ted from me. It's worth a week's rest
to the men, and, poor chaps, they need it." Lowering his voice, he
leaned over to the major and said, "We may be going up again to-morrow
night."

"To-morrow night, colonel!" exclaimed the major, aghast.

"Not a word, but I have exceedingly grave news. The front line is driven
in. One of the battalions holding is completely wiped out."

"Wiped out? Good God, and where are the enemy?"

"As far as I can hear, although I haven't the particulars, they have
broken through from Hooge to Hill 60, are through Sanctuary Wood, and
down to Maple Copse. Two relief battalions have gone up and are holding.
The chances are we shall have to go to back them up to-morrow evening.
It's hard on the boys, for they have come through a long and bitter
experience, but not a word of this, major, to any one. We shall let
them have their rest to-night. That's why I was so anxious about this
entertainment. That's why I am particularly grateful to that Pilot of
ours. He is a wonder, and by the look of him he is about all in. He is
staying magnificently with the game. And now, major, I am going to do
something that will please him immensely. At least I think it will."

At a pause in the music, the O. C. arose and moved toward the stage.
Barry at once stepped back to the rear. Standing before the men, the O.
C. spoke briefly:

"I wish to thank in your name, men, our chaplain, and his assistant, Mr.
Coleman, for the very delightful evening they have given us. I know how
you feel by the way I feel myself. I need say no more, and now, seeing
that we have missed our parade service for the last two Sundays, and as
I should not like the chaplain to become rusty in his duty, I'm going
to ask him to bring our very pleasant evening to a close with a little
service such as he himself would suggest."

Hardly were the words out of his mouth, when Barry took up his violin
and said:

"Boys, did you have a good time to-night?"

"Yes, sir; you bet we had, sir."

"Well, then, if you had, sing this," and recited for them the first
verses of the old hymn,

"Abide with me, fast falls the even tide."

When they had sung the first verse, he said again:

"Now sing these words," and once more he recited the stirring verse:

"I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless."

When they had finished the verse, he said to them

"Shall we have another?"

"Go on, sir!" they said. "Sure thing!" "Finish it up!"

"Then,