t that victory they would secure at all cost soever.

At length the day arrived, a dull October day, overhung with rain clouds
and thick with chill mist. On the parade ground the battalion was drawn
up for the service which always preceded an attack.

The operations of the past month had reduced the battalion to about half
its fighting strength. Only some five hundred men, with officers barely
sufficient to direct their movements, looked back at Barry through the
mist as he faced them for the service.

"Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation," he read.
The psalm might have been written for the occasion.

"He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence: I shall not be
moved.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God: for my expectation is from him.

"He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence: I shall not be
moved.

"In God is my salvation, and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my
refuge is in God.

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him.
God is a refuge for us."

Barry made only a single comment upon the psalm, "Men, nothing can move
God, and nothing can move those whose trust is in God. Remember God is
to be trusted."

The reading was followed by the General Confession, the Absolution and
a brief extemporary prayer, concluding with the Lord's Prayer. As Barry
was mounting his horse a runner brought him an order from his divisional
chief, directing him to report at the casualty clearing station in
Albert for immediate duty. He carried the order to the O. C.

"Look at this!" he stormed.

"Too bad! Too bad!" said the O. C. "Rotten luck for you."

"Look here, sir," said Barry, "I have always gone up with the battalion,
and I think--"

"I fancy they are getting on to you, Dunbar. You know you have rather
shirked the C. C. S. duty," said the O. C. with a smile.

"Isn't there some way out of this? If I got a substitute--"

"A soldier obeys orders, Captain Dunbar," said the O. C. gravely.

"Yes, sir, I know, but--"

"And he doesn't say 'but'," continued the O. C. "No, Barry," he added in
a kindly voice, "I have no responsibility or authority in this. I'd be
glad to have you come up with us. We are going into the 'big thing' this
time, I know, but perhaps it's just as well. You go your way and we'll
go ours. I'd like to say this to you, however, my boy, you have been a
great help to me with the men."

His tone was grave but kind, and it