de.

"Get me a dozen bags," he said.

"Bags, sir? I don't know where--"

"Bags," repeated Duff savagely. "Canvas, anything to wrap around these
horses' feet."

The sergeant without further words plunged into the darkness, returning
almost immediately with half a dozen bags.

"Thanks, sergeant; that's the way to move. Now get some more!"

Under Duff's directions the bags were tied about the feet of the horses,
thus enabling them to hold their footing, and the transport moved off in
the darkness.

Returning from the disposing of the injured man, the M. O. found Barry
shivering with the cold, and weak from his recent attack of seasickness.

"There will be no end of a sick parade to-morrow morning, and you'll be
one of them," grumbled the M. O. "If they don't move them out of here
soon they'll take them away in ambulances. There are a hundred men at
this moment fit to go to hospital, but the O. C. won't hear of it."

"Doc, they ought to have something hot. The kitchens are left behind, I
understand. Let me have a couple of your men, and let me see what I can
do."

"It's no use, I've tried all the hotels about here. They're full up."

"No harm trying, doc," said Barry, and off he went.

But he found the hotels full up, as the doctor had said. After much
inquiry, he found his way to the Y. M. C. A. A cheerful but sleepy
secretary, half dead with the fatigue of a heavy day ministering to
soldiers "going up the line," could offer him no help at all.

"Do you mean to say that there is no place in this town," said Barry
desperately, "where a sick man can get a dish of coffee?"

"Sick man!" cried the secretary. "Why, certainly! Why not try the R. A.
M. C.? They've a hospital half a mile up the street. They will certainly
help you out. I'll come with you."

"No, you don't," said Barry. "You go back to bed. I'll find the place."

Half a mile up the street, as the secretary had said, Barry came upon
the flaring lantern of the R. A. M. C., at the entrance to a huge
warehouse, the gate of which stood wide open.

Entering the courtyard, Barry found a group of men about a blazing fire.

"May I see the officer in charge?" he asked, approaching the group.

The men glanced at his rank badges.

"Yes, sir," said a sergeant, clicking his heels smartly. "Can I do
anything for you, sir?"

"Thank you," said Barry, and told him his wants.

"We have plenty of biscuits," said the sergeant, "and coffee, too. You
are welcome