think I have plenty of coffee. Sergeant
major, I suggest that you round up these men in some sort of order."

A few sharp words of command from the sergeant major brought order
out of confusion, and for two hours there filed through the cellar a
continuous stream of men, each bringing an empty mess tin, and carrying
it away full of hot and fragrant coffee.

By the time the men had been supplied the officers were finished with
their duties, and having got word of the Pilot's coffee stall, came
crowding in. One and all they were vociferous in their praise of the
chaplain, voting him a "good fellow" and a "life-saver" of the highest
order. But it was felt by all that Corporal Thom expressed the general
consensus of opinion to his friend Timms. "That Pilot of ours," he
declared, "runs a little to the narrow gauge, but in that last round up
he was telling us about last Sunday there won't be the goat run for him.
It's him for the baa baas, sure enough."

And though in the vernacular the corporal's words did not sound quite
reverent, it was agreed that they expressed in an entirely satisfactory
manner the general opinion of the battalion.

An hour later, wearied as he was, Barry crawled into his icy blankets,
but with a warmer feeling in his heart than he had known since he joined
the battalion. But before he had gone to sleep, there came into his mind
a thought that brought him up wide awake. He had quite forgotten all
about his duty as chaplain. "What a chance you had there," insisted his
chaplain's conscience, "for a word that would really hearten your men.
This is their first night in France. To-morrow they march up to danger
and death. What a chance! And you missed it."

Barry was too weary to discuss the matter further, but as he fell asleep
he said to himself, "At any rate, the boys are feeling a lot better,"
and in spite of his sense of failure, that thought brought him no small
comfort.

CHAPTER XI

THE NEW MESSAGE

"I think," said Barry, to the M. O., "I really ought to ride down to the
R. A. M. C. hospital, and tell them how the boys enjoyed the coffee last
night." His face was slightly flushed, but the flush might have been due
to the fact that he had been busily engaged in tying up the thongs of
his bed-roll, an awkward job at times.

"Sure thing," agreed the M. O. heartily. "Indeed it's absolutely
essential, and say, old chap, you might tell her how I enjoyed my
coffee. She will be glad to hear