e army of road-mending Huns, broke up the surface of the
pavements these ambulances made their way. They must get through no
matter what was held up.

And as they flowed these streams ever and anon broke their banks and
flooded over in little eddies into villages and fields, there to tarry
for a day and a night, only to be caught up again in either one of those
resistless inevitable currents of war.

"Look before you, major," said Barry, who was riding with the
Headquarters Company at the head of the column, as often now at the
invitation of the O. C.

The column was slowly climbing a long gentle sloping hill that reached
its apex some two or three miles away. On either side, spread out over
the fields, as far as the eye could reach, were military encampments, in
tents, in huts and in the open. Infantry units, horse lines, motor
truck parks, repair camps for motors and for guns, ammunition dumps
with shells piled high, supply sheds bulging with their canvas-covered
contents, Red Cross huts and marquees, and Y. M. C. A. tents with their
cues of waiting soldiers, getting "eats" and drinks, and comforts of
various kinds. The whole countryside was one mighty encampment packed
with munitions and supplies and thronging with horses, mules and men.

"This is war on the 'grand scale,'" said the O. C. dropping back beside
them. "From the top of this hill we can see Albert and a part of the
most famous battle-field of all time. We camp just outside of Albert
on what is known as the 'brick field,' and in a couple of days more
we shall be in it. Well," he continued, with a glance over the column
following, "the boys never were more fit."

"And never more keen," said the major. "They are right on their toes."

"Major, I expect to meet the divisional commander down here, and I want
you to be there. Captain Dunbar, you know him, I believe. He has asked
especially that you should be there as well."

"Yes, sir, I have met the General. To my mind he is an ideal soldier."

"Yes, and an ideal officer," said the O. C. "He knows his job and he is
always fit and keen."

At the top of the hill, a traffic officer, a young lieutenant from the
Imperial forces, diverted the column from the road into a field.

"Why is this?" inquired the O. C.

"There's the answer, sir," said the officer coolly.

There was a long drawn whine which rapidly grew into a shriek and an H.
E. shell dropped fair in the road, a short distance in front.

"Oh,