along on the top of this slope for our whole army, and our guns will
sweep the dip between us and the opposite rise, and if they attack
they will have to experience the same sensations we did yesterday, of
being pounded and pounded without the satisfaction of being able to
return their fire.

"They must cross that dip to get at us--at least if they attack, which
I suppose they will, as they will be the strongest party--and our
artillery will be able to play upon them splendidly from this road.
Then, too, there are two or three farmhouses nearer our side than
theirs, and I suppose they will be held in force.

"That looks rather a nice old place among the trees there on our
r