. Meanwhile
our trenches and dug-cuts were going up in bloody mud."

"I think we might as well go below," said the Australian. "They will be
coming in presently."

But Barry and the M. O. remained long after the first coming in shells
began to drop around. That barrage so long waited for, and so ardently
desired, was worth some risk.

Soon the wounded began to arrive, and throughout the whole night, the
M. O. and his staff were busy at their work. On the arrival of the zero
hour, the barrage lifted.

"Well, good luck go with the boys," said the Australian, fervently.
"They are out and over now. We'll get some of them presently."

Throughout the night, a stream of walking wounded kept flowing in.
Jubilant, exultant in spite of their pain, they bore with them the
joyful report that they had shifted the Hun from his trenches and his
deep dug-outs, and were still advancing. Singing at the top of their
voices, they came limping in, bloody and muddy, but wild with exultation
and joy. The day long looked for by the Canadians had arrived. They were
getting something of their own back.

The next day revealed the full extent of the achievement. The whole
Canadian line had swept forward for over a thousand yards, had captured
strong points, a fortified sunken road, the famous "sugar refinery" and,
overrunning their objective, had captured the village of Courcelette, as
well. It was a gallant little fight, and quite a notable achievement.

After two days the battalion was pulled out, having suffered
comparatively slight losses, and more than ready to return when the
opportunity should come.

The next three weeks were spent in minor operations, consolidating
positions, repelling counter-attacks, and preparing for the real "big
go," in which the Canadians were to take their part in the advance of
the whole allied line, after which the battalion was sent into reserve
for a few days' respite.

The Canadian line was gradually wearing thin, but the spirit of those
who survived was the spirit of the whole allied line,--the spirit that
claimed victory and was not to be denied. As to the nature of the task
awaiting them, however, they well knew that it was to be a fight in
which the last ounce of resolution and only the last ounce would carry
them through to their objective.

The experiences of the allies during the past months had wrought in
them a settled conviction that victory was awaiting them, and a settled
resolution tha